The Crown of Isis — M.J. Mauborgne

246 BCE. In order to seal a political alliance, Princess Berenike, sister of Pharaoh Ptolemy III, is betrothed to King Antiochos of Syria. However, Antiochos must first repudiate his lawful spouse and Queen Laodike, as we can expect, will not accept that decision gracefully.
The minute details of this chronicle are historically documented. Even the caprice of the weather of the year 246 BCE is true: it did snow in Syria and the rose bushes bloomed in Thebes that winter.
The younger audience will enjoy a good story emphasizing girl empowerment. “We are so lucky to be born as women,” Kleopatra tells the girls. The educated readers will appreciate the abundance of historical details and factual references.
The true story of Berenike II of Alexandria is a tragic one. The prequel The Feather of Ma'at, relates the tumultuous early years of the sheltered princess. Her promising young life takes a wrong turn on the steps of the temple of Isis; a split-second decision that will lead to her untimely death in Antioch, at age 30. The prequel shines a light on many unanswered questions and reveals the mysterious origins of Kleopatra's powers.