Book Review: Lily of the Nile

Author: Stephanie Dray
Title: Lily of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter Series, #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance  
Pages: 351
First Published: 2011
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)


"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?"


Even though I was dying to read this book, I kept putting it off. I'm not sure why, but I regret not reading this right away. I love this book! I loved how Stephanie Dray sucked me into the story and I felt like I was there. I felt like a fly on the wall or a ghost watching Selene's story unfold; I love when authors have that ability!


Too be honest I never knew that the legendary Cleopatra had children. Shows what I know about Egyptian history (which isn't a lot at all). As I later discovered that their isn't much concrete information on the life of Selene and her brothers. However, I believed that Stephanie Dray did a lovely job mixing facts, rumors, myths, and just plain ol' imagination into a great story. It's takes a really good writer to do that.


There are a lot of people who tsk at the magic aspect of this novella. However, I loved it! I felt like it gave the book just that extra zing that made this book sparkle. It's like adding hot sauce to a taco. It made it EVEN better! Sometimes adding magic makes books TOO much, but if added just right it make the book. It's a risky thing to add, but Stephanie Dray did a wonderful job. The magic didn't overtake the story, it just enhanced it, so that makes me happy. 


I also read a few reviews that pooped on the fights about religion. I say this to those who say it isn't "christian" enough....that was how the world use to be. Christianity wasn't a world religion yet. Roman gods, Egyptian gods, and etc were the biggies in that time period, so Stephanie Dray was presenting how the world use to be. Sorry, but that's the facts and I'm glad Stephanie Dray presented that world how it was suppose to be. 


As in life there is negatives...I felt like many spots were dry and action-less. I know not that every page has to filled with drama or action, but I felt some little parts were unnecessary. I also wasn't a huge fan of Selene. I felt her loyalty is fickle. She even began to look down at her parents and her goddess, which I think is very fickle of her. Yes, everyone has spells of doubts about things like that, but....I don't know. Besides for those two things, there was nothing else I didn't like...I adored this book.


Overall, this was an adventure and I regret not reading this sooner. I can't wait to read this next book in the series! Stephanie Dray is an excellent author and I look forward to other adventures she'll put my mind through. I recommend this novel to those who love Historical Fictions and Ancient civilizations. Out of five stars, this will be given 5! Woot woot! ^.^


Favorite Character(s): Julia (I don't know why, but I really liked her), Philadelphus (a little cutey, who is just along for the ride), and Helios (another one I can't explain why)
Not-so favorite Character(s): Selene (okay, it was a love-hate thing with Selene. One moment I really liked her, but she made me not like her a lot, maybe that will change in the next book. I found that she was really fickle in a lot of areas) and Octavian (a pompous ass).