Cleopatra's Heir

The might and power of Julius Caesar, the man who conquered the known world.

The beauty of Cleopatra, the woman who conquered the conqueror.

Together they could have forged an empire whose power had never been seen before. Tragically, it was not meant to be.

But what of the son who was born of their passion?

Gillian Bradshaw gives us a possible answer in Cleopatra's Heir, a riveting historical novel drawn from meticulous research and a unique historical premise. The young son of Julius Caesar and the fabled Cleopatra, Caesarion was seen by some as the hope of the marriage between Rome and Egypt, by others as the folly of a commander's lust for a wanton foreign schemer. For the new Roman ruler, Octavius, Caesarion is the threat that could topple his dreams of a safe and peaceful Roman Empire.

The brutal truth is that Caesarion could not be allowed to live. But what if he somehow managed to survive the inevitable assassination and went underground to hide his identity? How would he find a way to live when he has always chosen and honor, even though his life has been shadowed by forces greater than anyone should have to cope with?

Caesarion will travel the lands that he thinks he knows so well only to discover that he knew his people not at all. And only after that discovery, when he loses it all and is forced to confront his humanity, will Caesarion finally come to know friendship, honesty, and love.

And the essential truth that a man can be noble and true, bereft of land, titles . . . and even a name.

This is a very captivating book, like all other books written by gillian bradshaw. Bradshaw made the characters seem like real people. I enjoyed this book very much and hope bradshaw will write more books like this.

Gillian Bradshaw is a brilliant history fiction writer, and I have enjoyed several of his books, but `Cleopatra's Heir' is not one of my favorites. It's a decent book about imaginary escape from death of Caesarian, Cleopatra and Julius Caesar son. The plot seems very intriguing at the beginning of the book, but falters in the middle and utterly disappoints by the end. Without revealing too much of the story, Bradsaw paints a shallow picture of Macedonian Egypt by the end of Lagid dynasty, where Greeks are more common than Egyptians, and where desert smells more with perfume than sweat. Young Caesarian survives Roman's invasion and with the help of Egyptian commoner Ani and his beautiful daughter Melanthe travels to Alexandria, where he meets his royal arch enemy and rival, and gets a chance for new. although extremely undistinguished life. If you want to know the conclusion of the remarkable historical mystery buy or borrow the book but be prepared for longing and sometimes dull story. Do not expect much action, military combats or duels. The writer spends more time on Cleopatra's son evolution of character and less on surroundings. In a sense this book is about young Caesarian's tribulations after the fall of Egypt to Rome, and not really about Egypt. But I would enjoy this book much more, if Bradshaw has thrown more information about political and military stories concerning antiquity of the time of the plot.

This is a really good piece of fiction. The author obviously has an imagination and talent for bringing obscure people to life. However this book stretches my idea of historical fiction. The story starts when the historical figure is supossed to have died. It is simply an idea as to what COULD have happened if he lived which isn't that likely. A very good book...just don't be disappointed when you find out none of it happened!

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.

If you are really into history and love historical novels then Cleopatra's Heir is highly recommended reading. The book is about the oldest son of Cleopatra and what might have happened to him if he had survived Octavius's take over of Egypt. Its well written well researched book. I also liked how the author built up Caesar's character to make him look realistic and human. He was raised to believe that the world should bow down to him than he is reduced to nothing and is treated as such. He reacts to this with all the arrogance of royalty until he learns to trust people and begins to relate to them. He really evolves throughout the book from a spoiled king to a more compassionate human being. In the end he proves to have more humanity than either of his parents and develops his own conscience. Its a good coming of age story and historical fiction novel.