Hand of Isis
By Jo Graham
Orbit Books, $14.99, 528 pages
Charmian is handmaided to Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, confidant and sister, and central to everything important in the life of the Egyptian Queen. Hand of Isis tells the story of Cleopatra from childhood through famous death and tells the story through the eyes of Charmian. Throughout Hand of Isis Jo Graham reintroduces readers to such legendary characters as Cleopatra, Ceasar, Marcus Antonius, Agrippa, and Herod; but also to characters who will cleave closer to the reader’s heart – Emrys, Dion, and Charmian.
Hand of Isis is told through the first-person perspective of Charmian and brings the reader right up inside Cleopatra’s inner circle. Jo Graham uses Charmian to humanize Cleopatra and also to tell a story which would not otherwise be possible with another narrator. Through her friendships with Emrys and Dion, Charmian is able bring the reader touches of the streets and the court. Hand of Isis is richer for it.
Jo Graham’s debut novel Black Ships was quite well regarded and Hand of Isis should cement Graham’s place as a rising and strong voice in historical fantasy fiction. Hand of Isis is worth the money and time spent reading.
Reviewed by Joe Sherry
