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Under the Shadow of the Moon
This is the story of the life of Cleopatra Selene, Queen of Mauretania. She was born as a twin along with her brother Alexander Helios to the legendary last pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra VII. This story is the continuation of her life as she was born as a princess of Egypt, then a captive of Rome, to finally becoming a Queen of a turbulent Mauretania along the side of her husband, King Juba II. Follow them as they continue to save the lives of their children in troubled times in Mauretania and then Rome and Britannia. The ancient world is theirs and the legacy they left behind. Watch as legends are created and even mythology as they make their mark in the ancient world. This is the second book of the series called "Legacy of the Moon" as it follows the first book that shares that name. This is based on the first novel by author Sharon Desruisseaux called; "Cleopatra Selene, Legacy of the Sun and Moon". For more information on the author you can find her on Facebook under Sharondnovels and on her official website at www.sharondnovels.com
- GenresHistorical FictionEgypt
462 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
11 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Desruisseaux
24 books84 followersSharon Desruisseaux is the author of "Cleopatra Selene, Legacy of the Sun and Moon" and the second edition of that novel which she broke into three books. The first two are currently published and are "Legacy of the Moon" and "Under the Shadow of the Moon". This series “From the Sands of Egypt to Eternity” was inspired by her travels to Egypt and her lifelong interest in ancient Egyptian history. This series takes place in the time when Rome was just establishing its Empire and Egypt had begun to fall into its all-encompassing grasp. The author enthusiastically conveys the reader into the lives of the children of the legendary Cleopatra VII, when they were initially prisoners of Rome, to becoming monarchs under the thumb of Augustus-the first Emperor of Roma Dea. It is the story of Cleopatra Selene and her siblings as they struggle to survive in a world turned upside down. They find a home in Numidia, and then Mauretania, and even venture out to the lands of the Celts of Gaul and Britannia. The author merges all of those fascinating cultures with incredible research into that era that redefines in creative and enterprising detail what life was like for such amazing people well written about in history. It gives one a completely innovative and redefined perspective into that time. Recently, she published her third book of the Series: "The Chronicles of a Dynasty Past", which is an illustrated compilation of the memoires of Cleopatra Selene and letters collected. This is an excellent and detailed account of the first two novels and lines it all into place with dimension.
Ms. Desruisseaux is also the author of a magnificent and witty collection of blogs encompassing her struggles, hardships, and laughter on moving from busy Massachusetts to owning a small farm in the middle of Maine called, "Sharon's Wicked Awesome Blog Book".
In her quest for ancient theology, she has written, "Au Set, the Woman", which is her perspective on how the mythology of ancient Egypt regarding Isis and her siblings, was created from a reality that just might be possible. She situated this series in a time before history was even written giving it a realistic flair for the myth to come alive for the reader in a historical fiction format. She splendidly illustrates Predynastic Egypt intense and vital before the reader's eyes, giving insight into a picture long forgotten and covered in the sands of Kemet. Ms. Desruisseaux has recently published the second edition of this novel called "Au Set of Kemet".
In her quest for searching for her own roots, she discovered a completely new area to write about and thus she has started this with the first historical fiction novel of that series on the early French settlers to Canada in a time before the pilgrims. She found a bold and courageous group of people to write about and has started with the novel, "Le Point de non Retour" or "The Point of no Return". Which is the amazing story of the premier settlers of them all, Louis and Marie Hebert. This series is known as "The Beginning of a Dream".
Always looking for things to write about, the author in her own modern times has not found any lack. For her latest book is about two women who endure a toxic work environment at an insurance agency. They start to settle since the economy leaves them little choice-but then again-it would not make such a good book if they did, would it? In her book "Evil Sells" she gives the women a voice and with it a drive to not be victimized. Do they get even with their employer? Maybe, or do the evil ways of Leo Cyfer overcome their will to be heard? She has also recently published her gothic and literary ghost story of a home in Maine and all encountered there in pure classic literary mode perfect for the wilds of Maine and the eerie haunted home and trials of those living, or not, within the archaic walls. This haunting tome is called, “A Tenacious grasp on Reality.”
The author is diligently working hard on getting thos
Ms. Desruisseaux is also the author of a magnificent and witty collection of blogs encompassing her struggles, hardships, and laughter on moving from busy Massachusetts to owning a small farm in the middle of Maine called, "Sharon's Wicked Awesome Blog Book".
In her quest for ancient theology, she has written, "Au Set, the Woman", which is her perspective on how the mythology of ancient Egypt regarding Isis and her siblings, was created from a reality that just might be possible. She situated this series in a time before history was even written giving it a realistic flair for the myth to come alive for the reader in a historical fiction format. She splendidly illustrates Predynastic Egypt intense and vital before the reader's eyes, giving insight into a picture long forgotten and covered in the sands of Kemet. Ms. Desruisseaux has recently published the second edition of this novel called "Au Set of Kemet".
In her quest for searching for her own roots, she discovered a completely new area to write about and thus she has started this with the first historical fiction novel of that series on the early French settlers to Canada in a time before the pilgrims. She found a bold and courageous group of people to write about and has started with the novel, "Le Point de non Retour" or "The Point of no Return". Which is the amazing story of the premier settlers of them all, Louis and Marie Hebert. This series is known as "The Beginning of a Dream".
Always looking for things to write about, the author in her own modern times has not found any lack. For her latest book is about two women who endure a toxic work environment at an insurance agency. They start to settle since the economy leaves them little choice-but then again-it would not make such a good book if they did, would it? In her book "Evil Sells" she gives the women a voice and with it a drive to not be victimized. Do they get even with their employer? Maybe, or do the evil ways of Leo Cyfer overcome their will to be heard? She has also recently published her gothic and literary ghost story of a home in Maine and all encountered there in pure classic literary mode perfect for the wilds of Maine and the eerie haunted home and trials of those living, or not, within the archaic walls. This haunting tome is called, “A Tenacious grasp on Reality.”
The author is diligently working hard on getting thos
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It is a masterful blend of history and fiction reminiscent of Phillipa Gregory or Margaret George. Some of the things I most enjoyed about it were the fact that she chose to write about Cleopatra's daughter instead of Cleopatra herself. It made a topic that can sometimes seem overdone seem completely new again. The author gives luscious detail that enables you to feel like you really are in Rome and Britannia. She does not dwell overly much on the historical aspect but ensures that everyone can get on the same page.
In addition, I really liked the author's style of writing. Her characterizations were relatable and believable and her prose flowed well. It was occasionally a bit flowery but never overdone.
4 stars instead of 5 because the author would sometimes give too much detail and/or repeat things unnecessarily. In a book of this length some repetition is necessary but it sometimes felt like a bit much.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads Firstreads program. I was not obligated to write a review
In addition, I really liked the author's style of writing. Her characterizations were relatable and believable and her prose flowed well. It was occasionally a bit flowery but never overdone.
4 stars instead of 5 because the author would sometimes give too much detail and/or repeat things unnecessarily. In a book of this length some repetition is necessary but it sometimes felt like a bit much.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads Firstreads program. I was not obligated to write a review
March 2, 2017
A disclaimer states that the book was published without benefit of editorial input. That is too bad because it was sorely in need of significant editing. I attempted more than once to read this book--a topic in which I have a great interest--and could not read further than twenty pages.
October 7, 2017
3.5 Stars. This book had a lot of potential, it's obvious the author did a lot of research into the subject matter and history surrounding the subjects however that being said I feel the author tried to cram into much of the history surrounding the people in her novel into sentences that already had information in them tended to run on with information on characters and relations that didn't really impact on the story or the subject matter. Leading to more confusion then useful information. With the research that went into this book it was also surprising that the author would create a character, another daughter Cleopatra, Arsinoe, who didn't exist and didn't really serve any purpose to the storyline except as perhaps a character of sorrow and pity who added no development to the characters or storyline.
I wish the author had focused more on the life of Selene in her time in Rome as a child which is what I was looking for, the relationships between her, Octavia, Livia, Octavian and her half siblings and cousins. It seemed that this part of her life was lost and jumped over to her marriage with Juba and even then that part was seen to have points that were focused on while the romance and the interpersonal issues were glossed over.
Perhaps the best portion of the book is when they are in Europe among the tribes of the Celts this area of the book seems to be more balanced between descriptions of the area, scenery, emotions, as well as dialogue and internal monologues which would have been great if it has continued throughout the whole of the book. Like other reviewers I also noticed the lack of editing and the need for greater care in note for grammar and consistency in narration as well as focus on the historical information provided around the characters so that the history didn't run away from the main story and from the main characters to people and places beyond the time and the immediate story that we were reading.
That said, the book was highly lacking in dialogue; while they were great parts of description of the surroundings and sometimes the emotions of the main character. The narrative swapped very unclearly and quickly from a first-person perspective to general narration which can ruin the flow. The dialogue that was included was very choppy, and was comprised mostly of conversations either recalled or held in the main character's head. It will be interesting to see if the second book is worth a full read no I'm one that hates to put down a book once you started, I will give the second book a try.
The disjointedness of this book proved itself most in the fact that while reading my ebook version got confused and I reread a portion or two without noticing until certain parts that stuck out better than others caught my eye and I realize that I had reread the same information. I will say however that the correspondence between Selene and the other women in Rome was well done the letters did ring of authenticity the information shared between the women across time and space of what we share with our families ande worries concerns were well shown in this area.
For other takes and some real page-turners On Selene I highly suggest the amazing conclusion to the Egyptian Royals by Michelle Moran, the very descriptive first person story of Selene and her brothers, Cleopatra's Daughter, as well as theinteresting and greatly researched The Daughters of Palatine Hill by Phylis T Smith (along with the first book, it's companion novel, I Am Livia, though both can be read alone.) for two great books on her mother, the illustrious Cleopatra and some early history on Selene check out the wonderful epic (and one of my rereading favourites) Hand of Isis by the talented Jo Graham and the absolutely amazaming gem of a book (and my 'book of the year') The Memoirs of Cleopatra, fantasticiy reasearched and written by Margaret George.
I wish the author had focused more on the life of Selene in her time in Rome as a child which is what I was looking for, the relationships between her, Octavia, Livia, Octavian and her half siblings and cousins. It seemed that this part of her life was lost and jumped over to her marriage with Juba and even then that part was seen to have points that were focused on while the romance and the interpersonal issues were glossed over.
Perhaps the best portion of the book is when they are in Europe among the tribes of the Celts this area of the book seems to be more balanced between descriptions of the area, scenery, emotions, as well as dialogue and internal monologues which would have been great if it has continued throughout the whole of the book. Like other reviewers I also noticed the lack of editing and the need for greater care in note for grammar and consistency in narration as well as focus on the historical information provided around the characters so that the history didn't run away from the main story and from the main characters to people and places beyond the time and the immediate story that we were reading.
That said, the book was highly lacking in dialogue; while they were great parts of description of the surroundings and sometimes the emotions of the main character. The narrative swapped very unclearly and quickly from a first-person perspective to general narration which can ruin the flow. The dialogue that was included was very choppy, and was comprised mostly of conversations either recalled or held in the main character's head. It will be interesting to see if the second book is worth a full read no I'm one that hates to put down a book once you started, I will give the second book a try.
The disjointedness of this book proved itself most in the fact that while reading my ebook version got confused and I reread a portion or two without noticing until certain parts that stuck out better than others caught my eye and I realize that I had reread the same information. I will say however that the correspondence between Selene and the other women in Rome was well done the letters did ring of authenticity the information shared between the women across time and space of what we share with our families ande worries concerns were well shown in this area.
For other takes and some real page-turners On Selene I highly suggest the amazing conclusion to the Egyptian Royals by Michelle Moran, the very descriptive first person story of Selene and her brothers, Cleopatra's Daughter, as well as theinteresting and greatly researched The Daughters of Palatine Hill by Phylis T Smith (along with the first book, it's companion novel, I Am Livia, though both can be read alone.) for two great books on her mother, the illustrious Cleopatra and some early history on Selene check out the wonderful epic (and one of my rereading favourites) Hand of Isis by the talented Jo Graham and the absolutely amazaming gem of a book (and my 'book of the year') The Memoirs of Cleopatra, fantasticiy reasearched and written by Margaret George.
May 13, 2013
This author is obviously very intelligent and has done extensive research. Although I usually enjoy historical novels, this one was a little too far in the past for me. However, I can appreciate the literary aspects of the novel and the hard work of the author. I think this author will go far and I believe this is the best portrayal of the life of Cleopatra written so far. I did learn a lot about this historical figure and I love to learn while reading fiction. This author's writing style is very unique and I'm hoping she will write something a little lighter later on, like maybe a romantic mystery or something fun that she doesn't have to do so much research on. I would highly recommend this novel to all the history buffs out there.
July 14, 2013
Very well researched , but I met 2 problems :
1) There is no dialogue , its a narrative incognito , a narrative , but not a narrative , its more of a trap to get readers interested at the beginning Only to have them bored to death by pg 30!
2) I want to meet the editor of this book , he/she probably skipped school especially grammar classes .
This book was about squishing more information into a sentence , even if that makes it a run on !!
The copy I read had many missing pages , and personally I was glad of that !
1) There is no dialogue , its a narrative incognito , a narrative , but not a narrative , its more of a trap to get readers interested at the beginning Only to have them bored to death by pg 30!
2) I want to meet the editor of this book , he/she probably skipped school especially grammar classes .
This book was about squishing more information into a sentence , even if that makes it a run on !!
The copy I read had many missing pages , and personally I was glad of that !
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March 5, 2013Horrible book. so far i want 2 throw it down the toilet i want my money bach they dont talk at all!! What kind of book is that? Its BORING worse book i've ever read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews