The Treachery of Sisters: The Untold Story of Arsinoe and Cleopatra

by Gail Combs Oglesby

"The Treachery of Sisters' is a riveting tale of ambition, betrayal, and power, reimagining the fierce rivalry between Cleopatra and Arsinoe in a way that will captivate fans of historical fiction and untold stories of ancient Egypt." – NewInBooks.com

48 BC-the Ptolemy empire is in turmoil as Cleopatra has taken up with Julius Caesar and welcomed the Roman interlopers into Egypt to ensure her place as Pharaoh. Arsinoe, her 14-year-old younger half-sister is determined to take the throne from her, and to chase the Romans...back to Rome. Can this mere girl take on the powerful Caesar and unseat Cleopatra? Or is her effort doomed from the start serving only to hasten her journey to the River Styx and through the underworld that lies beyond.

Based on a true story this is another gem by award winning author Gail Combs Oglesby author of “The Centenary Chronicles-Tales of American Women.” She continues to give us compelling stories with characters you will love, loath, and plot twists that you will never see coming.

Genres: Historical Fiction

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2024

About the author

Gail Combs Oglesby was born and raised in the western Detroit suburbs and lived for many years in California and Texas. She now calls suburban Nashville, Tennessee her retirement home which she shares with her husband and fur kids. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of San Francisco in Human Resources, as well as a Doctorate in Business Administration from California Coast University. For over thirty-five years, she worked in leadership roles in the Human Resources function in a variety of industries and from that experience published, HR Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Finding and Getting a Great Job which can be found on Amazon.

When not working, the passion that has bewitched her for the last fifty years has been genealogy. Originally the spell was cast while trying to solve a family mystery, which took nearly forty years to uncover. Today, access to online databases and DNA has helped her, and thousands of others to make those connections to the past and Gail can often be found helping others with their search. Through that work, she deeply admired what our ancestors, especially the women, have endured so that we could be here today. Her mission is now to bring their experiences to life through her writing and celebrate the ordinary women whose accomplishments were anything but ordinary.



She can be reached at GailOglesby.com

Reviews

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Treachery of Sisters transports readers to the ancient sands of Egypt, weaving a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and survival. This historical fiction novel by Gail Combs Oglesby reimagines the lives of Arsinoe IV and Cleopatra, daughters of Ptolemy XIII and princesses of Egypt, during a period of monumental upheaval. When Rome invades, Julius Caesar captures the royal family, elevating Cleopatra as a puppet ruler. Meanwhile, Arsinoe, her younger half-sister, escapes with the aid of her mentor, the eunuch Ganymedes. Declaring herself Pharaoh and Queen of Egypt, Arsinoe leads a courageous resistance during the Alexandrian War. At its core, this is a story of family bonds turned treacherous, power struggles, and unyielding destiny.

Oglesby recounts the rise and fall of the Ptolemaic dynasty through Arsinoe’s eyes, providing a fresh perspective on an infamous chapter in Egyptian history. Estranged from her chaotic family as a child, Arsinoe’s journey becomes one of reclaiming her birthright and defying her sister’s betrayal. Cleopatra’s alliance with Caesar, which sacrifices Egypt’s sovereignty, contrasts sharply with Arsinoe’s fierce determination to fight for her people. Central to the narrative is Arsinoe’s unshakable loyalty to Egypt’s royal traditions. Even after Caesar spares her life and exiles her to a temple, she refuses to yield. Speaking out against Cleopatra’s treachery, she risks everything to rally those who share her vision of an uncorrupted Egypt.

One of the book’s most striking elements is the immense burden of leadership Arsinoe bears. It’s astonishing to realize that this young heroine, barely in her mid-teens, orchestrates such a formidable resistance against the Romans. Her obsession with preserving the purity of her family’s bloodline fuels her defiance and sheds light on the Ptolemies’ notorious practice of incestuous marriage, an unsettling yet historically accurate detail that underscores the dynasty’s unique complexities.

What makes The Treachery of Sisters particularly compelling is Oglesby’s straightforward and accessible prose. Despite the weighty themes of war and betrayal, the writing remains clear and engaging, making the story both informative and entertaining. The balance between historical detail and narrative momentum ensures that even readers unfamiliar with the era can immerse themselves in the drama without feeling overwhelmed.

For anyone captivated by historical fiction or the enigmatic world of ancient Egypt, The Treachery of Sisters is a must-read. Oglesby’s vivid portrayal of the Ptolemaic dynasty and its tumultuous reign offers both enlightenment and entertainment. Through Arsinoe’s eyes, we witness not just a struggle for power, but an enduring fight for identity and justice in the shadow of betrayal.

[♡︎.ᐟજ⁀➴ Erie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Treachery of Sisters: The Untold Story of Arsinoe and Cleopatra
by Gail Combs Oglesby
⭐️ 4.5 stars
Thank you to the lovely author for the e-Copy!

“Two sisters. One crown. A dynasty built on blood.”

The Treachery of Sisters sweeps you straight into the gilded chaos of ancient Egypt, where ambition burns hotter than the desert sun and betrayal is a family tradition. Gail Combs Oglesby reimagines the power struggle between Arsinoe IV and Cleopatra with cinematic precision and emotional depth, giving voice to the lesser-known sister who dared to defy both Rome and her own blood.

Arsinoe is fierce, flawed, and fascinating, a teenager shouldering the weight of a crumbling empire while trying to outwit Julius Caesar himself. Cleopatra, cunning and magnetic, becomes both her mirror and her nemesis. Through Oglesby’s richly detailed prose, their rivalry feels deeply human: a tangle of love, resentment, and destiny playing out against the marble halls of Alexandria and the shifting sands beyond.

This isn’t just a story of queens and conquest, it’s a portrait of survival in a world where power was both a birthright and a curse. The political tension crackles, the court intrigue feels dangerous and real, and the echoes of history linger long after the final page.

What I Loved
• 🐍 Ruthless women, real stakes – power, loyalty, and manipulation at their finest
• 🏺 Historical depth – richly researched yet completely immersive
• 👑 Arsinoe’s perspective – finally, the younger sister gets her say
• ⚔️ High drama, high politics – alliances, betrayals, and battles you can feel
• 🌅 The writing – elegant and evocative without ever slowing the pace

What Didn’t Work As Well
• 📜 The pacing dips slightly mid-way through the war’s aftermath
• 🤯 So many players in the royal court that it takes a moment to settle in
• 💔 I wanted just a bit more emotional confrontation between the sisters

TROPES / THEMES
• 👑 Sister rivalry turned deadly
• 🐍 Women in power, fighting to keep it
• ⚔️ Betrayal, revenge, and survival
• 🏺 Historical fiction with heart
• 💫 Fate vs. free will
• 🔮 Ancient prophecy and divine right

Final Thoughts
If you love ancient Egypt, sibling rivalries steeped in blood, and stories that ask what it truly costs to rule, The Treachery of Sisters is a must-read. Oglesby balances historical accuracy with emotional resonance, crafting a tale that feels both epic and intimate.

A stunning reimagining of the Ptolemies, where every choice drips with consequence and every victory tastes like ash. Cleopatra may have conquered history, but in these pages, Arsinoe steals the crown. 🐍👑

[Lydia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all this ancient Egypt and this book did not disappoint. This story was new to me which made it all the more interesting and the author hooks you right away and carries you through Arsinoe's journey. I learned so much I did not know and was amazed at what this young woman did to stand up to the most powerful men (and woman) of her time.

I've enjoyed all the author's books but this one especially, and make sure you read ALL the way to the end. :-)

[Nat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for selecting me for the giveaway. I am a sucker for anything Ancient Egypt, so any works connected to it, I have to check out. However, I was a bit disappointed as parts felt a bit rushed, and some chapters felt random and were just filer. I was very happy with the ending, however, I did not expect a realistic ending and was satisfied in the conclusion.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, picked it up on a whim on a Kindle special and I would have been happy to pay full price to read it. Wonderful pacing and characters, especially the women whose stories Ms. Oglesby always tells so well. Highly recommend.

[Alexandrea Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I learned so much about Egypt at this time and the pacing and character development were superb.

[DL Bricker · Rating 2 out of 5]

the story about Cleopatra's younger sister was a great premise. but I found the writing undeveloped. I didn't make it past the second chapter.