Lily of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter, #1) by Stephanie Dray

Jan 21, 2011 Usako rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2010, sci-fi-and-fantasy, season-sum10, own, series

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 lack...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Anne Osterlund rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 ma...more

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May 26, 2012 Kaimarie rated it 5 of 5 stars

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...more

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Dec 21, 2010 Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 p...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Naida rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-books, historical-fiction, favorite-books

I love anything related to Egypt (ancient or modern) that's why I always take a chance to pick up a book that is about it. "Lily of the Nile" combines magic with historical fiction, which I guess someone wouldn't like, but it worked well for me. The book shows a fight of a young her for her identity,dreams and goals surrounded with interesting characters and plot.

The plot is good and interesting, simply there's not a part of this book where I felt bored or like I needed to make a break reading i...more

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Mar 28, 2011 Monica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

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, mor...more

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Oct 10, 2011 Kiona rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

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, Sele...more 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.(less)

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Mar 16, 2011 Vanessa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, young-adult-books-i-love

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...more 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!
(less)

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Feb 06, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've been wanting to read Stephanie Dray's debut novel Lily of the Nile for months. Ever since it popped up in my recommendations on Amazon, the gorgeous cover and engaging plot summary pulled me in and wouldn't let me go until I experienced the book. I've always been interested in historical fiction, and the ancient world was always a favorite topic of exploration.

Lily of the Nile tells the tale of Selene, the daughter of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, and Marc Antony of Rome. The novel...more I've been wanting to read Stephanie Dray's debut novel Lily of the Nile for months. Ever since it popped up in my recommendations on Amazon, the gorgeous cover and engaging plot summary pulled me in and wouldn't let me go until I experienced the book. I've always been interested in historical fiction, and the ancient world was always a favorite topic of exploration.

Lily of the Nile tells the tale of Selene, the daughter of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, and Marc Antony of Rome. The novel opens with the death of Cleopatra soon after the fall of Egypt to Rome. Selene, her twin brother Helios and their half brother are taken back to Rome as war prizes for the emperor Octavian. Instead of being killed, Selene and her brothers are dumped into the home of their father Marc Antony's Roman wife and her children. Selene soon finds that the situation isn't as charitable as it seems, nor is it as free as it seems. Still a prisoner, Selene is caught between her mother's legacy and love for Egypt and the powerful Emperor Octavian, who would rather see Cleopatra's children integrated into Roman society and used for his own means. To survive, Selene must protect her brothers and follow Caesar's orders, even if doing so threatens everything she holds dear.

Lily of the Nile is an intriguing read filled with politics, manipulation, a dash of ancient mysticism, and an unforgettable journey through the ancient world through the eyes of one of the most fascinating figures of ancient Rome. The characters are strongly drawn and feel sympathetic and real, especially Selene. She's a strong protagonist that readers want to cheer for and want to succeed in a seemingly pointless endeavor. Alongside Selene, many of the other characters do feel a little weak, perhaps because some of them are given relatively little page time, or at least it feels like some characters, such as Octavian, didn't quite seem to come completely into their own on the page. I've read that there's supposed to be a sequel to Lily of the Nile, so perhaps he'll come to life more in the next installment.

As for the writing style, Dray is a fabulous storytelling and a dedicated historical who weaves together thorough research on the ancient world seamlessly with mesmerizing fiction. The details are lush, and the overtones of mysticism give the story just enough punch to stand out from similar novels and give it a different level.

Though Lily of the Nile technically is written for adults, it's great for younger readers who enjoy historical fiction. While Dray still has some maturing to do as a writer, Lily of the Nile shows amazing potential for her to become absolutely explosive in future installments.I'm excited to see what the future holds for this wonderful new writer.(less)

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Jul 03, 2011 Misfit rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: get-it-from-the-library, everyone-loved-it-but-me, skimmed-a-lot

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 re...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Tori rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book - perhaps obviously as I finished it in about four days. I am no expert on the history of Cleopatra or the Roman times in which she nor her children lived and had influence over. That stated, I believed this book, for lack of better phrasing.

I thoroughly enjoyed Margaret George's Cleopatra because the events as they transpired in the book felt plausible. For the enormity of the events that occurred during Cleopatra's time, the story never felt rushed to tell them all....more

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Nov 14, 2011 Nicki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: freaking-amazing, historical-fiction

This book was amazing. Simply amazing. It draws you in from the very beginning, and keeps you there until the end. It tells the story of Cleopatra Selene, her twin Alexander Helios, and their little brother Ptolemy. The three of them are the only surviving children of Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius/Mark Antony. They were taken to Rome as captives, and allowed to live in the household of Octavian/Augustus' sister. There they are forced to become Romans and dutiful children of the murderer of their...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Angela rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone!

Shelves: favorites, historical-fiction, learned-something, reviewed-by-me, strong-female-character, female-narrator, read-in-2011

I absolutely loved this book! I really liked the historical aspect of it and how it stuck very closely to real events. This book was a beautifully written, realistic novel about a fascinating historical character! I felt like I was being dragged along the streets of Rome right with Selene! I loved how realistic her thoughts and feelings were especially regarding her mother and father. I feel like I was able to share in her thoughts because they were so well laid out. I also liked the religious/s...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Lauren Cima rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book. I can't wait until next one. I'm very happy to find this author. I hope to be reading alot more from her in future.

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Oct 03, 2011 Dj rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Another book that I got for a free first reads.OMG i can't believe I forgot to upload my review!! I thought i did, crap, sorry Ms. Dray. (Who was nice enough to send me swagger with my first read book). I love historical fiction but this book definently goes in my favorites category, I loved all the parts of the book and it just felt real. The plot was spectacular and the characters made me fall in love with them. This book had been sitting in my to-reads pile for a while (because my severlly co...more

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Dec 25, 2010 Katterley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

If you enjoy historical fiction and fantasy (I do!) you'll love this book. The timelines aren't always accurate, if you're a stickler for that, but the story is well-crafted, I enjoyed the characters, and highly recommend it.

I can't wait for Ms. Dray's next story continuing the life of Cleopatra Selene.

I will be donating the copy I won to our public library and recommending the title to older teens and adults. I received the book in the GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

At least 4.5 stars :)

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Apr 02, 2013 Tamora Pierce rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, historical

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 Mar...more

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Mar 09, 2012 YA Reads Book Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kiona

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, Sele...more 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.(less)

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Dec 21, 2011 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: africa, egypt, fantasy, fiction, historical-fiction, kindle, magic, owned, review-copies, series

Lily Of The Nile is part one in a series of books about the life of Cleopatra's daughter Selene. Born and raised in Alexandria as the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, she lives a privileged life in a place where women are free to be as intelligent as men. After Cleopatra is defeated by Octavian, Selene is sent to Rome with her brothers and must learn to comply with the strict rules of Roman life, whilst coming to term with the loss of her parents, her throne and her country.

I love histori...more

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Dec 13, 2011 Trisha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: drama

I had watched "Rome" when it was on HBO, and it seems like the book picks up where the series ended. Egypt has been crushed by Rome and Cleopatra is dead. Octavian "adopts" the children of Cleopatra and Antony into his household and the story is told through the viewpoint of Selene, Cleopatra's only daughter.
The book talks about the tyranny and manipulative behavior of Octavian, Egyptian religion and beliefs, and the struggle that Selene and her brothers experience trying to remain true to thems...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Rita Webb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cleopatra Selene, daughter of the famous Queen Cleopatra, wants to survive her capture by Emperor Octavian and protect her brothers. She waits and watches, learning the fine art of intrigue, and most importantly, she comes to understand how the emperor thinks. If she ever wants to return to Egypt and reclaim her throne, she must play the game. I sat on the edge of my seat until wee hours of the night, hoping that she wouldn't sell her soul in the process.

While studying court politics and learnin...more

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Jul 19, 2011 Kate Quinn rated it 4 of 5 stars

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...more

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Dec 28, 2010 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
Historical Romance – Jan 4th, 2011
3 1/2 stars

Princess Selene, the last Princess of the Ptolemies, and daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. After the death of her parents and the ransack of Alexandria, Selene and her brothers Helios and Philadelphus are captured by the Romans and send to Rome to learn to live like Romans under the watchful eye of the Emperor Octavius. Unbeknown to the Romans, they are no ordinary Egyptian royalty, for they are blessed with magi...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, historical-fiction, legend, magic, mythology

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. While I really enjoyed how the Isiac faith was brought to life, I disliked the ending (and several things about the main character, Selene).

I did enjoy learning about how the Egyptians worshiped Isis. It sounds so much more interesting than a short blurb in a history book to hear how someone might have viewed her and see how they connect. And hey, if mysterious hieroglyphics appear on her arms in blood, that's interesting, too.

I wasn't too fond of Selene, though, which was a problem because she...more While I really enjoyed how the Isiac faith was brought to life, I disliked the ending (and several things about the main character, Selene).

I did enjoy learning about how the Egyptians worshiped Isis. It sounds so much more interesting than a short blurb in a history book to hear how someone might have viewed her and see how they connect. And hey, if mysterious hieroglyphics appear on her arms in blood, that's interesting, too.

I wasn't too fond of Selene, though, which was a problem because she is the book's narrator. Where her brother was willing to fight for the honor of her family's name, she was willing to let that go. It is true that she probably saved her life and those of her brothers, but I think she was too passive. If she was as smart as everyone said she was, why wouldn't she have been a little more clever in how she dealt with things? I felt like she was just a huge jumble of hormones the entire book, and she only started having to deal with monthly womanly things halfway through the story. Where the extra hormones came from, I just don't know.

Juba bothered me SO much! He could have been a cool person: smart, handsome, and not brainwashed, but NOOOOO. He had to be smart, handsome, and, like a dumb animal, very loyal to the emperor of Rome... Not to mention how little he knew how to properly treat a lady and how he didn't understand the idea of love very well... But neither did Rome, really. Well, according to this book's perspective, at least. Oh, and I'm pretty sure that he ends up marrying Selene. FANTASTIC. Two of my least favorite people married and complaining about each other. Maybe I won't read the sequel...

Not to say that I am fond of temple prostitutes or getting married to your siblings (views the Romans shared with me), but I didn't like how the Romans viewed women, marriage, love, and pleasure. Instead of viewing each other as gifts and pleasure as a gift, they found them to be horrible things. The idea of a woman who wasn't just a subservient baby-maker freaked them out, and they decided any woman with an opinion and ambitions of her own was a "whore." (They used that word a fair amount in this book, I found out).

That being said, I do not agree with some of the things that the Egyptians believed about love, marriage, etc. Like I said above, temple prostitution is a big no-no on my list, as is marrying a sibling.

And the ending bothered me. Selene, though she gets part of her land back and gets the emperor to go against Roman tradition by making a woman queen of a land, has become a master of manipulation and an expert at playing the emperor's game. While it is, technically, a victory for her, I would rather have had the emperor stab her or poison her or strangle her or SOMETHING other than have all of her deceit, lies, and half-truths from earlier pay off. Selene has spent most of the book lamenting how dishonest she feels because she's been dishonest. A LOT. So, what is the great moral lesson to be taken from this book? Dishonesty, manipulation, and cowardice can give you exactly what you want with very little consequence. Fantastic.

I gave this book three stars because, for the most part, I enjoyed it. I love hearing about Egyptian mythology and culture, and I got a good taste of that. However, this book was just not all that fantastic. I'm not sure if I even want to read the sequel.(less)

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Jul 29, 2011 Linda Cat added it

Review originally posted to www.books4hearts.com

I've always been really into ancient history of the Egyptian/Greek/Roman varieties, and I recall pouring over Cleopatra's complicated story multiple times. Add that to my love for YA historical fiction and I figured I was sure to like this book. I wasn't let down; Lily of the Nile was stunning. Stephanie Dray wrote a brilliant novel that must have required copious amounts of intense research and much cleverly filling the gaps where necessary.

The e...more

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Oct 24, 2012 goodglory rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok! I really liked this book. I would love to give it 5 and a half stars! However their are only a few things that bothered me in this book. It has nothing to do with the writing style, errors and such. It was the characters. Selene , where to start. I lost hope in her , to do the right thing, when she lost hope in her Goddess Isis. I was so angry that she took to the Emperor. I wanted her to be defiant to rage against the Romans. Though I know her character had to adapt to Rome and their Roman...more

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Mar 19, 2013 PickyReader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fairly-tales-mythology, paranormal, starts-a-series, girl-power, action-adventure, characters-with-magic-abilities, born-to-fight, older-teenage-books

Hm. I'm not sure what to think of this book. It's definitely for upper-class high schoolers and college kids,because the writing style and certain scenes are a bit intense for younger readers. I loved the historical sense to it, along with the Roman and Egyptian lifestyle comparisons in this novel; made the book seem real. The characters were written nicely. The magic added even seemed real, so well was this written.

What made me uneasy in this book was how Selene repeatedly says, "I am the resu...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Ashley W rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ancient-times, nook-book, fantasy, historical-fiction, ancient-egypt

I knew Cleopatra had children by both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, but Ptolemy Caesarion (her son by Caesar) and Cleopatra Selene, Alexander Helios, and Ptolemy Philadelphus (her children by Mark Antony) pretty much disappear from history...at least that's what I thought. Lily of the Nile begins with Cleopatra's death and Caesarion has fled. Cleopatra Selene, her twin brother Alexander Helios, and her younger brother Ptolemy Philadelphus are captured and paraded through Rome enduring insults a...more I knew Cleopatra had children by both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, but Ptolemy Caesarion (her son by Caesar) and Cleopatra Selene, Alexander Helios, and Ptolemy Philadelphus (her children by Mark Antony) pretty much disappear from history...at least that's what I thought. Lily of the Nile begins with Cleopatra's death and Caesarion has fled. Cleopatra Selene, her twin brother Alexander Helios, and her younger brother Ptolemy Philadelphus are captured and paraded through Rome enduring insults and threats from Roman citizens. Octavian's sister, Octavia, pleads for their lives, and comes to raise her ex-husband's children as her own. This is all historically correct. However, Stephanie Dray brings a fantasy subplot that doesn't seem out of place.

When her mother dies, Selene and her brothers are gifted with special powers. Selene is able to control winds and is given messages from Isis via bloody bloody messages on her arms, Helios is given supernatural strength, and Ptolemy can sense the future. Despite Lily of the Nile being a historical fiction, the fantasy subplot doesn't take away anything.

I was very much drawn into Selene's story and I couldn't help but feel everything she felt: fear, anger, hurt, sadness, happiness. She was a bit whiny, but I remembered what she had gone through and forgave it. However, I had problems with her twin, Helios. I know he had every right to distrust the Romans, especially the emperor Octavian, but instead of working towards making allies of them (which was the smart thing to do) he constantly angered them to the point where I was worried he'd get killed. My second favorite character was Julia, the daughter of Octavian. For a spoiled brat, she was a three dimensional character. Like Cleopatra Selene, I laughed at her antics but was frustrated at her stupidity.

I hated Livia, Octavian's wife with a passion, and kept wishing the woman would die sometime during the course of the book (though it didn't happen that way historically). All she cared about was herself and furthering her son, Tiberius. After it is implied that Octavian is sick she flippantly tells her younger son, Drusus, that he is of no use to her. I was also not too happy with Octavian himself. At times, he acted like a doting father, a self-righteous power hungry maniac, and a creeper, especially when he talked to Selene. His ideas about the "place" of women as pieces of property and not equals to men was disconcerting and the way he ignored the wants and needs of everyone else but himself disgusted me.

One thing that kind of weirded me out was the implied twincest between Selene and Helios. I am aware that incest during the Egyptian dynasties were considered normal, but everytime Helios talked about making Selene his queen and bringing her back to Egypt made me cringe.

In all, Lily of the Nile was a good, entertaining read, and I give it a B+. And if you're interested in the fall of Egypt or the Roman Empire, I totally recommend it!(less)

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Jan 04, 2011 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: history lovers

It's a quick read. It only took a few hours to read. The author provides really good details about Roman life. I liked the character of Selene who had to make very hard decisions and who stayed strong throughout the book.
Now as for Juba, it's hard not to compare slightly this book to Michelle Morans book Cleopatra's Daughter. In Michelle's book Juba was hard and rarely expressed emotion. In Stephanie Dray's book Juba was more friendly towards Selene and made clear his feelings but by the end o...more

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Feb 21, 2011 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

My thoughts:

This is book one about Princess Selene, but it is a novel that easily can stand on its own. One aspect of her life ends when the book ends, and it's a good solid ending. But she has more to experience, and that will come later.

This is then the story of Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony. A girl who managed to stay more in the shadows of time than her famous mother. She, her twin Helios, and their younger brother was brought to Rome as prisoners and were taken in by Octavi...more

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Lily of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter #1)

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