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A review by shhchar
Cleopatra Confesses by Carolyn Meyer
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I haven't been this glued to a book in a while. I just spent almost a little over an hour finishing it, and while I did get up once, it was to go sit down somewhere else. (Now I'm behind on my homework schedule, but as they say, YOLO.)
I've never been that interested in Cleopatra. Sure, I thought she was cool and progressive for her time period. But I never actually had any basis for that belief, we never even spoke about her in history class. The point of view (1st person) really allowed the reader to get to know her personally, be angry when she's angry, hopeful when she's hopeful, and sad when she's sad. One of my favorite things about the book is the fact that we were with her from a young age, to the last moments of her life.
That being said, the end was a little rushed in my opinion. I think there was enough material for there to have been a second companion book. The war talk/strategy was a little confusing in the later part of the second half. But the story wasn't too focused on the logistics, it was all on Cleopatra. The little romance that occurred happened later on in the novel, and it wasn't a center-plot. That's not a bad thing at all, I prefer it that way in historical novels. The spotlight was always on Cleopatra, and that benefited the book very well.
Even if you're not a big fan of historical fiction, I hope you consider reading this. I really, really loved it and it's inspired me to learn more about the historical figure.
Spoiler
I really hope that came across as ironic otherwise that's embarrassing.I've never been that interested in Cleopatra. Sure, I thought she was cool and progressive for her time period. But I never actually had any basis for that belief, we never even spoke about her in history class. The point of view (1st person) really allowed the reader to get to know her personally, be angry when she's angry, hopeful when she's hopeful, and sad when she's sad. One of my favorite things about the book is the fact that we were with her from a young age, to the last moments of her life.
That being said, the end was a little rushed in my opinion. I think there was enough material for there to have been a second companion book.
Spoiler
We got Caesar, but barely any Marcus. That was surprising to me when I closed the book and all that was supplied was an epilogue briefly mentioning him!Even if you're not a big fan of historical fiction, I hope you consider reading this. I really, really loved it and it's inspired me to learn more about the historical figure.