Cleopatra's Moon

Book Title: Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Thoughts: This novel took me a little while to become interested in, maybe because I knew Cleopatra and Marc Antony were going to die, but I did not know the rest of the story.  Shecter has written a biography on Cleopatra, and this is her first fiction novel.  She admits that she took poetic license to change the story to fit her plot line.  At the end of the novel, Shecter shares historical information about several characters in the novel that are interesting to read. 

Several of us are familiar with the tragic ending of Cleopatra and Marc Antony, but I did not realize that they had four children together. 

This novel focuses on Cleopatra's daughter Cleopatra Selene and what happens to her after her parents commit suicide when Octavius declares war on Cleopatra.  I think after students read Julius Caesar, they may find this interesting to read what happens when Octavius comes into power.  I did not realize that Octavius hunted down and killed Julius Caesar and Cleopatra's son Caesarion.  Octavius removes Cleopatra's children from Egypt and takes them to Rome.  I liked the description of how open and clean Egypt is compared to Rome.  I could visually see the picturesque gardens in Egypt and smell the death, blood, and garbage in Rome. 

Cleopatra Selene struggles to survive in this strange environment and plots how to become queen of Egypt like her mother.  After reading this novel, I would be fascinated to meet either Cleopatra or her daughter as they wanted to learn as much as they could and help their people.  Instead of ruling by fear as the Romans did, these women believed in doing what is right for everyone.  This book is based on historical facts and includes information about both the Roman and Egyptian gods that some will find interesting.