Cleopatra’s Daughter begins in 30 B.C. at the end of Kleopatra’s and Marc Antony’s reign in Egypt, with their suicides. This leaves their three children: twins Kleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios, and younger brother Ptolemy, in the hands of Caesar Octavian and Rome. As the title might suggest, this book is from the viewpoint of Kleopatra’s daughter who goes by Selene. 

I knew next to nothing of Kleopatra’s and Antony’s children before I read this book. The story immediately drew me in and held my attention until the very end. It was well-written and clearly well-researched. Over the five years this book took place, I got to learn of the early days of Rome under Octavian up until he was re-named Augustus and became emperor. With each page, I felt as though I was a part of Rome, learning right with Selene and experiencing things that occurred at the time such as law trials, slave revolts, and Roman holidays and celebrations. Each character was portrayed wonderfully and I truly felt for Selene who had to endure so much heartache before finally receiving happiness. 

This was my third book by Michelle Moran and I can’t get enough. She really knows what she’s doing and this book is perfect for anyone interested in historical fiction, particularly that of Egypt and Rome!