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Cleopatra
Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 11:35:07
50 copies available
U.S. only
Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic 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 ever in love's thrall.
Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves.
Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children.
How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, and 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 ever in love's thrall.
Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves.
Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children.
How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, and divinely blessed to rule.
Death will silence me no longer.
This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2026
57302 people want to read
About the author
Saara El-Arifi
11 books3,356 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.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 5 ⭐️ Witch. Whore. Villain.
In every tale there is a legend and a monster.
This is a tale about a life once lived full of curiosity and reflection, a story about a woman who’s captured everyone’s imagination. It’s about unwavering love and devotion, fragility of life and cultural legacy. It’s fierce, it’s vivid, it’s a complete stunner. It’s a book that leaves you sitting silently, thinking how even in death, a voice can never be silenced.
The retelling follows Cleopatras childhood and coming of age tale along with her rise to power. Much of what is know about Cleopatras life comes from Greco-Roman scholars, where she is perceived for what she was versus who she was. Much of what we know about her comes from records written by men, written and shaped by their beliefs and stereotypes. Since much of history is flawed, it’s very hard to imagine a concrete version of Cleopatra. Mainly known for her surpassing beauty and the first woman to rule Egypt in her own right, Cleopatra was often called the ‘golden-mouth’ for her eloquence, persuasion and intellectual skills. While she’s always portrayed as the essence of beauty, we often overlook how she stood tall in the face of tyranny and fought for justice.
Saara El-Arifi shakes that piece of history by writing a tale that adds more layers to Cleopatras life. She transports us to ancient Egypt, allowing us to see the vibrancy and beauty of ancient world through Cleopatras eyes. She brings her back to life with a captivating take on her life and love story, her journey to ascension, rule and eventually her death. El-Arifi takes us through sands of time in this powerful story of a woman who was viewed as a witch, whore and a villain by men in power. I’ve learned a lot from this historical retelling, facts that I never knew or heard of. I was immensely impressed with the pacing, magical elements and even how all the side characters carried a piece of their own history. I knew of her legacy, specifically what she was and how she was perceived but I never knew of who she was, her strengths and weaknesses, her fears. This was by far the best retelling of Cleopatra that I’ve ever read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and the author Saara El-Arifi for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: February 24th, 2026
In every tale there is a legend and a monster.
This is a tale about a life once lived full of curiosity and reflection, a story about a woman who’s captured everyone’s imagination. It’s about unwavering love and devotion, fragility of life and cultural legacy. It’s fierce, it’s vivid, it’s a complete stunner. It’s a book that leaves you sitting silently, thinking how even in death, a voice can never be silenced.
The retelling follows Cleopatras childhood and coming of age tale along with her rise to power. Much of what is know about Cleopatras life comes from Greco-Roman scholars, where she is perceived for what she was versus who she was. Much of what we know about her comes from records written by men, written and shaped by their beliefs and stereotypes. Since much of history is flawed, it’s very hard to imagine a concrete version of Cleopatra. Mainly known for her surpassing beauty and the first woman to rule Egypt in her own right, Cleopatra was often called the ‘golden-mouth’ for her eloquence, persuasion and intellectual skills. While she’s always portrayed as the essence of beauty, we often overlook how she stood tall in the face of tyranny and fought for justice.
Saara El-Arifi shakes that piece of history by writing a tale that adds more layers to Cleopatras life. She transports us to ancient Egypt, allowing us to see the vibrancy and beauty of ancient world through Cleopatras eyes. She brings her back to life with a captivating take on her life and love story, her journey to ascension, rule and eventually her death. El-Arifi takes us through sands of time in this powerful story of a woman who was viewed as a witch, whore and a villain by men in power. I’ve learned a lot from this historical retelling, facts that I never knew or heard of. I was immensely impressed with the pacing, magical elements and even how all the side characters carried a piece of their own history. I knew of her legacy, specifically what she was and how she was perceived but I never knew of who she was, her strengths and weaknesses, her fears. This was by far the best retelling of Cleopatra that I’ve ever read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and the author Saara El-Arifi for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: February 24th, 2026
Currently reading
February 24, 2026“This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.”
Don't mind me, seated for Saara El-Arifi reclaiming Cleopatra's narrative.
Don't mind me, seated for Saara El-Arifi reclaiming Cleopatra's narrative.
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.
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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.
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Tiktok
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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
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.’
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.
Want to read
September 30, 2025Can’t wait to start this, I know it’s gonna be a banger✨#arc
February 25, 2026
Fantasy writer Saara El-Arifi pens a bold new epic, an openhearted confession from the long immortalized and misunderstood figure of Cleopatra. Starting simply: “You know my name, but you do not know me” Cleopatra unveils the woman behind the myth. Across three acts El-Arifi orchestrates a narrative from reign to ruin, Cleopatra’s rise to the throne and her fall by her own hands. Wandering a story that can have only one end, El-Arifi manages to suffuse new voice and perspective to Cleopatra’s tale, piecing together mere fragments to build a cohesive window to the past. Cleopatra takes on a stained glass feel. This view colored by time—yes, but with history a fiction placed down by the conquerors and the powerful, this stained glass in the hands of Cleopatra is far more illuminating. Cleopatra is startling, clever in its use of perspective as Cleopatra takes an active role in her myth and its shaping. Footnotes add context, furthering our understanding of the creation of Cleopatra who provides commentary on her regarded role as seductress and lover. In taking back the pen, Cleopatra gives voice not just as a woman, but an extent of Egypt—both the people and the land. Cleopatra is not complete without the sparkle of the speculative, the power of the Gods manifested in the line of the Pharaohs, a magic denied to Cleopatra but felt in every corner of the narrative. From the loves, the lives, to the history of Cleopatra, all are represented in wondrous clarity by Saara El-Arifi who gives agency to a woman lost to time. Cleopatra is like no retelling I’ve read before and no one I will yearn to read again.
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Bookstagram | Blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cleopatra has been portrayed many different ways over time, some more accurate than others. This retelling followed the general beats of real history and was super readable.
I enjoy when a narrator breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the reader. It works especially well with historical figures because, presumably, we already know how the story ends.
One thing I wish had been explored more was Cleopatra’s intelligence. She spoke many languages and, most notably, learned Egyptian, making her the only ruler of her dynasty to do so, as Greek was the de facto language of the upper class at the time.
All in all, the novel is another romanticization of Cleopatra, focusing on her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius rather than her life as a ruler. If you're interested in her political prowess and contributions to her empire, I recommend reading Cleopatra: A Life first.
Thanks to Netgalley, Ballantine books, and the author for the eARC!
I enjoy when a narrator breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the reader. It works especially well with historical figures because, presumably, we already know how the story ends.
One thing I wish had been explored more was Cleopatra’s intelligence. She spoke many languages and, most notably, learned Egyptian, making her the only ruler of her dynasty to do so, as Greek was the de facto language of the upper class at the time.
All in all, the novel is another romanticization of Cleopatra, focusing on her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius rather than her life as a ruler. If you're interested in her political prowess and contributions to her empire, I recommend reading Cleopatra: A Life first.
Thanks to Netgalley, Ballantine books, and the author for the eARC!
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!
Want to read
January 13, 2024What is this omg
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.
Want to read
April 12, 2024a cleopatra retelling, you say? I NEED IT SO BAD
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
February 10, 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
»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
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 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.
February 13, 2026
This was a really fun retelling of Cleopatra's story from her point of view. You get to see the author's interpretation of how Cleopatra became vilified as a temptress, poisoner, and a terror, as well as Cleopatra's own interpretation of her life and just being a woman who had propaganda used against her when all she wanted was to learn, love, and help people. The one thing that I did not love was that there are frequent instances, especially at the beginning of the novel, where Cleopatra would say "I should have known...." or something similar about the things that come to pass and the people that betray her, and that wasn't my favorite narrative device.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC!
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.
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October 27, 2025Delighted to have been approved for an ARC of this one. Such a stunning cover 💙
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book caught my attention. I mean, who doesn't know Cleopatra? Besides what I've read from other media, I wanted to know what her life was like through this book, even though it's just fiction. So, I had slightly high expectations. But unfortunately, I didn't fully enjoy it. I wasn't a big fan of the writing style in this book, and Cleopatra herself wasn't an easy character for me to like. Not because she was annoying or badly written, just something else which, I honestly can't really explain why. That's pretty much my reason. I wish I could give this a higher rating, but sadly I can't.
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!
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Harper Collins UK/ The Borough Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 stars.
A historical fantasy reimagining of the life of Cleopatra from the time she becomes Pharaoh, to her death, this was a powerful look at the legendary figure.
The book was structured cleverly, with Cleopatra looking back at her life from her own perspective, and comparing it to how she is perceived by both her peers and people centuries later.
I really appreciate the agency she is given in the story, and her strength. I never thought I was reading about a victim, but a woman who had to make difficult choices.
It's clear the book is very well researched, and this shone through with all the historical elements.
My only issue is at times it felt a little rushed. I would have loved more time for relationships to be developed, and characters explored. Generally however, this was well-written and interesting, and has inspired me to seek out some non-fiction about Cleopatra too!
4.25 stars.
A historical fantasy reimagining of the life of Cleopatra from the time she becomes Pharaoh, to her death, this was a powerful look at the legendary figure.
The book was structured cleverly, with Cleopatra looking back at her life from her own perspective, and comparing it to how she is perceived by both her peers and people centuries later.
I really appreciate the agency she is given in the story, and her strength. I never thought I was reading about a victim, but a woman who had to make difficult choices.
It's clear the book is very well researched, and this shone through with all the historical elements.
My only issue is at times it felt a little rushed. I would have loved more time for relationships to be developed, and characters explored. Generally however, this was well-written and interesting, and has inspired me to seek out some non-fiction about Cleopatra too!
February 25, 2026
“you know my name, but you do not know me.
i am cleopatra. this is not the story of how i died.
but of how i lived.”
i think i should stop reading retellings of cleopatra.
while saara el-arifi’s cleopatra is clearly well-researched, i feel like this particular retelling strips away a lot of the political and moral complexities of cleopatra’s life, rule, and infamous romances in favor of applying very 21st century values to an ancient figure. (and no, i don’t think the reveal at the end justifies that choice.)
any retelling of cleopatra will necessarily have to take some liberties with her story, but some of the choices here are questionable—as if, in an effort to reclaim cleopatra from millennia of slander and vilification, el-arifi went too far in the other direction and defanged her a little too thoroughly. it seems like there’s a trend towards making female characters (and historical figures) more passive lately (even when it makes no sense), and it feels like a step backwards.
some aspects i did enjoy were her relationships with her children (particularly caesarion) and the descriptions of her wardrobe.
i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
rating: 2.5/5.0 stars
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!!
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