Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Almost everyone knows the story of Cleopatra and her ill-fated reign that led to the end of Egypt under a Pharaonic leadership. The tale of her suicide, and how her handmaidens Charmian and Iras followed her into death, is legendary but the handmaidens themselves are almost never spoken of with interest. In Jo Graham's newest novel Hand of Isis, we are taken into Cleopatra's world through the eyes of Charmian, handmaiden to Cleopatra and loyal unto death.
Charmian and Iras are half-sisters to Cleopatra, illegitimate daughters of Ptolemy Auletes. The girls are of an age and "given" to Cleopatra to assist her as she grows into her role as a princess of Egypt. As forces of nature in their own right, Charmian and Iras become indispensible to Cleopatra. While still in their early teens, the trio devote themselves to the goddess Isis, vowing to care for Egypt and her people if only Isis will ensure that Cleopatra becomes queen. Isis holds true to this bargain, though none of the girls can anticipate how events will fall out.
Unlike other novels on this subject, Hand of Isis takes a distinctly supernatural tone, with the physical presence of the gods of Egypt throughout the story. Indeed, the story begins with Charmian telling her tale to Isis and Serapis in the afterlife, as her very heart is being weighed. Reincarnation also takes center stage, with each character playing a role that they have played before in history, albeit in different countries and forms. The roles are carefully conceived and well-written, creating a believability that is almost unexpected.
As a little-known historical character who has been given her own voice, Charmian is engaging and truly likeable. Her belief in the conjoined destinies of herself and her sisters, as well as that of the other major players, comes across as quite poignant and true. Though the reader knows that the story is going to end tragically, they cannot help but be drawn into to this fascinating tale of love and destiny. In my opinion this is decidedly the best version of this story that has come out in a very long time.
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Paperback: 528 pages
Publisher: Orbit (March 23, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0316068020
ISBN-13: 978-0316068024