Another great book by Gillian Bradshaw
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I have read several books by Gillian Bradshaw and have thoroughly enjoyed every one. This was no exception. It’s the fictional story of Caesarion, the son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, who escapes an attack on his life by the Romans and falls in with an Egyptian trader who takes care of him. The Romans believe that he died as he suffered an epileptic fit when they attacked him and passed out; they place him on the funeral pyre, from which he escapes, but the Romans burn it not knowing his body is not on there. The story follows Caesarion’s travels with his rescuer, Ani, and his gradual learning to accept Ani’s friendship and to learn to trust him. Caesarion is travelling incognito and intends to go to Alexandria to try to find his mother, Cleopatra, and his half brothers and sisters. Ani has troubles with a competitor and Caesarion helps to extricate him from these, thus earning his way and repaying the debt for his life. There is a very gentle love story with Ani’s daughter Melanthe, and the story builds to the climax when Caesarion is recognised in Alexandria and is brought before Octavian, the new Emperor and his second cousin. This is an interesting portrayal of a King who is a God and finds himself working by writing letters for a minor Egyptian linen merchant. Initially we don’t like Caesarion – he is untrusting, haughty and unfriendly – but as the story progresses he becomes more human. The descriptions of his problems with epilepsy are well-written and add much to the story. As with Gillian Bradshaw’s other books, this is a light read although some of the subject matter is serious, and the descriptions of the places and history are fascinating. I very much recommend it.
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Cleopatra is dead, long live Gillian Bradshaw!
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Gillian Bradshaw, high priestess of historical fiction about the Roman Empire is back after her detours into SciFi/Crime/Fantasy. And what a Revival:
History books state that Ceasarion, son of Cleopatra and Caesar died after the invasion of Roman troops into Egypt. But what if he hadn't died? Bradshaw let's him live on and become the main character in her newest story. So, he survives the battle wounded, and travels in disguise, flying from an encounter with roman troops to the next while badly suffering from the falling-disease, makes a friend of a caravan entrepreneur, falls in love with a beautiful commoner girl - only to eventually run straight into the new emperor himself... Caesarion has to learn, that he is more than just the queens son, the prince and heir to the realm - he is a man who can make his own life.
I found the historical setting very interesting. Caesarions character undergoes a big development within the story. The reader can "watch" him stripping of the spoiled princeling and becoming a man, not more not less. A well-set adventure story in the time of Egypt under Roman occupation.
Though while I personally still like some of Bradshaw’s other books better, I can recommend this one to anybody who either loves the Roman Empire, Egypt or simply like me liked all of Gillian Bradshaw’s other books.
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A wonderful novel!
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I've been waiting for years for a new historical novel by Gillian Bradshaw. "Cleopatra's Heir" was worth the wait. (I devoured this book in a couple of hours - and was rather tired when I had to go to work the next day...) Once again Bradshaw created characters that held my interest from the beginning to the end. Caesarion's struggle with his disability and his destiny was very touching. The development of his personality during the course of the novel was fascinating and felt realistic to me.
The novel's ending is bitter-sweet with an optimistic outlook. If you enjoyed Gillian Bradshaw's other novels, e.g. The Bearkeeper's Daughter, Island of Ghosts or The Beacon of Alexandria you will not be disappointed by her latest book.
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