Anything about Cleopatra I will devour like im starving!!! I love this book and didnt expect to love it. I prefer books about her written by women so I was 100% judging this book based on the authors gender. Yet, this book blew me away. Not only did this author do METICULOUS research, he blended fantasy with historical fiction. He added such depth and complexity to an already complex character. Cleopatra's younger years are always ignored or at least glossed over. This went into her childhood a bit but focused on how she became regent, her siblings, and the fear she had. She is clever and all those things, but shes also a girl who loved her father, who fought against everything, and was feared for what she may become. The political intrigue is WHAT kept me reading, what kept me guessing. Honestly, this story was amazing. I can't wait until I dive into the next book