Book Reviews
Category
Historical Fiction
Song of the Nile By Stephanie Dray Berkley Trade, $15.00, 398 pages Selene, daughter of the infamous Cleopatra, has both welcomed and dreaded this day. She is getting a kingdom of her own, but at the price of marriage to Juba, at Emperor Augustus’ request. Selene does not enjoy married life, and
instead focuses on doing anything it takes to get back to Egypt, even if it means submitting to Augustus’ will. Rather than a historical fiction work, Song of the Nile is more of a historical what-could-have-been. The scope is much larger, as Selene has grown and matured into a young woman since the first book. She’s facing a much different prospect as she begins her marriage and reign of her kingdom with Juba at her side. The book also manages to delve deeper into Selene’s character by exploring difficult themes such a rape and marital fidelity. It has a much stronger flavor of magic throughout the book, as Selene’s Isis powers grow and develop. The author has done a good job of bringing Selene’s character to life. She sees herself as Queen of Egypt and she just as haughty as you would expect. Fans of the first book won’t be disappointed in this striking sequel. Reviewed by Alyssa Feller A Queen’s Journey By James D. Houston Heyday, $14.95, 111 pages As Americans, we have a burning passion for royalty. We devour any tidbit of news about them, and the marketplace is saturated with royaltythemed novels. What makes James D. Houston’s A Queen’s Journey stand out? His unfinished masterpiece introduces the world to a long-neglected monarch, Hawaii’s Queen Liliuokalani. If you’ve never heard of her, you’re missing out. Queen Liliuokalani could just as easily read Shakespeare as sit barefoot on a woven mat. Prepare to be swept off your feet by Queen Liliuokalani’s magnanimous personality and the tumultuous events surrounding her fall from power. A Queen’s Journey is the fictional tale of Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani and American reporter and narrator Jules. They first became friends aboard a ship in Honolulu, Hawaii, and their paths cross again when Queen Liliuokalani comes to the United States to plead her case before the President. Meticulously researched, masterfully crafted, and magically re-created historic figures bring alive a practically unknown segment of American history. While it took me a while to get into this novel, it was a real treat. After a few chapters, I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next to Queen Liliuokalani. It was bittersweet knowing that she would lose her kingdom. What a phe-
San Francisco Book Review • December 2011 • 12