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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cleopatra : Daughter of the Nile, November 5, 2000
This review is from: Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) (Hardcover)
Although I'm not too sure about the historical accuracy of this book, I still think it deserves five stars for being extremely realistic-sounding and well-written. Cleopatra is a twelve-year-old princess when she begins to write in her diary. Her formerly comfortable life is in a state of upheaval. Her father, the Pharaoh of Egypt, has disappeared after narrowly escaping several plots to asassinate him, and her older sister Tryphaena has usurped the throne in his absence. Tryphaena fears that Cleopatra could be a threat to her authority, so she is especially watchful of her younger sister. One misstep could lead to Cleopatra's death. Cleopatra seeths under Tryphaena's close scrutiny, but she also fears for her life. She knows that it is her destiny to become Queen of Egypt, but she does not know how she will ever be anointed with her power-hungry siblings in her way. In the midst of Tryphaena's takeover of the government, Cleopatra hears that her father is about to make an ardurous sea voyage to Rome to meet with Julias Caesar. He hopes to persuade Caesar to help him recover his throne. Cleopatra fears for her father's life, and she has also been informed that Tryphaena was planning to murder her on a certain night. So, with the help of her friends Olympus (a medical student and family friend), Theophilus (a Hebrew scholar), and others, she manages to sneak aboard her father's ship and sail to Rome. To find out the surprising and interesting things that happen to her in Rome, you must read this book. It is also in Rome that Cleopatra becomes more and more set on becoming Queen--no matter what the cost. This book centers around the preteen and early teenage years of Cleopatra's life--when she realizes how dangerous being the daughter of the Pharaoh is. She also learns that she can never know who to trust. In this book, Cleopatra also sows the seeds of her famous liaisons with Marc Anthony, a Roman general. I strongly recommend this book, as it portrays the dangers and privileges of being a princess more accurately than any other book in the Royal Diaries series.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent book, May 24, 2006
This review is from: Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) (Hardcover)
As a HS parent, I seek the best in literature, either to read aloud to my children, or for their own reading pleasure. As we have been preparing for study of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, I thought I'd try this book, as Cleopatra is such a seminal figure- both for her historical aspect, as well as the vast amount of literature, music, and drama based on her person.
I was very pleased and fascinated by reading this book. The many and varied settings (Egypt, Rome, Italy) came to life for me, as I read of this small girl's attempts to prepare herself for ultimate Rule in Egypt. The author's inclusion of both a Greek philosopher and a Hebrew student in Alexandria (both very historically plausible) lent an element of connection to a worldview which was to come about- the Greco-Roman Christian- not 100 years after the events in this story. Because neither the story line, nor the facts of history, detracted from the validity (or, in some respects the inevitability) of the Christian Roman world that arose on the ashes of the Caesars, (yet including in her story Cicero, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, and all the rest) I was propelled to finish reading this book. The author deals with the emotions of an adolescent girl, while maintaining decorum about such things, that any HS parent with moral standards could easily integrate this novel into any Greco-Roman study, for elementary on up to Jr. high. There are some graphic elements (Cleopatra's usurpacious sister's head being brought in on a shield, reminiscent of John the Baptist's via Salome!) but overall, the book is full of light- as well as intrigue, sense impressions of a culture long gone, and a good story. The fact that `it ends suddenly,' as another reviewer mentioned, is that the purpose for which the book was written is fulfilled. Cleopatra returns to her beloved Alexandria, there to begin her journey towards womanhood- and rule. Highly recommended.
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20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Royal fun, March 8, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) (Hardcover)
I'm a fan of Egyptian things, so I was sure I'd like this book. It painted a picture of a real teenage princess with friends, foes, joy, and troubles. In other words, Cleopatra seemed like a living human as relevant as our own times. She learned at an early age that some people she loved and admired were untrustworthy. She had to rely on herself and pursue her goal of becoming a good ruler. But at times, the book was a little boring and gory. It's difficult to conceive how a supposedly fair ruler could kill his/her family. Still, you should read this story, especially if you like learning about ancient Egypt.
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