Song of the Nile

August 29, 2011
Dray's sequel to Lily of the Nile dives back into the world of canny, intelligent, and powerful heroine Cleopatra Seleneâdaughter of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Having lived in the household of Augustus Caesar for four years, Selene (whose only goal is to reclaim her birthright as Queen of Egypt) has been married off against her will to Augustus' ward, Juba. After Augustus rapes her, she leaves for Mauretania with Juba, who is convinced that Selene was Augustus' willing lover. When Selene hears that her twin brother Helios has been murdered, she flees to the desert in grief. The living Helios finds her there, swears vengeance against Augustus for her rape, and they become lovers. After Selene becomes pregnant, Juba assumes Augustus is the father. Though Selene tries to rule Mauretania justly, Juba insists that she stay out of politics. When Augustus summons Selene back to Rome, they continue to play their high-stakes gamesâSelene will do anything to be confirmed as Queen of Egypt and Augustus wants Selene to be the Cleopatra of his fantasies. Although Augustus and Juba prove unworthy matches for Selene, the novel's strong female supporting characters more than make up for the men.