What a book. This is the story of Cleopatra as she would want it told, through her own eyes, not through the voices of her enemies or those who sought to diminish her.
From the moment she ascends the throne after her father’s death to the very end of her life, we follow Cleopatra through a reign marked by brilliance, constant betrayal, and impossible choices. I felt as though I was living the story with her, moving between Egypt and Rome, witnessing both the splendor of her court and the brutal political realities she faced.
El-Arifi’s storytelling is so engaging, bringing ancient worlds to life while keeping the focus firmly on Cleopatra as a woman, not just a legend. This is not simply a tragic romance or a historical retelling, it is the portrait of a ruler carrying the weight of an entire nation’s survival on her shoulders.
The relationships with Caesar and Antonius are written with real emotional depth. These are not just famous historical affairs, but complex bonds shaped by love, ambition, and the constant threat of loss. They made the story even more heartbreaking, knowing how much hope and sacrifice was wrapped up in each relationship.
What struck me most is how Cleopatra shines not only as a tragic figure, but as a formidable strategist and survivor. Despite relentless betrayals and devastating personal losses, she never stops fighting for Egypt. Her intelligence, resilience, and determination are what truly define her here.
This novel is powerful, emotional, and deeply moving, a beautifully told reclaiming of one of history’s most misunderstood women. I absolutely loved it and learned so much along the way. Highly recommended for anyone who loves rich historical fiction and strong female leads.
On a personal note, I would like to think that Cleopatra would love this retelling of her life and that her story and life is captured frequently in today’s world, 2000 years after her death.
I would also like to think that she loves that people name their pets after her…
With thanks to Keighley_Reads for a brilliant review and The Borough Press for the early copy.
About the Book
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, divinely blessed to rule.
Death will silence me no longer.
This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
About The Author
SAARA EL-ARIFI is a No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy and historical fiction. 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 specialising in Cleopatra’s myth and her impact on Black women. She currently resides in London as a full-time procrastinator
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