What do you think?
Rate this book
Cleopatra
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Queen, Legend, Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic Cleopatra, from the bestselling and award-winning author of
Faebound
and
The Final Strife
.
YOU KNOW MY NAME.
BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME.
Your historians call me seductress, but I was always in love's thrall.
Your playwrights speak of my witchcraft, but I was gifted my talents by the gods.
Your poets sing of my blood-lust, but I was protecting my children.
They cannot credit that a mere woman could be powerful, strategic, divinely blessed to rule.
Death will silence me no longer.
This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
YOU KNOW MY NAME.
BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME.
Your historians call me seductress, but I was always in love's thrall.
Your playwrights speak of my witchcraft, but I was gifted my talents by the gods.
Your poets sing of my blood-lust, but I was protecting my children.
They cannot credit that a mere woman could be powerful, strategic, divinely blessed to rule.
Death will silence me no longer.
This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 24, 2026
35352 people want to read
About the author
Saara El-Arifi
16 books3,264 followersSaara El-Arifi is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Ending Fire Trilogy
and the Faebound Trilogy.
El-Arifi knew she was a storyteller from the moment she told her first lie. Over the years, she has perfected her tall tales into epic ones. She has lived in many countries, had many jobs, and owned many more cats. After a decade of working in marketing and communications, she returned to academia to complete a master’s degree in African studies alongside her writing career. She currently resides in London as a full-time procrastinator.
and the Faebound Trilogy.
El-Arifi knew she was a storyteller from the moment she told her first lie. Over the years, she has perfected her tall tales into epic ones. She has lived in many countries, had many jobs, and owned many more cats. After a decade of working in marketing and communications, she returned to academia to complete a master’s degree in African studies alongside her writing career. She currently resides in London as a full-time procrastinator.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In every story there is a legend and a monster.
Amazing retelling! Full RTF!
She was a woman of surpassing beauty and the first woman to rule Egypt in her own right. That kind of power in a world dominated by men…no wonder she was called the “golden mouth”.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and the author Saara El-Arifi for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: February 24th, 2026
Amazing retelling! Full RTF!
She was a woman of surpassing beauty and the first woman to rule Egypt in her own right. That kind of power in a world dominated by men…no wonder she was called the “golden mouth”.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and the author Saara El-Arifi for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: February 24th, 2026
October 29, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
"That's the thing with stories: you must always know the story of the storyteller."
In 'Cleopatra', Saara el-Arifi peels away layers of propaganda and mythmaking in an attempt to humanize one of the most famous historical figures of all time. I'm fascinated with the life of Cleopatra and this just fed my obsession.
Here's everything I loved:
● The author's note was fantastic. Cleopatra's tale, like those of other women who dared to be ambitious, has been warped and twisted by male historians. In the author's note, Saara el-Arifi explains why her rendition is no less true than any of the others. Her approach really resonated with me and I'm glad the author's not was printed at the start of the book itself, since that really shaped my perspective.
● Cleopatra has assumed serval roles in her lifetime: the Pharaoh and the not-quite-goddess, the mother and the wife, the lover and the friend. el-Arifi reconciled these wonderfully. She isn't one-dimensional in any way, she isn't just an ambitious seductress or a ruthless villain: she's a woman who made mistakes, a woman who wanted more than what the world offered her and was willing to go to any lengths for it, but also a woman who loved deeply.
● The use of the setting and the time period was fabulous! I was utterly transported. el-Arifi brought the Alexandria's multicultural environment, customs of the ancient world, and so much more to life.
● I loved the way el-Arifi spun a tapestry of Cleopatra's life. Everything came together towards the end in a very satisfying way, despite the bit-too-rushed ending. I felt like I KNEW Cleopatra as I followed her through her triumphs and misfortunes.
What didn't quite work for me:
● In the book, Cleopatra directly addresses the reader and makes references to her own future or to her contemporaries' take on her tale. For instance, she'd say "I should have known...." or "Your poets say...". This narrative style didn't completely click with me.
● There is often a tension or a tautness to the narrative when a story heads towards its tragic ending. It plays a pretty big role in how hard-hitting the story ends up being. The ending was a bit too rushed for me to feel that.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the epilogue. It made perfect sense but at the same time, none at all. But overall, I'd say that this is a book worth reading, especially if you've ever wondered how Cleopatra would tell her tale on her own terms or just...been obsessed with ancient Egypt! Although I was disappointed by 'Faebound', Saara el-Arifi's romantasy series starter, Cleopatra was a hit. I will eagerly anticipate whatever works of historical fiction she has in store! Off I go to read Stacy Schiff's biography of Cleopatra!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
"That's the thing with stories: you must always know the story of the storyteller."
In 'Cleopatra', Saara el-Arifi peels away layers of propaganda and mythmaking in an attempt to humanize one of the most famous historical figures of all time. I'm fascinated with the life of Cleopatra and this just fed my obsession.
Here's everything I loved:
● The author's note was fantastic. Cleopatra's tale, like those of other women who dared to be ambitious, has been warped and twisted by male historians. In the author's note, Saara el-Arifi explains why her rendition is no less true than any of the others. Her approach really resonated with me and I'm glad the author's not was printed at the start of the book itself, since that really shaped my perspective.
● Cleopatra has assumed serval roles in her lifetime: the Pharaoh and the not-quite-goddess, the mother and the wife, the lover and the friend. el-Arifi reconciled these wonderfully. She isn't one-dimensional in any way, she isn't just an ambitious seductress or a ruthless villain: she's a woman who made mistakes, a woman who wanted more than what the world offered her and was willing to go to any lengths for it, but also a woman who loved deeply.
● The use of the setting and the time period was fabulous! I was utterly transported. el-Arifi brought the Alexandria's multicultural environment, customs of the ancient world, and so much more to life.
● I loved the way el-Arifi spun a tapestry of Cleopatra's life. Everything came together towards the end in a very satisfying way, despite the bit-too-rushed ending. I felt like I KNEW Cleopatra as I followed her through her triumphs and misfortunes.
What didn't quite work for me:
● In the book, Cleopatra directly addresses the reader and makes references to her own future or to her contemporaries' take on her tale. For instance, she'd say "I should have known...." or "Your poets say...". This narrative style didn't completely click with me.
● There is often a tension or a tautness to the narrative when a story heads towards its tragic ending. It plays a pretty big role in how hard-hitting the story ends up being. The ending was a bit too rushed for me to feel that.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the epilogue. It made perfect sense but at the same time, none at all. But overall, I'd say that this is a book worth reading, especially if you've ever wondered how Cleopatra would tell her tale on her own terms or just...been obsessed with ancient Egypt! Although I was disappointed by 'Faebound', Saara el-Arifi's romantasy series starter, Cleopatra was a hit. I will eagerly anticipate whatever works of historical fiction she has in store! Off I go to read Stacy Schiff's biography of Cleopatra!
November 10, 2025
This was heart-wrenchingly beautiful?!
Cleopatra is always depicted as a temptress. An Empress, but also a poisoner, a snake - rather than a wife, a mother, a caring princess.
Cleopatra’s myth has permeated collective memory. Her story lives in the minds of many, far beyond what history has provided.
El-Arifi recounts a compassionate tale of a girl, a woman despised and used as propaganda. Instead of her political exploits, we read a story of love, sympathy, and internal strife.
You have tried to parse the tones of my skin and sift through the crimson rubies of my blood, upon which you weighed my worth.
This is truly a story told by Cleopatra. There are asides told to us as if from the beyond. Depending on your personal taste, this might grate on you: ‘as you will know’, footnotes, etc. However, this breaking of the fourth wall made it feel more intimate.
I was still very aware it was written by someone else as an interpretation, but I felt wrapped up in the Pharaoh’s story as Cleo.
She is humanised by her friendships and kindness. Her cruelty is put into context and her love is presented not as a spectacle, but something meaningful and hurtful.
But women have ever been defined by their affiliation with men.
Arc gifted by Harper Collins.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Cleopatra is always depicted as a temptress. An Empress, but also a poisoner, a snake - rather than a wife, a mother, a caring princess.
Cleopatra’s myth has permeated collective memory. Her story lives in the minds of many, far beyond what history has provided.
El-Arifi recounts a compassionate tale of a girl, a woman despised and used as propaganda. Instead of her political exploits, we read a story of love, sympathy, and internal strife.
You have tried to parse the tones of my skin and sift through the crimson rubies of my blood, upon which you weighed my worth.
This is truly a story told by Cleopatra. There are asides told to us as if from the beyond. Depending on your personal taste, this might grate on you: ‘as you will know’, footnotes, etc. However, this breaking of the fourth wall made it feel more intimate.
I was still very aware it was written by someone else as an interpretation, but I felt wrapped up in the Pharaoh’s story as Cleo.
She is humanised by her friendships and kindness. Her cruelty is put into context and her love is presented not as a spectacle, but something meaningful and hurtful.
But women have ever been defined by their affiliation with men.
Arc gifted by Harper Collins.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Read
January 7, 2026
Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:
If you went through (or are still in) an Egyptology phase, enjoy books that reimagine the stories of maligned women (Circe, Kaikeyi, Malinalli) or read Stacy Schiff's brilliant biography of the Queen of the Nile and wondered why this fascinating woman's legacy has been reduced to seduction and womanly wiles (sexism, it's sexism), you should probably be as excited for this book as I am. I've been waiting for someone to flesh out Cleopatra's story through fiction, and Saara El-Arifi has answered my readerly prayers. —Vanessa Diaz
If you went through (or are still in) an Egyptology phase, enjoy books that reimagine the stories of maligned women (Circe, Kaikeyi, Malinalli) or read Stacy Schiff's brilliant biography of the Queen of the Nile and wondered why this fascinating woman's legacy has been reduced to seduction and womanly wiles (sexism, it's sexism), you should probably be as excited for this book as I am. I've been waiting for someone to flesh out Cleopatra's story through fiction, and Saara El-Arifi has answered my readerly prayers. —Vanessa Diaz
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5🌟
This was heartbreakingly beautiful! This was everything and more!
“I sought Cleopatra’s voice in the dust between tomes. And from the ancient stillness, she spoke back. This novel is not history, it is memory.”
I instantly fell in love with Cleo’s story. We follow her from a young women how navigates loss and the responsibility of being a pharaoh, to adulthood. This is a story about motherhood, love and the perception of ancient Egyptian and western society on womanhood (which stills feels so relatable today, strange don’t you think?).
I feel like this book came at the perfect timing in my life. There are so many lesson I can learn. I’m going through it for the moment and what a book this is to keep me going.
El-Arifi has woven such a beautiful tale that I felt my heart break on multiple occasions. Cleopatra had always been such a head figure in our history books, but what do we actually know about her? Her story has been written and rewritten by so many accounts, it is hard to keep track of it. But this felt like a true rendition of her life, like an actuality and not an just a perspective.
There are some quotes I would like to share with you. Without the full picture, it will most likely not make any sense, but these just stuck with me for some reason.
“It is a reminder that not all roads lead to Rome. Let it not be the center of your history, for propaganda is a tool favoured by the West.”
“Will we ever tire of men defining the parameters of womanhood? I look at the world as you live it, reader, an grow weary.”
“You try to capture my essence but cannot, for you seek the truth in all the wrong places. ….. You will never define me, and that is the purest form of freedom I can hope to find in this life ….”
I will say that I absolutely loved the author’s note at the beginning of the book. This was the first book I read from El-Arifi, and I will be adding more to my tbr. I fell in love with her writing style and was immediately engaged with the characters!
I will recommend this book to anyone who will listen to me!
Thank you so much @authorsaaraelarifi @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for this ARC!🤍
This was heartbreakingly beautiful! This was everything and more!
“I sought Cleopatra’s voice in the dust between tomes. And from the ancient stillness, she spoke back. This novel is not history, it is memory.”
I instantly fell in love with Cleo’s story. We follow her from a young women how navigates loss and the responsibility of being a pharaoh, to adulthood. This is a story about motherhood, love and the perception of ancient Egyptian and western society on womanhood (which stills feels so relatable today, strange don’t you think?).
I feel like this book came at the perfect timing in my life. There are so many lesson I can learn. I’m going through it for the moment and what a book this is to keep me going.
El-Arifi has woven such a beautiful tale that I felt my heart break on multiple occasions. Cleopatra had always been such a head figure in our history books, but what do we actually know about her? Her story has been written and rewritten by so many accounts, it is hard to keep track of it. But this felt like a true rendition of her life, like an actuality and not an just a perspective.
There are some quotes I would like to share with you. Without the full picture, it will most likely not make any sense, but these just stuck with me for some reason.
“It is a reminder that not all roads lead to Rome. Let it not be the center of your history, for propaganda is a tool favoured by the West.”
“Will we ever tire of men defining the parameters of womanhood? I look at the world as you live it, reader, an grow weary.”
“You try to capture my essence but cannot, for you seek the truth in all the wrong places. ….. You will never define me, and that is the purest form of freedom I can hope to find in this life ….”
I will say that I absolutely loved the author’s note at the beginning of the book. This was the first book I read from El-Arifi, and I will be adding more to my tbr. I fell in love with her writing style and was immediately engaged with the characters!
I will recommend this book to anyone who will listen to me!
Thank you so much @authorsaaraelarifi @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for this ARC!🤍
December 7, 2025
I am every woman scorned,
and every girl wronged.
I am the wrath of vengeance and the heat of desire.
I am everything carnal and your darkest sins.
I am all that is innocent and pure.
── .★ 4 stars
I really enjoyed this retelling of Cleopatra’s story. Seeing everything through her eyes makes her feel deeply human—more than a queen, she’s a mother, sister, friend, and lover. The story is told from Cleopatra’s POV, but every so often she breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader. This style might not work for everyone, but I felt it added a personal touch (and it makes sense with the ending). My one complaint is that this sometimes leads to foreshadowing and telling, which occasionally lessens the impact of certain moments. Overall, I would recommend to anyone who likes fast-paced historical fiction, especially those who like seeing well-known figures portrayed with depth and humanity.
October 7, 2025
My quote:
‘Few historical figures have been as maligned, romanticised or exoticised as Cleopatra. With this unflinching take on her life and legacy, El-Arifi raises Cleopatra from the sands of time, greets her with profound compassion, and liberates her from the judgement of men, granting her dignity and humanity. An extraordinary achievement.’
‘Few historical figures have been as maligned, romanticised or exoticised as Cleopatra. With this unflinching take on her life and legacy, El-Arifi raises Cleopatra from the sands of time, greets her with profound compassion, and liberates her from the judgement of men, granting her dignity and humanity. An extraordinary achievement.’
Want to read
September 30, 2025Can’t wait to start this, I know it’s gonna be a banger✨#arc
Want to read
January 13, 2024What is this omg
September 20, 2025
This was a Netgalley ARC
I can't say too much of this book right now. The publishers are asking to post reviews after the publishing date. But just as a heads up, if I were y'all I would really keep my eye out for this one. I never wanted it to end it was absolutely amazing. This is really one of those books that is for just anyone who loves to read. If you like history or Cleopatra that's honestly just an added bonus.
This was told as if we were getting a memoir of her life as told by her. And it really is such a captivating and alluring experience. This is definitely worth the read. And at some point after the publishing date, my squirrel brain will randomly be coming back to give a more in depth review!
I can't say too much of this book right now. The publishers are asking to post reviews after the publishing date. But just as a heads up, if I were y'all I would really keep my eye out for this one. I never wanted it to end it was absolutely amazing. This is really one of those books that is for just anyone who loves to read. If you like history or Cleopatra that's honestly just an added bonus.
This was told as if we were getting a memoir of her life as told by her. And it really is such a captivating and alluring experience. This is definitely worth the read. And at some point after the publishing date, my squirrel brain will randomly be coming back to give a more in depth review!
October 7, 2025
RTC closer to publication 💜
Thanks so much to Ballantine & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
**Jan 23, 2025**
Pardon me, what is this? 👀 Color me stoked
Thanks so much to Ballantine & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
**Jan 23, 2025**
Pardon me, what is this? 👀 Color me stoked
December 22, 2025
Sobbing
This might be the best book ive ever read
Review to come
Thank you for this ARC ❤️
This might be the best book ive ever read
Review to come
Thank you for this ARC ❤️
Want to read
April 12, 2024a cleopatra retelling, you say? I NEED IT SO BAD
October 24, 2025
I was admittedly expecting the usual royal soap opera: snakes, seductions, and enough eyeliner to launch a thousand ships... but this thing hits like a Nile crocodile in stilettos (the Nile has crocs, right??). Cleopatra isn't just some tragic beauty queen we all have heard of time and time again, she’s a strategist. .
El-Arifi weaves in this tale about power as a family heirloom that's been cursed since the beginning, and the way she dissects those sibling rivalries is like Succession crashed a pyramid scheme with all the backstabbing and the addition of "eternal legacy" eye-rolls. Sometimes I did wish to throttle her because she was so easily trusting of people she shouldn't be. Family can be a b*tch, and hers especially.
I was about 20 pages from the finale, preparing to wax poetic about inconsistencies, when Cleo looked me dead in through the Kindle, and was basically like "b-tch you thought." It was such an unexpected move and it absolutely tied the entire emotionally exhausting novel together in a way that made the sheer audacity of the whole project feel justified. Genuinely don't see that coming, even though I should've from all the fourth wall breaking and footnotes.
Overall, it pokes fun at destiny while making you ponder if we'd all be better off with fewer relatives and more asp/hairpin options.
El-Arifi weaves in this tale about power as a family heirloom that's been cursed since the beginning, and the way she dissects those sibling rivalries is like Succession crashed a pyramid scheme with all the backstabbing and the addition of "eternal legacy" eye-rolls. Sometimes I did wish to throttle her because she was so easily trusting of people she shouldn't be. Family can be a b*tch, and hers especially.
I was about 20 pages from the finale, preparing to wax poetic about inconsistencies, when Cleo looked me dead in through the Kindle, and was basically like "b-tch you thought." It was such an unexpected move and it absolutely tied the entire emotionally exhausting novel together in a way that made the sheer audacity of the whole project feel justified. Genuinely don't see that coming, even though I should've from all the fourth wall breaking and footnotes.
Overall, it pokes fun at destiny while making you ponder if we'd all be better off with fewer relatives and more asp/hairpin options.
September 22, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was soooooo good. I’m a huge history gal so books like this are right up my alley. I am a bit unfamiliar with the actual story of cleopatra so I can’t speak on this for accuracy but this retelling of her story was certainly interesting. The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was how cleopatra addressed the audience and rumors about her life because that took me out of the story a bit. Without that this book would honestly be a 5 star or atleast a 4.75. Brb i have to research everything I can about cleopatra to feed the growing fixation this book caused. This is a must have for your 2026 tbrs.
January 9, 2026
(Rezensionsexemplar)
»Männern fällt es nun mal schwer, in mir die begnadete Heerführerin zu sehen; es war einfacher, über meine Schönheit zu schreiben, als über meinen Intellekt.«
Kleopatra ist nicht nur das erste Buch, das ich in 2026 beendet habe, sondern auch direkt ein richtiges Highlight 🩵🏹🥹
In diesem Buch beschreibt die Autorin den Aufstieg und Fall von der letzten altägyptischen Königin Kleopatra — es geht dabei nicht nur um die Herausforderungen als Pharaonin, sondern auch um jene als Frau und Mutter. Mich hat nicht nur die Geschichte selbst begeistert und gefesselt, sondern vor allem der unglaublich gute Schreibstil der Autorin! Mein liebstes Stilmittel war die direkte Leseransprache, quasi aus Sicht von Kleopatra 💭
Fazit:
So ein tolles, starkes und feministisches Buch. Kann ich absolut empfehlen! 🏛️✨🩵
»Männern fällt es nun mal schwer, in mir die begnadete Heerführerin zu sehen; es war einfacher, über meine Schönheit zu schreiben, als über meinen Intellekt.«
Kleopatra ist nicht nur das erste Buch, das ich in 2026 beendet habe, sondern auch direkt ein richtiges Highlight 🩵🏹🥹
In diesem Buch beschreibt die Autorin den Aufstieg und Fall von der letzten altägyptischen Königin Kleopatra — es geht dabei nicht nur um die Herausforderungen als Pharaonin, sondern auch um jene als Frau und Mutter. Mich hat nicht nur die Geschichte selbst begeistert und gefesselt, sondern vor allem der unglaublich gute Schreibstil der Autorin! Mein liebstes Stilmittel war die direkte Leseransprache, quasi aus Sicht von Kleopatra 💭
Fazit:
So ein tolles, starkes und feministisches Buch. Kann ich absolut empfehlen! 🏛️✨🩵
November 16, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
This book was largely a disappointment to me, which is so sad. I had been obsessed with ancient Egyptian folklore and history my whole life, so I was hopeful that this one would work for me. I will say that the book does an excellent job of really embodying the ancient Egyptian beliefs in their gods, and how they manifested in every day events. That being said, there was far too much tell and not enough show with Cleopatra herself. The number of times she would tell the reader she was ruthless and more than her romances just to spend 75% of the book wallowing about men was exhausting. That combined with the reveal towards the end just made this book a miss for me.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy to review via NetGalley.
This book was largely a disappointment to me, which is so sad. I had been obsessed with ancient Egyptian folklore and history my whole life, so I was hopeful that this one would work for me. I will say that the book does an excellent job of really embodying the ancient Egyptian beliefs in their gods, and how they manifested in every day events. That being said, there was far too much tell and not enough show with Cleopatra herself. The number of times she would tell the reader she was ruthless and more than her romances just to spend 75% of the book wallowing about men was exhausting. That combined with the reveal towards the end just made this book a miss for me.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy to review via NetGalley.
January 28, 2026
Saara El-Arifi erzählt Kleopatras Leben aus der Ich-Perspektive ab der Thronbesteigung mit nur 19 Jahren bis zu den politischen und persönlichen Kämpfen, die sie als Herrscherin, Ehefrau und Mutter führt. Dabei wendet sie sich auch immer wieder direkt an die Leser:innen und kommentiert die Ereignisse und die gängige Geschichtsschreibung dazu, was mir stilistisch gut gefallen hat.
Leider konnte mich der Roman nur teilweise überzeugen. Das Erzähltempo ist sehr ungleichmäßig: Manche Passagen sind extrem detailreich und ziehen die Handlung unnötig in die Länge, während andere Abschnitte plötzlich an Tempo gewinnen, was mir beim Lesen deutlich mehr Spaß gemacht hat. Zwar gab es immer wieder spannende Momente, die mich haben weiterlesen lassen, insgesamt wurde mein Lesefluss jedoch durch häufige Rückblenden und Vorausdeutungen gebremst, die auf mich eher ermüdend wirkten. Auch zur Hauptfigur selbst habe ich trotz der Ich-Perspektive keinen wirklichen Zugang gefunden. Sprachlich war der Roman zwar solide gestaltet und von Volker Oldenburg flüssig übersetzt, es gab jedoch keine überraschenden Sprachbilder oder Ähnliches.
Insgesamt war es für mich ein ambitionierter Roman mit einer starken historischen Figur, der für mich jedoch hinter seinen Möglichkeiten zurückblieb.
Leider konnte mich der Roman nur teilweise überzeugen. Das Erzähltempo ist sehr ungleichmäßig: Manche Passagen sind extrem detailreich und ziehen die Handlung unnötig in die Länge, während andere Abschnitte plötzlich an Tempo gewinnen, was mir beim Lesen deutlich mehr Spaß gemacht hat. Zwar gab es immer wieder spannende Momente, die mich haben weiterlesen lassen, insgesamt wurde mein Lesefluss jedoch durch häufige Rückblenden und Vorausdeutungen gebremst, die auf mich eher ermüdend wirkten. Auch zur Hauptfigur selbst habe ich trotz der Ich-Perspektive keinen wirklichen Zugang gefunden. Sprachlich war der Roman zwar solide gestaltet und von Volker Oldenburg flüssig übersetzt, es gab jedoch keine überraschenden Sprachbilder oder Ähnliches.
Insgesamt war es für mich ein ambitionierter Roman mit einer starken historischen Figur, der für mich jedoch hinter seinen Möglichkeiten zurückblieb.
October 11, 2025
How I wished to love this book more. It had all the ingredients to be extraordinary — a talented author with a track record of strong female leads, one of history’s most fascinating women at its centre, and a period brimming with intrigue and drama. Alas, it was not to be.
This novel offers a fictionalised account of the life and death of Cleopatra. It’s well-researched and occasionally engaging, blending elements of magic and romance into the mix. As a narrative summary of Cleopatra’s life, it succeeds: the author captures much of the allure and tragedy of this legendary figure, staying (mostly) true to known history.
But that’s where the praise ends. The book is, frankly, a mess — and I’m still surprised I managed to finish it. The greatest flaw lies in the portrayal of Cleopatra herself, which is inconsistent, shallow, and often unintentionally insulting. While we’ll never know the true nature of the real Cleopatra, it’s hard to imagine she was as foolish or incompetent as depicted here. I don’t believe the author intended to make her seem dim-witted, yet the result suggests poor judgment, zero leadership ability, and a blind hunger for power. It’s simply not a credible portrayal of a woman who ruled Egypt for years and captivated two of Rome’s most formidable leaders.
The writing doesn’t help. It veers between lazy and overwrought, with dialogue so clumsy it borders on parody. The author’s attempts at sounding profound only make things worse — the pompous sentences are almost painful (“for I know how it feels to have your life reduced to actions and assumptions”). Coming from a writer capable of much better, this is baffling.
Then there’s the romance — and it’s downright offensive. I understand that romantasy sells, but it still needs to be written well. The endless scenes of love-talk and love-making between Cleopatra and her lovers feel contrived, forced, and entirely devoid of authenticity or emotional truth.
I also personally really disliked the constant foreshadowing - with Cleopatra talking again and again to the reader telling them what's coming in a few pages. At a certain point it became infuriating.
Ultimately, the novel suffers from a lack of focus. It can’t decide whether it wants to be historical fiction, romance, or fantasy — and ends up failing on all counts.
I can’t recommend it to anyone, not even long-time fans of the author. A huge missed opportunity.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This novel offers a fictionalised account of the life and death of Cleopatra. It’s well-researched and occasionally engaging, blending elements of magic and romance into the mix. As a narrative summary of Cleopatra’s life, it succeeds: the author captures much of the allure and tragedy of this legendary figure, staying (mostly) true to known history.
But that’s where the praise ends. The book is, frankly, a mess — and I’m still surprised I managed to finish it. The greatest flaw lies in the portrayal of Cleopatra herself, which is inconsistent, shallow, and often unintentionally insulting. While we’ll never know the true nature of the real Cleopatra, it’s hard to imagine she was as foolish or incompetent as depicted here. I don’t believe the author intended to make her seem dim-witted, yet the result suggests poor judgment, zero leadership ability, and a blind hunger for power. It’s simply not a credible portrayal of a woman who ruled Egypt for years and captivated two of Rome’s most formidable leaders.
The writing doesn’t help. It veers between lazy and overwrought, with dialogue so clumsy it borders on parody. The author’s attempts at sounding profound only make things worse — the pompous sentences are almost painful (“for I know how it feels to have your life reduced to actions and assumptions”). Coming from a writer capable of much better, this is baffling.
Then there’s the romance — and it’s downright offensive. I understand that romantasy sells, but it still needs to be written well. The endless scenes of love-talk and love-making between Cleopatra and her lovers feel contrived, forced, and entirely devoid of authenticity or emotional truth.
I also personally really disliked the constant foreshadowing - with Cleopatra talking again and again to the reader telling them what's coming in a few pages. At a certain point it became infuriating.
Ultimately, the novel suffers from a lack of focus. It can’t decide whether it wants to be historical fiction, romance, or fantasy — and ends up failing on all counts.
I can’t recommend it to anyone, not even long-time fans of the author. A huge missed opportunity.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Currently reading
October 27, 2025Delighted to have been approved for an ARC of this one. Such a stunning cover 💙
October 16, 2025
Here's my advice to anyone who decides they want to write a new, narrative take on a historical figure's biography: DO NOT WRITE ABOUT THEIR ENTIRE LIFE. Other reviews have said that this book is slow, but I actually feel like it was the opposite. It was far too fast. It covers too much of Cleopatra's life, which makes the pacing just feel so so off. This book would have packed a much bigger punch if it focused on, for example, just Cleopatra's relationship with Caesar. Or just on the conflict between her and her siblings. As it's written now, events fly by far too quickly. And because they fly by so quickly, I didn't get invested in them, and ended up just feeling kind of bored.
I honestly did not even realize that this book was meant to toe the line between historical fiction and historical fantasy because the magical components were like barely there for the first 95% of the book. But the magic really ramps up in the last 5%, and it just took me totally off guard. I wasn't a fan of the ending at all, even if I enjoyed some of the history that came before it.
Now, that's not to say that there weren't any positives. I liked how the author wrote Cleopatra's POV: she's telling her story from the future, and she makes all sorts of asides about what is to come, as well as little sassy remarks about how historians have told her story over the years, in a way that isn't always accurate. I learned a lot about Cleopatra, and I was really surprised to realize how little I knew about her life.
If you want a super high level overview of Cleopatra's life in a more digestible fashion than a nonfiction book, then I think that's exactly the niche that this book fills. But I didn't come away from it feeling particularly attached to Cleopatra, which is what I was really hoping for!
I honestly did not even realize that this book was meant to toe the line between historical fiction and historical fantasy because the magical components were like barely there for the first 95% of the book. But the magic really ramps up in the last 5%, and it just took me totally off guard. I wasn't a fan of the ending at all, even if I enjoyed some of the history that came before it.
Now, that's not to say that there weren't any positives. I liked how the author wrote Cleopatra's POV: she's telling her story from the future, and she makes all sorts of asides about what is to come, as well as little sassy remarks about how historians have told her story over the years, in a way that isn't always accurate. I learned a lot about Cleopatra, and I was really surprised to realize how little I knew about her life.
If you want a super high level overview of Cleopatra's life in a more digestible fashion than a nonfiction book, then I think that's exactly the niche that this book fills. But I didn't come away from it feeling particularly attached to Cleopatra, which is what I was really hoping for!
September 5, 2025
This book is a wonder!
Saara depicted Cleopatra so brilliantly!
The way she inserted the pieces of fiction within the facts is seamless, I could not see where the facts ended and the fiction started. She brought such a twist and a life to an already iconic historical figure.
I could have read more!!!
I cannot wait for this book to be out so I can talk about it to everyone!!
Saara depicted Cleopatra so brilliantly!
The way she inserted the pieces of fiction within the facts is seamless, I could not see where the facts ended and the fiction started. She brought such a twist and a life to an already iconic historical figure.
I could have read more!!!
I cannot wait for this book to be out so I can talk about it to everyone!!
March 20, 2025
Who are these idiots giving 2 stars?? It’s not even out yet!!
A CLEOPATRA RETELLING I AM SO READY!!
A CLEOPATRA RETELLING I AM SO READY!!
arc-tbr
November 6, 2025
January 5, 2026
I’m genuinely glad we’re living in a time where female figures like Cleopatra are finally getting retellings that give them a voice and agency, stories that don’t just reduce her to a whore, a witch, or a villain the way so many historical accounts have. Because like it or not, Cleopatra was a woman in power: intelligent, strategic, nurturing, ambitious, and deeply passionate. And god forbid a woman who can do it all.
Saara El-Arifi’s Cleopatra begins with the death of her father, when Cleopatra is forced to inherit the throne and co-rule with her brother. What follows is an epic recounting of her life: the rivalry with her siblings that spirals into civil war, her relationship with Julius Caesar, her rise to power, her love story with Mark Antony, and ultimately, her downfall. I don’t know how historically accurate every detail is, but honestly, that’s not the point. What matters is that we finally get to see the story from her perspective.
And Mark Antony, what a yearner you are. Truly. That man would put modern men to shame. I don’t even care how historically accurate the romance is, because in this book, he loved her so fiercely he sacrificed everything for her. Even died for her. Like… men these days, please start taking notes.
This may be a fictionalized retelling, but it’s an incredibly powerful and empowering one. We see how Cleopatra became the woman history remembers, and how Roman narratives deliberately painted her as a seductress to diminish everything she achieved. When in reality, she always put Egypt first. Above men, above pride, above herself.
I loved how raw and human the author made her. She isn’t just brilliant and capable; she’s compassionate. She’s jealous. She’s afraid her people won’t accept her. She’s a mother who loves her children, a sister who tried, again and again, to love her siblings, a ruler, a healer. She’s complex, layered, and deeply human, and that’s what makes this portrayal so compelling.
The ending was also a really interesting choice. I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it, but it feels intentional and fitting. Because the story of Cleopatra doesn’t really end, does it? She’s the only pharaoh whose name has survived more than two thousand years. And honestly, I’m pretty sure two thousand years from now, people will still be telling her story.
Saara El-Arifi’s Cleopatra begins with the death of her father, when Cleopatra is forced to inherit the throne and co-rule with her brother. What follows is an epic recounting of her life: the rivalry with her siblings that spirals into civil war, her relationship with Julius Caesar, her rise to power, her love story with Mark Antony, and ultimately, her downfall. I don’t know how historically accurate every detail is, but honestly, that’s not the point. What matters is that we finally get to see the story from her perspective.
And Mark Antony, what a yearner you are. Truly. That man would put modern men to shame. I don’t even care how historically accurate the romance is, because in this book, he loved her so fiercely he sacrificed everything for her. Even died for her. Like… men these days, please start taking notes.
This may be a fictionalized retelling, but it’s an incredibly powerful and empowering one. We see how Cleopatra became the woman history remembers, and how Roman narratives deliberately painted her as a seductress to diminish everything she achieved. When in reality, she always put Egypt first. Above men, above pride, above herself.
I loved how raw and human the author made her. She isn’t just brilliant and capable; she’s compassionate. She’s jealous. She’s afraid her people won’t accept her. She’s a mother who loves her children, a sister who tried, again and again, to love her siblings, a ruler, a healer. She’s complex, layered, and deeply human, and that’s what makes this portrayal so compelling.
The ending was also a really interesting choice. I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it, but it feels intentional and fitting. Because the story of Cleopatra doesn’t really end, does it? She’s the only pharaoh whose name has survived more than two thousand years. And honestly, I’m pretty sure two thousand years from now, people will still be telling her story.
January 4, 2026
Look, I know Cleo ain’t a saint. And there’s parts of this retelling of her life that I enjoyed, particularly how she overcame her more zesty qualities to nurture her children. But, it was unnecessarily sexually salacious; burdened with 21st century feminist angst; and personally, I wasn’t a fan of the break-the-4th-wall POV. So, not a favorite and not a recommendation.
Received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for this eArc in exchange for an honest review!
So, I only requested this because I loved El-Arifi's writing in her Faebound series, and I thought I'd watched enough Horrible Histories to understand Cleopatra enough to enjoy this story. Now, I really didn't know everything that Cleopatra went through and I'm so glad that I was able to read this retelling! Saara really did an incredible job of bringing her story to life.
The writing is lush, Cleopatra is actually a *person* and is complicated and messy and HUMAN and I respected her choices involving her children and her family and even though of course we know how this will end, my heart ended up in my throat multiple times. We follow Cleopatra from the young girl who really doesn't want to be Pharaoh, to the woman who stands powerfully independent, knowing who she is.
I do think the ending is interesting, but I understand why it was done and I can appreciate it, but I can see it being quite dividing with audiences. I can also see people not vibing with the magical realism of it all, but I loved it so much and it really added another emotional layer to the story.
So, I only requested this because I loved El-Arifi's writing in her Faebound series, and I thought I'd watched enough Horrible Histories to understand Cleopatra enough to enjoy this story. Now, I really didn't know everything that Cleopatra went through and I'm so glad that I was able to read this retelling! Saara really did an incredible job of bringing her story to life.
The writing is lush, Cleopatra is actually a *person* and is complicated and messy and HUMAN and I respected her choices involving her children and her family and even though of course we know how this will end, my heart ended up in my throat multiple times. We follow Cleopatra from the young girl who really doesn't want to be Pharaoh, to the woman who stands powerfully independent, knowing who she is.
I do think the ending is interesting, but I understand why it was done and I can appreciate it, but I can see it being quite dividing with audiences. I can also see people not vibing with the magical realism of it all, but I loved it so much and it really added another emotional layer to the story.
January 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.75⭐️
I've always loved receiving ARCs and getting to review books early, but sometimes I feel truly, deeply honoured to have been gifted a book. This was one of those occasions. This may have been my very first Saara El-Arifi book, but it certainly will not be my last.
This book was truly beautiful, a work of masterful craft, and am I truly in awe of all that I read in these pages. I've studied some of Cleopatra's life before, with a brief bit of Egyptian history at school, and then studying Antony and Cleopatra at A-Level, but I felt like I truly learnt a lot from this book. This is a book that really made me think, about history and the people who tell it, how stories (especially stories of women of colour) are warped and shaped in the hands of men, and how these powerful, but misrepresented, women become so deeply ingrained in our cultural histories. The theming and messaging in this book was just so incredibly well done, every poignant detail delivered with such thoughtful nuance.
One of the strongest aspects of this book in my opinion was the beautiful humanity Saara El-Arifi brought to these distant historical figures. These are people who existed far in our distant past, and yet this book made them feel so vivid and real and alive once more. I really respect how Saara El-Arifi didn't sanitise these characters, didn't remove their bad deeds and focus only on the good, but instead allowed them to still do those bad deeds, and still do those good deeds, and through it all remain still happily, sadly, hopelessly, lovingly human. I feel that far too many retellings wash away anything unseemly about those who they portray, but Saara El-Arifi approached Cleopatra's life with care and deep respect, drawing the true woman, and her humanity, out of the margins of her warped history.
This beautiful humanity also played into the portrayal of relationships. From Cleopatra's relationship with Julius Caesar, built upon respect and steady love, to her marriage to Marcus Antonius, sweet and passionate and overflowing with love, to her lifelong, soul-deep bond with Charmion, all these relationships were so beautifully depicted with tenderness, respect, love, and humanity. And then there was of course the was Cleopatra's relationship with herself, her history, and the myth of her, and I particularly enjoyed how the narrative style and voice expressed this conversation.
I really loved the ending of this book, exploring the symbolism and tragedy of Cleopatra's eternal myth and reincarnations, the consequences of being immortally remembered, and message the book ended on was incredibly hard-hitting and moving. This is so nearly a five stars for me (like The Everlasting, this is a 5 star read in spirit), but I felt that the final years of Cleopatra's life felt quite rushed in comparison to the rest of the book. Part of me understands this contextually as the book raced towards her inevitable ending (and I was still made very emotional by those final few chapters), but I would've liked to see them drawn out a little bit more I think.
But no matter my minor criticisms, I absolutely adored this book and it's one that will stay with me for a long time. I urge everyone to go pick up a copy when this beautiful book releases next month.
4.75⭐️
I've always loved receiving ARCs and getting to review books early, but sometimes I feel truly, deeply honoured to have been gifted a book. This was one of those occasions. This may have been my very first Saara El-Arifi book, but it certainly will not be my last.
This book was truly beautiful, a work of masterful craft, and am I truly in awe of all that I read in these pages. I've studied some of Cleopatra's life before, with a brief bit of Egyptian history at school, and then studying Antony and Cleopatra at A-Level, but I felt like I truly learnt a lot from this book. This is a book that really made me think, about history and the people who tell it, how stories (especially stories of women of colour) are warped and shaped in the hands of men, and how these powerful, but misrepresented, women become so deeply ingrained in our cultural histories. The theming and messaging in this book was just so incredibly well done, every poignant detail delivered with such thoughtful nuance.
One of the strongest aspects of this book in my opinion was the beautiful humanity Saara El-Arifi brought to these distant historical figures. These are people who existed far in our distant past, and yet this book made them feel so vivid and real and alive once more. I really respect how Saara El-Arifi didn't sanitise these characters, didn't remove their bad deeds and focus only on the good, but instead allowed them to still do those bad deeds, and still do those good deeds, and through it all remain still happily, sadly, hopelessly, lovingly human. I feel that far too many retellings wash away anything unseemly about those who they portray, but Saara El-Arifi approached Cleopatra's life with care and deep respect, drawing the true woman, and her humanity, out of the margins of her warped history.
This beautiful humanity also played into the portrayal of relationships. From Cleopatra's relationship with Julius Caesar, built upon respect and steady love, to her marriage to Marcus Antonius, sweet and passionate and overflowing with love, to her lifelong, soul-deep bond with Charmion, all these relationships were so beautifully depicted with tenderness, respect, love, and humanity. And then there was of course the was Cleopatra's relationship with herself, her history, and the myth of her, and I particularly enjoyed how the narrative style and voice expressed this conversation.
I really loved the ending of this book, exploring the symbolism and tragedy of Cleopatra's eternal myth and reincarnations, the consequences of being immortally remembered, and message the book ended on was incredibly hard-hitting and moving. This is so nearly a five stars for me (like The Everlasting, this is a 5 star read in spirit), but I felt that the final years of Cleopatra's life felt quite rushed in comparison to the rest of the book. Part of me understands this contextually as the book raced towards her inevitable ending (and I was still made very emotional by those final few chapters), but I would've liked to see them drawn out a little bit more I think.
But no matter my minor criticisms, I absolutely adored this book and it's one that will stay with me for a long time. I urge everyone to go pick up a copy when this beautiful book releases next month.
October 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Saara El-Arifi, and Ballatine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This book will be published on February 24th, 2026
Saara El-Arifi’s Cleopatra offers a rich and reimagined portrait of one of history’s most misrepresented women. Rather than retelling the familiar tale of seduction and spectacle, the author gives voice to a figure long silenced by Roman propaganda and later romanticized by Western art. Cleopatra is not just a queen defined by her lovers or her downfall, but a woman reclaiming her narrative in a world determined to write it for her.
The novel’s tripartite structure, The Witch, The Whore, and The Villain , serves as both a commentary and a framework. These titles echo the ways ancient and patriarchal histories sought to confine Cleopatra within convenient archetypes. The author uses them not as descriptors, but as points of resistance. Through Cleopatra’s own narration, the author dismantles those labels and exposes the biases that shaped her legacy. This thematic structure invites readers to question how women in power are remembered, or deliberately misremembered, by history.
The prose strikes a balance between lyrical and grounded. The author's use of historically informed detail creates a vivid sense of setting without losing emotional immediacy. It is clear that the novel draws heavily from Roman sources such as Plutarch and Cassius Dio, writers who often portrayed Cleopatra as manipulative or immoral. By reimagining their narratives through Cleopatra’s internal voice, El-Arifi reframes those same historical fragments into something intimate and humane. The result is a Cleopatra who is politically astute, emotionally complex, and painfully aware of her own mythology.
The portrayals of Caesar and Marc Antony add further dimension to the novel. Both men are rendered as more than political counterparts; they are emotional mirrors that reveal Cleopatra’s own contradictions, her longing for connection amid the burden of power. I especially appreciated that the romance is handled with restraint and nuance. It is not defined by passion or possession, but by tension, intellect, and mutual recognition. Even readers who typically avoid romantic subplots, myself included, will find it refreshingly subtle and character-driven.
Where the novel falters slightly is in its pacing. The middle section slows under the weight of introspection, and a few modern expressions occasionally disrupt the otherwise immersive tone. Still, these moments are minor within an otherwise compelling narrative that prioritizes reflection over spectacle.
Ultimately, the author invites readers to look beyond the gold and the myths to find the woman beneath, flawed, brilliant, and entirely human. In doing so, she does not simply retell Cleopatra’s story; she reclaims it. This novel values empathy over embellishment and character over conquest, a story that lingers long after the final page.
Saara El-Arifi’s Cleopatra offers a rich and reimagined portrait of one of history’s most misrepresented women. Rather than retelling the familiar tale of seduction and spectacle, the author gives voice to a figure long silenced by Roman propaganda and later romanticized by Western art. Cleopatra is not just a queen defined by her lovers or her downfall, but a woman reclaiming her narrative in a world determined to write it for her.
The novel’s tripartite structure, The Witch, The Whore, and The Villain , serves as both a commentary and a framework. These titles echo the ways ancient and patriarchal histories sought to confine Cleopatra within convenient archetypes. The author uses them not as descriptors, but as points of resistance. Through Cleopatra’s own narration, the author dismantles those labels and exposes the biases that shaped her legacy. This thematic structure invites readers to question how women in power are remembered, or deliberately misremembered, by history.
The prose strikes a balance between lyrical and grounded. The author's use of historically informed detail creates a vivid sense of setting without losing emotional immediacy. It is clear that the novel draws heavily from Roman sources such as Plutarch and Cassius Dio, writers who often portrayed Cleopatra as manipulative or immoral. By reimagining their narratives through Cleopatra’s internal voice, El-Arifi reframes those same historical fragments into something intimate and humane. The result is a Cleopatra who is politically astute, emotionally complex, and painfully aware of her own mythology.
The portrayals of Caesar and Marc Antony add further dimension to the novel. Both men are rendered as more than political counterparts; they are emotional mirrors that reveal Cleopatra’s own contradictions, her longing for connection amid the burden of power. I especially appreciated that the romance is handled with restraint and nuance. It is not defined by passion or possession, but by tension, intellect, and mutual recognition. Even readers who typically avoid romantic subplots, myself included, will find it refreshingly subtle and character-driven.
Where the novel falters slightly is in its pacing. The middle section slows under the weight of introspection, and a few modern expressions occasionally disrupt the otherwise immersive tone. Still, these moments are minor within an otherwise compelling narrative that prioritizes reflection over spectacle.
Ultimately, the author invites readers to look beyond the gold and the myths to find the woman beneath, flawed, brilliant, and entirely human. In doing so, she does not simply retell Cleopatra’s story; she reclaims it. This novel values empathy over embellishment and character over conquest, a story that lingers long after the final page.
September 1, 2025
My interest for Egyptian history and mythology started with a little book called The Magic Tree House: Mummies in the Morning. A bright-eyed 7 year old finished that book filled with awe; and thus a little history nerd was born. Finishing Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi gave me that same awestruck feeling.
How interesting is it, that the Roman propaganda of Cleopatra being a seductive temptress still infiltrates our society today? How is it that she is still so often reduced to nothing more than her beauty, when she was so much more? Saara El-Arifi showcases Cleopatra beyond her beauty: complex. She is not perfect, and that’s what makes her real. Cleopatra was an intellectual, a mother, a Queen, a lover. She made errors, yet she was also one of the most influential people in history. This book was a reminder that women are so often reduced down to their sex, their beauty, when there is so much more to us than that.
I found myself deeply moved by the writing in this. Saara El-Arifi has such a way of creating a tangible atmosphere: you can feel the ocean breeze, you can visualize the jewels around Cleopatra’s neck, you can hear the lions grumble at her feet. It’s been awhile since I felt so immersed in a story like this. I so deeply appreciated how Cleopatra was a romantic, yet her empire was the most important to her of all.
Overall, I think this is a wonderful retelling of Cleopatra, maintaining a lot of historical accuracy while having the whimsy of magical realism. I knew what was coming at the conclusion, and yet I still found myself moved to tears by the end. This proved to be a stark reminder of why I love historical fiction so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All words are my own.
How interesting is it, that the Roman propaganda of Cleopatra being a seductive temptress still infiltrates our society today? How is it that she is still so often reduced to nothing more than her beauty, when she was so much more? Saara El-Arifi showcases Cleopatra beyond her beauty: complex. She is not perfect, and that’s what makes her real. Cleopatra was an intellectual, a mother, a Queen, a lover. She made errors, yet she was also one of the most influential people in history. This book was a reminder that women are so often reduced down to their sex, their beauty, when there is so much more to us than that.
I found myself deeply moved by the writing in this. Saara El-Arifi has such a way of creating a tangible atmosphere: you can feel the ocean breeze, you can visualize the jewels around Cleopatra’s neck, you can hear the lions grumble at her feet. It’s been awhile since I felt so immersed in a story like this. I so deeply appreciated how Cleopatra was a romantic, yet her empire was the most important to her of all.
Overall, I think this is a wonderful retelling of Cleopatra, maintaining a lot of historical accuracy while having the whimsy of magical realism. I knew what was coming at the conclusion, and yet I still found myself moved to tears by the end. This proved to be a stark reminder of why I love historical fiction so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All words are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews