Since I started this book blog, I've been reviewing books that I hoped I would like. I really don't want to write any negative reviews. This time, I got to review a book I KNEW I would like. I read Stephanie Dray's Song of the Nile the sequel to her Lily of the Nile. I actually got this book from Stephanie because I e-mailed and asked her if I could review it. I've messaged her on her website a couple of times but I figured she'd have no idea who I was, but she totally did. I felt like I was e-mailing a celebrity. Thanks so much for letting me read this ahead of time!
Now on to the review. I'm trying not to give any spoilers, but some might pop up accidentally.
Goodreads' description:
My review: This book ain't for the faint of heart folks. There are some INTENSE sexual scenes, not always positive sexual scenes. This one is definitely more racy than the first. There is one particular scene that I actually had to put the book away for a few days to recover. I was shocked by it. The writing is superb though, which is part of why I needed some time to recover.
Selene grows so much in this book. She goes from the little girl who is afraid of who she is and what she represents to a powerful young woman completely aware of the power she possesses. Like her mother, Selene begins to understand the power of her sexuality. She sometimes uses it to her advantage and it sometimes gets the best of her. Selene becomes a mother and learns what it is to truly love someone, enough to go to desparate measures to protect them. She begins to realize that she can't allow herself to become a clone of her mother and starts to take control of her life in ways she wasn't able to in Lily of the Nile. She's extremely relateable in her quest to grow into her own woman.
As far as the men in this book, they all sucked. I found myself infuriated with each and every one of them at least at one point. They're spineless and disgusting and I hate them all. This shows the power of Stephanie's writing. I find myself hating these characters so much that if I ever do get my wish to travel with The Doctor in the TARDIS, I'm going back to Rome and smacking Octavian in the face.
If you are one of those people who don't like fantasy with your historical fiction, you might not like these books. Stephanie does use magic and the goddess Isis in them. Generally, I don't like magic in my historical fiction. It just makes it less real to me. The only two authors I've seen do it well, where it is almost beleiveable, are Stephanie and Philippa Gregory.
Final verdict: While I loved this book, I did like the first one better. I think it was the crazy sex stuff in this one that turned me off. It's not that I'm a prude, it's more that I just wasn't expecting it. There's one more book coming, and I hope that it ends with everyone living happily ever after.
My rating : 5 happy mamas
Would you like to win a paperback copy of Song the Nile directly from Stephanie Dray? Leave a comment below, telling me who your favorite female historical figure is and why. Contest will run between today and November 13th. I'll announce the winner on November 14th, along with an interview with Stephanie. Good luck!
*If for some reason, Stephanie can't ship to where you are, as long as The Book Depository ships to you, I will send you a copy of the book.
PS. You can also enter to win on goodreads' by going here. This is a completely separate giveaway from mine.
This book is already on my wishlist. I love the historicals, especially those that are based on true life characters. It is great that authors can take what we know from history and then add fictional aspects to it.
ReplyDeleteI have many favorite female historical figures. I have always admired those that work to improve the lives of children. Many women in the US in the 1800's and early 1900's worked t help immigrants and women and children. More recently, I really respected Mother Theresa.
June M.
manning_j2004 at yehoo dot com
IS this international??
ReplyDeletemy fav is cleopatra...she was a really strong and bautiful woman..at that time you have to be very strong to be the queen of a dinasty like that...
thanks!
Thanks for the giveaway and please enter me if it is open worldwide.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite female historical would be Elizabeth the First.
She presided over an era which saw amazing discoveries and inventions and which I consider the greatest era we have known. Probably the best known Queen in history who actually did reign despite her sex.
The Elizabethan Era !
Thanks.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
This is international, so long as The Book Depository ships to you. If for some reason, Stephanie can't mail it to you, I will send you a copy from them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway! This book, and "Lily of the Nile", are already on my wishlist. Being a Kansas girl, I'll have to go with a fellow Kansan, Amelia Earhart. She was not only the first woman to fly across the Atlantic but a prominent figure and pioneer in women's equal rights.
ReplyDeleteBornajhawkATaolDOTcom