Synopses & Reviews
Based on the true story of Cleopatras daughter
After years of abuse as the emperors captive in Rome, Cleopatra Selene has found a safe harbor. No longer the pitiful orphaned daughter of the despised Egyptian Whore, the twenty year old is now the most powerful queen in the empire, ruling over the kingdom of Mauretaniaan exotic land of enchanting possibility where she intends to revive her dynasty.
With her husband, King Juba II and the magic of Isis that is her birthright, Selene brings prosperity and peace to a kingdom thirsty for both. But when Augustus Caesar jealously demands that Selenes children be given over to him to be fostered in Rome, shes drawn back into the web of imperial plots and intrigues that she vowed to leave behind.
Determined and resourceful, Selene must shield her loved ones from the emperors wrath, all while vying with ruthless rivals like King Herod. Can she find a way to overcome the threat to her marriage, her kingdom, her family, and her faith? Or will she be the last of her line?
Review
“An entertaining foray into an intriguing legend.”—Margaret George, author of
The Memoirs of Cleopatra
“Brings to life one of the ancient worlds most important, interesting, and little known devotees of the goddess Isis. Magical!”—M. Isidora Forrest, author of Isis Magic
“Stephanie Dray brings true life to one of Egypts most intriguing princesses.”—Susan Fraser King, bestselling author of Queen Hereafter
Synopsis
A novel from the acclaimed author of The Tiger Queens, for readers looking for "strong and determined female protagonists" (Historical Novel Society) and "a sprawling historical saga" (Renee Rosen)...
We are the women who loved Alexander the Great. We were lovers and murderers, innocents and soldiers.
And without us, Alexander would have been only a man.
Instead he was a god.
330s, B.C.E., Greece: Alexander, a handsome young warrior of Macedon, begins his quest to conquer the ancient world. But he cannot ascend to power, and keep it, without the women who help to shape his destiny.
His spirited younger half-sister, Thessalonike, yearns to join her brother and see the world. Instead, it is Alexander's boyhood companion who rides with him into war while Thessalonike remains behind. Far away, crafty princess Drypetis will not stand idly by as Alexander topples her father from Persia's throne. And after Alexander conquers her tiny kingdom, Roxana, the beautiful and cunning daughter of a minor noble, wins Alexander's heart...and will commit any crime to secure her place at his side.
Within a few short years, Alexander controls an empire more vast than the civilized world has ever known. But his victories are tarnished by losses on the battlefield and treachery among his inner circle. And long after Alexander is gone, the women who are his champions, wives, and enemies will fight to claim his legacy...
CONVERSATION GUIDE INCLUDED
Synopsis
Heiress of one empire and prisoner of another, it is up to the daughter of Cleopatra to save her brothers and reclaim what is rightfully hers... To Isis worshippers, Princess Selene and her twin brother Helios embody the divine celestial pair who will bring about a Golden Age. But when Selene's parents are vanquished by Rome, her auspicious birth becomes a curse. Trapped in an empire that reviles her heritage and suspects her faith, the young messianic princess struggles for survival in a Roman court of intrigue. She can't hide the hieroglyphics that carve themselves into her hands, nor can she stop the emperor from using her powers for his own ends. But faced with a new and ruthless Caesar who is obsessed with having a Cleopatra of his very own, Selene is determined to resurrect her mother's dreams. Can she succeed where her mother failed? And what will it cost her in a political game where the only rule is win-or die?
About the Author
Stephanie Dray is a graduate of Smith College, a small womens college in Massachusetts, whereto the consternation of her devoted professorsshe was unable to master Latin. However, her concentration in Middle Eastern studies gave her a deeper understanding of the consequences of Egypts ancient clash with Rome, both in terms of the still-extant tensions between East and West as well as the worldwide decline of female-centric religions.
Using the stories of women in history to inspire the young women of today, Stephanie remains fascinated by all things ancient and hasto the consternation of her devoted husbandcollected a houseful of cats and Egyptian artifacts.