Full disclosure- I got to read a pre-release galley edition of the book. And then my awesome friend bought it for me for Christmas.

I really enjoy the writing of Dray and how she brings the ancient world to life. Her Augustus is so different from any other I have read and he is mean but exactly how I would expect. Cleopatra Selene is strong and powerful and comes into her own in this novel. It has been a long time since I read the first two books in this series but this was an amazing conclusion. All of the characters are fleshed out and it made me need to go back and research the history of the Roman Empire and who came after. A great read for those interested in Rome and Egypt and the ancient world in all its glory.