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Fall of Egypt #2
The Drowning King
Ancient Egypt, 51 B.C. Sisters Arsinoe and Cleopatra face a devastating choice: to allow Rome's army to siphon power from their ailing father, or to take matters--and the dynasty--into their own hands.
It's the dawn of a new era for Egypt as Cleopatra and her brother, Ptolemy, are welcomed to the throne after their father's death. But joint rule breeds its own conflicts: can the Nile be shared? Long overlooked by his father in favor of the beguiling Cleopatra, Ptolemy is determined to prove his ability as both man and king-but, at eleven, he is no match for his elder sister, who's quick to assert her primacy throughout the land.
Their sister Arsinoe is torn between her siblings in one of history's greatest power struggles. As the palace echoes with rumors, scandals and betrayal, Arsinoe's love for her childhood friend Alexander deepens into a forbidden passion that could endanger both their lives. When Cleopatra is forced to flee a rebel uprising, Arsinoe decides she has no choice but to follow her sister into exile.
Yet while Cleopatra gathers an army to retake the crown, Arsinoe begins to doubt whether her sister is the champion Egypt needs. Faced with the choice of betraying her family or her country, Arsinoe will determine a kingdom's fate and the course of history.
It's the dawn of a new era for Egypt as Cleopatra and her brother, Ptolemy, are welcomed to the throne after their father's death. But joint rule breeds its own conflicts: can the Nile be shared? Long overlooked by his father in favor of the beguiling Cleopatra, Ptolemy is determined to prove his ability as both man and king-but, at eleven, he is no match for his elder sister, who's quick to assert her primacy throughout the land.
Their sister Arsinoe is torn between her siblings in one of history's greatest power struggles. As the palace echoes with rumors, scandals and betrayal, Arsinoe's love for her childhood friend Alexander deepens into a forbidden passion that could endanger both their lives. When Cleopatra is forced to flee a rebel uprising, Arsinoe decides she has no choice but to follow her sister into exile.
Yet while Cleopatra gathers an army to retake the crown, Arsinoe begins to doubt whether her sister is the champion Egypt needs. Faced with the choice of betraying her family or her country, Arsinoe will determine a kingdom's fate and the course of history.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2017
20 people are currently reading
1468 people want to read
About the author
Emily Holleman
3 books163 followersEmily Holleman is a Brooklyn-based writer. After a two-year editing stint at Salon.com where she had to worry a lot about politics, celebrities and memes, she returned to her true passion: fiction. She’s currently working on a set of historical novels that reimagines the saga of Cleopatra from the perspective of her younger sister, Arsinoe. The first of these, Cleopatra’s Shadows, will be published by Little, Brown in October 2015.
Like Arsinoe, Emily is also a younger sister.
Like Arsinoe, Emily is also a younger sister.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 4, 2017
A well-researched historical fiction written from the point of view of Arsinoe and Ptolemy, Cleopatra's ill-starred siblings. I didn't even know that Cleopatra had a sister. And, I only knew Cleopatra had a brother because of his infamous gaffe when he presented Caesar with Pompey's head.
The Ptolemys were a storied dynasty. Descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals, they had the charming tradition of marrying their siblings. This politically motivated inbreeding kept all of the power in the family. There's a lot of weird brother/sister vibes in this book, but it's historically accurate. If that kind of thing freaks you out, you'd be better off avoiding this read.
The Drowning King takes advantage of these unknown characters to spin the history in a different way. I can't say that I was a fan of all of the changes.
Holleman depicts Cleopatra as a manipulative hysteric who sat idly by while her libraries burned because she trusted that Caesar's men would protect them. Blinded by love, perhaps? I couldn't swallow that interpretation.
But, the Roman attitude towards women is portrayed accurately: "The soldiers distrusted her sister for what she was: an Eastern woman with an eye for rule. Hadn't they already deposed one of those? In Rome, Cleopatra had told her once, slack-jawed with shock, women are chattel, no more and often less. Or as Arsinoe had heard more than one centurion sneer after Berenice's death, In Rome, women know their place." loc 96, ebook. How extraordinary then that Cleopatra managed to rise to the heights that she ultimately obtained. I suppose that also helps explain her extraordinary fall.
I liked how Holleman incorporates the size and diversity of Egypt in her tale: "Alexandria was full of Upper Landers, but they bore no more relation to these creatures than a tomcat did to a lion. The men who busied themselves along the palace courtyards wore tunics and mantles and bantered in flawless Greek. ... But here men of the same blood looked different, foreign to her eyes, ghosts of some forgotten land. She doubted whether they could even speak her tongue, and she wondered how so many members of her family had ruled without bothering to learn theirs." loc 871. That's because the descendants of Alexander's general spoke Greek and the common people spoke Egyptian. It reminds me of how the nobility in England spoke French while everybody else spoke English.
I also enjoyed the conversation between Ptolemy's counselors and the young ruler about whether or not they should kill Pompey: "Pompey was once wed to Caesar's beloved daughter, Julia. And if you kill him, you'll be slaying Caesar's former son-in-law." loc 2472. Beyond the fact that Pompey was Caesar's son-in-law, he was still a Roman. Ptolemy was not. Romans divided the world into two groups- those that were Roman and those that were not. The counselors didn't understand that, advised the boy poorly and sowed the seeds for his destruction from that very first meeting with Caesar.
I felt badly for Ptolemy. He was surrounded by either incompetent or power hungry people. There were none who loved him for just who he was rather than what he could bring them. "Nothing he'd done- nothing he'd ever done- had made a dent. With one nauseating exception: the murder of Pompey. And for all he knew, that would be his sole legacy: the ignoble assassination of his father's alley. Dark thoughts consumed him too frequently now; he had to stay strong and drive them from his mind." loc 4532, ebook. "The drowning king," indeed.
I enjoyed this book, I did, but it was no Margaret George's The Memoirs of Cleopatra. I found myself comparing the two in my mind and this one came up wanting. Unfair, perhaps, but there it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company publishing for a free digital copy of this book.
The Ptolemys were a storied dynasty. Descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals, they had the charming tradition of marrying their siblings. This politically motivated inbreeding kept all of the power in the family. There's a lot of weird brother/sister vibes in this book, but it's historically accurate. If that kind of thing freaks you out, you'd be better off avoiding this read.
The Drowning King takes advantage of these unknown characters to spin the history in a different way. I can't say that I was a fan of all of the changes.
Holleman depicts Cleopatra as a manipulative hysteric who sat idly by while her libraries burned because she trusted that Caesar's men would protect them. Blinded by love, perhaps? I couldn't swallow that interpretation.
But, the Roman attitude towards women is portrayed accurately: "The soldiers distrusted her sister for what she was: an Eastern woman with an eye for rule. Hadn't they already deposed one of those? In Rome, Cleopatra had told her once, slack-jawed with shock, women are chattel, no more and often less. Or as Arsinoe had heard more than one centurion sneer after Berenice's death, In Rome, women know their place." loc 96, ebook. How extraordinary then that Cleopatra managed to rise to the heights that she ultimately obtained. I suppose that also helps explain her extraordinary fall.
I liked how Holleman incorporates the size and diversity of Egypt in her tale: "Alexandria was full of Upper Landers, but they bore no more relation to these creatures than a tomcat did to a lion. The men who busied themselves along the palace courtyards wore tunics and mantles and bantered in flawless Greek. ... But here men of the same blood looked different, foreign to her eyes, ghosts of some forgotten land. She doubted whether they could even speak her tongue, and she wondered how so many members of her family had ruled without bothering to learn theirs." loc 871. That's because the descendants of Alexander's general spoke Greek and the common people spoke Egyptian. It reminds me of how the nobility in England spoke French while everybody else spoke English.
I also enjoyed the conversation between Ptolemy's counselors and the young ruler about whether or not they should kill Pompey: "Pompey was once wed to Caesar's beloved daughter, Julia. And if you kill him, you'll be slaying Caesar's former son-in-law." loc 2472. Beyond the fact that Pompey was Caesar's son-in-law, he was still a Roman. Ptolemy was not. Romans divided the world into two groups- those that were Roman and those that were not. The counselors didn't understand that, advised the boy poorly and sowed the seeds for his destruction from that very first meeting with Caesar.
I felt badly for Ptolemy. He was surrounded by either incompetent or power hungry people. There were none who loved him for just who he was rather than what he could bring them. "Nothing he'd done- nothing he'd ever done- had made a dent. With one nauseating exception: the murder of Pompey. And for all he knew, that would be his sole legacy: the ignoble assassination of his father's alley. Dark thoughts consumed him too frequently now; he had to stay strong and drive them from his mind." loc 4532, ebook. "The drowning king," indeed.
I enjoyed this book, I did, but it was no Margaret George's The Memoirs of Cleopatra. I found myself comparing the two in my mind and this one came up wanting. Unfair, perhaps, but there it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company publishing for a free digital copy of this book.
January 15, 2020
This is the second installment in the Fall of Egypt series.
So in part one, Arsinoe's father and sister who is Cleopatra, have come back after being in exile. This book continues where the former left off.
In this installment, Cleopatra and Ptolemy take the throne after the death of the Royal King. Problems start at once however as Arsinoe finds herself torn between her two siblings. For the first time in her life, she begins to question Cleopatra's judgement and wonders if her sister is really the right ruler for Egypt.
I liked this book. I rated it a three but it is really, for me, more then that. However, I could not buy into one aspect of the book and that is the reason for the three rating.
SPOILERS:
I did not believe that Cleopatra would ever harm her father nor Arsinoe. They both loved him dearly. I know this is fiction and writers can take whatever liberties they want and I have read so many books on Cleopatra and almost every writer has to take liberties. There is still so much about her that is unknown. However this aspect really strained belief and it brought down my enjoyment of the book a bit.
Cleopatra is portrayed here as a much meaner version that I have read before and Arsinoe's personality has changed drastically between the first and second book.
Ptolemy is as whiny as a prince can be! I enjoyed very much reading about him though.
It is interesting, in that, in my favorite version of Cleopatra's life, the masterpiece, 'I Cleopatra", Ptolemy is portrayed as loathing his sister and spurning any romantic or sexual alliances with her. But for some reason, just like in book one, I liked reading about all the siblings. And the book was highly enjoyable in that regard. I will continue on to the final installment.
So in part one, Arsinoe's father and sister who is Cleopatra, have come back after being in exile. This book continues where the former left off.
In this installment, Cleopatra and Ptolemy take the throne after the death of the Royal King. Problems start at once however as Arsinoe finds herself torn between her two siblings. For the first time in her life, she begins to question Cleopatra's judgement and wonders if her sister is really the right ruler for Egypt.
I liked this book. I rated it a three but it is really, for me, more then that. However, I could not buy into one aspect of the book and that is the reason for the three rating.
SPOILERS:
I did not believe that Cleopatra would ever harm her father nor Arsinoe. They both loved him dearly. I know this is fiction and writers can take whatever liberties they want and I have read so many books on Cleopatra and almost every writer has to take liberties. There is still so much about her that is unknown. However this aspect really strained belief and it brought down my enjoyment of the book a bit.
Cleopatra is portrayed here as a much meaner version that I have read before and Arsinoe's personality has changed drastically between the first and second book.
Ptolemy is as whiny as a prince can be! I enjoyed very much reading about him though.
It is interesting, in that, in my favorite version of Cleopatra's life, the masterpiece, 'I Cleopatra", Ptolemy is portrayed as loathing his sister and spurning any romantic or sexual alliances with her. But for some reason, just like in book one, I liked reading about all the siblings. And the book was highly enjoyable in that regard. I will continue on to the final installment.
September 12, 2017
Rich in historical detail and offering an alternative perspective on the typical Cleopatra/Caesar story, this book seeks to bring Cleopatra's sister, Arsinoe and brother Ptolemy into the light. The scarcity of evidence from the Ptolemaic dynasty during this period allows the author to bring her own interpretations to the characters, though it is clear she has used the extant sources as the basis for the cultural, political, and military facets of the novel.
What lets the book down is the writing, pacing, and irrelevant sexual scenes. In putting two very young characters at the centre of the book, and in choosing to make them seem like petulant modern children, the overall feeling of the book becomes one of childish emotion and petty concerns transferred onto the much larger stage of Egyptian dynastic power. It's all erections and wet dreams interspersed with tantrums and which sibling loves another more/less. There are long periods of internal monologuing that do not advance the story and purport to be the character evaluating their shifting loyalties, but which, in reality, justify their current sisterly/brotherly dislikes. Despite this, there is no humanity here, no real feeling. The emotions most described are jealousy and wounded pride. At first the familial drama was enough to hold my attention, but the repetition and refusal to move beyond it soured the book by the end.
ARC via Netgalley
What lets the book down is the writing, pacing, and irrelevant sexual scenes. In putting two very young characters at the centre of the book, and in choosing to make them seem like petulant modern children, the overall feeling of the book becomes one of childish emotion and petty concerns transferred onto the much larger stage of Egyptian dynastic power. It's all erections and wet dreams interspersed with tantrums and which sibling loves another more/less. There are long periods of internal monologuing that do not advance the story and purport to be the character evaluating their shifting loyalties, but which, in reality, justify their current sisterly/brotherly dislikes. Despite this, there is no humanity here, no real feeling. The emotions most described are jealousy and wounded pride. At first the familial drama was enough to hold my attention, but the repetition and refusal to move beyond it soured the book by the end.
ARC via Netgalley
May 4, 2023
5/2 as part of a revelation (and focus) I realised this is book 2 in a series and I have read that book but no longer own it. That's why I have some of my comments below. Sadly I forgot to date that entry. If one is not familiar with Alexandrian/Roman history I suggest that book 1 be read before this one. It will Center your mind. I'm leaving the words below as they are to give perspective on some things that would be questionable if one jumps straight to book 2.
"Fear is the luxury of those with something left to lose." Love this quote its real and true
am my father’s daughter. Cleopatra was as well. And I’m enjoying reading this book. But here’s my issue. I think I’m just mindstuck (yes I’m a word maker upper) in history. True, factual, intriguing history and there is just so much historical fiction out there, this book included, that just lies there and leaves me dissatisfied. Historical fiction let’s the reader know only what the author thinks is on this side of relevance that often situations occur or worse, don’t occur AT ALL, leading the reader to believe he/she were taught something special and important. I’ll admit I haven’t read any Egyptian works in awhile but why continuously call the previous Ptolemy “the piper” and not tell anyone why likes it’s just some endearing nickname;or describe the ceremony with the bull and not go into the description of the bill and why that particular bull is important to the people-can’t use just any ole bull. Or how about the fact that Cleopatra and her sister, Arsinoe, were not exactly the best of friends. And all of this in the first 20%. Then one also takes the risk of the author just creating characters for more fluidity. I guess I’m just a purist because as far as I’m concerned a book is not historical fiction just because it takes place during WWII, or is set at a particular stressful period of time in a country’s era. I won’t list examples because I don’t feel like being attacked. But so far I think I have too many issues that my scooby doo ears are prickled.
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"Fear is the luxury of those with something left to lose." Love this quote its real and true
am my father’s daughter. Cleopatra was as well. And I’m enjoying reading this book. But here’s my issue. I think I’m just mindstuck (yes I’m a word maker upper) in history. True, factual, intriguing history and there is just so much historical fiction out there, this book included, that just lies there and leaves me dissatisfied. Historical fiction let’s the reader know only what the author thinks is on this side of relevance that often situations occur or worse, don’t occur AT ALL, leading the reader to believe he/she were taught something special and important. I’ll admit I haven’t read any Egyptian works in awhile but why continuously call the previous Ptolemy “the piper” and not tell anyone why likes it’s just some endearing nickname;or describe the ceremony with the bull and not go into the description of the bill and why that particular bull is important to the people-can’t use just any ole bull. Or how about the fact that Cleopatra and her sister, Arsinoe, were not exactly the best of friends. And all of this in the first 20%. Then one also takes the risk of the author just creating characters for more fluidity. I guess I’m just a purist because as far as I’m concerned a book is not historical fiction just because it takes place during WWII, or is set at a particular stressful period of time in a country’s era. I won’t list examples because I don’t feel like being attacked. But so far I think I have too many issues that my scooby doo ears are prickled.
ROYAL READS PROJECT
February 15, 2018
The "Drowning King" follows part of the story of two of Cleopatra's siblings Arsinoe and Ptolomy.
Interesting take on Cleopatra. Usually seen as a tragic heroine, in this book she comes across as a complete bitch! I rather like the change of pace.
If that period of Egyptian history interests you, then this is once of the finest novels of the period I've ever come across.
Highly recommended.
Interesting take on Cleopatra. Usually seen as a tragic heroine, in this book she comes across as a complete bitch! I rather like the change of pace.
If that period of Egyptian history interests you, then this is once of the finest novels of the period I've ever come across.
Highly recommended.
October 21, 2023
Istorinis romanas, apie senovės Egipto žlugimą. Pasakojimas vyksta brolio ir sesers veikėjais, įdomios buvo abi nuomonės. Labiausiai patiko Arsinojos personažas, kuri buvo abiejuose pusėse, tiek karaliaus, tiek karalienės. Buvo įdomu paskaityti ir pasidomėti tikrais faktais. Pabaigos norėjosi konkretesnės, su didesniu užbaigtumu.
July 27, 2020
More than just a good sequel to an excellent debut, The Drowning King stands well on its own merit. Here, Emily Holleman tells the story of the time surrounding Cleopatra's infamous first meeting with Caesar, but from the perspective of her overshadowed younger siblings, Arsinoe and Ptolemy. It's history through the eyes of the losers, and it's brilliantly done—I would argue this book is much stronger than Cleopatra's Shadows at almost every level.
Though this book is narrated from a dual perspective, the true protagonist here is Arsinoe. As she struggles to come out from the long shadow cast by her sister, her story is mirrored and offset by the similar struggles of her brother, Ptolemy. I think that what Holleman has done with these two books—and done very well—is to set up a narrative structure where Arsinoe's story is directly compared with her siblings'. In the first book, it was her ill-fated sister Berenice; here, it's Ptolemy. Both siblings die at the end of their respective books, while Arsinoe lives on. While of course we know tht Arsinoe herself will soon die, the way the author has structured her books sets Arsinoe up to be the more successful, clear-headed rebel: a true match for Cleopatra's charisma and strength. She succeeds where her brother and sister fail.
Yet as I have mentioned before, Arsinoe remains more of an antihero than a hero. All of the characters in The Drowning King are morally versatile, and their choices are self-serving more than noble. Though Cleopatra, Arsinoe, and Ptolemy all claim to be fighting for Egypt's best interests, they are all hungry for power; they all believe they are righteous and anointed by god. As a reader, I am sympathetic to Arsinoe because I know and understand her. Over the course of two books I have seen her grow from a petulant child to a woman who (honestly) is far better equipped to rule than her more-famous sibling. But I don't delude myself into thinking that just because I like her, she is more worthy. For the common man, one queen is largely the same as another.
Complaints I had regarding Holleman's prose in her first novel are absent here: Holleman has reined in her tendency to overblown metaphors, and because this book is less cerebral than Cleopatra's Shadows, the narrative is more grounded in the time and place of Ptolemaic Egypt. The plot moves at a good pace, the characters are all interesting and well-rounded (I particularly liked the author's vision of Caesar), and the end result is a polished and insightful historical novel. The Drowning King is an excellent book.
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Though this book is narrated from a dual perspective, the true protagonist here is Arsinoe. As she struggles to come out from the long shadow cast by her sister, her story is mirrored and offset by the similar struggles of her brother, Ptolemy. I think that what Holleman has done with these two books—and done very well—is to set up a narrative structure where Arsinoe's story is directly compared with her siblings'. In the first book, it was her ill-fated sister Berenice; here, it's Ptolemy. Both siblings die at the end of their respective books, while Arsinoe lives on. While of course we know tht Arsinoe herself will soon die, the way the author has structured her books sets Arsinoe up to be the more successful, clear-headed rebel: a true match for Cleopatra's charisma and strength. She succeeds where her brother and sister fail.
Yet as I have mentioned before, Arsinoe remains more of an antihero than a hero. All of the characters in The Drowning King are morally versatile, and their choices are self-serving more than noble. Though Cleopatra, Arsinoe, and Ptolemy all claim to be fighting for Egypt's best interests, they are all hungry for power; they all believe they are righteous and anointed by god. As a reader, I am sympathetic to Arsinoe because I know and understand her. Over the course of two books I have seen her grow from a petulant child to a woman who (honestly) is far better equipped to rule than her more-famous sibling. But I don't delude myself into thinking that just because I like her, she is more worthy. For the common man, one queen is largely the same as another.
Complaints I had regarding Holleman's prose in her first novel are absent here: Holleman has reined in her tendency to overblown metaphors, and because this book is less cerebral than Cleopatra's Shadows, the narrative is more grounded in the time and place of Ptolemaic Egypt. The plot moves at a good pace, the characters are all interesting and well-rounded (I particularly liked the author's vision of Caesar), and the end result is a polished and insightful historical novel. The Drowning King is an excellent book.
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July 4, 2017
Fantastic novel. Holleman is a master storyteller, unveiling the family drama with perfect pacing while delightfully weaving in the historical details with skill and precision. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the next installment.
June 14, 2017
Emily Holleman's "The Drowning King" follows a few years after "Cleopatra's Shadows," her first novel in her "Fall of Egypt" series. In a refreshingly new take on the world of the Roman Civil War and Julius Caesar, Ms. Holleman makes the Romans the outsiders and we see the titanic clash of Roman generals through the eyes of Egyptian nobility . . . who have their own wars, cares, and passions to worry about.
History is written by the victors, as they say, and historical fiction tends to follow that dictum as well. But imagine - if you were an Egyptian noble in the first century B.C., wouldn't you think that the struggle for power in Egypt was the dominant issue in the world? Egypt is the oldest nation in the known world for you, after all, and fantastically wealthy both in terms of finances and culture. Who cares what some barbarians across the sea are up to, even if they are particularly good at war?
Holleman takes this one step further by focusing her tale on young Arsinoe, younger sister to the notorious Cleopatra. By using Arsinoe - a relatively minor footnote to history for everyone other than scholars of the era - as her vehicle for the story, Holleman allows herself the freedom to write the story she wants within the confines of what we know (or think we know) of Arsinoe's time. True, we have a good picture of the legend of Caesar and Cleopatra, but nobody really knows what Arsinoe did or thought.
Holleman's Arsinoe is a survivor, a killer, and a thinker. In "The Drowning King," she faces a brutal choice - brother or sister? - as Egypt dissolves into civil war, with the Romans on their doorstep. The Arsinoe chapters are exciting, enjoyable pages as she lives on the knife's edge between life and death on several occasions.
These are the 'sister' chapters. Unfortunately, the 'brother' chapters are told from the perspective of her brother, Ptolemy, who vies for the throne of Egypt with his sister-wife Cleopatra. (Cleopatra is older than Arsinoe.) Ptolemy, unfortunately, is a weaker character than Arsinoe and not nearly as fun to read about - he's a whiny little you-know-what who is overmatched at virtually every turn. This may be accurate, but it does not make for fun reading.
All in all, "The Drowning King" is a fun if dark read - a civil war between incestuous family members can be rollicking stuff, but in Ms. Holleman's hands it is often more grim than anything else. And if Ptolemy ever emerged as a worthy foil for his sisters, that would have been terrific. Alas, he does not.
History is written by the victors, as they say, and historical fiction tends to follow that dictum as well. But imagine - if you were an Egyptian noble in the first century B.C., wouldn't you think that the struggle for power in Egypt was the dominant issue in the world? Egypt is the oldest nation in the known world for you, after all, and fantastically wealthy both in terms of finances and culture. Who cares what some barbarians across the sea are up to, even if they are particularly good at war?
Holleman takes this one step further by focusing her tale on young Arsinoe, younger sister to the notorious Cleopatra. By using Arsinoe - a relatively minor footnote to history for everyone other than scholars of the era - as her vehicle for the story, Holleman allows herself the freedom to write the story she wants within the confines of what we know (or think we know) of Arsinoe's time. True, we have a good picture of the legend of Caesar and Cleopatra, but nobody really knows what Arsinoe did or thought.
Holleman's Arsinoe is a survivor, a killer, and a thinker. In "The Drowning King," she faces a brutal choice - brother or sister? - as Egypt dissolves into civil war, with the Romans on their doorstep. The Arsinoe chapters are exciting, enjoyable pages as she lives on the knife's edge between life and death on several occasions.
These are the 'sister' chapters. Unfortunately, the 'brother' chapters are told from the perspective of her brother, Ptolemy, who vies for the throne of Egypt with his sister-wife Cleopatra. (Cleopatra is older than Arsinoe.) Ptolemy, unfortunately, is a weaker character than Arsinoe and not nearly as fun to read about - he's a whiny little you-know-what who is overmatched at virtually every turn. This may be accurate, but it does not make for fun reading.
All in all, "The Drowning King" is a fun if dark read - a civil war between incestuous family members can be rollicking stuff, but in Ms. Holleman's hands it is often more grim than anything else. And if Ptolemy ever emerged as a worthy foil for his sisters, that would have been terrific. Alas, he does not.
June 15, 2017
I managed to make it through 52% of The Drowning King. The amount read was measured using my Kindle. The book was slow and plodded along. The story is a familiar one, and could have been a great story, if the writing had been something I enjoyed. In particular I tired of reading sexually oriented material which did little to enhance the book. I don't mind reading books with some sexual material as long as the sexual material adds to the book. For example I gave the book Yesternight: A Novel a good review as the writing was excellent and the sex scenes fit the story. In The Drowning King it seems like the sex scenes were tossed in as filler and did little to add to the storyline. The language is salty in places too. Here are a few snippets I found:
"Ptolemy woke to sticky sheets and a sticky web of half-forgotten dreams."
"You may f**k your serving girl..."
Of course the above could change once the final copy is printed.
I like to read books with a good plot and good writing that does not depend on profanity to tell a story.
I probably won't finish this book as I already know how the story ends. I might have stuck it out, if the writing was better.
Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.
"Ptolemy woke to sticky sheets and a sticky web of half-forgotten dreams."
"You may f**k your serving girl..."
Of course the above could change once the final copy is printed.
I like to read books with a good plot and good writing that does not depend on profanity to tell a story.
I probably won't finish this book as I already know how the story ends. I might have stuck it out, if the writing was better.
Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2018
Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway
This novel is the second in a trilogy but was still readable and enjoyable. This part of the story tells how Cleopatra took power after the death of her father Ptolemy. They were all so dysfunctional! No wonder there was so much blood-letting back in these days! I found the story to be completely readable. I don't know a lot about this period in history but I found it fascinating. Reading the names of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Judea, Antioch...all names I've read about over the years. Reading the author's comments about the research she did was fascinating. At some point, I would love to go back and read the first book and snag a copy of the last.
This novel is the second in a trilogy but was still readable and enjoyable. This part of the story tells how Cleopatra took power after the death of her father Ptolemy. They were all so dysfunctional! No wonder there was so much blood-letting back in these days! I found the story to be completely readable. I don't know a lot about this period in history but I found it fascinating. Reading the names of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Judea, Antioch...all names I've read about over the years. Reading the author's comments about the research she did was fascinating. At some point, I would love to go back and read the first book and snag a copy of the last.
April 16, 2017
This has all the elements of great historical fiction. It brings so much more to the story of Cleopatra and the end Ptolemy dynasty. It was so interesting to read about the inner workings of the palace, the politics of the day, and the intrigue and scandal that went on between Cleopatra and Ptolemy, and their respective parties of advisors and syncophants.
The character that appealed most to me was Arsinoe. I liked her spirit and understood her dilemma of loyalties. Her inner turmoil is something many siblings can relate to, at least on a smaller scale. Was she jealous of Cleopatra? Did she seek power for herself? Whom did she owe her chief loyalty to; Egypt, herself, Cleopatra?
The book also does a good job of humanizing the mythic Cleopatra. It is often forgotten how young she was when she was crowned or how hard it was to maintain. She is portrayed as sometimes vulnerable, sometimes stubborn, often unforgiving, but always aware of her position and duty.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was an amazing story.
The character that appealed most to me was Arsinoe. I liked her spirit and understood her dilemma of loyalties. Her inner turmoil is something many siblings can relate to, at least on a smaller scale. Was she jealous of Cleopatra? Did she seek power for herself? Whom did she owe her chief loyalty to; Egypt, herself, Cleopatra?
The book also does a good job of humanizing the mythic Cleopatra. It is often forgotten how young she was when she was crowned or how hard it was to maintain. She is portrayed as sometimes vulnerable, sometimes stubborn, often unforgiving, but always aware of her position and duty.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was an amazing story.
July 4, 2017
The Drowning King is the sequel to Cleopatra's Shadows. Although I didn’t have an opportunity to read the first book, it did not hamper my ability to follow the plot and enjoy this second book. This novel is written in the point of view of Cleopatra, her sister Arsinoe, and their brother Ptolemy and encompasses the period when Julius Caesar begins his relationship with Cleopatra and Egypt succumbs to Rome’s control.
These three characters give different perspectives to the political turmoil of the time period. What I enjoyed most was learning more about Arsinoe and Ptolemy, who have been historically overshadowed by Cleopatra in novels and books. There was plenty of intrigue and conflict to keep me reading to the very end. Vivid descriptions and great detail about the political climate graced each chapter – historical learning and good fiction intertwined! An excellent book for lovers of Ancient Egypt like me!
These three characters give different perspectives to the political turmoil of the time period. What I enjoyed most was learning more about Arsinoe and Ptolemy, who have been historically overshadowed by Cleopatra in novels and books. There was plenty of intrigue and conflict to keep me reading to the very end. Vivid descriptions and great detail about the political climate graced each chapter – historical learning and good fiction intertwined! An excellent book for lovers of Ancient Egypt like me!
November 7, 2017
The Drowning King is the second book in the Fall of Egypt series, and follows the first years of Cleopatra's rule and her encounter with Caesar from the perspectives of her younger siblings, Arsinoe and Ptolemy.
While I didn't enjoy it as much as Cleopatra's Shadows, it was still a good read. The first third of the book was a little slow going, and, while I liked Arsinoe's parts, I wasn't as invested in Ptolemy's. However, I appreciated Holleman's characterization of him. I have always considered him to be a weak and uninteresting figure, and, while at first he was exactly as I had pictured him, as the story progressed he grew on me. While I didn't exactly like him, I sympathized with him and his troubles: young and unexperienced, he was badly counseled and struggled to be a good and strong ruler.
As for Arsinoe, I really liked and understood her. It was interesting to see her divided between her loyalty and affection for Cleopatra and her sense of duty towards her people. She also felt the lure of power, which made her all the more interesting. The relationship between the two sisters was complex and believable, although I would have liked more scenes with them together.
I think the next book will be an emotional read and I am looking forward to it!
While I didn't enjoy it as much as Cleopatra's Shadows, it was still a good read. The first third of the book was a little slow going, and, while I liked Arsinoe's parts, I wasn't as invested in Ptolemy's. However, I appreciated Holleman's characterization of him. I have always considered him to be a weak and uninteresting figure, and, while at first he was exactly as I had pictured him, as the story progressed he grew on me. While I didn't exactly like him, I sympathized with him and his troubles: young and unexperienced, he was badly counseled and struggled to be a good and strong ruler.
As for Arsinoe, I really liked and understood her. It was interesting to see her divided between her loyalty and affection for Cleopatra and her sense of duty towards her people. She also felt the lure of power, which made her all the more interesting. The relationship between the two sisters was complex and believable, although I would have liked more scenes with them together.
I think the next book will be an emotional read and I am looking forward to it!
August 4, 2017
Book two of Holleman’s Fall of Egypt series (after Cleopatra’s Shadows) is told from the points of view of Cleopatra’s younger siblings, Arsinoe and Ptolemy. In 51 BC, when their father passes, his will dictates that Cleopatra and Ptolemy will rule jointly. However, through the years, Cleopatra and Ptolemy plot to take the throne from each other, with Arsinoe torn between the two. While vying for Roman allies, Cleopatra beats Ptolemy to a meeting with Caesar. Intrigued, Caesar gives Rome’s support to Cleopatra and provides her the means to rule alone. But, as Cleopatra distances herself from her beloved sister, Arsinoe begins to see Cleopatra making the same mistakes as their father and seeks to free Alexandria from Rome’s influence. But what will Arsinoe’s own bid for power truly cost—her family or the entire country?
This book has political intrigue, warring factions, shifting loyalties, and sibling incest—basically an ancient Egyptian Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, Holleman’s inaccurate details took me out of the narrative early on. There are two references to a “heart-shaped” face (the heart shape wasn’t established until 15th-century Europe), someone being “flagged down” (not coined until early in the 1900s), and moving at a “glacial pace” (the word glacial wasn’t coined until 1846), to name a few examples. Plus, how does an Egyptian princess know about glacial movements? There are too many anachronisms. However, Holleman has lovely prose and shares fantastic details about the Ptolemy family. The setting is well done, overall, with its mix of Greek and Egyptian styles, but the book doesn’t feel period authentic with its modern idioms and speech patterns. Cleopatra’s story has been told time and again. Despite my hope, this story isn’t stronger than its well-known outcome, and I wasn’t drawn in enough to distract me from what I knew was ultimately coming.
I read this as a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. Review posted via their website at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
This book has political intrigue, warring factions, shifting loyalties, and sibling incest—basically an ancient Egyptian Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, Holleman’s inaccurate details took me out of the narrative early on. There are two references to a “heart-shaped” face (the heart shape wasn’t established until 15th-century Europe), someone being “flagged down” (not coined until early in the 1900s), and moving at a “glacial pace” (the word glacial wasn’t coined until 1846), to name a few examples. Plus, how does an Egyptian princess know about glacial movements? There are too many anachronisms. However, Holleman has lovely prose and shares fantastic details about the Ptolemy family. The setting is well done, overall, with its mix of Greek and Egyptian styles, but the book doesn’t feel period authentic with its modern idioms and speech patterns. Cleopatra’s story has been told time and again. Despite my hope, this story isn’t stronger than its well-known outcome, and I wasn’t drawn in enough to distract me from what I knew was ultimately coming.
I read this as a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. Review posted via their website at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
August 16, 2017
This is the second book in a series following the fall of the last Egyptian dynasty. It is told between alternating viewpoints of Arsinoe and her younger brother Ptolemy and describes the sibling power struggle that took place as older sister Cleopatra bound Egypt's destiny to Rome's by taking Julius Caesar her lover.
I liked both Berenice and Arsinoe in the first book, and felt sympathetic toward them both. Arsinoe has lost her humanity and charm in this second installment- she is callous, jealous, calculating... Ptolemy is no better- sniveling, weak, naive, and brutish. Alexander and Ganymedes have become less important, minor characters, and their interactions with Arsinoe severely lack the compassion and relatability that made me love them in the first novel. In addition, the focus on detailed war strategies is much stronger in this book. As a result of all of these things, I found this this book to be far less enjoyable than the last.
I liked both Berenice and Arsinoe in the first book, and felt sympathetic toward them both. Arsinoe has lost her humanity and charm in this second installment- she is callous, jealous, calculating... Ptolemy is no better- sniveling, weak, naive, and brutish. Alexander and Ganymedes have become less important, minor characters, and their interactions with Arsinoe severely lack the compassion and relatability that made me love them in the first novel. In addition, the focus on detailed war strategies is much stronger in this book. As a result of all of these things, I found this this book to be far less enjoyable than the last.
September 15, 2017
The full review is available on The Basic Bookworm
The Drowning King by Emily Holleman is a historical fiction novel that explores the lives of royalty in ancient Egypt. I have been dying to get my hands on this novel ever since I discovered that my library holds a copy. It took such a long time to borrow it because so many people kept getting it before me. But FINALLY I can say that I have read it, and I wasn’t disappointed!
Following the death of Ptolemy XII Auletes, his three eldest children Cleopatra, Arsinoe and Ptolemy XIII are thrown in the deep end of political intrigue. As they are forced to work together, they will each develop a taste of power and begin craving more. Noticing the growing tension between Alexandrians and Romans, Cleopatra plans to flee the palace and bring Arsinoe with her. Gathering troops, the royal sisters will need to work together to overthrow their weak younger brother; their plans are jumbled when Arsinoe is abandoned by Cleopatra yet again, only to find that her sister is siding with the Romans – seducing Julius Caesar. Ptolemy struggles with the sudden authority he possesses and has difficulties with exercising his power. This will become almost impossible when Cleopatra returns and stages a coup for the throne. Meanwhile, Arsinoe has learned that she will never sit on the throne, but when she’s caught between her siblings and the looming threat that Rome holds, she will be forced to choose a side or risk her life to obtain what was always out of her reach.
An aspect of writing that Holleman utilised in her previous book that appeared in this one was the uncertainty of characters’ fates in the form of plot twists. I mentioned in the review for the first book that the uncertainty was very creative – something that not a lot of writers think to incorporate. I could see that the plot twists reflected the unpredictability of Egyptian rule, especially in terms of the crown. For example, Cleopatra’s and Ptolemy’s abandoning and returning to the throne was unpredictable, similar to how their siblings fought to reign. Like I said, I thought this tactic was clever and I hope to see more of this in Holleman’s future works.
My favourite character is still Arsinoe because she was loyal, wise, clever and determined. She stayed loyal to Egypt, despite her sister’s growing attraction to Rome. I might not have agreed with her hunger for power, but her reasons for wanting the throne were justifiable.
My favourite part of the novel was Arsinoe’s break from Cleopatra because she was finally able to establish herself as a confident and independent Ptolemy. I thought that it was a long time coming, but it demonstrated her loyalty to her people, which is admirable.
The Drowning King by Emily Holleman is a historical fiction novel that explores the lives of royalty in ancient Egypt. I have been dying to get my hands on this novel ever since I discovered that my library holds a copy. It took such a long time to borrow it because so many people kept getting it before me. But FINALLY I can say that I have read it, and I wasn’t disappointed!
Following the death of Ptolemy XII Auletes, his three eldest children Cleopatra, Arsinoe and Ptolemy XIII are thrown in the deep end of political intrigue. As they are forced to work together, they will each develop a taste of power and begin craving more. Noticing the growing tension between Alexandrians and Romans, Cleopatra plans to flee the palace and bring Arsinoe with her. Gathering troops, the royal sisters will need to work together to overthrow their weak younger brother; their plans are jumbled when Arsinoe is abandoned by Cleopatra yet again, only to find that her sister is siding with the Romans – seducing Julius Caesar. Ptolemy struggles with the sudden authority he possesses and has difficulties with exercising his power. This will become almost impossible when Cleopatra returns and stages a coup for the throne. Meanwhile, Arsinoe has learned that she will never sit on the throne, but when she’s caught between her siblings and the looming threat that Rome holds, she will be forced to choose a side or risk her life to obtain what was always out of her reach.
An aspect of writing that Holleman utilised in her previous book that appeared in this one was the uncertainty of characters’ fates in the form of plot twists. I mentioned in the review for the first book that the uncertainty was very creative – something that not a lot of writers think to incorporate. I could see that the plot twists reflected the unpredictability of Egyptian rule, especially in terms of the crown. For example, Cleopatra’s and Ptolemy’s abandoning and returning to the throne was unpredictable, similar to how their siblings fought to reign. Like I said, I thought this tactic was clever and I hope to see more of this in Holleman’s future works.
My favourite character is still Arsinoe because she was loyal, wise, clever and determined. She stayed loyal to Egypt, despite her sister’s growing attraction to Rome. I might not have agreed with her hunger for power, but her reasons for wanting the throne were justifiable.
My favourite part of the novel was Arsinoe’s break from Cleopatra because she was finally able to establish herself as a confident and independent Ptolemy. I thought that it was a long time coming, but it demonstrated her loyalty to her people, which is admirable.
January 3, 2021
I have had encountered numerous writers who depicted Cleopatra as the villain thus it was not a surprise when I imagined her easily as so. However, it surprised me that it took little for me to change my view of her. From the loving and protective sister in book one to the treacherous and selfish individual in The Drowning King. This is proof that the author exceeded in making Arsinoe a very relatable character, dragging me into her emotions and her view of the world.
All the other characters, especially Ganymedes (my new favorite), were a joy to read. I saw a friend and a stranger in Alexander and my heart ached for the brothers, Ptolemy and Ptolemarion. Caesar was brought to a new light, and I never thought of him to possibly very fatherly. It suited him. After reading, I wished the fictional sibling relationships were as true as their existence.
In my review of Cleopatra’s Shadows, I circled on the theme of granting women the chance to be recognized for their individuality. Women are more than the sister nor the mother nor the queen who ruled alongside a king. In The Drowning King, the theme that struck me the most was of how women should also be held accountable. Cleopatra’s lies brought the fall of their name, and Arsinoe’s mother’s (and a little of Arsinoe herself) manipulation of Ptolemy impacted him greatly. The men who courageously triumphed over the Romans were fueled by their love for their wives and daughters. Thus, we need to remember that the men we encounter are also buds of how they were cultivated by the women in their lives.
I love how the ending was sort of left as the reader’s interpretation. Whether the woman who reaches for Ptolemy was Arsinoe or the goddess she embodies, Isis. However, the ending also felt unfinished to me. It left me hanging (thus I wonder if there is to be a third book). Because of this, I immediately searched for Arsinoe’s story (which is rather a sad one).
I love how the story was well researched on and I love how the author beautifully bent the story to her will. It felt real all the while reminding the reader that it is also fiction. With historical fiction being a favorite genre of mine, this duology really got me into a memorable ride.
All the other characters, especially Ganymedes (my new favorite), were a joy to read. I saw a friend and a stranger in Alexander and my heart ached for the brothers, Ptolemy and Ptolemarion. Caesar was brought to a new light, and I never thought of him to possibly very fatherly. It suited him. After reading, I wished the fictional sibling relationships were as true as their existence.
In my review of Cleopatra’s Shadows, I circled on the theme of granting women the chance to be recognized for their individuality. Women are more than the sister nor the mother nor the queen who ruled alongside a king. In The Drowning King, the theme that struck me the most was of how women should also be held accountable. Cleopatra’s lies brought the fall of their name, and Arsinoe’s mother’s (and a little of Arsinoe herself) manipulation of Ptolemy impacted him greatly. The men who courageously triumphed over the Romans were fueled by their love for their wives and daughters. Thus, we need to remember that the men we encounter are also buds of how they were cultivated by the women in their lives.
I love how the ending was sort of left as the reader’s interpretation. Whether the woman who reaches for Ptolemy was Arsinoe or the goddess she embodies, Isis. However, the ending also felt unfinished to me. It left me hanging (thus I wonder if there is to be a third book). Because of this, I immediately searched for Arsinoe’s story (which is rather a sad one).
I love how the story was well researched on and I love how the author beautifully bent the story to her will. It felt real all the while reminding the reader that it is also fiction. With historical fiction being a favorite genre of mine, this duology really got me into a memorable ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2017
The fate of Egypt hangs in the balance. The King is ailing and has only managed to resecure the throne by allying himself with Rome – and Rome has its eye on Egypt. But his death only brings more uncertainty when Cleopatra and her brother, Ptolemy, are crowned as his heirs and immediately start competing to be the sole power on the throne. Arisone, their sister, watches and grits her teeth, her loyalty to her sister waning as Cleopatra isolates herself and ignores Arisone’s warnings. The appearance of Julius Caesar in Alexandria can only push the dynasty to breaking point.
The Drowning King is the second volume in Emily Holleman’s Fall of Egypt series and picks up a few years after Cleopatra's Shadows. For me, this was a solid, intriguing read set in a very engaging world.
The characters are deeply flawed, but mostly sympathetic – even the character of Ptolemy was so well developed that despite beginning the novel disliking him, I was sorry to see him go. He comes across as arrogant but confused, looking desperately for a figure to latch onto. Arisone is very sympathetic and we sense that she’s someone who is putting Egypt first, but her own particular version of Egypt and its future, perhaps divorced from reality.
We see more of Cleopatra in this one, but we don’t really know her – she’s proud, pragmatic and independent to the point of isolating her allies and family. It’s hard to get a grip on her, especially since she appears to be wearing a mask in most of her interactions. Because we see her and Julius Caesar from the perspective of those who see them as their antagonists, we don’t get a great sense of who they are and sometimes our view is tarnished by the perspective we’re seeing them from. I can debate about whether that’s an issue, but in the end it comes back to the point-of-view characters and I don’t necessarily miss getting insight from Cleopatra and Caesar themselves when Arisone and Ptolemy are rich and unexplored characters.
A fantastic novel.
The Drowning King is the second volume in Emily Holleman’s Fall of Egypt series and picks up a few years after Cleopatra's Shadows. For me, this was a solid, intriguing read set in a very engaging world.
The characters are deeply flawed, but mostly sympathetic – even the character of Ptolemy was so well developed that despite beginning the novel disliking him, I was sorry to see him go. He comes across as arrogant but confused, looking desperately for a figure to latch onto. Arisone is very sympathetic and we sense that she’s someone who is putting Egypt first, but her own particular version of Egypt and its future, perhaps divorced from reality.
We see more of Cleopatra in this one, but we don’t really know her – she’s proud, pragmatic and independent to the point of isolating her allies and family. It’s hard to get a grip on her, especially since she appears to be wearing a mask in most of her interactions. Because we see her and Julius Caesar from the perspective of those who see them as their antagonists, we don’t get a great sense of who they are and sometimes our view is tarnished by the perspective we’re seeing them from. I can debate about whether that’s an issue, but in the end it comes back to the point-of-view characters and I don’t necessarily miss getting insight from Cleopatra and Caesar themselves when Arisone and Ptolemy are rich and unexplored characters.
A fantastic novel.
September 2, 2018

Leidykla Sofoklis 2018m. Vilnius ⭐5/5
Skęstantis karalius - tai antroji autorės knyga ir toliau pasakojanti senovės Egipto istoriją. Šį kartą, tai Kleopatros valdymo laikotarpis. O veiksmas pasakojamas Kleopatros brolio Ptolemajo ir sesers Arsinojos. Tiesa, knygą galima skaityti nepriklausomai nuo to ar skaitėte pirmąją dalį, bet mano nuomone, tikrai verta pirma susipažintumėte su pirmąja, kurioje pasakojamas mažosios Arsinojos gyvenimas. Juk įvykiai ir išgyvenimai mums nutikę vaikystėje padaro mus tokius kokiais esame. Tad tam, kad būtų lengviau suprasti Kleopatros sesers būdą, geriausia tai padaryti sekant jos gyvenimą nuo mažų dienų. 😉
Jau versdama pirmuosius puslapius pastebėjau, jog knyga užburia ir įtraukia. Išdavystės, melas, žaidimai ir apgaulės. Vienas veiksmas veja kitą ir nejučia pradedi pasirinkinėti kurią kovojančių pusę palaikai. Kas siekia savo tikslų, o kas iškelia savo žmones aukščiau savojo ego? Tai tarsi "Sostų karai" tik egiptietiška versija. Įtampa išlaikoma iki pat pabaigos, tad istorija neleido atsipalaiduoti nei akimirkai.
Knyga pilna įvairiapusių charakterių: nuo savimi pasitikinčios, gudrios ir sumanios Kleopatros, ištikimos (tik klausimas kam?) bei atsidavusios Arsinojos, istorijoje žymę palikusio Julijaus Cezario ir silpno, bet visa širdimi trokštančio būti garbinamu Ptolemajo.
Automatiškai atsiranda simpatijos ir antipatijos. Man asmeniškai labai nepatiko jaunojo karaliaus Ptolemajo asmenybė - išpaikintas vaikas, be išskirtinių sąvybių, intelekto ar sugebėjimų. Tik svaičiojantis apie tai, kad jis karalius. Taip erzino tas jo silpnavališkumas 🙄 Bet tenka pripažinti, jog autorė puikiai atskleidė kiekvieną asmenį ir jo bruožą, jog tiesiog negali likti abejingas.
Tikrai labai įdomus kūrinys. Tiesa, šioje knygoje veiksmo daug daugiau nei pirmojoje, tad susidaro įspūdis, jog pirmoji buvo nedrąsus autorės bandymas, bet antroji tai jau parašyta su didžiu pasitikėjimu. Glaustai, nuosekliai ir vaizdingai. Kažkur mačiau, jog autorė dirba ties trečiąją knyga. Tad aš jau laukiu nesulaukiu!
Leidykla Sofoklis 2018m. Vilnius ⭐5/5
Skęstantis karalius - tai antroji autorės knyga ir toliau pasakojanti senovės Egipto istoriją. Šį kartą, tai Kleopatros valdymo laikotarpis. O veiksmas pasakojamas Kleopatros brolio Ptolemajo ir sesers Arsinojos. Tiesa, knygą galima skaityti nepriklausomai nuo to ar skaitėte pirmąją dalį, bet mano nuomone, tikrai verta pirma susipažintumėte su pirmąja, kurioje pasakojamas mažosios Arsinojos gyvenimas. Juk įvykiai ir išgyvenimai mums nutikę vaikystėje padaro mus tokius kokiais esame. Tad tam, kad būtų lengviau suprasti Kleopatros sesers būdą, geriausia tai padaryti sekant jos gyvenimą nuo mažų dienų. 😉
Jau versdama pirmuosius puslapius pastebėjau, jog knyga užburia ir įtraukia. Išdavystės, melas, žaidimai ir apgaulės. Vienas veiksmas veja kitą ir nejučia pradedi pasirinkinėti kurią kovojančių pusę palaikai. Kas siekia savo tikslų, o kas iškelia savo žmones aukščiau savojo ego? Tai tarsi "Sostų karai" tik egiptietiška versija. Įtampa išlaikoma iki pat pabaigos, tad istorija neleido atsipalaiduoti nei akimirkai.
Knyga pilna įvairiapusių charakterių: nuo savimi pasitikinčios, gudrios ir sumanios Kleopatros, ištikimos (tik klausimas kam?) bei atsidavusios Arsinojos, istorijoje žymę palikusio Julijaus Cezario ir silpno, bet visa širdimi trokštančio būti garbinamu Ptolemajo.
Automatiškai atsiranda simpatijos ir antipatijos. Man asmeniškai labai nepatiko jaunojo karaliaus Ptolemajo asmenybė - išpaikintas vaikas, be išskirtinių sąvybių, intelekto ar sugebėjimų. Tik svaičiojantis apie tai, kad jis karalius. Taip erzino tas jo silpnavališkumas 🙄 Bet tenka pripažinti, jog autorė puikiai atskleidė kiekvieną asmenį ir jo bruožą, jog tiesiog negali likti abejingas.
Tikrai labai įdomus kūrinys. Tiesa, šioje knygoje veiksmo daug daugiau nei pirmojoje, tad susidaro įspūdis, jog pirmoji buvo nedrąsus autorės bandymas, bet antroji tai jau parašyta su didžiu pasitikėjimu. Glaustai, nuosekliai ir vaizdingai. Kažkur mačiau, jog autorė dirba ties trečiąją knyga. Tad aš jau laukiu nesulaukiu!
December 22, 2018
I cannot praise this book enough. I cannot express how much I love this book. I read the first in the series a while ago (even blogged about it!) and was impressed, more than impressed, awestruck, and I was prepared for another great follow up, but The Drowning King completely blew me out of the water. I think I actually preferred the sequel to the first, as strange as that sounds. I think we have the Arsinoe we prepared for, the bloodthirsty, the ambitious, the Arsinoe who takes no shit. And I loved this woman, who first was content to bow to her sister, but never content to bow to Rome. The growth seen by both the brother and sister was impeccable. When we first are introduced to Ptolemy, he is young and untested and spoiled, he knows little beyond the sphere of himself, but through the course of the book he is thrust from his brattish behavior into that of a true king - wily, hard, and full of ambition. I liked that Cleopatra was not a sympathetic character, I grew frustrated, annoyed, and sometimes angry with her. Even with the knowledge I have of history, I know the fate of Egypt - but Arsinoe inspired in me a desire for a different outcome. I felt acutely her anger with Cleopatra, with Rome, with a cause she eventually knew she lost. Rome was too powerful, not merely Caesar, but Rome. It was a tidal wave she could not stop from sweeping over Egypt, and I mourned with her, felt her hate and determination. That's what I loved about the book the most, I think. That even though these events took place thousands of years ago, I yearned for a different outcome, I wanted more Arsinoe, I wanted her to be remembered differently because she became so human to me. And oh, the turns of phrase were extraordinary - the phrase that sticks with me is 'hydra of humanity' and it makes me realize how true this phrase is, something that still today has truth to it. The mob, the anger, the destruction, but also the ability to be so coordinate in creation and destruction that humanity contains. Ugh, just so good.
October 3, 2023
There are spoilers in this review.
Emily Holleman's work is fantastic. You don't even need to take a glance at the bibliography she provides in the appendix to know that this was a very thoroughly researched piece.
This story picks up several years after the ending of the first novel and once again Arsinoe is front and centre but this time her deuteragonist is her younger brother, Ptolmey XIII. I already knew the history of Cleopatra and her brother-husband Ptolmey's civil war but Emily really brings it to life through both characters. Arsinoe's slide from supportive sister to arch-rival to Cleopatra was utterly masterful and I think it is a great show of someone who believes themselves the hero but in reality is more like an anti-hero.
Arsinoe doesn't have as much character development as she did in the 1st novel but that is fine with me because it makes sense to me that she has solidified her personality after the events and trauma of the first book. Ptolmey is where you really see the development from egotistical child to someone who is very aware of the power-playing and backstabbing of his family and has to engage in it for his survival. In the end of the book he even becomes someone you root for as you want him to escape his imprisonment by Caeser and Cleopatra and reunite with Arsinoe.
My only complaint is that for a character who is 12 years old at the start of the novel and just over 14 in the end, Ptolemy is quite interested in sex and having sex. Now I know in ancient times,childhood ended a lot faster than it does in the modern day so I wouldn't put this down as a flaw but at the same time I found it very uncomfortable to read about in Ptolemy's chapters.
I need the sequel so badly considering that it kinda left on a cliffhanger (though people who know their history knows what will happen anyways). What I want is to continue to see history through this version of Arsinoe. I want to see her continue on the way to her fate. I'm begging Emily Holleman to please publish the next book.
Emily Holleman's work is fantastic. You don't even need to take a glance at the bibliography she provides in the appendix to know that this was a very thoroughly researched piece.
This story picks up several years after the ending of the first novel and once again Arsinoe is front and centre but this time her deuteragonist is her younger brother, Ptolmey XIII. I already knew the history of Cleopatra and her brother-husband Ptolmey's civil war but Emily really brings it to life through both characters. Arsinoe's slide from supportive sister to arch-rival to Cleopatra was utterly masterful and I think it is a great show of someone who believes themselves the hero but in reality is more like an anti-hero.
Arsinoe doesn't have as much character development as she did in the 1st novel but that is fine with me because it makes sense to me that she has solidified her personality after the events and trauma of the first book. Ptolmey is where you really see the development from egotistical child to someone who is very aware of the power-playing and backstabbing of his family and has to engage in it for his survival. In the end of the book he even becomes someone you root for as you want him to escape his imprisonment by Caeser and Cleopatra and reunite with Arsinoe.
My only complaint is that for a character who is 12 years old at the start of the novel and just over 14 in the end, Ptolemy is quite interested in sex and having sex. Now I know in ancient times,childhood ended a lot faster than it does in the modern day so I wouldn't put this down as a flaw but at the same time I found it very uncomfortable to read about in Ptolemy's chapters.
I need the sequel so badly considering that it kinda left on a cliffhanger (though people who know their history knows what will happen anyways). What I want is to continue to see history through this version of Arsinoe. I want to see her continue on the way to her fate. I'm begging Emily Holleman to please publish the next book.
October 30, 2017
I read and really enjoyed the first novel in the Fall of Egypt series from Emily Holleman but I just couldn't get into this one. I'm not sure why but I kept feeling annoyed when she switched between "Sister" (Arsinoe) and "Brother" (Ptolemy) viewpoints. While switching allowed Holleman to show the complexities of the battle for the title of last Pharaoh of Egypt, I felt more confused. I would have preferred two novels covering the same period of time but from Arsinoe and Ptolemy's viewpoints.
Oddly I didn't have this same problem with the first book in the series. "Cleopatra's Shadows" also have two viewpoint characters. Perhaps the difficulty for me related to the similarities between Berenice and Arsinoe as sisters, women, versus introducing the brother/male element. Even though Egyptian women may have had higher status compared to Greek and Roman women, the Ptolemies were not strictly Egyptian. Holleman knows this and she does a good job showing those differences but still it made it challenging for me to connect with Ptolemy.
In terms of historical content I think that the novel is fine. Descriptions of clothings and buildings were solid but I felt the portrayal of Cleopatra's mindset itself was too erratic. Maybe that is just the impression her sister and brother had of her? The impression from history that I get as an ancient historian is that Cleopatra was very clever, very controlled, though eventually her passion for Anthony and their children may have clouded her judgement.
The complexities of court and dealing with Romans was dealt with fairly though again I'm not sure I would give some of the Romans and courtiers the same treatment of personalities. That's a personal choice. I think I could have gotten more connected with the minor characters if I felt greater attachment to Arsinoe and Ptolemy. Of the two of them, I felt more for Arsinoe because she was a viewpoint character in the first novel of the series.
Oddly I didn't have this same problem with the first book in the series. "Cleopatra's Shadows" also have two viewpoint characters. Perhaps the difficulty for me related to the similarities between Berenice and Arsinoe as sisters, women, versus introducing the brother/male element. Even though Egyptian women may have had higher status compared to Greek and Roman women, the Ptolemies were not strictly Egyptian. Holleman knows this and she does a good job showing those differences but still it made it challenging for me to connect with Ptolemy.
In terms of historical content I think that the novel is fine. Descriptions of clothings and buildings were solid but I felt the portrayal of Cleopatra's mindset itself was too erratic. Maybe that is just the impression her sister and brother had of her? The impression from history that I get as an ancient historian is that Cleopatra was very clever, very controlled, though eventually her passion for Anthony and their children may have clouded her judgement.
The complexities of court and dealing with Romans was dealt with fairly though again I'm not sure I would give some of the Romans and courtiers the same treatment of personalities. That's a personal choice. I think I could have gotten more connected with the minor characters if I felt greater attachment to Arsinoe and Ptolemy. Of the two of them, I felt more for Arsinoe because she was a viewpoint character in the first novel of the series.
June 27, 2017
Egypt 51BC - the House of Ptolemy is about to take its final steps on the political stage. The power struggle that is about to unfold is centred around three siblings - sisters Cleopatra & Arsinoe, and their brother Ptolemy. Fueling the flames are a cast of political hangers-on, palace eunuchs, Egyptians and Romans.
We all know the story of Cleopatra - but it is not her narrative in that the story is not told from her perspective as in many other novels. Arsinsoe and Ptolemy are the ones to give voice to events as they are unfolding in Egypt from the time of the death of their father. Here, Cleopatra is seen from their point of view. And it is a very different Cleopatra - "traitor, whore, handmaiden of Rome". Is she a naive pawn of the Roman Empire, is it all posturing and sleight of hand, or is she truly, the sly and cunning minx.
This is an easy to follow narrative. Even though I had not read the first in this series "Cleopatra's Shadows", the story of what transpired before is easily picked up - Arsinoe is our faithful reporter. It probably also helped that I was already familiar with the "guts" of the story prior to picking this book up.
I found the alternating narrative (between Arsinoe and Ptolemy) not confusing at all, but well structured. We are immediately drawn to both the characters of Arsinoe and Ptolemy, in particular, who you can't help but feel sympathetic towards - outwitted at every turn by his two cunning and politically adept sisters.
Not once did I consider putting the book aside - the storytelling itself constantly builds - think of a snowball hurtling downhill, all the while getting bigger as it builds momentum, barreling towards its inevitable conclusion - a cliff-hanger! Yes, we are left wondering ... what now???
Eagerly awaiting Book 3 in this series - then who knows, back to reading them all one after the other.
We all know the story of Cleopatra - but it is not her narrative in that the story is not told from her perspective as in many other novels. Arsinsoe and Ptolemy are the ones to give voice to events as they are unfolding in Egypt from the time of the death of their father. Here, Cleopatra is seen from their point of view. And it is a very different Cleopatra - "traitor, whore, handmaiden of Rome". Is she a naive pawn of the Roman Empire, is it all posturing and sleight of hand, or is she truly, the sly and cunning minx.
This is an easy to follow narrative. Even though I had not read the first in this series "Cleopatra's Shadows", the story of what transpired before is easily picked up - Arsinoe is our faithful reporter. It probably also helped that I was already familiar with the "guts" of the story prior to picking this book up.
I found the alternating narrative (between Arsinoe and Ptolemy) not confusing at all, but well structured. We are immediately drawn to both the characters of Arsinoe and Ptolemy, in particular, who you can't help but feel sympathetic towards - outwitted at every turn by his two cunning and politically adept sisters.
Not once did I consider putting the book aside - the storytelling itself constantly builds - think of a snowball hurtling downhill, all the while getting bigger as it builds momentum, barreling towards its inevitable conclusion - a cliff-hanger! Yes, we are left wondering ... what now???
Eagerly awaiting Book 3 in this series - then who knows, back to reading them all one after the other.
October 13, 2023
Quality Rating: Three Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Three Stars
*Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook for review*
I really enjoyed the first novel in Holleman's revisioning of Cleopatra's Egypt, and the events befalling the family on its throne. This sequel was less enjoyable, but still interesting enough to get to the end of this fictionalised history. Longer than it needed to be and inevitably less imaginative as it's based on history we have far more records of, we get to see into the lives of two of Cleopatra's siblings, Arisone and Ptolemy.
I felt Ptolemy's perspective slowed things down and didn't really add anything. The first novel had been surprisingly engaging through Arisone's perspective witnessing the historical events, and while the same concept was used for her brother, he was written with such judgement, referred to as weak and cowardly throughout, that he wasn't an engaging character. Why root for someone we're told is automatically a horrible person with no redeemable qualities? Even Ptolemy's inferiority complex was so abject that as a reader he felt like a lost cause immediately and no drama was generated.
Ultimately, I finished the novel due to my interest in the real historical events, rather than this particular revision of them. As a fictionalised version of history, it's fascinating to look at through this less popularised lens, though the conflict between narrative storytelling and historical events can more to the forefront the longer you read - resulting in an incredibly abrupt ending, and disappointingly little progress for the heroine we fell in love with in the first book. This novel's arc ends up about Ptolemy, who is ultimately pretty dull to read about, with Arisone yet again an overlooked footnote in the record.
Enjoyment Rating: Three Stars
*Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook for review*
I really enjoyed the first novel in Holleman's revisioning of Cleopatra's Egypt, and the events befalling the family on its throne. This sequel was less enjoyable, but still interesting enough to get to the end of this fictionalised history. Longer than it needed to be and inevitably less imaginative as it's based on history we have far more records of, we get to see into the lives of two of Cleopatra's siblings, Arisone and Ptolemy.
I felt Ptolemy's perspective slowed things down and didn't really add anything. The first novel had been surprisingly engaging through Arisone's perspective witnessing the historical events, and while the same concept was used for her brother, he was written with such judgement, referred to as weak and cowardly throughout, that he wasn't an engaging character. Why root for someone we're told is automatically a horrible person with no redeemable qualities? Even Ptolemy's inferiority complex was so abject that as a reader he felt like a lost cause immediately and no drama was generated.
Ultimately, I finished the novel due to my interest in the real historical events, rather than this particular revision of them. As a fictionalised version of history, it's fascinating to look at through this less popularised lens, though the conflict between narrative storytelling and historical events can more to the forefront the longer you read - resulting in an incredibly abrupt ending, and disappointingly little progress for the heroine we fell in love with in the first book. This novel's arc ends up about Ptolemy, who is ultimately pretty dull to read about, with Arisone yet again an overlooked footnote in the record.
December 10, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. After agreeing to review the book, I realized that it was a sequel. To properly get a few for the storyline and characters, I needed to read the first book before the sequel. I enjoyed that book greatly. It took me a while, however, to get into this one in the same way. I had a difficult time connecting with Arsinoe and Ptolemy in their younger years. Arsinoe's Osteodora phase fell flat for me, her poor choices a sign of a scared and impulsive youth. I couldn't stand Ptolemy from the beginning. I set the book down for quite a while before I could come back to it. I am glad I did return. As their characters' grew and developed, I could better understand their intricacies and decisions. The characters began to feel fuller to me, not quite personally relatable, but more understandable in their motives. I was disappointed with Cleopatra. She is a figure that I have seen romanticized so often, a strong female ruler fighting for her people and country. To consider that she could be so power hungry and manipulative was like finding out that your favorite celebrity is actually a horrible person or, at the very least, rather distasteful. Her portrayal felt real and probably much more historically accurate than anything I've seen previously, but I shall slightly mourn the loss of a childhood heroine. Overall, this book, and series, has provided an interesting and novel perspective into a familiar period of history. While Ptolemy may have met his end, I am curious about how the author will continue Arsinoe's story.
January 19, 2018
Cleopatra and her younger brother Ptolemy are established on the throne. 11-year-old Ptolemy is desperate to assert himself both as king and as a man after years of being looked over by his father. However in this power struggle Ptolemy and his advisers are no match for Cleopatra.
‘The Drowning King’ is historically an interesting read. I thought Holleman does a great job of capturing the atmosphere and the people however enjoyment is really lost in translation and this was a real slog for me to read. I was initially interested but that soon faded, for me a problem with this novel is that not a lot happens, there is a lot of plotting and characters suspecting others but not a great deal actually happens so I got bored with it. I thought that this novel is too long as well, if maybe a hundred pages had been cut then I can see this having more impact and more of a plot wort telling.
As I have said the atmosphere and characterisation is great. I could really imagine Cleopatra, Ptolemy and those around them and I think Holleman conjures up the atmosphere and goings on well. From this point of view, this is an interesting historical read where you can imagine the goings on of the past. It is just such a shame that it is not that entertaining.
There is not really much more I can say about ‘The Drowning King’. The historical aspect is good but there is not enough activity to keep interest.
‘The Drowning King’ is historically an interesting read. I thought Holleman does a great job of capturing the atmosphere and the people however enjoyment is really lost in translation and this was a real slog for me to read. I was initially interested but that soon faded, for me a problem with this novel is that not a lot happens, there is a lot of plotting and characters suspecting others but not a great deal actually happens so I got bored with it. I thought that this novel is too long as well, if maybe a hundred pages had been cut then I can see this having more impact and more of a plot wort telling.
As I have said the atmosphere and characterisation is great. I could really imagine Cleopatra, Ptolemy and those around them and I think Holleman conjures up the atmosphere and goings on well. From this point of view, this is an interesting historical read where you can imagine the goings on of the past. It is just such a shame that it is not that entertaining.
There is not really much more I can say about ‘The Drowning King’. The historical aspect is good but there is not enough activity to keep interest.
May 6, 2017
Good follow-up to Holleman's "Cleopatra's Shadows," this time moving the story forward through the reign of Cleopatra and her younger brother, Ptolemy. Alexandria is still in turmoil, with the Romans under Julius Caesar steadily gaining power. Arsinoe, Cleopatra's younger sister, along with her two brothers, find themselves constantly shifting positions, being advised by various figures (none of whom seem totally trustworthy), creating instability within the royal house. Joint rule between brother and sister causes more issues, with Arsinoe caught between them, undecided if she should support her clever sister or her inexperienced brother. Rumors, scandals, unrest, constant strife, and emotional upheavals pepper this book and make for unending drama and conflict, with the throne of Egypt always the ultimate prize. Each of the major characters, as they are put in dire situations, are forced to make decisions that tear each other apart, and yet they are bound together by the greater goal of keeping control of Egypt out of Roman hands. Holleman writes well, the story moves along, and her characters really come to life on the page. Enjoyed it, looking forward to the next installment.
February 12, 2018
Great follow-up to the first book in the Fall of Egypt series, Cleopatra's Shadows. Although I have to say I loved Berenice in the first one, so I was sad that her character arc couldn't continue into the sequel - to be fair, kinda hard to do when you're (spoiler alert!) beheaded by your vengeful father.
Still, I like the other Ptolemy sister, Arsinoe, and just like in the first, enjoyed learning about Cleopatra from the perspective of her siblings; in this case, Arsinoe and their younger brother Ptolemy are the narrators.
The book inspired me to request a biography of Cleopatra from the library, and I'd also like to read a biography of Caesar now. Because, yes, the mighty Roman general makes a lengthy appearance in The Drowning King!
To me, that's the mark of a great historical fiction book - that it prompts you to seek out more research and knowledge on the subject. I loved the world Holleman creates in these books - the dying age of the Pharoahs, slowly being squeezed out by the Roman fist. Paranoia, betrayal, love, hate, and the most tense sibling relationships in history. You think you've had awkward family reunions? Just thank God you're not a Ptolemy.
Still, I like the other Ptolemy sister, Arsinoe, and just like in the first, enjoyed learning about Cleopatra from the perspective of her siblings; in this case, Arsinoe and their younger brother Ptolemy are the narrators.
The book inspired me to request a biography of Cleopatra from the library, and I'd also like to read a biography of Caesar now. Because, yes, the mighty Roman general makes a lengthy appearance in The Drowning King!
To me, that's the mark of a great historical fiction book - that it prompts you to seek out more research and knowledge on the subject. I loved the world Holleman creates in these books - the dying age of the Pharoahs, slowly being squeezed out by the Roman fist. Paranoia, betrayal, love, hate, and the most tense sibling relationships in history. You think you've had awkward family reunions? Just thank God you're not a Ptolemy.
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