Hand of Isis (edition 2009)

Fall-Winter-2010

I'm struggling to find the words to review this book, as much as I liked it. It's a reimagining of Cleopatra's life, a life shared with two half-sisters, Charmian (the narrator of the story) and Isar, who share her lessons and become her handmaidens and later on run her household and support her in running Egypt. As teenagers they turn to Isis and find themselves close to different aspects of the goddess. The connection to Isis, as well as Charmian's mystical sense of destiny driven by their previous lives drives them to work towards Cleopatra becoming the Pharaoh, and all that follows.

I felt this was a fresh look at Cleopatra that did something clever and out of the ordinary in an interesting way, and I really enjoyed reading it. ( )

I definitely had my doubts about this book when I saw the cover. But, like the old saying goes, you can't judge a book by its cover.

Told from the point of view of Charmian, the half-sister and handmaiden to none other than Cleopatra, Hand of Isis is a wonderful tale about the last Pharaoh of Egypt. The way Jo Graham handles the character of Cleopatra is interesting because she shows the Egyptian side of the story, not the Roman side, which maligned her. In this story, Cleopatra is very sympathetic and wants nothing more than to take care of her beloved Egypt, no matter what the cost to herself. This dedication to her country sets her up for her ultimately tragic ending.

This book is a combination of historical and fantasy fiction, but I can guarantee you'll learn more about Egyptian history reading this than from any history textbook. Jo Graham's dedication to the details of ancient Egyptian and Roman life is truly admirable. So if you're looking for an historically accurate, yet entertaining novel, you will love Hand of Isis. ( )

Main characters in the book:
Charmain: daughter of Pharaoh Ptolemy Auletes. She is the half sister of Cleopatra and Iras. She narrates the story beautifully from the Halls of Amenti (Egyptian land of the dead aka Uttermost West) after just having killed herself (Alexander has just been sacked by Octavian's military and has determined that Cleopatra, Iras and Charmain will all be executed). It is in the Halls of Amenti that Charmian tells her life's story so that she might be aptly judged (did she life a life worthy enough for access to the next world). Her mother was a slave. And, as such, so is she. She grows up training with Cleopatra and Iras. Cleopatra, though a princess, has been mostly forgotten by her father the Pharaoh (she has sisters and a brother who are ahead of her in line to the throne). The sisters, including Charmain, believe themselves to be the hands of Isis. Charmain lives a life of devotion to Isis and to Cleopatra (as her handmaiden). She is a gifted seer (though she plays the part down) and cannot only see the future (e.g. Caesar's murder) but also remember moments from her past lives (she was a general under Alexander the Great). Her devotion to Isis and Cleopatra solidify how she relates to men (men do not come between her religion/work, and, as such, she develops a very practical attitude toward men and sex: they are a means to an end). None the less her love for the men in her life (Agrippa and Emrys) is beautifully genuine. In the Halls of Amenti, after final judgement by the gods has been rendered, she is given the choice to move on (to the next life... something like heaven) or go back and assume a role on earth that could lead to her helping the children (Cleopatra's children were taken by Octavian for purposes of parading them in the Triumph March in front of Roman throngs. It was assumed that they would be executed after they had exceeded their usefulness). The final scene in the book is Charmain (now an 8 year old girl from a poor Roman family) conversing with Agrippa at the Pantheon (which he built). In the scene it is just the two of them staring at a statue of Isis. Agrippa is still grieving about how things ended in the siege of Alexandra though 8 years had passed (he killed Cleopatra's heir to the throne, stood silently while Octavian administered his death sentenced to the sisters, failed to help Charmain at the 11th hour, and, presumably, was silent while Cleopatra's youngest children were marched through Rome). Charmain (as the 8 year old) gives Agrippa advice on how to alleviate (or make amends for) his suffering (and presumably help Cleopatra's children). Her advice is mysteriously spot on. Agrippa keeps searching her face. And then he sees who the 8 year old really is (Charmain). He says "I thought at first you were just a little girl... [but] I think you are the Hand of Isis."

Cleopatra VII Philopater: Last ruling Pharaoh of Egypt, daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes. She ruled from 51 BCE to 30 BCE. She is characterized as a wise ruler and utterly devoted to Egypt and her people. This story portrays her as a practical ruler who makes all decisions (including ones for love) based on the political outcome. She comes off as a loving, involved mother and good friend/sister You cannot but love her in this story.

Iras: She is Charmain's and Cleopatra's half sister and life-long friend.

Dion: Charmain's best friend in the book. Charmain and he share Emrys (oddly, the relationship between the three of them seems perfectly natural and fulfilling).

Gaius Julius Caesar: Cleopatra's first political love (eventually they do actually love each other). He father's her first child. He and Charmain knew each other in another life (he was Alexander the Great and she was his general). He is killed in 44 BCE. His death is the beginning of the end of Cleopatra's rule.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa: Officer Agrippa and Charmain meet and fall in love. He eventually fathers her only child. They connect as they both have an ability to "see" things. He goes off to war. Letters are sent by both but never delivered. The lack of communication results in mistrust. Agrippa proposes to Charmain but under terms she cannot live with and so they part. He eventually rises to general in the Roman military (a genius at war). He routes Marcus Antonius' military and ultimately march to Alexander. He kills (or orders the killing) of Cleopatra's oldest son (and heir to the throne). He stands by and watches as Octavian sentences Charmain (and her sisters) to their death. He continues to grieve over his actions long after Charmain has died. He builds the Parthenon (honoring many known gods including Isis).

Emrys: Love interest to Charmain and Dion. He survives 20 years of service in the Roman cavalry. He is eventually killed by Romans, while defending Alexander.

Marcus Antonius: He fathered 3 children with Cleopatra. He comes off as somewhat ineffective military leader. He blunders by sending his will to Rome, where it is intercepted by Octavian (the will gives all of his territory (much of the Eastern Roman Empire) to his children -- Egyptians -- which doesn't go over very well. War is declared by Octavian. Marcus' heart just wasn't in it in the end (was more interested in being a good husband and father). His lack of execution in the final campaigns results in the end of Egypt (as a stand-alone country). When it becomes inevitable that he will lose the war he commits suicide. The story makes it sound as if a miscommunication between he and Cleopatra are why he commits suicide (he thinks she is to be executed). He dies in 30 BCE.

Isis: Originally an Egyptian mother goddess, by the Hellenistic period Isis had become a universal goddess of compassion with many aspects, including but not limited to the Queen of the Dead, the Mother of the World, the Queen of the Seas (Isis Pelagia), and the Goddess of Love.

Octavian (Gaius Octavius Thurinus, Emperor Augustus): Caesar's great-nephew. With Antonius and Lepidus he was a member of the Second Triumvirate. He ruled alone after Antonius' death. He died in 14 CE.

Children of Cleopatra:
* Cleopatra Selene: daughter of Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius (twin to Helios). Lived 40 BCE to 6 BCE. She reigned as Queen of Numidia from 25 BCE until she died.
* Alexander Helios: son of Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius (twin to Selene). Lived 40 BCE to ~24 BCE. It was suspected that he was poisoned.
* Ptolemy Caesarion (Ptolemy XIV): son of Cleopatra and Caesar. He ruled as Pharaoh jointly with his mother from 44 BCE to 30 BCE. He was killed during the siege of Alexander.
* Ptolemy Philadelphos: son of Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius. He was born in 36 BCE and died sometimes before 20 BCE. It was suspected he was poisoned. ( )

Hand of Isis is the second book in Jo Graham's fascinating series about the ancient world titled Numinous World. I have to admit a mistake here -I actually read book three, Stealing Fire, before Hand of Isis, so I was a little out-of-order when I started this book. Thankfully, the plot lines of each novel are unique enough that it doesn't make a big difference. But I will point out that I think Hand of Isis is the best of the Numinous World books. Seriously -if you think this type of stuff isn't for you, try out Hand of Isis. It's worth it.

Hand of Isis follows the fascinating life of Cleopatra through the eyes of her handmaid, Charmian, her illegitimate half-sister. From a young age, Charmian and Cleopatra have an unmistakable bond, and the two become confidants. Charmain isn't just any other handmaiden though, she is also a seer of Isis who has visions from the goddess.

Charmain's story unfolds in Graham's well-constructed, almost lyrical prose, which is filled with plenty of history and lush description, but filled in with just enough fantasy and fiction to keep things from being too predictable. The story is actually framed as a series of flashbacks told by Charmain to the gods Isis and Horus after she dies, about her life and, of course, about Cleopatra.

While Charmain is as interesting characters with plenty of struggles of her own, mostly in the romance department, the real draw is Cleopatra. The Egyptian queen is portrayed from her younger years up to her dramatic death, and, unlike is some other interpretations, she's given a very human face that's sympathetic and real. More interestingly enough, Graham injects a heavy dose of Egyptian mysticism and religion into Hand of Isis, which I found fascinating.

By far the best book in Graham's Numinous World series, I'd honestly vote to just skip the other books (or perhaps even bot bother with them) and just go for Hand of Isis. ( )