Series
From the back of the book:
Raised together in the Alexandrian
palace, Chava, the Hebrew daughter of the royal tutor, and Urbi, an Egyptian
princess, become as close as sisters- and rivals with their dreams of greatness.
When Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne as Queen Cleopatra, Chava believes
their bond is strong enough to survive, But absolute power has a way of changing
everything.
The ultimate betrayal rips Chava from
everything she's ever known and sends her to the lowest rung of Roman society
where she must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's
will for her life, if she hopes to rise again.
Leona's Review:
This book will take the reader into the
historical time of Queen Cleopatra, the Romans and Egypt.
This is the first book I have read by
Angela Hunt and was very impressed. The book is in the first person spoken by
Chava.
The book begins with a close friendship
of Chava and Urbi, the future Queen Cleopatra. Their bond is so close that Urbi
cuts the palm of Chava and herself and says "Forever friends" and also says "you
are blood of my blood, and heart of my heart" which is repeated by
Chava.
Chava has been told by HaShem, God, she
will be with the queen when she is happiest and at the end.
The friendship does not last after Chava
angers the queen and she and her father are put into prison. They are separated
and Chava is sold as a slave.
Chava begins a new life as a slave and
the reader follows her and how she matures. Chava says at one point in her life
"Now, older and wiser, I understood how life could change in a
moment."
This book is full of historical names and
places even though it is historical fiction. It is one of the few I have read
that has written of the twins and other son Cleopatra had besides Caesarion.
The reader will find some historical
names that include Cleopatra, Antony, Caesar, Achillas, King Auletes, Octavian,
Octavia and Herod.
Historical places such as Egypt,
Alexandria, the Library of Alexandria, Cyprus, Rome and Africa. I wish there had
been a map of the areas. I know most readers are familiar but in historical
books like this one, I personally like a map.
Languages Chava spoke are Aramaic,
Hebrew, Latin and Greek.
Some portions describe the harsh lives of
slaves but the author does not dwell on it. No bad language.
There are discussions at the end of the
story. One question is " How much did you know about Cleopatra before reading
this story? Did anything surprise you?"
I received a complimentary copy of
Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt from the author and Bethany House Publishers. The
opinions are my own.
Egypt's Sister will get a 5 star rating
from me and I look forward to the future books of the series.
Angela Hunt may be found at
angelahuntbooks.com
Leona Olson
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