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Egypt's Sister: A Novel of Cleopatra by Angela Hunt - Chava's father is the tutor to the royal children in Alexandria, so she has been brought up as the dearest friend of the princess Urbi. The two share a close bond, and vow to always be together, but when Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne and becomes Queen Cleopatra, their friendship is tested. Tumultuous events force them apart, but Chava believes their bond will endure. And it does, at least until Chava must politely decline Cleopatra's offer of Roman citizenship for herself and her family. Chava and her family are Hebrews and will not agree to worship other gods, which is Cleopatra's condition of citizenship. To Chava's horror, she and her father are imprisoned because of this, and seemingly forgotten and dismissed by Cleopatra. Eventually they are sold into slavery, and Chava's last hope of being reunited with her family is shattered when she is put on a slave ship bound for Rome.
Chava endures the cruelty of the slave ship, and finds herself sold as a laborer on a farm estate in the country. She is determined to find a way to escape or earn her freedom so she can find her father and brother, and to confront Cleopatra. It turns out that she is on the estate of Octavian's mother, and after Octavian is named Caesar Chava is moved to Rome where she works hard to become a skilled midwife. She finds an unexpected friend among the powerful advisors to Caesar, and at long last has a way to return to Alexandria. After fifteen years away, will she be able to find her father, or her brother who escaped to Jerusalem? What has happened to the young scholar who once wanted to marry her? And will she have the chance to meet Urbi again face to face, and fulfill the promise that God had given her?
This was such a powerful story, weaving the imaginary character of Chava into the history of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and other real figures. Chava's belief that God had spoken to her about her friendship with Urbi, and her maturing and growth in her faith was very real and compelling. It certainly isn't a feel-good "happy ever after" story in the sense that we know that Marc Antony and Cleopatra had a tragic ending, but with the focus on Chava and her experience, there is an underlying message of hope and of God's faithfulness.
by Angela Hunt - Chava's father is the tutor to the royal children in Alexandria, so she has been brought up as the dearest friend of the princess Urbi. The two share a close bond, and vow to always be together, but when Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne and becomes Queen Cleopatra, their friendship is tested. Tumultuous events force them apart, but Chava believes their bond will endure. And it does, at least until Chava must politely decline Cleopatra's offer of Roman citizenship for herself and her family. Chava and her family are Hebrews and will not agree to worship other gods, which is Cleopatra's condition of citizenship. To Chava's horror, she and her father are imprisoned because of this, and seemingly forgotten and dismissed by Cleopatra. Eventually they are sold into slavery, and Chava's last hope of being reunited with her family is shattered when she is put on a slave ship bound for Rome.Chava endures the cruelty of the slave ship, and finds herself sold as a laborer on a farm estate in the country. She is determined to find a way to escape or earn her freedom so she can find her father and brother, and to confront Cleopatra. It turns out that she is on the estate of Octavian's mother, and after Octavian is named Caesar Chava is moved to Rome where she works hard to become a skilled midwife. She finds an unexpected friend among the powerful advisors to Caesar, and at long last has a way to return to Alexandria. After fifteen years away, will she be able to find her father, or her brother who escaped to Jerusalem? What has happened to the young scholar who once wanted to marry her? And will she have the chance to meet Urbi again face to face, and fulfill the promise that God had given her?
This was such a powerful story, weaving the imaginary character of Chava into the history of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and other real figures. Chava's belief that God had spoken to her about her friendship with Urbi, and her maturing and growth in her faith was very real and compelling. It certainly isn't a feel-good "happy ever after" story in the sense that we know that Marc Antony and Cleopatra had a tragic ending, but with the focus on Chava and her experience, there is an underlying message of hope and of God's faithfulness.
From the publisher:
You Don't Know Her Name. The World Remembers Only Her Greatest Friend: Cleopatra.
Raised together in the Alexandrian palace, Chava, the Hebrew daughter of the royal tutor, and Urbi, and Egyptian princess, become as close as sisters--and rivals with their dreams of greatness. When Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne as Queen Cleopatra, Chava believes their bond is strong enough to survive. But absolute power has a way of changing everything.
The ultimate betrayal rips Chava from everything she's ever known and sends her to the lowest rung of Roman society where she must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life, if she hopes to rise again.
You Don't Know Her Name. The World Remembers Only Her Greatest Friend: Cleopatra.
Raised together in the Alexandrian palace, Chava, the Hebrew daughter of the royal tutor, and Urbi, and Egyptian princess, become as close as sisters--and rivals with their dreams of greatness. When Urbi unexpectedly ascends the throne as Queen Cleopatra, Chava believes their bond is strong enough to survive. But absolute power has a way of changing everything.
The ultimate betrayal rips Chava from everything she's ever known and sends her to the lowest rung of Roman society where she must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life, if she hopes to rise again.
By the same author: Bathesheba: Reluctant Beauty
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