Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries)

"I took the cup and raised it toward Tryphaena as if toasting her, but really I was watching the liquid, looking for oil floating on its surface, or powder sticking to the sides of the cup. If I suspected poison and tossed it into the pool, she would have her guards behead me on the spot. If it was indeed poison, one sip and I could die..."

In an elegantly written royal diary, Cleopatra VII has recorded every rich detail from this tumultuous time: her hairsbreadth escape by boat to Rome, where she and her father must plead for help; her struggle to absorb the overwhelming sights (and smells) of this new city and its "barbarian" ways; and her poise and quick thinking as she deals with the likes of General Pompey, Marc Antony, and the famous orator Cicero ("words fly from him like darts!").

Kristiana Gregory, a contributor to the excellent Dear America series, has done an admirable job ghostwriting for the princess, painting an engaging portrait of a resourceful, intelligent, compassionate young woman forged by the forces of her time. The book concludes with a helpful section of maps, portraits, a Pharaonic family tree, and 20 pages of illustrations. (Ages 8 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Book Description
Established Dear America author Kristiana Gregory kicks off the Royal Diaries with the captivating story of young Cleopatra's tumultuous life. Daughter of King Ptolemy Autletes, Pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra lives a life filled with opulence and mystery.

It begins with Cleopatra musing about what will happen if her father (Ptolemy XII, who is in hiding) does not return and her older sister Tryphaena becomes queen. Then, Cleopatra could be killed, because she knows that Tryphaena hates her.

Soon, Cleopatra's loyal friend Olympus warns her of the danger that will come upon both father and daughter if they stay in Alexandria (their "hometown"), because already, Tryphaena is planning to kill them. When her father secretly returns, the two set off for Rome. While they are there, Cleopatra meets Marc Antony, and while she does not like him she keeps having a longing to see more of him.

And then comes the news that Tryphaena is dead - and now another sister, Berenice, has taken the throne. Will the king and Cleopatra be safe?

Even though there is some really gory stuff in this book, it's excellent. Two thumbs way, way up!


"Looks as if this Princess was an intellect"   December 28, 1999
Gillian H. (USA, VA near D.C.)
7 out of 11 found this review helpful

Cleopatra VII: This is Cleopatra VII story told eloquently but on an understanding level that I as a 12 year old female could understand. This book starts out with her as a girl of 12 years of age and finishes with her a young woman of 14 years of age read to be crowned Queen. She remains understandable throughout the whole book and does not go into what my younger brother would call the "mushy stage" that you see in many Young Adults books, even as her father prepares to marry her off. I as a Latin student who has also studied a small amount of Greek could understand as they talked about her travels in Rome with her father trying to conquer the thrown from her 20 year old sister. It was interesting to find that she was not another Princess Diana with out any brains at all but a Princess who has learned many languages or tongues as they call them and obviously had brains. You follow her as she prepares to become Queen in hope to be a better one then her father and two older sisters. I who had not studied Egyptian History (but now will look forward to it) found it understandable with the help of the family tree, maps, and short biographies located in the back of the book. I therefor recommend this book to anyone regardless of age, for when I explained this too, two of my babysitting charges and they deeply enjoyed the sense of the book. (After I lowered the comprehension of the book.)