• Features
  • New books
  • Topics
    • Writing historical fiction
    • History on your screen
    • Authors’ favourite books
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • TV, Film and Theatre
    • Classics
  • Advertising
  • About
  • Contact
  • Get our newsletter

Historia Magazine

The magazine of the Historical Writers Association

  • Features
  • New books
  • Topics
    • Writing historical fiction
    • History on your screen
    • Authors’ favourite books
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • TV, Film and Theatre
    • Classics
  • Advertising
  • About
  • Contact
  • Get our newsletter

The Drowning King by Emily Holleman

6 April 2017 By Editor

Ancient Egypt, 51 B.C.

Sisters Arsinoe and Cleopatra face a devastating choice: to allow Rome’s army to siphon power from their ailing father, or to take matters-and the dynasty-into their own hands

It’s the dawn of a new era for Egypt as Cleopatra and her brother, Ptolemy, are welcomed to the throne after their father’s death. But joint rule breeds its own conflicts: can the Nile be shared? Long overlooked by his father in favor of the beguiling Cleopatra, Ptolemy is determined to prove his ability as both man and king-but, at eleven, he is no match for his elder sister, who’s quick to assert her primacy throughout the land.

Their sister Arsinoe is torn between her siblings in one of history’s greatest power struggles. As the palace echoes with rumors, scandals and betrayal, Arsinoe’s love for her childhood friend Alexander deepens into a forbidden passion that could endanger both their lives. When Cleopatra is forced to flee a rebel uprising, Arsinoe decides she has no choice but to follow her sister into exile.

Yet while Cleopatra gathers an army to retake the crown, Arsinoe begins to doubt whether her sister is the champion Egypt needs. Faced with the choice of betraying her family or her country, Arsinoe will determine a kingdom’s fate and the course of history.

emilyholleman.com

Share this article:Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Filed Under: New books

Search

What’s new in historia

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter:

Follow us on social media:

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook

New books by HWA members

Crusader’s War by Michael Jecks

8 August 2026

Sinners by Elizabeth Fremantle

6 August 2026

The Last Retreat by Marina Palmer

6 August 2026

See more new releases

Showcase

Editor’s picks

16th-century Seville: Spain’s criminal capital

19 January 2026

Beatrice Cenci: innocent victim, cunning killer – or both?

14 November 2025

Stealing the secret of silk: the first international industrial spies?

19 December 2021

Popular topics

14th century 16th century 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century 1920s 1930s Ancient Rome Anglo-Saxons author interview awards biography book review Catherine Hokin ebook France historical action historical crime historical fiction historical mystery historical thriller history HWA HWA Crown Awards India London Matthew Harffy medieval new release paperback research review Scotland Second World War short stories spies the writing life Tudors Vikings women's history writer's life writing advice writing tips WWII

The Historical Writers’ Association

Historia Magazine is published by the Historical Writers’ Association. We are authors, publishers and agents of historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction. For information about membership and profiles of our member authors, please visit our website.

Read more about Historia.

Find out about advertising and promotional opportunities. Read our contributor guidelines.

Recent Additions

  • Bedlam and madness in the 17th century
  • Crusader’s War by Michael Jecks
  • Argentina: football and history

Search Historia

Contact us

If you would like to contact the editor of Historia, please email editor@historiamag.com

ISSN 2515-2254

Copyright © 2014–2026 The Historical Writers Association