Product Description

Michelle Moran returns with another riveting and untold historical tale set against the backdrop of Egypt's demise. Following Cleopatra and Marc Antony's deaths, their three children - twins named Alexander and Selene plus a younger son named Ptolemy - are exiled from Egypt and sent to Rome in chains to be raised in one of the most fascinating (and dangerous) courts of all time. Cleopatra's Daughter is the remarkable true story of what happens to these three surviving children as seen through the eyes of Selene. Their adaptation to Roman culture, their treatment as both a curiosity and a threat, and Selene's perilous journey to adulthood, are all chronicled in the elegant detail and gripping pace for which Michelle Moran is celebrated.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5897 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-02
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Review
'Hugely enjoyable' Daily Express. 'Compulsively readable!' Diana Gabaldon. 'Moran, a rising star in the world of historical fiction, has drawn a vivid picture of the horrors and glories of life in ancient Rome ... this is an intelligent historical novel, which like Moran's previous two titles draws you in from the outset' Daily Express.

From the Back Cover
At the dawn of the Roman Empire, when tyranny ruled, a daughter of Egypt and a son of Rome found each other...
Selene's legendary parents are gone, dead by their own hands. Her country taken from her, she has been brought to the city of Rome in chains, with only her twin brother, Alexander, to remind her of home and all she once had.
Paraded as captives and brought to live under the watchful eyes of the ruling family, Selene and her brother must quickly learn how to be Roman - and where their new allegiances lie. Caesar will tolerate the twins only so long as they can be useful. Selene puts her artistry to work, in the hope of staying alive and someday being allowed to return to Egypt. Before long, however, she is distracted by the young and handsome heir to the empire, whose power might save her.
Yet the imperial family's rule is far from secure. When the elusive `Red Eagle' starts calling for the end of slavery, causing riots and murder, Selene and Alexander find their lives in grave danger. Will this mysterious figure bring about their liberation, or their demise?

About the Author
Michelle Moran's experiences at archaeological sites around the world first inspired her to write historical fiction. She is the author of Nefertiti and its standalone sequel The Heretic Queen. She lives in California with her husband. Visit her at www.MichelleMoran.com.

Customer Reviews

Moran-tastic - another best-seller by Michelle Moran
After her bestsellers "Nefertiti" and the "Heretic Queen" Michelle Moran presents now her third novel. She continues her Eyptian theme but makes a big jump time in time.

This is the story of the last Ptolemaic princess and prince: Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios - the Moon and the Sun.Their second names mean in Ancient Greek "Moon and "Sun". Both are the children of the famous Queen Cleopatra - actually the 7th Queen of this name - and Marc Antony, the Roman triumvir. After Marc Antony has been defeated and Cleopatra has committed sucide, the children are brought to Rome by Octavian, the first Roman Emperor, parade through Rome and given in the care of his sister Octavia.In typical Roman fashion sons and daughters are edcuated in Rome in order to turn them into good Romans and then use them as puppet rulers of their former states.

Michelle Moran describes the life and times of the Imperial family and the life in Rome at the time. Her descriptions are fantastic, engaging and vivid. The start of the book is espcially great - the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra. The main story takes place at the heart of the Empire and the Imperial family, a family of much tensions and jealousy. These are power games of truly imperial impact and yet so human. Michelle Moran catches this to perfection. On the other hand she looks at the society at large - the fanatic developments of the time are balanced by the fate of the slaves and the corruption of the elite. She shows what slavery meant.And there is the mysery of the Red Eagle...

It is a real pleasure to read as Michelle Moran keeps her standards and style. If reading much is an indication of a gripping book maybe this is of interest for you: I got the book on a Friday and had read the first 300 pages by sunday. Today is Tuesday and I have finished the book.

Thanks Michelle! You gave me a great time. Hope more will come. This is historic novel writing at its best.

Pitch Perfect
As a singer, the goal is to get a song pitch perfect. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I am happy to say that in her third book, Moran gets it exactly right. Cleopatra's Daughter begins in the city of Alexandria and moves very quickly to Rome, where Cleopatra's children have been taken as prisoners to be paraded in Octavian's triumph. While the children are afraid they will be treated harshly or killed, they are shocked to discover that they will be raised in the house of Octavian's sister Octavia [whom Marc Antony left for Cleopatra!]. Instead of being a terrible stepmother or guardian, Octavia treats her charges with kindness. Thus begins the long journey of these children in Rome. Everything about this novel enthralled me. The descriptions of the buildings, the food, the sea, and especially the character of the narrator Selene. I loved this book more than her others, even more than The Heretic Queen.

Cleopatra's Daughter - A Review
Written in a very livey and captivating style, Michelle Moran achieves a marvellous reacreation of the epoch. And it is fascinating to learn the destiny of this child who seemed to have disappeared from the face of history. I enjoyed the book very much.