PHARAOH - VOLUME II
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4.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Following on from Kleopatra, the glittering epic of Egypt's queen continues as she allies herself with Anthony and begins a love story that immortalizes her as one of history's greatest political players and most tragic heroines.
Kleopatra has been reinstated to the throne and now shares her bed with Caesar. But in order for their infant son to be officially recognized as Caesar’s rightful heir, Kleopatra must journey with the child to Rome. There she forms an intimate bond with Antony, Caesar’s second-in command. When Caesar is assassinated, it is Antony who wages war against the slain ruler’s monstrous nephew, Octavian, who claims it is he, and not Kleopatra’s son, who is next in line to rule. Now Antony and Kleopatra are inextricably allied in love and a fierce battle against a formidable enemy, where no less than the control of the world is at stake.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The second volume of Essex's Kleopatra series, which picks up as the 22-year-old queen of Egypt returns from exile in Rome, overflows with war, sex, political intrigue and the fruits of Essex's assiduous research on everything from ancient Egyptian religious ceremonies to traffic laws in Julius Caesar's Rome. Essex's Kleopatra is ruled by her lust for power. Everything she controls her body, her money is a tool with which to improve her position and that of her country. As she puts it, "In matters of state, let your blood run cold." She joins with Caesar, aligning Egypt with Rome, but when he's murdered, Kleopatra lays the groundwork for a similar association with Antony, to whom she is overwhelmingly attracted. Each of these alliances transcends its political motivation. Kleopatra loves both men, viewing Caesar as a mentor and Antony as a soul mate. Yet this love never clouds her self-promoting vision, making Essex's Kleopatra more than a simple seductress, as she is often portrayed. Indeed, the careful balance Essex strikes between Kleopatra's intimate emotional life and her statecraft makes this a satisfyingly nuanced and approachable portrait. As with its predecessor, the novel's rich language, attention to historical detail and fast-flowing action offer an invigorating read for those interested in ancient history or simply the thrills of battles and romance.
