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Cleopatra's Daughter #1
Lily of the Nile
From the New York Times bestselling author of America's First Daughter comes the first epic novel of Cleopatra's daughter.
Heiress of one empire and prisoner of another, it is up to the daughter of Cleopatra to save her brothers and reclaim what is rightfully hers...
To Isis worshippers, Princess Selene and her twin brother Helios embody the divine celestial pair who will bring about a Golden Age. But when Selene's parents are vanquished by Rome, her auspicious birth becomes a curse.
Trapped in an empire that reviles her heritage and suspects her faith, the young messianic princess struggles for survival in a Roman court of intrigue. She can't hide the hieroglyphics that carve themselves into her hands, nor can she stop the emperor from using her powers for his own ends.
Faced with a new and ruthless Caesar who is obsessed with having a Cleopatra of his very own, Selene is determined to resurrect her mother's dreams and succeed where she failed. But in a treacherous political game where the only rule is win or die, there's no telling what success will cost her...
Heiress of one empire and prisoner of another, it is up to the daughter of Cleopatra to save her brothers and reclaim what is rightfully hers...
To Isis worshippers, Princess Selene and her twin brother Helios embody the divine celestial pair who will bring about a Golden Age. But when Selene's parents are vanquished by Rome, her auspicious birth becomes a curse.
Trapped in an empire that reviles her heritage and suspects her faith, the young messianic princess struggles for survival in a Roman court of intrigue. She can't hide the hieroglyphics that carve themselves into her hands, nor can she stop the emperor from using her powers for his own ends.
Faced with a new and ruthless Caesar who is obsessed with having a Cleopatra of his very own, Selene is determined to resurrect her mother's dreams and succeed where she failed. But in a treacherous political game where the only rule is win or die, there's no telling what success will cost her...
351 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
About the author
Stephanie Dray
18 books4,270 followersSTEPHANIE DRAY is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. She lives with her husband, cats, and history books.
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September 18, 2024
I suppose many of us know Cleopatra's story. She was an Egyptian queen who seduced two Roman generals to keep Egypt an independent kingdom. Antony, the second Roman general, became so infatuated with Cleopatra that he recklessly handed over Roman territories to her, such as Syria and Libya, and even named Cleopatra's son as the true heir of Julius Caesar. All of this angered Octavian (Caesar's adopted son), who was furious at being challenged. He declared war on Cleopatra, though his real target was Antony. Octavian won, and Antony and Cleopatra ended up committing suicide. Octavian then had Cleopatra's son by Julius Caesar killed to eliminate all rivals who threatened his claim to the Roman Empire. However, he spared the children of Antony and Cleopatra, sending them to be raised by his sister.
Lily of the Nile follows the story of Selene, the daughter of Antony and Cleopatra, as she tries to adapt to her new environment and prove herself trustworthy to the Romans, especially Octavian, in the hope that one day she might regain Egypt.
The story was very engrossing. However, the magical element added to the narrative felt unnecessary. I thought the book would have been much better without the fantasy aspect alongside the historical fiction. I also found Lily's strong hatred for Octavian, because he killed those who opposed him (such as her parents), to be somewhat hypocritical. I would think Selene would have realized that both Antony and Cleopatra employed the same ruthless tactics as Octavian. The novel adhered fairly closely to historical events while also weaving in fictional elements.
Some aspects of the book reminded me of the HBO drama Rome. I remember learning about Cleopatra in my ancient history class and reading that Octavian took her children to Rome. That left me curious about their lives in Rome and their relationship with Octavian, the man responsible for their parents' downfall. It seemed like a compelling story, so I searched the internet for fictional accounts of Cleopatra's children and was glad to have found this one. It met my expectations.
Lily of the Nile follows the story of Selene, the daughter of Antony and Cleopatra, as she tries to adapt to her new environment and prove herself trustworthy to the Romans, especially Octavian, in the hope that one day she might regain Egypt.
The story was very engrossing. However, the magical element added to the narrative felt unnecessary. I thought the book would have been much better without the fantasy aspect alongside the historical fiction. I also found Lily's strong hatred for Octavian, because he killed those who opposed him (such as her parents), to be somewhat hypocritical. I would think Selene would have realized that both Antony and Cleopatra employed the same ruthless tactics as Octavian. The novel adhered fairly closely to historical events while also weaving in fictional elements.
Some aspects of the book reminded me of the HBO drama Rome. I remember learning about Cleopatra in my ancient history class and reading that Octavian took her children to Rome. That left me curious about their lives in Rome and their relationship with Octavian, the man responsible for their parents' downfall. It seemed like a compelling story, so I searched the internet for fictional accounts of Cleopatra's children and was glad to have found this one. It met my expectations.
December 21, 2010
I can't imagine how hard it would be to create a fictional novel using real historical characters and events. Stephanie Dray did it and was able to create a great book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
The book begins with Cleopatra losing Alexandria. Cleopatra's children, Prince Alexander and Princess Selene (twins) and their younger brother, Ptolomy, are then taken by the Roman army (lead by Octavian) back to Rome.
Selene is the star of the book. While she comes across as a pampered, spoiled princess in the beginning, later we learn that Selene is kind, thoughtful, and extremely intelligent. Selene, throughout the story, is always thinking. Every move she made was to counter-act or to anticipate Octovian's moves. She played Octovian's game so well, Octovian and the other characters in the story, quickly realized that Selene was not a young girl (and later young woman) to mess with.
Dray added the element of magic to the story. While initially, I was hesitant of the added element, I began to like this twist in the story. While Selene wanted to be powerful and respected, she was hesitant to use the new power she had in her magic. She wanted to be respected for her strength of character and for her quick mind and not looked down upon for the fact she was a woman (during this time, women's rights in Rome were minimal to none). Her magic was used as a last resort and even afterwards, you can sense her hesitancy in using magic.
****Very small spoiler here******
My only complaint in the book was Alexander. I would not have minded Dray portraying Alexander's POV when he "escaped" Rome. I was curious to what happened and our only information was the news that Selene received.
Overall, an excellent book and I really enjoyed reading it!
The book begins with Cleopatra losing Alexandria. Cleopatra's children, Prince Alexander and Princess Selene (twins) and their younger brother, Ptolomy, are then taken by the Roman army (lead by Octavian) back to Rome.
Selene is the star of the book. While she comes across as a pampered, spoiled princess in the beginning, later we learn that Selene is kind, thoughtful, and extremely intelligent. Selene, throughout the story, is always thinking. Every move she made was to counter-act or to anticipate Octovian's moves. She played Octovian's game so well, Octovian and the other characters in the story, quickly realized that Selene was not a young girl (and later young woman) to mess with.
Dray added the element of magic to the story. While initially, I was hesitant of the added element, I began to like this twist in the story. While Selene wanted to be powerful and respected, she was hesitant to use the new power she had in her magic. She wanted to be respected for her strength of character and for her quick mind and not looked down upon for the fact she was a woman (during this time, women's rights in Rome were minimal to none). Her magic was used as a last resort and even afterwards, you can sense her hesitancy in using magic.
****Very small spoiler here******
My only complaint in the book was Alexander. I would not have minded Dray portraying Alexander's POV when he "escaped" Rome. I was curious to what happened and our only information was the news that Selene received.
Overall, an excellent book and I really enjoyed reading it!
January 21, 2011
I received a full pre-release copy of the book from the author and was spellbound. Fans of HBO's Rome or Herbert's Dune will largely be engrossed by the political dealings between Augustus and Selene. I found the troubles and lengths which Selene had to execute for, not only her survival, but her brothers' as well to be far more defining than the softer choices which Michelle Moran's version took. What's even more satisfying is that readers could be pleased by both books and not feel either lacked a decent story. Each is unique in its own despite having the same characters and using the same historical points. Stephanie Dray's approach also draws the reader in with fantasy theme, particularly how Isis has impacted Cleopatra's choices as well as Selene's. By the ending of Lily of the Nile, I wanted Sorceress of the Nile (the sequel) to be released; I'm excited to see what Selene does next to establish her power and what her brother Helios does to Rome.
July 19, 2011
I missed an opportunity to blurb this book thanks to some mixups with the US Postal Service, but was delighted to buy and review it later. "Lily of the Nile" is the second book I have recently read about Cleopatra's daughter Selene; reading it so close on the heels of Michelle Moran's "Cleopatra's Daughter," I was initially dubious about similarity of plot. Happily, Stephanie Dray presents the same story in new and fresh ways. Her Selene is a poised and intelligent heroine, navigating the snake pit of her Roman captivity with great caution - but sometimes she has to throw caution to the winds, especially when her goddess Isis begins speaking to and through her. Isis's favor causes problems for Selene, particularly with Emperor Augustus who was fascinated and repelled by Cleopatra, and now transfers those complicated emotions to Cleopatra's daughter. Selene's growing pains are real and poignant - and it is lovely to see that romance is not her primary goal, as is often the case with young fictional heroines. Selene is far too busy balancing her devotion to Isis, her love of her family, her ambition to re-take her kingdom, her will to survive, and her anger at her dead mother to devote much time to romantic dreams; in fact, her most interesting relationship is with Emperor Augustus who veers intriguingly between enemy, friend, suitor, and paternal figure. Their climactic cat-and-mouse battle of repulsion, attraction, ambition, and violence in the book's final chapter had me glued to the page. I cannot wait for the next installment of Selene's adventures as she tackles the challenges of becoming a wife, a priestess, and a queen - all at the same time.
January 1, 2015
This account of Cleopatra's daughter was laughable. I have had a fascination with Cleopatra, Egypt and Rome since I was a child so I have read too many things to count about these topics. But while not all books on the topic are well written or entertaining, Lily of the Nile was probably the worst I've read to date. I did not realize how deeply entwined "magic" would be in this telling and had I known I would have wisely avoided the tale. Dray mixes minimal historical fact with major fantasy elements that led to much eye-rolling and the aforementioned laughability. I love fantasy elements but they do not belong in a HF novel about someone such as Cleopatra or her daughter.
Included in my problem about the magical element is the choice to call individuals magicians and such things as this. Not including Egyptian terms when English simply is not exact enough to replace it was a poor choice. Calling the tutor a magician and other such instances was very distracting from the story. The fantasy elements included, alluding to Cleopatra performing magical acts (what crap) and then Selene seeing hieroglyphics appearing on her arms sending her messages? Really? I would never be able to roll my eyes enough on this one- laughable.
The story, regardless of the fantasy element which was much too potent, did not include much actual historical fact and the entire story left you feeling like these individuals never existed. On top of that, Selene was not a supportable main character and I did not care for her one iota. The rest of the characters were flat and lifeless.
Allusions to Christianity that continued to be made throughout Lily of the Nile I found very disturbing and unnecessary. The author's note included in the book made it clear to me why such images were invoked and made me all the more annoyed. The author alludes to "religious awakenings" and how Selene supposedly helped to pave the way for spirituality/religion as it is today and how without her personal spirituality may never have "taken hold". Wow. Just WOW. There is so little known about Cleopatra Selene that to blame religion as it is seen/performed today on her is ridiculous. Christianity may have spread during her lifetime but to connect her to it like this is fantasy. Dray stated in the Author’s Note: “If we accept Matthew’s Massacre of the Innocents as valid gospel, we must acknowledge that Selene’s life intersected with important people [involved in Christianity].” Well how about the fact that this story is thought to be FALSE? So no, “we” as in I do not accept such things. Then Dray states that Christianity shares many of the same symbols and ideals of Isis worship--that is not a coincidence, Christians chose to use these symbols and ideals hundreds upon hundreds of years after Isis worship came into the world, as they did with the pagan religions. Note to self: read Author’s Notes before buying book.
Michelle Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter is a well-written historically based account with believable characters that you could actually come to care about. I would definitely recommend that book to anyone interested in Cleopatra Selene's story.
Included in my problem about the magical element is the choice to call individuals magicians and such things as this. Not including Egyptian terms when English simply is not exact enough to replace it was a poor choice. Calling the tutor a magician and other such instances was very distracting from the story. The fantasy elements included, alluding to Cleopatra performing magical acts (what crap) and then Selene seeing hieroglyphics appearing on her arms sending her messages? Really? I would never be able to roll my eyes enough on this one- laughable.
The story, regardless of the fantasy element which was much too potent, did not include much actual historical fact and the entire story left you feeling like these individuals never existed. On top of that, Selene was not a supportable main character and I did not care for her one iota. The rest of the characters were flat and lifeless.
Allusions to Christianity that continued to be made throughout Lily of the Nile I found very disturbing and unnecessary. The author's note included in the book made it clear to me why such images were invoked and made me all the more annoyed. The author alludes to "religious awakenings" and how Selene supposedly helped to pave the way for spirituality/religion as it is today and how without her personal spirituality may never have "taken hold". Wow. Just WOW. There is so little known about Cleopatra Selene that to blame religion as it is seen/performed today on her is ridiculous. Christianity may have spread during her lifetime but to connect her to it like this is fantasy. Dray stated in the Author’s Note: “If we accept Matthew’s Massacre of the Innocents as valid gospel, we must acknowledge that Selene’s life intersected with important people [involved in Christianity].” Well how about the fact that this story is thought to be FALSE? So no, “we” as in I do not accept such things. Then Dray states that Christianity shares many of the same symbols and ideals of Isis worship--that is not a coincidence, Christians chose to use these symbols and ideals hundreds upon hundreds of years after Isis worship came into the world, as they did with the pagan religions. Note to self: read Author’s Notes before buying book.
Michelle Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter is a well-written historically based account with believable characters that you could actually come to care about. I would definitely recommend that book to anyone interested in Cleopatra Selene's story.
February 1, 2011
While Lily of the Nile is well-written, with generally well-developed characters and a clear storyline, I preferred Moran's Cleopatra's daughter. I just didn't like Dray's Selene very much and unless I stumble over the sequel and it looks very interesting, I probably won't read the next book in Dray's series.
While Dray and Moran both wrote a novel focusing on Cleopatra Selene they told very different stories. So don't hesitate to read both if you're interested in the time period. Dray and Moran's stories have about three events in common, presumably because those events are historically accurate, but the stories present very different interpretations and repercussions of the events.
While Dray's story isn't classified as YA, it fits the criteria (subject, character ages, etc.) and I wouldn't hesitate to suggest Lily of the Nile to a teen or pre-teen interested in historical fiction. However, some readers may be uncomfortable with the Messianic imagery used for Helios and especially Selene. (Specifically, Selene is hailed by magi and presented with gifts, King Herod is troubled and wants them dead and other very specific people/situations that can be found in the story of Christ.)
June 15, 2012
Selene carried the fig basket with the asp that killed her mother, sending Queen Cleopatra into the afterlife. And leaving Selene and her brothers alone.
To face the burdens of a lost Egypt.
The hopes of the Isiac religion.
And the ultimate enemy.
Octavian. Leader of Rome. Conqueror of Selene’s homeland. Architect of her parents’ fall.
And the man who expects Antony and Cleopatra’s children to call him . . .
Father.
A fascinating look into the life of an Egyptian princess raised by the family of the man who conquered both her country and her parents.
But failed to conquer her.
I enjoyed the historical setting and events, especially the innate paradox of Selene’s situation, her ability to see life from more than one angle, and her twin brother’s inclination toward rebellion. Looking forward to book two!
To face the burdens of a lost Egypt.
The hopes of the Isiac religion.
And the ultimate enemy.
Octavian. Leader of Rome. Conqueror of Selene’s homeland. Architect of her parents’ fall.
And the man who expects Antony and Cleopatra’s children to call him . . .
Father.
A fascinating look into the life of an Egyptian princess raised by the family of the man who conquered both her country and her parents.
But failed to conquer her.
I enjoyed the historical setting and events, especially the innate paradox of Selene’s situation, her ability to see life from more than one angle, and her twin brother’s inclination toward rebellion. Looking forward to book two!
January 27, 2019
Historical, but hard to tell where history stopped and creative license crept in. Left lots of unanswered questions, ended abruptly and quite unsatisfactorily. But it was a good read.
July 10, 2013
This book was always going to attract comparison with Michelle Moran’s Cleopatra’s Daughter, featuring the same characters, the children of Kleopatra VII and Marcus Antonius, during the same period of their lives, the years after they were brought to Rome to be raised by Octavia with their half-siblings. Author Stephanie Dray even mentions Moran’s novel in the acknowledgements of this book, so comparison between the two novels was always going to be inevitable. Fortunately, Stephanie Dray’s Lily of the Nile is miles better than Michelle Moran’s Cleopatra’s Daughter.
Lily of the Nile is more historical fantasy than its rival, but for me this wasn’t an issue. I will say that I would have enjoyed it more without the magic. Dray writes well, well enough that she can hold the story together from the history alone and I would’ve been kept as involved and interested, even more so than this magical version. But Lily of the Nile is totally upfront about being a historical fantasy. It reveals this on the back cover blurb. It’s historical fantasies masquerading as straight historical fiction and are poorly written to boot that get on my wick (Philippa Gregory comes to mind).
Dray's descriptions are fluid, evocative, they drew me into the environment and the setting, and they engage my senses and my imagination. The writing feels careful and considered, with a lot of time and thought put into it, intelligent and mature, with only the occasional hint of clunkiness.
This sentence is one of the rare few. It feels a little bit too much like “I read this academic publication that theorised X”.
You know, I've been reading George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series recently. Brilliant books, I love them. But if there’s one thing about those novels that makes me wince, it’s “most anything” or “wrote”, instead of “almost anything” and “wrote to”. As soon as I read those phrases it jars me right out of this wonderful fantasy world and drops me unceremoniously into the modern day USA. In a historical set novel, the effect is even more jarring for me. This is the tiniest of tiny criticisms, and I haven’t docked Lily of the Nile any points for this, but that doesn’t make it any less jarring.
Because the book is written in a mature style, and because the voice of Lily of the Nile is Selene (the novel is written in first person point of view from Selene’s perspective), it was much easier for me to smoothly relax into and enjoy this book in comparison to Moran’s Cleopatra’s Daughter. Selene here is passionate, determined, intelligent… I like her character. And yet, whilst I connected with this mature character, Selene in this book goes from the age of about 10/11 to 14/15. If you stop and think about it it’s rather implausible that a girl of that age would be so mature. But frankly I was enjoying this intelligent, mature voice so much that this didn’t bother me greatly.
The magical elements in the story are less important than how Selene utilises them. It’s her intelligence and agency that drive the plot forwards. The rounded, grey characters are a joy to read about in contrast to “goodies and baddies”, and the only characters who feel a little stereotyped and like they get a hard deal are Octavian and Livia. What is it with authors ragging on Octavian and Livia recently? Moran’s novel does this too.
After this I definitely felt motivated to read the sequel, Song of the Nile, and happy to have found a story about Kleopatra Selene II that I enjoyed.
7 out of 10
Lily of the Nile is more historical fantasy than its rival, but for me this wasn’t an issue. I will say that I would have enjoyed it more without the magic. Dray writes well, well enough that she can hold the story together from the history alone and I would’ve been kept as involved and interested, even more so than this magical version. But Lily of the Nile is totally upfront about being a historical fantasy. It reveals this on the back cover blurb. It’s historical fantasies masquerading as straight historical fiction and are poorly written to boot that get on my wick (Philippa Gregory comes to mind).
p. 11: “The Nile’s green waves lapped at my consciousness, drawing me into the marshy reeds of a waking dream where life teemed. I saw the frog and the minnows, the life-giving silt settling onto the fields beyond, and everywhere I turned in the water, the birds flocked and water lilies blossomed. With my fingers, I traced lazy circles into the dream river bringing fish leaping to the surface. I passed dried brown foliage as I made my way to the shore, and it sprouted green with life again. I gazed upon the washed-up carcass of a snake and it arose, coiled and shimmering.”
Dray's descriptions are fluid, evocative, they drew me into the environment and the setting, and they engage my senses and my imagination. The writing feels careful and considered, with a lot of time and thought put into it, intelligent and mature, with only the occasional hint of clunkiness.
p. 271: “‘It’s true. It’s referred to even in the Hebrew holy book. It’s the tree and the fruit and the snake, symbols of Isis that their creation story warns against – as they were no friends to the Isiacs even before King Herod came to power.’”
This sentence is one of the rare few. It feels a little bit too much like “I read this academic publication that theorised X”.
p. 229: “The emperor snorted. ‘I dare say Agrippa would do most anything for me, but there he might draw the line. You know how he feels about that religion.’”
You know, I've been reading George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series recently. Brilliant books, I love them. But if there’s one thing about those novels that makes me wince, it’s “most anything” or “wrote”, instead of “almost anything” and “wrote to”. As soon as I read those phrases it jars me right out of this wonderful fantasy world and drops me unceremoniously into the modern day USA. In a historical set novel, the effect is even more jarring for me. This is the tiniest of tiny criticisms, and I haven’t docked Lily of the Nile any points for this, but that doesn’t make it any less jarring.
p. 337: “I knew that a man was not only himself but also who he wished to be.”
Because the book is written in a mature style, and because the voice of Lily of the Nile is Selene (the novel is written in first person point of view from Selene’s perspective), it was much easier for me to smoothly relax into and enjoy this book in comparison to Moran’s Cleopatra’s Daughter. Selene here is passionate, determined, intelligent… I like her character. And yet, whilst I connected with this mature character, Selene in this book goes from the age of about 10/11 to 14/15. If you stop and think about it it’s rather implausible that a girl of that age would be so mature. But frankly I was enjoying this intelligent, mature voice so much that this didn’t bother me greatly.
The magical elements in the story are less important than how Selene utilises them. It’s her intelligence and agency that drive the plot forwards. The rounded, grey characters are a joy to read about in contrast to “goodies and baddies”, and the only characters who feel a little stereotyped and like they get a hard deal are Octavian and Livia. What is it with authors ragging on Octavian and Livia recently? Moran’s novel does this too.
After this I definitely felt motivated to read the sequel, Song of the Nile, and happy to have found a story about Kleopatra Selene II that I enjoyed.
7 out of 10
March 28, 2012
After the defeat and death of Cleopatra, her three youngest children were taken to Rome and paraded as spoils of war, then adopted into the household of the victorious emperor, Octavian. Of the three, the one who went on to make a mark on history was Cleopatra’s daughter, Cleopatra Selene. In Lily of the Nile, Stephanie Dray tells the story of Selene’s coming of age in Rome, with a magical element added.
Selene is a fully-rounded character. We feel for her as she experiences her sudden fall from princess to pawn, and struggles to acclimate to her new life. She’s constantly striving to keep herself and her brothers alive in an environment where many would happily see them all dead. We sympathize with her as she goes through a dark night of the soul and loses her faith, and we cheer her as she matches wits with Octavian. At the same time, she has flaws. She is sometimes snobbish, as might be expected in a girl raised as a queen and demigoddess. She has a temper, which is all too often taken out on Octavian’s sister Octavia, who is actually one of the kinder people she meets in Rome. (It makes total sense in terms of the power dynamic; and Lily of the Nile is in part an exploration of power. Octavia is one of the few people she can lash out at without risking her life.) Nor is Selene a modern girl dropped into an ancient setting: she has a slave and doesn’t always treat her well; and she’s a little in love with her twin brother, which fits with her upbringing as a member of the Egyptian royal family but may shock some readers.
Other characters are complex too. First and foremost, there’s Octavian. He’s a huge control freak, but he’s vulnerable too, haunted by the kind of man he wishes he could be. He and Selene have competing schemes and it’s always interesting to wonder who will get what they want — and who will think they’ve gotten what they want, while actually being outmaneuvered by the other. Octavia is another rich character, her adoption of Mark Antony’s Egyptian children motivated by a private guilt. Livia is kind of a classic evil stepmother, but she’s fun to hate. Octavian’s daughter Julia, who becomes Selene’s friend, has an ebullient spirit that is slowly being crushed. Juba, Selene’s young tutor, is another child of foreign royalty; he has assimilated fully into the Roman worldview and gives Selene one model for how she might respond to the pressures upon her. Her brother, Helios, provides the other. Where Selene schemes, Helios rebels, which creates tension between the twins. He thinks she’s a coward. She thinks he’s going to get them all killed, but secretly wonders whether he might have the right of it.
We follow Selene as she navigates the intrigue within the Emperor’s household and walks a narrow line between saving her life and losing her soul. Adding to her difficulties are Rome’s strict gender roles, far more rigid than what she was used to in Alexandria; a woman who seeks power risks being labeled a whore and a witch. Especially if she’s also a worshipper of Isis, which Selene is, and that brings me to the magic. Selene has magical abilities that come from her goddess. These abilities are outside her control at first, then absent altogether when she loses her faith, and later begin to return as a part of her coming into her own.
Stephanie Dray completely immersed me in Alexandria and in Rome, and had me glued to every step of Selene’s sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes inspiring journey — even when the character made mistakes or was mean. I read Lily of the Nile in one day, unable to put it down. I recommend it to any reader who likes some magic with their historical fiction. You’ll like this if you like Jo Graham, for example. I will be snapping up book two, Song of the Nile, as soon as I can.
A note on reader age: There’s something of a YA feel to Lily of the Nile, due to Selene’s youth and the coming-of-age elements of the plot. However, it is listed as an adult novel and from what I’ve read about Song of the Nile, there is more adult content in that second book. I would give Lily of the Nile itself to a teenager, but it’s technically adult fiction with a young protagonist rather than YA fiction per se.
Originally written for FantasyLiterature.com
Selene is a fully-rounded character. We feel for her as she experiences her sudden fall from princess to pawn, and struggles to acclimate to her new life. She’s constantly striving to keep herself and her brothers alive in an environment where many would happily see them all dead. We sympathize with her as she goes through a dark night of the soul and loses her faith, and we cheer her as she matches wits with Octavian. At the same time, she has flaws. She is sometimes snobbish, as might be expected in a girl raised as a queen and demigoddess. She has a temper, which is all too often taken out on Octavian’s sister Octavia, who is actually one of the kinder people she meets in Rome. (It makes total sense in terms of the power dynamic; and Lily of the Nile is in part an exploration of power. Octavia is one of the few people she can lash out at without risking her life.) Nor is Selene a modern girl dropped into an ancient setting: she has a slave and doesn’t always treat her well; and she’s a little in love with her twin brother, which fits with her upbringing as a member of the Egyptian royal family but may shock some readers.
Other characters are complex too. First and foremost, there’s Octavian. He’s a huge control freak, but he’s vulnerable too, haunted by the kind of man he wishes he could be. He and Selene have competing schemes and it’s always interesting to wonder who will get what they want — and who will think they’ve gotten what they want, while actually being outmaneuvered by the other. Octavia is another rich character, her adoption of Mark Antony’s Egyptian children motivated by a private guilt. Livia is kind of a classic evil stepmother, but she’s fun to hate. Octavian’s daughter Julia, who becomes Selene’s friend, has an ebullient spirit that is slowly being crushed. Juba, Selene’s young tutor, is another child of foreign royalty; he has assimilated fully into the Roman worldview and gives Selene one model for how she might respond to the pressures upon her. Her brother, Helios, provides the other. Where Selene schemes, Helios rebels, which creates tension between the twins. He thinks she’s a coward. She thinks he’s going to get them all killed, but secretly wonders whether he might have the right of it.
We follow Selene as she navigates the intrigue within the Emperor’s household and walks a narrow line between saving her life and losing her soul. Adding to her difficulties are Rome’s strict gender roles, far more rigid than what she was used to in Alexandria; a woman who seeks power risks being labeled a whore and a witch. Especially if she’s also a worshipper of Isis, which Selene is, and that brings me to the magic. Selene has magical abilities that come from her goddess. These abilities are outside her control at first, then absent altogether when she loses her faith, and later begin to return as a part of her coming into her own.
Stephanie Dray completely immersed me in Alexandria and in Rome, and had me glued to every step of Selene’s sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes inspiring journey — even when the character made mistakes or was mean. I read Lily of the Nile in one day, unable to put it down. I recommend it to any reader who likes some magic with their historical fiction. You’ll like this if you like Jo Graham, for example. I will be snapping up book two, Song of the Nile, as soon as I can.
A note on reader age: There’s something of a YA feel to Lily of the Nile, due to Selene’s youth and the coming-of-age elements of the plot. However, it is listed as an adult novel and from what I’ve read about Song of the Nile, there is more adult content in that second book. I would give Lily of the Nile itself to a teenager, but it’s technically adult fiction with a young protagonist rather than YA fiction per se.
Originally written for FantasyLiterature.com
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April 28, 2011I thought that this novel about Selene, daughter of Cleopatra, was well written, and I enjoyed it, although I would have enjoyed it more if the supernatural element had been missing. I would have liked to have seen how Selene coped with her situation as an unwilling guest in Augustus's household and stood up for her religious beliefs without the help of hieroglyphics magically appearing on her body at sundry times.
One thing I did appreciate about this novel was the three-dimensional characterizations--people I thought who were going to be all black or all white turned out to have welcome shades of gray. The major exceptions were Livia, who was pretty much irredeemably nasty, and Selene herself, who especially toward the end began to look awfully Mary-Sueish, outsmarting her elders at every stage. Dray at least allowed Selene to have an occasional temper tantrum, which made her bearable.
It's interesting to compare this to Michelle Moran's novel about Selene, as many have. On the whole, I preferred Moran's novel, because it focused on what was overshadowed by the supernatural element in Dray's--the interaction of Selene with her newfound half-siblings and guardians and her adjustment to her life in Rome. But for those who have more of a liking for supernatural elements in historical fiction than I do, Dray's novel will please.
One thing I did appreciate about this novel was the three-dimensional characterizations--people I thought who were going to be all black or all white turned out to have welcome shades of gray. The major exceptions were Livia, who was pretty much irredeemably nasty, and Selene herself, who especially toward the end began to look awfully Mary-Sueish, outsmarting her elders at every stage. Dray at least allowed Selene to have an occasional temper tantrum, which made her bearable.
It's interesting to compare this to Michelle Moran's novel about Selene, as many have. On the whole, I preferred Moran's novel, because it focused on what was overshadowed by the supernatural element in Dray's--the interaction of Selene with her newfound half-siblings and guardians and her adjustment to her life in Rome. But for those who have more of a liking for supernatural elements in historical fiction than I do, Dray's novel will please.
January 29, 2013
Okay, I have to admit. I despised the book. I hated the heroine with a fiery passion in the first 300 pages of the novel. In fact I had several battles inside myself to finish or not finish this dreadful monstrosity of a novel. Selene seemed to me as an indecisive,overly-opinionated, whiny little girl who took others for granted. The other characters weren't too likable either. In fact, my favourite person would have been Octavian because he actually got things done. He was clever and cunning and smart.
But the next 120 pages turned out to be a surprise. I started to like it, almost love it. I loved how Selene accepted her flaws and used it as almost as an advantage. I loved seeing her personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. The repulsive girl I hated became someone I loved. The book I couldn't wait to finish turned into a long piece of writing which I wanted to savor till it's very end.
All in all, I give Lily of the Nile four stars.
But the next 120 pages turned out to be a surprise. I started to like it, almost love it. I loved how Selene accepted her flaws and used it as almost as an advantage. I loved seeing her personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. The repulsive girl I hated became someone I loved. The book I couldn't wait to finish turned into a long piece of writing which I wanted to savor till it's very end.
All in all, I give Lily of the Nile four stars.
March 9, 2015
Any author who thinks that making jokes about slavery and rape is "HILARIOUS" is an author I don't need to waste my time with.
“50 Shades of Grey/Jefferson Mashup we’ve got in mind.”
http://loveinthemargins.com/2015/03/0...
Really??? So the ownership, dehumanization and rape of a 14 year old girl is just so side-splittingly funny.
Then to issue some fauxpology claiming butthurt and how much one "cares" about social justice is unacceptable. I love ancient Egypt but I'll spend my money with authors who actually CARE enough about their diverse readership to not commit utter bullshit racefail such as this. And the author's coterie of apologists can take a flying leap off the top rope and face-plant right smack in the middle of their privileged mat, thank you very much.
This is why I'd rather shake hands with a member of the KKK. At least they're honest enough to admit where they stand.
“50 Shades of Grey/Jefferson Mashup we’ve got in mind.”
http://loveinthemargins.com/2015/03/0...
Really??? So the ownership, dehumanization and rape of a 14 year old girl is just so side-splittingly funny.
Then to issue some fauxpology claiming butthurt and how much one "cares" about social justice is unacceptable. I love ancient Egypt but I'll spend my money with authors who actually CARE enough about their diverse readership to not commit utter bullshit racefail such as this. And the author's coterie of apologists can take a flying leap off the top rope and face-plant right smack in the middle of their privileged mat, thank you very much.
This is why I'd rather shake hands with a member of the KKK. At least they're honest enough to admit where they stand.
September 18, 2017
I picked up this book because I was on a
Mistress of Rome
series withdrawal and because I hoped it would help rekindle my interest in historical fiction. And it did.
And, okay, I came to the realization that I know close to nothing about Cleopatra and absolutely nothing about her daughter, Cleopatra Selene. I found myself Googling Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Cleopatra, Caesarion, and Selene just to get an idea of what was true and was was fabricated. The struggle I found was because this book takes, erm, creative liberties, I wasn't sure which was real and which was not.
Still. I was surprised by how quickly this book flew by and by how entertaining I found it!
THE GOOD
1) Easy readability. There's never a dull moment where the story lags. I was constantly intrigued, constantly looking forward to the next chapter, constantly entertained.
2) Easy to understand. There have been historical books that have read too dry and textbook-esque, but this one was definitely meant to entertain versus solely educate.
THE BAD
1) All right, well, given that I know nothing about the actual Selene it's tough to say whether this is her fault of the book's...but I didn't particularly like her. I didn't side with her choice of loyalties, but I also didn't see the conniving shrewdness that powered those decisions. This made her seem...adolescent? Naive? Aggravating?
2) Did we really need the magic aspect of the book?
THE VERDICT
This book re-inspired me to add a whole bunch of other historical on ancient Rome and ancient Egypt. T'was a good read and a fast read!
And, okay, I came to the realization that I know close to nothing about Cleopatra and absolutely nothing about her daughter, Cleopatra Selene. I found myself Googling Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Cleopatra, Caesarion, and Selene just to get an idea of what was true and was was fabricated. The struggle I found was because this book takes, erm, creative liberties, I wasn't sure which was real and which was not.
Still. I was surprised by how quickly this book flew by and by how entertaining I found it!
THE GOOD
1) Easy readability. There's never a dull moment where the story lags. I was constantly intrigued, constantly looking forward to the next chapter, constantly entertained.
2) Easy to understand. There have been historical books that have read too dry and textbook-esque, but this one was definitely meant to entertain versus solely educate.
THE BAD
1) All right, well, given that I know nothing about the actual Selene it's tough to say whether this is her fault of the book's...but I didn't particularly like her. I didn't side with her choice of loyalties, but I also didn't see the conniving shrewdness that powered those decisions. This made her seem...adolescent? Naive? Aggravating?
2) Did we really need the magic aspect of the book?
THE VERDICT
This book re-inspired me to add a whole bunch of other historical on ancient Rome and ancient Egypt. T'was a good read and a fast read!
July 3, 2011
After the deaths of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, Princess Selene and her two brothers are brought to Rome as high-profile hostages and installed in the household of the emperor. What follows in this first of a planned trilogy are Selene's plots with twin Helios trying to escape their confinement, the battle of wills they wage with the emperor, as well as the mysterious *writings* from Isis that appear and disappear on Selene's hands.
Yep, there's a lot more to it than that, but plenty of other reviewers have recapped it quite nicely. Full disclosure, I wasn't predisposed to love this book, as 1) I don't have much interest in ancient Greece and Rome, 2) I don't care much for YA and 3) I generally loathe first person narratives. This book was passed along to me by a friend and fellow reader and since I needed something in this period for a reading challenge, so I decided to give it a shot.
My thoughts? I found Selene's voice a bit too modern with too much teenage angst for my tastes, and not terribly compelling for me, although I suspect that the younger readers would like this a great deal and I'd recommend it for them. I'm also not big on fantasy and magic, so be warned if that's not your *cuppa tea* as well,
"The family had seen me bleed before, at the Trojan Games, but how would the girls treat me when they heard that crocodiles had submitted themselves to me and flowers had sprung from my blood?"
You'll have to decide if that kind of magic and hocus pocus floats your boat or not. Thumbs up to the author for being upfront at the front of the book about some historical changes/name changes she's made, as well as well as not succumbing to the temptation of making your baddies really really bad - kudos for that.
Yep, there's a lot more to it than that, but plenty of other reviewers have recapped it quite nicely. Full disclosure, I wasn't predisposed to love this book, as 1) I don't have much interest in ancient Greece and Rome, 2) I don't care much for YA and 3) I generally loathe first person narratives. This book was passed along to me by a friend and fellow reader and since I needed something in this period for a reading challenge, so I decided to give it a shot.
My thoughts? I found Selene's voice a bit too modern with too much teenage angst for my tastes, and not terribly compelling for me, although I suspect that the younger readers would like this a great deal and I'd recommend it for them. I'm also not big on fantasy and magic, so be warned if that's not your *cuppa tea* as well,
"The family had seen me bleed before, at the Trojan Games, but how would the girls treat me when they heard that crocodiles had submitted themselves to me and flowers had sprung from my blood?"
You'll have to decide if that kind of magic and hocus pocus floats your boat or not. Thumbs up to the author for being upfront at the front of the book about some historical changes/name changes she's made, as well as well as not succumbing to the temptation of making your baddies really really bad - kudos for that.
January 30, 2011
This is very similar to Moran's starting with Selene being forced to go to Rome, continues with childhood in Rome, ends with similar situation regarding Juba. (No spoilers here.) However, it was more entertaining and I liked the author's writing style better. There is the same intrigue involving Julia and forbidden romance and all that, but a bonus is lots of politics and religious history regarding Rome and their hatred of Isis as Augustus attempts to oppress the religion that Selene wants to "resurrect."
To read full review and book comparison, please click on the following link: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
To read full review and book comparison, please click on the following link: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
April 16, 2011
I loved it! Stephanie Dray has written a compelling book. Everyone who loves history, Cleopatra and Egypt should read it.
April 21, 2022
While I love books of this time period I cannot say that this one worked for me. This was more fantasy than historical which was not what I was expecting. If you go into it with a different mindset it might be better.
I am all for historical fantasy, and the fact that it was believed Egypt held such great magic makes this for a scene where it should work. But it was lacking something. I also didn't appreciate the use of English words for Latin concepts even though this is warned at the start of the book. When reading historical fiction I like to be immersed in the time period, this makes it less so. All the allusions to Christianity and the role the Isiac faith may or may not have played in shaping it, were too frequent and heavy handed.
I did like the idea that Selene was the one who brought her mother the Asp. I liked seeing how they were marched through Rome in the triumph, I thought that was well done. I appreciated seeing Selene be intelligent. I just didn't care a whole lot for the choices that were made for the story nor for the way characters were portrayed here. There was a ton of creative license here and I think this would've been a better story if the characters were all fictional instead.
While I was originally excited that this story would go beyond her marriage in the following books, I wont be bothering to read them. Instead I'll have to find a different story that takes me to that time.
I am all for historical fantasy, and the fact that it was believed Egypt held such great magic makes this for a scene where it should work. But it was lacking something. I also didn't appreciate the use of English words for Latin concepts even though this is warned at the start of the book. When reading historical fiction I like to be immersed in the time period, this makes it less so. All the allusions to Christianity and the role the Isiac faith may or may not have played in shaping it, were too frequent and heavy handed.
I did like the idea that Selene was the one who brought her mother the Asp. I liked seeing how they were marched through Rome in the triumph, I thought that was well done. I appreciated seeing Selene be intelligent. I just didn't care a whole lot for the choices that were made for the story nor for the way characters were portrayed here. There was a ton of creative license here and I think this would've been a better story if the characters were all fictional instead.
While I was originally excited that this story would go beyond her marriage in the following books, I wont be bothering to read them. Instead I'll have to find a different story that takes me to that time.
May 5, 2022
So much of history that I still have yet to learn. I knew about Caesar and Cleopatra, then Cleopatra and Marc Antony and how they killed themselves so not to be captured by Octavian. Well I really didn't know much about their children, twins Selena and Helios (which means Moon and Sun).
Octavian takes the twins as his own, which is usually very odd for Romans. They are so paranoid that everyone is out to kill them, that they kill everyone in sight!! But these twins stay in his house and Octavian even tries to wed Selena.
I actually did some research after reading this book and at the highest, everything in the story mapped out, who lived, who died, etc. What I found interesting and a little weird about this story was in the research it says Selena was very spiritual, worshipping Isis, which is not my problem. At that time it would be shocking if you didn't have a god to worship over every single spice in your cabinet. But the 'magical' part of the story was a little far fetched for me but it made sense based on what I learned about Selena.
Basically, it was ok. I liked the Roman/Egyptian history and I liked reading about the rest of the history on line. the story in between was ok.
Octavian takes the twins as his own, which is usually very odd for Romans. They are so paranoid that everyone is out to kill them, that they kill everyone in sight!! But these twins stay in his house and Octavian even tries to wed Selena.
I actually did some research after reading this book and at the highest, everything in the story mapped out, who lived, who died, etc. What I found interesting and a little weird about this story was in the research it says Selena was very spiritual, worshipping Isis, which is not my problem. At that time it would be shocking if you didn't have a god to worship over every single spice in your cabinet. But the 'magical' part of the story was a little far fetched for me but it made sense based on what I learned about Selena.
Basically, it was ok. I liked the Roman/Egyptian history and I liked reading about the rest of the history on line. the story in between was ok.
January 29, 2011
This was simply a beautiful novel. While not exactly a heart-thumping page turner, it nonetheless had me enraptured with its story and characters every step of the way.
Lily of the Nile is a historical fiction novel about Selene, the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. She and her twin brother Helios were hailed from birth as a sacred pair for the worshipers of Isis, but after Alexandria fell to Roman forces and the suicides of their parents, the children are brought to Rome by the conqueror Octavian to be fostered in his imperial household. A prisoner trapped in a culture completely at odds with her heritage and faith, Selene struggles to hold on to Isis and the memory of her parents' legacy, meanwhile using all her wits to survive life in the Roman court.
At the heart of it, Lily of the Nile is a coming-of-age story, and it's a unique one at that. It's labeled as historical fiction, but I was surprised to find a thread of fantasy laced through the novel in the form of old magic, which sets it apart from other books I've read in the past.
This novel uses a lot of symbols and imagery to illustrate themes, of which the most interesting to me was the relationship between masculinity and femininity. For example, Isis, Cleopatra, Egypt, Alexandria, the moon, the Nile and even Selene herself were all used at some point as metaphors for the feminine, while Rome embodies everything about the masculine. I am thoroughly impressed at how the author has created this war of symbols behind the backdrop of the actual story, and despite the power struggle between the two sides, masculinity and femininity meet as equals in the end. This is just one of the many themes I glimpsed in this this novel, and as they all "clicked" to me as I was reading, I began to realize how elaborately woven this story is.
The other thing that struck me was the novel's approach to political intrigue. It is nowhere near as daunting as the way it was handled in George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire", nor does it have the flare or epicness of HBO's Rome, but its subtlety is something I can appreciate nonetheless. In fact, I didn't even get the sense that there was anything of the sort until I was well into the book. When the political dealings finally became apparent to me, it was even more captivating given what was revealed of Octavian's cunning, and knowing the fact these political games were essentially being played with the children as the pieces.
Finally, I have to say I can't imagine how much research went into the writing of this novel. Stephanie Dray makes every effort to stay historically accurate, and what she embellished or changed for the sake of brevity she explains in her author's note at the end of the book.
At the same time, she is very good at injecting life in the novel amidst the historical facts. The fantasy/magic aspect I mentioned before plays into this, but the author also paints a very realistic and vibrant picture of her characters, especially the children -- Selene, her brothers Helios and Philadelphus and all the other children in Octavian's household. My favorite character had to be Julia, the impish daughter of the emperor. Besides the main story, what I liked most about the book were the children and their relationships with each other and the adults who hold the power over their lives.
Lily of the Nile is a historical fiction novel about Selene, the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. She and her twin brother Helios were hailed from birth as a sacred pair for the worshipers of Isis, but after Alexandria fell to Roman forces and the suicides of their parents, the children are brought to Rome by the conqueror Octavian to be fostered in his imperial household. A prisoner trapped in a culture completely at odds with her heritage and faith, Selene struggles to hold on to Isis and the memory of her parents' legacy, meanwhile using all her wits to survive life in the Roman court.
At the heart of it, Lily of the Nile is a coming-of-age story, and it's a unique one at that. It's labeled as historical fiction, but I was surprised to find a thread of fantasy laced through the novel in the form of old magic, which sets it apart from other books I've read in the past.
This novel uses a lot of symbols and imagery to illustrate themes, of which the most interesting to me was the relationship between masculinity and femininity. For example, Isis, Cleopatra, Egypt, Alexandria, the moon, the Nile and even Selene herself were all used at some point as metaphors for the feminine, while Rome embodies everything about the masculine. I am thoroughly impressed at how the author has created this war of symbols behind the backdrop of the actual story, and despite the power struggle between the two sides, masculinity and femininity meet as equals in the end. This is just one of the many themes I glimpsed in this this novel, and as they all "clicked" to me as I was reading, I began to realize how elaborately woven this story is.
The other thing that struck me was the novel's approach to political intrigue. It is nowhere near as daunting as the way it was handled in George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire", nor does it have the flare or epicness of HBO's Rome, but its subtlety is something I can appreciate nonetheless. In fact, I didn't even get the sense that there was anything of the sort until I was well into the book. When the political dealings finally became apparent to me, it was even more captivating given what was revealed of Octavian's cunning, and knowing the fact these political games were essentially being played with the children as the pieces.
Finally, I have to say I can't imagine how much research went into the writing of this novel. Stephanie Dray makes every effort to stay historically accurate, and what she embellished or changed for the sake of brevity she explains in her author's note at the end of the book.
At the same time, she is very good at injecting life in the novel amidst the historical facts. The fantasy/magic aspect I mentioned before plays into this, but the author also paints a very realistic and vibrant picture of her characters, especially the children -- Selene, her brothers Helios and Philadelphus and all the other children in Octavian's household. My favorite character had to be Julia, the impish daughter of the emperor. Besides the main story, what I liked most about the book were the children and their relationships with each other and the adults who hold the power over their lives.
January 6, 2011
So - Historical fiction and historical figures are my forte. In fact, I am one of the mods of a group called History of Royals, so when Stephanie Dray approached me with an offer to read a ARC of this book I jumped at the chance. Although I have not read a lot about the Ptolomies so far, I find them and Egypt fascinating. I have always been fascinated by their gods, rituals, etc. This particular book focuses on Cleopatra's daughter, Cleopatra Selene. It begins with Cleopatra's death, and follows Selene to Rome, where she was raised by Augustus Caesar's sister, Octavia. The story then follows her all the way until her betrothal and elevation to Queen of Mauritania in Africa.
I was fascinated with this story from the first page, especially since I wasn't really aware that Cleopatra had a daughter, or what happened to her after the death of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra. I mean, I knew that she had children, but had never really spent much time finding out about them. It turns out that Cleopatra Selene played a pretty big role in Egyptian - Roman relations, just like her mother. I was fascinated by the way that the author made Selene come to life. In some ways she acted just like any girl in a similar situation, if there are any similar situations these days. The book never slowed for me. My only wish is that I had not tried to read it during the holidays, so that I could have sat down and devoured it from start to finish. Even my husband got into the story when I would read parts out loud to him. Although he did not finish the book, or at least not yet, he really enjoyed the part that he read, and he is not a historical fiction aficionado.
Another thing that really impressed me with this book was the way that the author approached the writing of the book. At the front of a book she has written a "dear reader" letter, clearly stating that, although she did extensive research on the subject of the book, it is a work of fiction and that, as such, she felt able to move things around a bit to fit her story. She also has stated that the book is told from the point of view of Cleopatra Selene and therefore contains a bias toward the Egyptian point of view. I commend her for stating this up front. I, for one, do not mind biases and such things in a fictional story. It usually inspires me to search out more on the subject and characters, which this book certainly did.
In addition, I saw some of my favorite historical fiction and history writers listed by the author as her inspiration, and as having an influence on her writing. This I took to be another good sign, and I was not disappointed.
At the end of the book the author states that there is a sequel to this book in the works, which follows Selene through her life in Africa. All I can say it - I can't wait for the sequel to come out. I am really anticipating the end of the story of this wonderful person.
I would rate this book at 4.5 or 4.75 stars. A solid A book.
I was fascinated with this story from the first page, especially since I wasn't really aware that Cleopatra had a daughter, or what happened to her after the death of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra. I mean, I knew that she had children, but had never really spent much time finding out about them. It turns out that Cleopatra Selene played a pretty big role in Egyptian - Roman relations, just like her mother. I was fascinated by the way that the author made Selene come to life. In some ways she acted just like any girl in a similar situation, if there are any similar situations these days. The book never slowed for me. My only wish is that I had not tried to read it during the holidays, so that I could have sat down and devoured it from start to finish. Even my husband got into the story when I would read parts out loud to him. Although he did not finish the book, or at least not yet, he really enjoyed the part that he read, and he is not a historical fiction aficionado.
Another thing that really impressed me with this book was the way that the author approached the writing of the book. At the front of a book she has written a "dear reader" letter, clearly stating that, although she did extensive research on the subject of the book, it is a work of fiction and that, as such, she felt able to move things around a bit to fit her story. She also has stated that the book is told from the point of view of Cleopatra Selene and therefore contains a bias toward the Egyptian point of view. I commend her for stating this up front. I, for one, do not mind biases and such things in a fictional story. It usually inspires me to search out more on the subject and characters, which this book certainly did.
In addition, I saw some of my favorite historical fiction and history writers listed by the author as her inspiration, and as having an influence on her writing. This I took to be another good sign, and I was not disappointed.
At the end of the book the author states that there is a sequel to this book in the works, which follows Selene through her life in Africa. All I can say it - I can't wait for the sequel to come out. I am really anticipating the end of the story of this wonderful person.
I would rate this book at 4.5 or 4.75 stars. A solid A book.
March 16, 2011
First of all, I have to tell you, I was unbelievably THRILLED to win this in the Goodreads.com Giveaway. I never win things. And it was a book. About Egypt. I was psyched.
The book was AWESOME. I adored it. I’ve recommended it to the school librarian, spread the word through school about the author’s writing competition, The Cleopatra Literary Contest for Young Women, and basically told everyone they should read it.
I loved the book. I found it to be extremely well written and well researched. The characters, even those who did not appear often had depth and a history all their own. Small details, like the decorations for the Saturnalia festival and the Roman wedding ceremony dress and preparations had obviously been researched and added life to the story. For me, who has always had a fondness for ancient cultures, especially Egypt, it made the story that much better.
Over the course of the story, the reader watches as Selene grows from a royal child into a strong, independent woman. She fights to protect her family, her people, her goddess, and herself. But it isn’t just about family, loyalty, faith or empowerment, though it is about those things. Its about learning who you are and what you are willing to do to achieve your dreams and protect those you love. And what you are willing to give up. In this, the author has done an excellent job. She could easily have made Seleste the perfect historical figure – kind, loving, determined and without any qualms about the things she had to do to survive, or the darker sides of her personality. Instead Mrs. Dray has given us the whole person: she worries about what she’s doing, she lies, she has a temper, has a crisis of faith, and makes mistakes.
Mrs. Dray’s novel kept me reading, captured me with beautiful detail and emotion and a plot rife with political intrique and self-discovery. I recieved the book on Monday, intending to read the first chapter and then put it aside until Christmas Break. Instead I couldn’t put the book down.
The book is excellent, although if the reader doesn’t share a love of ancient Egypt or Rome, they may find it boring in parts. The political intrigue in the book is easier to understand if you know the history involved. But that’s the only fault I can give it. I would recommend it to anyone. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Stephanie Dray’s next book.
All in all – Five out of Five Stars!
The book was AWESOME. I adored it. I’ve recommended it to the school librarian, spread the word through school about the author’s writing competition, The Cleopatra Literary Contest for Young Women, and basically told everyone they should read it.
I loved the book. I found it to be extremely well written and well researched. The characters, even those who did not appear often had depth and a history all their own. Small details, like the decorations for the Saturnalia festival and the Roman wedding ceremony dress and preparations had obviously been researched and added life to the story. For me, who has always had a fondness for ancient cultures, especially Egypt, it made the story that much better.
Over the course of the story, the reader watches as Selene grows from a royal child into a strong, independent woman. She fights to protect her family, her people, her goddess, and herself. But it isn’t just about family, loyalty, faith or empowerment, though it is about those things. Its about learning who you are and what you are willing to do to achieve your dreams and protect those you love. And what you are willing to give up. In this, the author has done an excellent job. She could easily have made Seleste the perfect historical figure – kind, loving, determined and without any qualms about the things she had to do to survive, or the darker sides of her personality. Instead Mrs. Dray has given us the whole person: she worries about what she’s doing, she lies, she has a temper, has a crisis of faith, and makes mistakes.
Mrs. Dray’s novel kept me reading, captured me with beautiful detail and emotion and a plot rife with political intrique and self-discovery. I recieved the book on Monday, intending to read the first chapter and then put it aside until Christmas Break. Instead I couldn’t put the book down.
The book is excellent, although if the reader doesn’t share a love of ancient Egypt or Rome, they may find it boring in parts. The political intrigue in the book is easier to understand if you know the history involved. But that’s the only fault I can give it. I would recommend it to anyone. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Stephanie Dray’s next book.
All in all – Five out of Five Stars!
August 9, 2016
Lily of the Nile is the first book in a trilogy dedicated to Cleopatra Selene, daughter of the infamous Cleopatra and Mark Antony, starting from the death of her parents and her arrival in Rome. After reading the fantastic I Am Livia, I picked this up on a whim because I wanted to read more from that time period. Unfortunately, this novel was a let down for me.
Maybe I was wrong in starting this one right after I Am Livia, for two reason: first, I completely and utterly adored Smith’s novel; and second, in her book Livia and Augustus are obviously the heroes, while here they are the villains. However, I am usually open to different interpretations of historical figures, as long as they are well done; but in this case I found Livia and Augustus very unsatisfying. Livia is very stereotypical: she is cruel and power hungry, but apart from that she has no depth. Augustus is more ambiguous and enigmatic, but in the end he is almost completely evil. Overall his portrayal seemed too simplicistic.
Unfortunately I wasn’t much impressed with the main character either. I felt quite sympathetic towards Selene, but I couldn’t get truly invested in her fate. She was too passive for most of the book, and, even if she becomes more shrewd as the story progresses, she didn't make much of an impression on me.
The plot was also incredibly slow moving: I enjoyed the first 50 or so pages, but then I felt like nothing of importance was happening. The pace picked up a little in the last 100 pages, but by then I was so uninterested that I couldn't care much for what was happening. Another reason I didn't enjoy the book is that there is a prominent magical element, and much time is spent talking about the workship of Isis. I don't like magical elements in historical fiction, but this is only a personal taste, so if you like historical fiction with magic in it you should enjoy this aspect more.
It is possible I will try Stephanie Dray's works again, because I liked her writing and I thought the setting was very well drawn; but unfortunately this series isn't for me.
Maybe I was wrong in starting this one right after I Am Livia, for two reason: first, I completely and utterly adored Smith’s novel; and second, in her book Livia and Augustus are obviously the heroes, while here they are the villains. However, I am usually open to different interpretations of historical figures, as long as they are well done; but in this case I found Livia and Augustus very unsatisfying. Livia is very stereotypical: she is cruel and power hungry, but apart from that she has no depth. Augustus is more ambiguous and enigmatic, but in the end he is almost completely evil. Overall his portrayal seemed too simplicistic.
Unfortunately I wasn’t much impressed with the main character either. I felt quite sympathetic towards Selene, but I couldn’t get truly invested in her fate. She was too passive for most of the book, and, even if she becomes more shrewd as the story progresses, she didn't make much of an impression on me.
The plot was also incredibly slow moving: I enjoyed the first 50 or so pages, but then I felt like nothing of importance was happening. The pace picked up a little in the last 100 pages, but by then I was so uninterested that I couldn't care much for what was happening. Another reason I didn't enjoy the book is that there is a prominent magical element, and much time is spent talking about the workship of Isis. I don't like magical elements in historical fiction, but this is only a personal taste, so if you like historical fiction with magic in it you should enjoy this aspect more.
It is possible I will try Stephanie Dray's works again, because I liked her writing and I thought the setting was very well drawn; but unfortunately this series isn't for me.
May 26, 2012
Lily of the Nile brings back the beauty of a forgotten era.
We all know of Antony and Cleopatra and the historical rule of Julius Caesar. Stephanie Dray's book brings us to the next generation. Lily of the Nile is about the time of Cleopatra’s daughter, Cleopatra Selene, as she is taken hostage by Augustus Caesar after her mother’s death.
The author weaves magic into the life of Selene as she struggles to uphold not only her mother's legacy, but to keep herself and her brothers safe from death at the hands of a man that is threatened by the power of their very names.
We get to watch Selene as she begins to grow from a young, naïve child who cannot understand the political machinations that took her mother from her, to a woman who decides she does not have to accept her fate as a prisoner of Rome. With her extensive political knowledge (even at her young age), she begins to plan how she can return to her homeland to bring prosperity to Egypt. With sheer determination and enviable wit, Cleopatra Selene begins to mature from a girl that had little but the strength of her name into a woman that proves that she has the capability to rule in the world of men.
The cast of characters in this story all add a wonderful depth to this first tale of Cleopatra Selene and left me waiting for more. Stephanie Dray reminds us of this powerful woman in history and brings her unsung story to light.
I heartily recommend this book for anyone who loves reading about history, especially the story of ancient Egypt. I would also recommend this for anyone who wants to read a tale of the cunning of a woman who battled against the most powerful men of her age to leave her mark in time.
We all know of Antony and Cleopatra and the historical rule of Julius Caesar. Stephanie Dray's book brings us to the next generation. Lily of the Nile is about the time of Cleopatra’s daughter, Cleopatra Selene, as she is taken hostage by Augustus Caesar after her mother’s death.
The author weaves magic into the life of Selene as she struggles to uphold not only her mother's legacy, but to keep herself and her brothers safe from death at the hands of a man that is threatened by the power of their very names.
We get to watch Selene as she begins to grow from a young, naïve child who cannot understand the political machinations that took her mother from her, to a woman who decides she does not have to accept her fate as a prisoner of Rome. With her extensive political knowledge (even at her young age), she begins to plan how she can return to her homeland to bring prosperity to Egypt. With sheer determination and enviable wit, Cleopatra Selene begins to mature from a girl that had little but the strength of her name into a woman that proves that she has the capability to rule in the world of men.
The cast of characters in this story all add a wonderful depth to this first tale of Cleopatra Selene and left me waiting for more. Stephanie Dray reminds us of this powerful woman in history and brings her unsung story to light.
I heartily recommend this book for anyone who loves reading about history, especially the story of ancient Egypt. I would also recommend this for anyone who wants to read a tale of the cunning of a woman who battled against the most powerful men of her age to leave her mark in time.
April 2, 2013
Selene, her twin brother Helios, and their younger brother Philadelphius, are taken prisoners by Octavian, soon to be renamed Caesar Augustus, in the wake of the suicides of their famous parents, Cleopatra and Marc Anthony, and the murder of their older half-brother Caesarion. They are abruptly removed from their home in Egypt to be marched as trophies of war in Octavian's triumph, then swept into his household, made up of his daughter Julia, Anthony's other son, Octavia (the wife spurned by Marc Anthony), and Livia, Octavian's wife.
They greet the news that they are to become proper Romans with mixed reactions. Selene is more of a politician than Helios, who refuses any of Octavian's initiatives, planning on the cult of Isis to get him back to Egypt, where he can raise an army to rebel against Rome. Selene uses the bloody hieroglyphic messages that appear on her arms to wring concessions from the superstitious Octavian, trying to save the cult and her brother while Octavian maneuvers her into the marriage of his choice, not one that will please Egypt or Helios. And, as Selene ages, she becomes aware that she must keep an eye on Livia's own manipulations. The new Caesar's wife is not the meek Roman matron that she pretends to be.
Lots of political maneuvering, lots of spying and intrigue, and lots of danger to three goddess-born children tossed into the deep end of the pool of Roman intrigue at the time of her greatest glory. How can they survive against such crafty people as Octavian and Livia? This is only the first book with two more to go! Fortunately, the second one is sitting right next to me.
They greet the news that they are to become proper Romans with mixed reactions. Selene is more of a politician than Helios, who refuses any of Octavian's initiatives, planning on the cult of Isis to get him back to Egypt, where he can raise an army to rebel against Rome. Selene uses the bloody hieroglyphic messages that appear on her arms to wring concessions from the superstitious Octavian, trying to save the cult and her brother while Octavian maneuvers her into the marriage of his choice, not one that will please Egypt or Helios. And, as Selene ages, she becomes aware that she must keep an eye on Livia's own manipulations. The new Caesar's wife is not the meek Roman matron that she pretends to be.
Lots of political maneuvering, lots of spying and intrigue, and lots of danger to three goddess-born children tossed into the deep end of the pool of Roman intrigue at the time of her greatest glory. How can they survive against such crafty people as Octavian and Livia? This is only the first book with two more to go! Fortunately, the second one is sitting right next to me.
March 28, 2011
I adored this new historical YA by Stephanie Dray. She takes the era of Cleopatra from dusty old roman tomes to a world full of intrigue and sensation that anyone can read, understand, and digest. Ms. Dray has the ability to pull you into a story like very few authors out today, she also can make an inherently YA read feel adult and full of sensuality. With her ability to roll a story across your palette and tether you to the pages of her books I see wonderful things coming from Ms. Dray.
So, more about the book. Selene, in my opinion, is a teenager. She is unpredictable, pouty, self-centered, prideful, and above all she loves her Goddess. This is a great place to start with a heroine, and some great attributes to instill in a character that could potentially become a teen's idol and friend. Selene's twin Helios is also just like a teen boy, he is full of pride, ego, and will do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves. Above all, Helios is my favorite, he got on my nerves because he wouldn't see anything the way Selene saw things but he also had his reasons and I can more than understand them.
The historical accuracy of this book I can not vouch for but the author added her own notes to the book and everything in the book, minus the strictly fictional parts, felt real and right. I believe this look into Selene's life will open new doors for people who love this era and want to hop in head first.
The next book in this series is going to be even more dramatic, I can already feel it and I can't wait to read what Ms. Dray has in store for us.
So, more about the book. Selene, in my opinion, is a teenager. She is unpredictable, pouty, self-centered, prideful, and above all she loves her Goddess. This is a great place to start with a heroine, and some great attributes to instill in a character that could potentially become a teen's idol and friend. Selene's twin Helios is also just like a teen boy, he is full of pride, ego, and will do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves. Above all, Helios is my favorite, he got on my nerves because he wouldn't see anything the way Selene saw things but he also had his reasons and I can more than understand them.
The historical accuracy of this book I can not vouch for but the author added her own notes to the book and everything in the book, minus the strictly fictional parts, felt real and right. I believe this look into Selene's life will open new doors for people who love this era and want to hop in head first.
The next book in this series is going to be even more dramatic, I can already feel it and I can't wait to read what Ms. Dray has in store for us.
May 29, 2018
The writing style was a bit dry for my taste but I enjoyed it enough to continue with the trilogy.
June 15, 2018
I've read several stories by Stephanie Dray but I hadn't actually picked up her debut novel, Lily of the Nile. I had some minor doubt about a story because a story about the daughter of Cleopatra is one I've read before and I was worried it would be too similar but I worried for nothing because it was actually really amazing. I ended up being instantly hooked by the story and I want the read the other books in the trilogy as soon as possible.
It's actually a little strange that I waited so long with purchasing this book because I adore anything related to ancient Egypt. Most of the book is set in Rome but it is about the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony who's named Cleopatra Selene, so it did manage to sate my desire to read anything about the time it's set in.
The story starts in Egypt when Cleopatra famously commited suicide by snake bite. After that Selene, her twin brother Helios and younger brother Philadelphus are taken to Rome to be raised in Emperor Octavian's household. For the most part Selene struggled with coming to terms with being in Rome after losing her parents the way she did and taken away from her beloved Egypt, not wanting to lose her connection to her country and the goddess Isis. She eventually makes friends with the other children in the household and there's even a hint of romance forming with her tutor Juba. Hopefully there's a little more of that in the second book.
One thing I definitely hadn't expected and what was maybe my favorite thing was the magical aspect that the story and Selene had because of her connection to Isis. It mixed historical fiction with magic and myth. I loved every single part of it. I also loved how complicated most of the characters and their the relationships were. Especially the relationship between Octavian and Selene. There were hidden depths within everyone.
Overall, Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray was as fantastic as I thought it would be. The writing took me back to the fascinating time and political intrigue of ancient Rome. I would highly recommend it.
It's actually a little strange that I waited so long with purchasing this book because I adore anything related to ancient Egypt. Most of the book is set in Rome but it is about the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony who's named Cleopatra Selene, so it did manage to sate my desire to read anything about the time it's set in.
The story starts in Egypt when Cleopatra famously commited suicide by snake bite. After that Selene, her twin brother Helios and younger brother Philadelphus are taken to Rome to be raised in Emperor Octavian's household. For the most part Selene struggled with coming to terms with being in Rome after losing her parents the way she did and taken away from her beloved Egypt, not wanting to lose her connection to her country and the goddess Isis. She eventually makes friends with the other children in the household and there's even a hint of romance forming with her tutor Juba. Hopefully there's a little more of that in the second book.
One thing I definitely hadn't expected and what was maybe my favorite thing was the magical aspect that the story and Selene had because of her connection to Isis. It mixed historical fiction with magic and myth. I loved every single part of it. I also loved how complicated most of the characters and their the relationships were. Especially the relationship between Octavian and Selene. There were hidden depths within everyone.
Overall, Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray was as fantastic as I thought it would be. The writing took me back to the fascinating time and political intrigue of ancient Rome. I would highly recommend it.
September 18, 2017
”There are only three kinds of ink that rulers use to write their stories. Sweat, blood, or tears. So choose your ink carefully.”
If Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Schecter had an older sister, it would be this book. And does it have some lessons to show its little sister.
Cleopatra Selene and her brothers have been taken captive by Octavius Caesar. Children of Cleopatra, they are seen as both mortal enemies of the Roman empire and pawns in the twisted game that is Roman power. Completely cut off from the only life they’ve ever known, they go from being paraded in the streets of Rome to living an uneasy truce in Octavius’ household with their captor, his sister, his wife, and their stepsiblings whom they hardly know. But as the old saying goes, two can play the game, and soon Cleopatra and her brothers are swept into the dangerous world of Roman politics, alliances, scandalous dalliances, and the burning desire to go home and reclaim their rightful titles. And with Isis on their side, nothing except their devotion to one another can stop them.
The star of the show is clearly Cleopatra Selene (whom I’ll be calling Selene from now on). We see Selene grow up from a naïve girl to an extremely savory, politically manipulative women who, just like her famous mother, knows how and when to play her cards.
What is equally fascinating is watching the progression of her twin brother, Alexander and his progression in the completely opposite direction of his twin. Completely devoted to one another, the bond he shares with his sister ultimately becomes his undoing. Whereas Cleopatra sees her mask wearing as nothing more than a means to an end for political survival, Alexander sees it as a betrayal to both their mother and their homeland. Where Cleopatra thinks with her head, Alexander thinks with his increasingly volatile temperament. He acts on the action, she on the reaction. Their relationship and both of their subsequent triumphs and surrenders was probably more fascinating to read about than any titillating scandal the entire book had to offer.
Not that there isn’t any scandal in this book. Oh hell no, sweet summer children. We have all the usual suspects when it comes to historical fiction books today.
SEX! MURDER! BACKSTABBING! BETRAYAL! MAGIC! SEX! INCEST! MORE INCEST! EVEN MORE INCEST!
THIS BOOK HAS SO MUCH SEX AND INCEST GAME OF THRONES IS GONNA HAVE TO MOVE OVER
And for a historical fiction book, this book is surprisingly, in your face feminist in the most glorious way possible. I know that we like to think that women in history were supremely oppressed and subjugated (which is kind of true in most situations). But in actuality, some cultures were extremely ahead of their time when it came to women’s rights and privileges. One could argue they had it better back in the day than we do now (gee. That’s kind of sad when you think about it from that POV). Anyhoo, Stephanie Dray created a whole tribe of gloriously strong women who clearly have the upper hand. They are the living personas behind the quote, ‘Behind every great man is a great women.’ Except in this case, these extremely complicated yet compelling women take the stage front and center. YAS TO STRONG HISTORICAL FEMALES!! Now if they could only come back to life and teach us a few lessons, that would be fabulous.
It's no secret that historical fiction is my favorite genre. I just love knowing about the past. And this story about Cleopatra’s little-known daughter fully satisfied my thirst. With strong females, compelling characters, and a rich plot, this book will fully transport you into the beautiful but dangerous world of ancient Rome.
If Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Schecter had an older sister, it would be this book. And does it have some lessons to show its little sister.
Cleopatra Selene and her brothers have been taken captive by Octavius Caesar. Children of Cleopatra, they are seen as both mortal enemies of the Roman empire and pawns in the twisted game that is Roman power. Completely cut off from the only life they’ve ever known, they go from being paraded in the streets of Rome to living an uneasy truce in Octavius’ household with their captor, his sister, his wife, and their stepsiblings whom they hardly know. But as the old saying goes, two can play the game, and soon Cleopatra and her brothers are swept into the dangerous world of Roman politics, alliances, scandalous dalliances, and the burning desire to go home and reclaim their rightful titles. And with Isis on their side, nothing except their devotion to one another can stop them.
The star of the show is clearly Cleopatra Selene (whom I’ll be calling Selene from now on). We see Selene grow up from a naïve girl to an extremely savory, politically manipulative women who, just like her famous mother, knows how and when to play her cards.
”In Egypt, people wore wooden masks of baboons and leopards and goddesses. But here in Rome, people made masks of their own faxes. The emperor. Livia. Juba. All of them put on faces that best suited their needs.At first, I didn’t know if she would last long as a character because of her naiveness, but she was a quick learner in both judging the characters of those around her, and (as cheesy as it sounds), listening with her head and not only her heart.
Well, I could wear a mask too.”
What is equally fascinating is watching the progression of her twin brother, Alexander and his progression in the completely opposite direction of his twin. Completely devoted to one another, the bond he shares with his sister ultimately becomes his undoing. Whereas Cleopatra sees her mask wearing as nothing more than a means to an end for political survival, Alexander sees it as a betrayal to both their mother and their homeland. Where Cleopatra thinks with her head, Alexander thinks with his increasingly volatile temperament. He acts on the action, she on the reaction. Their relationship and both of their subsequent triumphs and surrenders was probably more fascinating to read about than any titillating scandal the entire book had to offer.
Not that there isn’t any scandal in this book. Oh hell no, sweet summer children. We have all the usual suspects when it comes to historical fiction books today.
SEX! MURDER! BACKSTABBING! BETRAYAL! MAGIC! SEX! INCEST! MORE INCEST! EVEN MORE INCEST!
THIS BOOK HAS SO MUCH SEX AND INCEST GAME OF THRONES IS GONNA HAVE TO MOVE OVER
And for a historical fiction book, this book is surprisingly, in your face feminist in the most glorious way possible. I know that we like to think that women in history were supremely oppressed and subjugated (which is kind of true in most situations). But in actuality, some cultures were extremely ahead of their time when it came to women’s rights and privileges. One could argue they had it better back in the day than we do now (gee. That’s kind of sad when you think about it from that POV). Anyhoo, Stephanie Dray created a whole tribe of gloriously strong women who clearly have the upper hand. They are the living personas behind the quote, ‘Behind every great man is a great women.’ Except in this case, these extremely complicated yet compelling women take the stage front and center. YAS TO STRONG HISTORICAL FEMALES!! Now if they could only come back to life and teach us a few lessons, that would be fabulous.
It's no secret that historical fiction is my favorite genre. I just love knowing about the past. And this story about Cleopatra’s little-known daughter fully satisfied my thirst. With strong females, compelling characters, and a rich plot, this book will fully transport you into the beautiful but dangerous world of ancient Rome.
October 10, 2011
Originally posted on http://www.yareads.com
Lily of the Nile is Stephanie Dray’s first novel in the trilogy following Princess Selene. Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, loses both her parents in the war between Egypt and Rome. Not only does Egypt lose its rulers, but it also loses any chance of hope when Selene and her twin brother, Helios – the rightful heirs to the throne – are taken to Rome as prisoners of war and the emperor’s hostages. While Helios schemes and plots escape, Selene plays a more political game as she attempts to curry the emperor’s favor and save Egypt. Along the way, her faith and loyalty are tested. Tumultuous inner conflict threatens her sense of self and she almost breaks from the pressure of trying to be what everyone else wants her to be. But in the end, Selene realizes who she can trust above all else: herself and her faith.
When our protagonist, twelve-year-old Selene, was first-introduced, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear her story. I thought of her as just a child – why would I listen to the story of someone who couldn’t possibly understand everything going on around them? But I quickly learned Selene was one of the smartest, sharpest, and strongest heroines in literature. She was wise beyond her years and a shrewd observer. As a master of logic and reasoning, it was impossible for anyone not to respect her. Stephanie Dray described Selene so realistically that I felt as if I knew her inside and out. We saw her fears, doubts, and confusion. We understppd why she made certain decisions and we saw how carefully she chose her words. Never before had I seen the intricacies of the human mind and behavior so clearly fleshed out in a novel.
And Selene wasn’t the only three-dimensional characters. The emperor, Octavian, and his sister, Octavia, were two characters that never ceased to surprise me. At first, they were easy to hate; they were The Enemy. But as the reasoning behind their actions came to light, the world stopped seeming to black and white, and instead delved into so many shades of gray that, like Selene, I was left questioning my own beliefs. Lily of the Nile truly makes you consider your ideas of right and wrong and offers a glimpse at what it really means to be the ruler of a nation.
As someone who could never sit still through a history lesson, but loves historical fiction, I was enthralled by Dray’s descriptions of Egypt and Rome. Not only were Dray’s descriptions rich, but the magnitude of her knowledge of customs, traditions, and everyday life was astounding. Every facet of Roman life fascinated me and the clarity with which the politics were laid out left me feeling educated and even, at times, enlightened. Dray’s specificity so thoroughly transported me to another time and place that I almost thought the events of Lily of the Nile were happening all around me which, as a lifelong reader, is one of the greatest feelings in the world.
And while I loved the realistic aspects of Lily of the Nile, the magical elements certainly didn’t hurt. It was exciting to see some of the myths we grow up learning come to life. I loved the intertwining of religion and heka (magic) that allowed Egyptian rulers to gain respect and even fear. Following along as Selene came into her powers and renewed her faith in the goddess Isis was a thrilling journey and gave Selene a strength that was all her own, something she could claim in Rome’s patriarchal society. While the book may begin a little slow, the ending, in my opinion, is thunderous and well-deserved. My only problem is that it ends on a cliff-hanger and now I’m left anxiously anticipating the sequel.
Lily of the Nile is Stephanie Dray’s first novel in the trilogy following Princess Selene. Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, loses both her parents in the war between Egypt and Rome. Not only does Egypt lose its rulers, but it also loses any chance of hope when Selene and her twin brother, Helios – the rightful heirs to the throne – are taken to Rome as prisoners of war and the emperor’s hostages. While Helios schemes and plots escape, Selene plays a more political game as she attempts to curry the emperor’s favor and save Egypt. Along the way, her faith and loyalty are tested. Tumultuous inner conflict threatens her sense of self and she almost breaks from the pressure of trying to be what everyone else wants her to be. But in the end, Selene realizes who she can trust above all else: herself and her faith.
When our protagonist, twelve-year-old Selene, was first-introduced, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear her story. I thought of her as just a child – why would I listen to the story of someone who couldn’t possibly understand everything going on around them? But I quickly learned Selene was one of the smartest, sharpest, and strongest heroines in literature. She was wise beyond her years and a shrewd observer. As a master of logic and reasoning, it was impossible for anyone not to respect her. Stephanie Dray described Selene so realistically that I felt as if I knew her inside and out. We saw her fears, doubts, and confusion. We understppd why she made certain decisions and we saw how carefully she chose her words. Never before had I seen the intricacies of the human mind and behavior so clearly fleshed out in a novel.
And Selene wasn’t the only three-dimensional characters. The emperor, Octavian, and his sister, Octavia, were two characters that never ceased to surprise me. At first, they were easy to hate; they were The Enemy. But as the reasoning behind their actions came to light, the world stopped seeming to black and white, and instead delved into so many shades of gray that, like Selene, I was left questioning my own beliefs. Lily of the Nile truly makes you consider your ideas of right and wrong and offers a glimpse at what it really means to be the ruler of a nation.
As someone who could never sit still through a history lesson, but loves historical fiction, I was enthralled by Dray’s descriptions of Egypt and Rome. Not only were Dray’s descriptions rich, but the magnitude of her knowledge of customs, traditions, and everyday life was astounding. Every facet of Roman life fascinated me and the clarity with which the politics were laid out left me feeling educated and even, at times, enlightened. Dray’s specificity so thoroughly transported me to another time and place that I almost thought the events of Lily of the Nile were happening all around me which, as a lifelong reader, is one of the greatest feelings in the world.
And while I loved the realistic aspects of Lily of the Nile, the magical elements certainly didn’t hurt. It was exciting to see some of the myths we grow up learning come to life. I loved the intertwining of religion and heka (magic) that allowed Egyptian rulers to gain respect and even fear. Following along as Selene came into her powers and renewed her faith in the goddess Isis was a thrilling journey and gave Selene a strength that was all her own, something she could claim in Rome’s patriarchal society. While the book may begin a little slow, the ending, in my opinion, is thunderous and well-deserved. My only problem is that it ends on a cliff-hanger and now I’m left anxiously anticipating the sequel.
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