The lesser known Cleopatra Selene comes to the page for us as a ten year old chained captive from Alexandria to Octavian’s Rome. Her mother, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, has just died, her father, Mark Antony, has also been killed, and now Cleopatra Selene, along with her twin, Alexander Helios, is expected to live in the palace of the Emperor who caused their deaths—and be grateful to him. 

 

Dray explores what this existence might have been for a young Cleopatra Selene as she grows in age and wisdom while living among the Romans, manipulating power from Augustus Caesar (Octavian), wrangling for position as a Princess of Egypt among a set of jealous women and bastard sons, and experimenting with love and romance—all while she dreams of one day returning to her beloved people to rule again as queen of Egypt in Alexandria. 

 

Additional to the creative elements of fiction set against a stark historical backdrop, Dray gives ancient magic to her protagonist as a measure of retaliation in the face of the men who want to own her, oppress her, and ultimately destroy her—namely, Octavian. 

 

Both strangely empowered and ultimately enslaved, Cleopatra Selene must make decisions in her young life that will either free her from the grip of Caesar—or chain her to him forever. 

 

A captivating fictional take on a fascinating period of history.