The year is 57 B.C. Twelve-year-old Cleopatra - Princess of the Nile - has always been quite content and happy with her life in the palace. While there are always worries about being poisoned, or somehow murdered by traitors, with the help of much security, Cleopatra and her family have always been in good hands. But now things are changing.

After almost being killed by a venomous snake, Cleopatra's father, the Pharaoh of Egypt, has been forced into hiding, leaving Cleopatra and her siblings behind. In ordinary circumstances, Cleopatra would feel fine on her own; but so is certainly not the case. Her eldest sister, Tryphaena, is power-hungry, and determined to knock her father's favorite daughter - Cleopatra - out of the running for be Queen. Cleopatra knows that her life is in danger, and is determined to do what she can to keep her head intact. But her curiosity gets the best of her. While disappointed by his constant drinking, Cleopatra is still worried about her father, and loves him dearly. Therefore, she does what any good daughter would do...she sets out to find him. Enlisting the help of her friends Theophilus and Olympus, along with her beloved leopard, Arrow, Cleopatra begins her quest for information on her father's whereabouts. And once she discovers his itinerary, she is taken on the adventure of a lifetime. One that leaves her in the position to be attacked, or worse, murdered. If she's not careful, that is.

I have always had a fascination with Cleopatra, but knew very little about her life, and simply assumed that she spent her days languishing in her riches. Kristiana Gregory has shown me Cleopatra in a new light. CLEOPATRA VII: DAUGHTER OF THE NILE is an engrossing tale that follows the young Princess from 57 B.C. to 55 B.C. Through her words, we learn that she was an educated young woman, skilled in many languages; but also quite compassionate. Gregory brings Cleopatra to life in such a way that you feel as if she is a close friend. The communications she shares with Theophilus and Olympus throughout the tale are in-depth and intelligent; while the compassion Cleopatra shows towards animals, and her close friends and family - including her servants - makes her quite likable from the get-go. An intoxicating story that brings the Princess of the Nile to life.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

The other ones are better. this one in particular was a bit more slow. But for the most part it was okay.

I really love the Royal Diaries, but Cleopatra was a huge disappointment to me. The book is not just bad history, it's also bad fiction. The characters seem totally flat and one-dimensional and never once was I really drawn into Cleopatra's story (contrast with Marie Antoinette, which drew me in instantly).

Cleopatra is drawn here as a 'woman-child' that is confident, stagnant, and never really learns or matures except under her own tutelage. Since her father is a fop and a fool, pretty much all the political action is directed by Cleopatra herself, which once again forces her into the role of 'woman' (stately, mature, and stagnant) without any of the complex wrestlings involved in such a role. I suppose Cleopatra struggling with adult situtations would have narrowed the target audience, but it would be better than creating an adult character in a child's world.

I was also deeply annoyed by the author's apparent need to cast Cleopatra as a monotheist that is just two steps away from being Christianized. If we're going to give our children "historical" books, can we please at least TRY to represent other cultures' religions fairly?

Bottom line: If you like the other Royal Diaries, you might like this one, too. Certainly I forced myself to finish, but I won't pick it up again.

From start to finish this book is a real joy! Delve into the thoughts of Cleopatra VII in this historically accurate account of her early teenage years. A good book for children and adults alike, you can watch your child become fascinated with the goings-on and intrigues of an age that is not written about enough. The Cleopatra we meet in the story is easy to sympathize with and relate to, as well as a character to admire. The book also paints a detailed picture of the setting and age and what it was like to be a princess in ancient Egypt.

I have read most of the Royal Diaries books aloud to my daughters (7, 9, 11), which always succeed to help enamour them with history. However, of the ones I have read, I find Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. to be all of our's favorite.

Also, my children love the wonderful style of all the books: the hardbacks are a lovely gold, with a detailed color representation of the princess and gold-tipped pages. They make my children feel like royalty themselves!

Educational and entertaining, this is a wonderful choice for a gift or for your own enjoyment.

This is a charming, small book concerning a very short period of Cleopatra's life. It generally concords with what is known of Cleopatra. I am disappointed that it was not larger in scope.

If you enjoy reading about Cleopatra you may find this book to be of interest. It works like a diary the way Cleopatra talks about the things going on in her life. Her families empire disappearing, escaping Alexandria, fleeing to Rome, it's all here. You need to own this if learning about Cleopatra is your thing.