Bookseller Reviews
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An incredibly enjoyable book!
An incredible, and accessible, feat of storytelling acumen. I know almost nothing about Cleopatra, but El-Arifi has created such a masterful narrative by r... READ MORE
A stunning story reclaiming Cleopatra’s narrative
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This story is a retelling of Cleopatra’s life but from her perceptive away from the roman propaganda that has plagued histo... READ MORE
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!
First, thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending me the e-arc of my Holy Grail.
This book is a wonder! Saara depicted Cleopatra so brilliantly! Th... READ MORE
Magical, Unique and Grand Storytelling
When I saw this book was being published I got really excited, I love El-Arifi's writing from reading Faebound and Cleopatra has been one of my most antici... READ MORE
Beautiful and compelling
Saara El-Arifi has crafted a beautiful, evocative and heartbreaking story of Cleopatra, El-Arifi has told Cleopatra’s story in a way that I believe hasn’t ... READ MORE
WOW!!!!
I just wanted to pop down a quick review after inhaling this gorgeous book in the space of three days(Yes dear reader, I was also at work during these days... READ MORE
I am abundant. You will never define me, and that is the purest form of freedom I can hope to find in this life.
A Cleopatra retelling that breaks the fourth wall, allowing the legend to tell her story in her own words. This book was so engaging, emotional and rich in... READ MORE
A fierce, unapologetic reclamation
A fierce, unapologetic reclamation to the historically whitewashed and propaganda-d icon we know as Cleopatra (7). El-Arifi shows her witticism and passion... READ MORE
Synopsis
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 blood-lust, 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.
From one of the most remarkable and acclaimed storytellers of her generation, the #1 bestselling author of Faebound and The Final Strife, this epic and groundbreaking new novel shows us Cleopatra on her own terms.
Publisher information
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- ISBN: 9780008697211
- Number of pages: 352
- Dimensions: 240 x 159 x 34 mm
- Weight: 560g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View all"You know my name, but you do not know me."
Stunning. Powerful. Emotional. I was almost at a loss for words to describe this brilliantly beautiful story.
When the authors note gives you goosebump... READ MORE
A vivid memoir-style retelling of one of the most fascinating and talked about women in history.
Ever since a school project in year 4 I’ve always been fascinated by ancient Egypt and El-Arifi’s beautiful writing paints an atmospheric backdrop as Cleo ... READ MORE
An Interesting, Heartbreaking Read!
This is the first book I've read like this - normally I'm a fantasy, romantasy, romance, occasional thriller girl, but I actually really enjoyed this once ... READ MORE
Beautiful story
I love history and I've always wanted to devel into Egypt and its Pharaohs. Everyone knows the basic story of Celopatra but how much of it is true....El Ar... READ MORE
Fantastic!
Oh, my, god. Where do I even begin with this book? I went in completely blind, having never read a book by Saara El-Arifi, even though I'd seen her name be... READ MORE
So rarely given her own voice
One of the most written-about women in history, and yet so rarely given her own voice. This novel corrects that. Told in first person, Cleopatra gives us d... READ MORE
Absolutely perfect!
Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the eARC!
Oh, my, god. Where do I even begin with this book? I went in completely blind, having never read a ... READ MORE
“You know my name, but you do not know me”.
Despite Cleopatra being one of the most overexposed historical figures ever, I apparently knew… nothing. The emotional damage was fresh, unexpected and eff... READ MORE
Powerful and Emotive
This powerful and moving reimagining of Cleopatra brings a fresh perspective to a story that's so familiar. While it follows the well-known moments of her ... READ MORE
A beautiful reimagining of Cleopatra's life in a way that you've never seen before
The way this is written had me completely engrossed. I did not want to put it down. I wanted to immerse myself in her world and stay to the very end. The d... READ MORE
I want to erase my memories and read it again for the first time!
Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the eARC!
Oh, my, god. Where do I even begin with this book? I went in completely blind, having never read a ... READ MORE
If there's one historical fiction book you read this year, let it be this one
4.5 ⭐
Ever since my teen years (and maybe before that), I remember being fascinated with Ancient Egypt.
And Cleopatra always stood out because, we have... READ MORE
Stunning
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 mot... READ MORE
A sublime fantasy to giving a voice to the captivating lady herself
Cleopatra is a stunning retelling, blending historical fact, modern theories and sublime fantasy to give a voice to the captivating lady herself. Saara El... READ MORE
A Beautifully Written Retelling With A Clever Use Of Voice
'And so a new version of Cleopatra was born - the me of myth and lore.
I speak now not to you, but to her.
"You have been dragged through ink an... READ MORE
Interesting take on Cleopatra
I grew up watching the classic Cleopatra movie with Elizabeth Taylor, along with many other depictions of her over the years. I’ve always been fascinated b... READ MORE
fabulous historical fiction book, emotional and exciting
This tale is told from Cleopatra VII point of view, her voice is in these pages, we hear her, we see her in our minds eye, we now know her....51 BC on her ... READ MORE
Refreshing and loving retelling of Cleopatra's history and myth!
This was such a lovely retelling and dramatisation of Cleopatra's history and myth. I absolutely adored the strong historical base of the story combined wi... READ MORE
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A queen rewritten, a legacy reclaimed
Cleopatra is a rich retelling of one of history's most talked about women, told entirely through Cleopatra's own voice as she goes from curious child, to c... READ MORE
More Than Just Historical Fiction
I absolutely loved this book. Although I read it a few months ago and some of the finer plot details have faded, I still remember how completely absorbed I... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Great read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of Cleopatra.
This is a historical fiction, where Cleopatra can finally tell her story.
I... READ MORE
Five stars!
Cleopatra by Saara El Arifi is a rich and vivid book that brings one of history’s most misunderstood women back to life with real power. It gives her the v... READ MORE
This historical fantasy novel is a captivating retelling of Cleopatra’s life.
When Cleopatra ascends to the throne of Egypt, she has all the entitlement and self-belief that comes from being born into the Ptolemy dynasty and even see... READ MORE
Cleopatra review
An anthology to Cleopatra which reads like a thriller and celebrates the many facets of her personality and the depth of her love for Julius Ceasar and Mar... READ MORE
An Excellent Intro to Cleopatra
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A great read, Sara El-Arifi never misses!
I admit I know little of Cleopatra'... READ MORE
Cleopatra retelling
3.5 rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley, Saara El-Arifi and the publishers for this ARC!
A re-telling with a sprinkling of a magical elements of the l... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Immersive and powerful retelling!
I'll admit I don't know tonnes about Cleopatra other than the obvious stories, but I adored this feminist approach to her history and the magic woven in.
... READ MORE
For Fans of Historical Fiction
Cleopatra is one of those rare historical retellings that feels like you're stepping directly into the mind of its protagonist. From the very first page, t... READ MORE
Incredible book
“You know my name. But you do not know me.”
I am truly in awe of this book.
This retelling gives Cleopatra a voice and a chance to tell her own story. ... READ MORE
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Not the Cleopatra you’ve been told about
A thoughtful and refreshing take on Cleopatra that pushes back against the tired “seductress” narrative and gives us a ruler who is powerful, flawed, and d... READ MORE
absorbing and informative
In the past decade or so the book world feels (to me) like it has become increasingly saturated with myths/ancient retellings – Greek in particular – to th... READ MORE
Must Read of 2026
5 stars. No notes.
A Stunning Tale
An absolutely stunning retelling of Cleopatra, finally giving the last Pharaoh of Egypt the voice to tell her own story. It's a tragic tale of infighting a... READ MORE
A little flat.
i don't feel this book lived up to its hype. I enjoyed reading it and the passion for the titular character from the author shone through, but it felt narr... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Amazing!!
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 Cleo... READ MORE
A gorgeous 5 star read about a woman often misunderstood in history!
I don't usually turn to historical fiction (even as a history teacher!), but I literally ran to read this because Saara El-Arifi has had my heart since I r... READ MORE
Super!
In the past decade or so the book world feels (to me) like it has become increasingly saturated with myths/ancient retellings – Greek in particular – to th... READ MORE
Great Reimagining!
This is such a unique take on a story/person we all think we know, but it makes us reflect on WHAT we actually know about her and WHERE the information we ... READ MORE
SHE is Egypt
We’re used to hearing about Cleopatra as the seductress and the whore but through El-Arifi’s work we get to see her as a healer, a scholar and a politician... READ MORE
Beautiful, heart-wrenching, and one for the ages.
It's so difficult to know where to start here. When I was going into this book, I was going into it as a Cleopatra fanatic and expected to know the story t... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
A Fascinating Insight into Cleopatra's Life
I’ve been a huge fan of Saara El-Arifi ever since I read The Final Strife. Ever since then, I have devoured everything that she writes. So despite me not b... READ MORE
Cleopatra
Going into this, I knew of Cleopatra, but I did not know her full story, so I went into this retelling pretty much blind. I found it gripping and easy to f... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
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