Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Book Review & Giveaway : Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

Book Details:
Random House, Crown Publishers
# ISBN-10: 0307409120
# ISBN-13: 978-0307409126
Hardcover, 430 pages

Synopsis:
The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s vengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome, but only two—the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander—survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.

My review:

In my opinion, Cleopatra's Daughter is a brilliantly-written historical fiction full of twists and turns. Michelle Moran has done a great job in introducing the world of ancient Rome to her readers and leading them to embark on this wonderful journey to the past.

In the olden days, boys were already considered as adults when they reached their 15th birthday, and girls were available for marriage once they reach the age of 15. Selene was afraid of growing up because she feared that Octavian might arrange a betrothal for her to one of the old Senators of Rome. She was also worried that her brother might be killed by Octavian so that Alexander will never have the chance to start a rebellion. (It turned out to be true. Alexander did not live to wear his toga virilis.)

Kleopatra Selene is my favourite character in this story. Although she lost all her next-of-kin (including her twin brother Alexander towards the end of the story) and ancestral kingdom, she managed to cope her sadness and proved herself worthy to Rome in order to fulfill her dreams of returning to her homeland. Selene was extremely talented in architecture and she worked hard as the assistant of Vitruvius, a famous engineer and architect, in order to improve her architecture skills. I'm glad that Selene had a happy-ending in her love life. Her romance with Marcellus, Octavian’s nephew never blossom, but she eventually found her knight in shining armour and lived a blissful life.

The Romans regarded the Gauls as barbarians but I think they themselves were no better. They mistreated their slaves by torturing, and even killing them. In the story, a rich merchant, Pollio wanted to throw an old slave into a pool full of eels to kill him because the old man accidentally dropped a crystal glass. Slaves for sale were locked up in cages like animals. There was another incident in the story which clearly portrayed the injustice in ancient Rome. When Fabius, one of the richest men in Rome was murdered, all his slaves, 200 people of various ages, from young lads to old men, were mercilessly killed. Even the babies were poisoned to death before they had the chance to see the world. This showed that the ruling clans of Rome never really cared and no laws were ever made to ensure the safety of the poor slaves and to champion their rights.

Michelle's decision of making Selene as the narrator of this story is no doubt a perfect choice. As I read through the pages, I felt as if I was in ancient Rome with Selene herself, who was seeking survival in a foreign land full of envy, perils and conspiracies.

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran is truly a remarkable historical fiction. If you enjoy reading stories of ancient Egypt and Rome, then Cleopatra's Daughter is a book you will definitely love!

A million thanks to Michelle for her generosity of sending me a review copy of Cleopatra's Daughter. This book has exceeded my expectations and I really enjoyed reading it. I hope I can read more books by Michelle in the future!

Thank you, Michelle!


Book rating : 10/10 - A perfect score!

*****************************************
Now readers, I've a great news for all of you! Michelle has agreed to sponsor a giveaway on my blog! One lucky reader will win a paperback copy of The Heretic Queen and another lucky winner will be getting a hardcover of Cleopatra's Daughter. Both books are autographed copies.

Mandatory entry:
To enter, simply leave a comment telling me why you want to win. ( 1 entry)

Extra entries:

*
Visit Michelle Moran's official website and tell me something you've learned about the author. ( 1 entry)

*Sign up for Michelle's Mailing List. (2 entries)

*Become a new follower of my blog. (1 entry)

*Already a follower. ( 2 entries)

*Tweet this giveaway and leave the link. (1 entry)
You may tweet as many times as you like. Every tweet will be counted as 1 entry.

*Update your Facebook status and leave the link. (1 entry)

*Blog about this giveaway and leave the link. ( 3 entries)

*Post this giveaway on other websites/social networks and leave the link. (2 entries for each site)

*Refer a friend to enter. Your friend must state your name in his/her comment.
( 2 entries)

*Leave a comment in any of my September posts other than the giveaways. You may leave as many comments as you like, but only one comment will be counted for one post. (1 entry for each comment)


Can't wait to read Cleopatra's Daughter? Buy it here:
AmazonBarnes & NobleBooks-a-MillionBordersIndie BoundRandom House




~Michelle Moran's official website~

CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER: a novel
The death of Cleopatra was only the beginning...

CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER
Excerpt
Cleopatra's Daughter Q&A
Synopsis

Visit CleopatrasDaughter.com
Check out Michelle's blog at michellemoran.blogspot.com

Please remember to leave your e-mail address. You may leave it in the form (ex: aikychien at yahoo dot com) to avoid spammers.

Giveaway ends 23rd September, 2009 at 8.00 pm Malaysia time.

Giveaway is open worldwide. You must be at least 13 years old to enter. The mandatory rules MUST be completed for the extra entries to count. Winner(s) will be chosen via Random.org. The winner will have 3 days to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Update: Giveaway is now closed.

75 comments:

Stephanie said...

oh this sounds amazing!
i have always loved stuff about egypt and i'm looking for a new book to read!

Cindy said...

Wow, what a generous offer! I want to win because I have been dying to read Cleopatra's Daughter since I first heard about it. Please, please, please pick me! :)

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

Something I learned about Michelle Moran: Her experiences at archaeological sites were what inspired her to write historical fiction.

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

I signed up for Michelle's mailing list.

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

I am already following your blog.

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amy Nicole said...

wow! I can't believe you read it already! And I thought I read fast! Great review. looking forward to reading this book!

Jessa said...

Hey! I would LOVE to win a new book! I love reading, and my boyfriend and me both have a strong interest in historical fiction. =)
Thanks!

thehempsphere@yahoo.com

Jessa said...

I am following your blog.

Jessa said...

I joined Michelle's mailing list

Sarah Sar said...

well, as someone who is OBSESSED with ancient roman history, this is one book i do not have in my collection and have been wanting to read it ever since it came out. antony and cleopatra are my favourite historical figures of all time!!!

Sarah Sar said...

i learned that michelle moran wanted to become a teacher had she not become a writer

mindy said...

because it looks like a fascinating read thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

DinaXYYan said...

After reading your review, i would like to read it! I like the story line.

DinaXYYan said...

I'm already a follower

GoneGirl said...

I would like to win, because I would love to read a perfect 10!

Eternal*Voyageur @ Venusian*Glow said...

I want to win cause I'm a sucker for historical novels !

the_eternal_voyageur at rediffmail dot com

Queeny said...

I'm already is your follower.

Queeny said...

I sign up Michelle's mailing list.

Queeny said...

I'm already is your follower.

Queeny said...

I sign up Michelle's mailing list.

Queeny said...

I have comment it at your another post.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=456679041051412948&postID=5359083994797903738&page=1&isPopup=true

angelqueenyding@gmail.com

D Q said...

I would love to win this. I've heard a lot about it and it sounds like a great read.
djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I enjoy reading historical fiction and non-fiction books. And this one has gotten some great reviews.

$uper $avin' Momma said...

I love a great love stry, especially if it's a perfect 10!

SnowWhitesBlogShop at yahoo dot com

$uper $avin' Momma said...

I'm a follower.

SnowWhitesBlogShop at yahoo dot com

The Haeven Crew said...

About 10 years ago, I started a historical fiction surrounding the Battle of Actium and became absolutely FASCINATED in the whole story. Kleopatra VII has always been a historical figure I constantly gravitate towards... it would be cool to read this take on her daughter!

The Haeven Crew said...

oops! here's my email:

ha(dot)ven(at)live(dot)com

:D

Rebecca Orr said...

Put simply, this looks like it would be a good book. Thanks for the chance! Rebecca

Rebecca Orr said...

I learned the she spent a summer in Israel as a volunteer archaeologist.

Rebecca Orr said...

I signed up to be on Michelle Moran's mailing list.

Rebecca Orr said...

I am already a follower! entry1

Rebecca Orr said...

I am already a follower! entry2

Unknown said...

I love the stories of Cleopatra and Marc Antony. The book sounds great! Thanks.

Unknown said...

I signed up for Michelle Moran's mailing list. thanks

Rebecca Orr said...

I signed up to be on Michelle Moran's mailing list. entry1
btw...I used bekki1820cb at yahoo dot com for the mailing list(not the email used to post this)

Unknown said...

I visited her website and learned that she volunteered as an archaeologist in Israel.

Unknown said...

I'm now following your blog. thanks

Rebecca Orr said...

I updated my facebook status. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/bekki1820cb?ref=profile

thanks again, Rebecca

Lindsay said...

I want to win because I love Cleopatra!!! My husband and I poured over the TV show Rome - it was awesome! (She makes a guest appearance)

Jaime said...

I need these, I don't have anything to read!
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Tiffany819 said...

i would love to win because I need a good book. Thank you!

tiffanys819 at gmail dot com

Pam said...

I'd love to win because I don't know as much about Egyptian history as I'd like to and I've heard such fantastic things about this book.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

I learned that it was Michelle's experiences on archaelogical digs that influenced her decision to write a book.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

subscribe to Michelle's newsletter #1

melacan at hotmail dot acom

Pam said...

subscribed to Michelle's newsletter #2

melacan at hotmail dot com

Frodannah said...

I have always loved historical fiction, and this book looks wonderful!

Frodannah said...

Bekki1820cb referred me!

Frodannah said...

Signed up for the mailing list #1!

Frodannah said...

Signed up for the mailing list #2!

Unknown said...

I'd love to win because Michelle seems like a fab author, and I'm just itching to read this book after your lovely review!!!

shrimpsaladcircus{at}gmail{dot}com

Unknown said...

Already a follower! 1

Unknown said...

Already a follower! 2

Damsels said...

i wnat to wim because the book and your review make it sound like something i would really love .. not to mention i like to read everything and anything ..

Cynthia.Richardson said...

Wow! What a great review. I would really like to win and read

Cynthia.Richardson said...

I signed up for Michelle's mailing list

Cynthia.Richardson said...

I'm a new follower of Friends and Family

Queeny said...

I want to win this book because it's nice.

Yuki said...

I want to win because this book is a good book to read and I love to read. Thanks for the chance to win this amazing book.

Yuki said...

I'm your blog's follower

yukgurl at gmail dot com

Yuki said...

Tweeted it:

http://twitter.com/lwting/status/4119639828

yukgurl at gmail 'dot' com

Nicole C. said...

I want to win because I love all of her books and want to read this one, too!!

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Diana D said...

I want to win because I never can have enough books to read. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.


dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I like to read historical fiction.

wendy_alonso527 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I am in desperate need of a good book to read and Cleopatra's Daughter is a book that appeals to me. Simply put it looks and sounds like a book I would pick up to read for myself.

Anonymous said...

Follow your blog!

Anonymous said...

I learned that the writer was born in San Fernando Valley,California and took an interest in writing at an early age.

Anonymous said...

tweeted-http://twitter.com/AutumH/status/4125877694

Anonymous said...

tweeted-http://twitter.com/AutumH/status/4147459605

Yoonmee said...

This book looks like it'd be a lot of fun to read. Thanks for such a great contest!

Mia J. said...

I would like to win this book because I have heard so many good things about it.

Anonymous said...

Daily tweet-http://twitter.com/AutumH/status/4172442605

autum22@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

daily tweet-http://twitter.com/AutumH/status/4315500061

Unknown said...

Great review! I am glad you re-posted it for the party. Thanks for joining in!

-CYM

Martha Eskuchen said...

10 of 10 - that's something! Great review! Thanks! I'd like to win because of the 10 rating!
I am a new follower here.

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