When the princess of Egypt, Cleopatra, discovers that her adored father has left instructions for her to rule alongside her unfit brother Ptolemy, she realises she must take action in order to protect her country and herself.

The opportunity to do so comes from an unexpected quarter - in the form of the famous Roman Julius Caesar - but Cleopatra is canny enough to use all the resources at her disposal to achieve her ends. After all, she was the Pharaoh's favourite daughter for a reason...

Natasha Solomon brings alive the legendary queen with style and conviction, affording the reader an authentic glimpse into who Cleopatra may have been. An interesting read.

Cleopatra is given a strong and intelligent voice but she is not without flaws drawing a picture that makes you want to believe is a original source given what we actually have amounts to Roman propaganda and tales which should be taken with a huge handful of salt.

Unfortunately I struggled with the writing style of this book. It felt too modern.

I found it to be extremely slow and struggled to force myself to pick it up. I’ve read so many amazing mythology retellings in the past and this one just didn’t meet the same standard.

I enjoyed the first half of the book where we got a real glimpse into Cleopatra as a young girl and growing into a determined queen. This then changed once she met Caeser and it felt like their relationship became the main focus of the rest of the story rather than Cleopatra herself. This is my main drawback with the book and ultimately lead to less stars.

I struggled with this one despite it being one of my favourite subjects (Cleopatra) and I wish I'd loved it more- I thought we'd see more of her life outside Caesar and significantly more of Marc Antony.

A fantastic book from Natasha solomons!
As a fan of ancient Egypt, historical fiction and retellings this book just ticked all the boxes!
A Beautifully written novel, I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I'll start by saying that this was an interesting take on the Cleopatra story - daring to focus on her early life rather than the events everyone knows, and an interesting counterpoint to contrast her with the story of Servilia. However, for some reason the story didn't connect with me on an emotional level and I found it hard to connect to the narrative in places. While Solomons does try hard to mitigate the fact that her entire plot revolves around a male character's two mistresses, there's no denying that Caesar is more of a focal point than he perhaps deserves to be in a story supposed to be about a famous female ruler.

I loved reading a book from the point of view of Cleopatra, and seeing the politics of Ancient Egypt at the time. We meet Cleopatra’s friends and allies, and encounter her tumultuous relationship with her brother-husband, Ptolemy. I really enjoyed this and would love to read more historical fiction by this author, particularly as this was so well written and Cleopatra’s story isn’t often told in retelling books. I’d recommend this to any other ancient history fans.

Magisterial and direct
—
This is the first act of Cleopatra’s life retold in Solomons’s magisterial and direct novel, taking the many facts we have of arguably the most famous queen of all time and spinning a visceral and breathing portrait of a girl on the verge of greatness and what she did to achieve it. The novel follows Cleopatra from her childhood at her father Ptolemy’s side as he attempts to bring the Roman Empire as an ally, to her eventual ascension to the throne and her relationship with Julius Caesar.

As I said, this is only the first act of her life so I would be very surprised if we did not see a sequel shortly. Solomons brings her usual flair for making the historic into the urgent, giving us a Cleopatra with the drive and passion we might already expect, but tempering it with a humanity and a joy that made this fly by. Hers is not the only voice in the book, but it is the one that lingers. This isn’t history writing so events are arranged and edited for dramatic effect, but it gives us a Cleopatra full of desire and energy, shining a light on a culture two thousand years gone.

Lush, empowering, and beautifully told 👑✨. Cleopatra is a dazzling reimagining of one of history’s most iconic women. Natasha Solomons breathes new life into Cleopatra’s story, blending historical detail with modern, feminist insight. I adored the rich setting, vivid characters, and exploration of power, ambition, and love. A captivating, intelligent read for fans of historical fiction that gives voice to remarkable women of the past.

💬 My Bookish Thoughts
Wow, wow, wow. I've been fascinated by Egypt and Cleopatra ever since my nan introduced me to the Elizabeth Taylor film (though I’ve never managed to watch it all — old movies relax me so much I always fall asleep! 😴)

But back to the book. I was completely absorbed by the story of young Cleopatra and her complicated relationships with her family and Julius Caesar. Natasha Solomons brings her vividly to life — an intelligent, bold, and charismatic young woman cast into a dangerous world of politics, betrayal, and power.

The novel paints Cleopatra not just as a queen, but as a strategist, a survivor, and a woman with a vision — far more complex than I’ve ever seen her portrayed on screen.

I especially loved her relationships with Charmian and Apollodorus, who are so much more than servants to her. And Caesar’s mistress Servilia provides a brilliant counterpoint, adding another female voice to the turbulent clash of Egypt and Rome.

I won’t spoil the point the novel ends on, but I will say this: I’m crossing everything for a sequel. Natasha, if you’re reading this — please!

I read a digital proof, but the hardback cover is absolutely stunning — I’ll be treating myself to a special edition soon.

If you love historical fiction and powerful female leads, buy this book. It’s become one of my all-time favourites and I’ll be recommending it to everyone.

CW/TW: Themes include death, murder, miscarriage, and incest.

🙏🏼 Huge thanks to @netgalley, @bonnierbooks_uk and @natashasolomons for the gifted digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Retelling of the story of Cleopatra, from her childhood & her relationship with Caesar. Told from the alternating stories of Cleopatra and Caesar’s mistress Servilia,

This was such a captivating read. The book offers a fresh perspective on the legendary queen, portraying her as a complex and intelligent leader rather than just a historical figure defined by her relationships. Solomon's writing is rich and immersive, bringing ancient Egypt to life with vivid descriptions and emotional depth.
What stood out to me was the exploration of Cleopatra's inner strength and resilience. The narrative delves into her struggles, triumphs and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated world, making her story both inspiring and relatable. The addition of Servilia's perspective adds another layer of depth, providing insight into the political intricacies of the time.

This book promises to tell the story of the “real” Cleopatra, the woman behind the legend. In many ways it does so. We encounter a flawed, petulant and fragile young woman, who has been raised to believe that she is a goddess, but lives in a time of very real political threat to her state. As Rome threatens to subsume Egypt in its empire, Cleopatra is forced to act at all costs to protect her country’s independence, and her own leadership, while a court of enemies conspire against her.
Through her political and sexual relationship with Julius Caesar, Cleopatra secures a stay on Egypt’s conquering, but her control is ever tenuous as political moves take place behind the scenes. We also hear the perspective of Caesar's long term mistress Servilia, with the POV shifting between the two throughout.
Despite having female protagonists, Cleopatra highlights the important distinction between female focused historical retellings and feminist retellings. While the narrative is told through the POV of women, it centres almost entirely on a man.
Though she uses her sexuality to her political advantage, Cleopatra does not have ultimate agency over it. Her womanhood is her vulnerability, and she must put aside her emotions and bodily autonomy for the good of her country. This makes for uncomfortable reading.
I was also confused by Servilia’s unbelievable devotion to Caesar. As an independently wealthy woman with security and business acumen I didn’t buy that she would be so passive and besotted with a womanising narcissist.

Other reviewers have levelled very valid criticism at elements of fat phobia and homophobia in this book. I have to agree, and was disappointed, particularly at the suggestion of eunuchs as being inherently untrustworthy (those characters in particular were unpleasant enough without bringing their sexual status into it).

An ultimately interesting introduction to the period of Roman expansion and Egyptian demise, I found Cleopatra to be a conflicting read that unfortunately falls short of the mark.

Thanks to NetGalley and Manilla Press for this ARC.

This is a very interesting, thoroughly enjoyable book.

We are introduced to Cleopatra's story, told by Cleopatra. Starting at the age of 13, we follow Cleopatra through a significant portion of her life, from the first time she went to Rome with her father to the death of Julius Caesar. It details her relationship with the Roman Emperor from her point of view, from the beginning of their relationship to his death. She details her relationship with some of her slaves, especially one young woman named Charmian who becomes her closest friend and confidant. She also shows her personality and beliefs that she is destined to be the Queen of Egypt, and will do whatever it takes to keep her title.

This is all taking place at a time when the role of women in society was as a wife and mother, and their opinions weren't given the importance that they deserve. We all know at least the main points of Cleopatra's life, and now we are given a chance to read a version that is challenging, difficult, and yet also heartbreaking while showing Cleopatra to be a woman with many flaws and strengths, and she uses them to live the life she wants.

If you love Ancient Egyptian history, I think you will enjoy this book. But if you enjoy a good historical book with lots of drama and danger then this may be the book for you.

Natasha Solomon continues her mission to unearth women characters from history with her newest novel ‘Cleopatra’. I enjoyed the exploration of Cleopatra’s earlier years, told from her point of view. It shows a very politically adept young woman who could understand her father’s ineptitude alongside a sharp instinct for protecting herself. The world building was a fascinating insight into how religion intertwined everything, and the pageantry and traditions that surrounded the Egyptian royal family.

What disappointed me about this book was the lack of focus. We are introduced to another POV fairly early on - of Servilia, Caesar’s long term mistress, an adept political player herself. From this point the story seems to revolve around Caesar himself as the two women try to place themselves firmly within his influence.

This may be realistic in terms of the power structures of the time, but it hits a jarring note for a feminist retelling for the story to centre a male character so heavily. For a book named Cleopatra, I would have liked to keep it solely from her voice and through her eyes. While Servilia was formidable and the parallels between the women interesting, I didn’t expect or really feel her story added anything to Cleopatra’s narrative.

I also feel it would have been interesting to continue Cleopatra’s story past Caesar into her later years.

Thank you to @bonnierbooks_uk and the author for an advanced, gifted copy. Cleopatra is out now!

I really enjoyed this read and it served as a good history lesson for the early years in Cleopatra’s life, which, I discovered, I knew nothing about.

Beautifully written, with setting, clothing, jewellery and make up described in such wonderful detail, that I thought I was there with Cleopatra at times. The pace of the story was slow at times, though I did find myself getting lost in the description so much that I quite enjoyed an unhurried, leisurely read.

Mention Cleopatra and everyone thinks Mark Antony, but this book concentrates on the period before him, and he is very shadowy as a character, which surprised me. The story starts with a young Cleopatra who can see that her father is effectively selling Egypt to Rome. Cleopatra has to find a way to control her own narrative and does this by giving herself up to Caesar - in bearing him a son, she tries to secure the support of Rome which becomes increasingly important for survival as her own siblings turn on her and fight for the right to be supreme rulers of Rome.

Cleopatra’s relationship with Caesar is told in the first person, but it is clearly a union based on mutual gain rather than genuine affection. This is set against a different relationship enjoyed by Caesar, with a noble woman called Servilia, whom he has been involved with for years, but has never married - choosing to wed others instead.

Servilia and Cleopatra strike up an odd relationship based upon grudging mutual respect when Cleopatra visits Caesar in Rome, and following his murder, Cleopatra’s escape is very much dependent upon Servilia’s generosity.

The most heartbreaking relationship is that between Charmain and Cleopatra, which is so much more than the master-slave relationship that I would have expected. For so much of the novel the two women are one, complicated only by the introduction of another slave, Apollodorus the Sicilian.

I really enjoyed getting to know Cleopatra in this novel. Her determined, calculating nature is fractured to reveal a vulnerable female who has to constantly reassess her surroundings in order to survive. There could definitely be a follow up title…

A fun reading experience from start to finish. Intriguing story, characters that will appeal to all reads and action packed twists and turns.

Cleopatra is a beautifully written and thoroughly engaging novel that offers a fresh perspective on a well-known historical figure. Fans of historical fiction and those interested in strong female protagonists will find much to enjoy in this book.

Born to be Paraoh, Cleopatra is a useful advisor to her father until he dies. Now threatened by her brother-husband Ptolemy and the might of Rome, Cleopatra has to make a pragmatic choice. Servilia is a respected Roman matron and the long-term mistress of Julius Caesar, she sees him rise to glory and also to believe in his own invincibility.
The story of Caesar and Cleopatra has been retold many times but this novel is different in that it focuses on women. Cleopatra is not built up as a great beauty but her character is not glamorised either. In fact the main theme is that of loyalty, Cleopatra to Egypt, Charmian to Cleopatra and Servilia to Caesar. It's lush and sensuous and rather beguiling but also clever.