I do enjoy historical fiction and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fair Rosealine by this author. This is a reimagining of Cleopatra from a young girl to Queen and Caesar’s plaything per se. This is told in a duel perspective of both Cleopatra and Caesar’s mistress Servilia. It was interesting and whilst I didn’t devour it like the previous book I did find it interesting. Whilst I know of Cleopatra, Caesar etc this was in parts a history lesson and I quite enjoyed that. I did feel this was a good read and I’m giving it 3.5 stars because there were parts that didn’t quite make sense regarding 2 of the secondary characters but I won’t be explaining this as it would be a spoiler and I try not to do that.

An impressive dual pov from two extraordinarily strong female characters living in an overwhelmingly male dominated, cut throat world. We all think we know Cleopatra’s story but I, for one, found this a true eye opener of a read. It was exceptional. I always find the author picks out a woman who we all believe we know, and turns everything on its head. It was a fascinating read and one I recommend to everyone.

As an Egyptian, Cleopatra has always held a powerful place in my imagination, not just as a historical figure, but as a symbol of identity, pride and complexity. I picked up Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons hoping to reconnect with a part of my heritage that’s so often misunderstood or simplified through Western narratives. In many ways, this novel succeeds: it’s a poetic, emotionally resonant reimagining that gives voice to a woman who has too often been spoken about, rather than for.

Told from Cleopatra’s perspective, the novel reclaims her as more than the seductive caricature history has painted. Solomons presents her as a strategist, a mother, a ruler, and a survivor, flawed and human but deeply intelligent and resilient. The prose is lyrical and atmospheric, often reading like a long, reflective soliloquy. At its best, the writing captures the fragility and power of Cleopatra’s position as she navigates love, loss and empire.

However, the novel isn’t without its shortcomings. The pacing can be slow, particularly in the middle, where internal monologue takes precedence over historical action. Key events (such as Caesar’s assassination or the fall of Egypt) are filtered through personal emotion rather than dramatic tension, which can make the historical context feel hazy at times. As someone looking to deepen my understanding of my own history, I occasionally wished for a firmer grounding in the politics and realities of the time.

Characters like Caesar and Mark Antony feel distant and underdrawn; their influence on Cleopatra is described more than demonstrated, which sometimes weakens the emotional impact of their relationships. And while the novel succeeds in reclaiming Cleopatra from the male gaze, it occasionally leans into a different kind of idealisation, elevating her suffering and endurance in a way that risks making her feel symbolic rather than fully human.

Still, despite its flaws, this is a memorable and meaningful read. Solomons has crafted a version of Cleopatra that feels fresh, vulnerable and fiercely intelligent. It may not be a comprehensive historical account but it’s a moving character study that gave me a deeper emotional connection to a woman who has long been central to Egypt’s past, and, for many of us, its enduring sense of pride.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC to review.

This reimagining of Cleopatra VII’s life is sharp and compelling, particularly in the first third where we follow a young, calculating, and captivating Cleopatra as she navigates power and politics. The dual POV with Servilia offers an interesting Roman perspective, and Cleopatra’s voice feels both regal and refreshingly self-aware. Her relationship with Julius Caesar is portrayed as political rather than romantic, which I appreciated. However, once Caesar enters the story, the focus shifts heavily onto him, and Cleopatra begins to fade into the background somewhat. I was hoping for a fuller exploration of her life, not just the years tied to Caesar. A strong start but ultimately not the Cleopatra-centred story I wanted.

Thank you to Netgalley and Manilla Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been intrigued by Ancient Egypt, the Pharos and especially the female queens since I was a child. There is something so facinating about this period of time. History tells us Cleopatra lived a fascinating if short life, and this book delves into her story. We start in her early childhood, her marriage to Ceasar. It is told from a alternating first-person POVs, Cleopatra and Servilia, one of Ceasars lovers.

The book establishes early on that Cleopatra has been born to rule, and that thread follows throughout the book. It was very hard to get to know her on a personal level and even like her, but she garners your respect from the beginning. Not only a beauty, she also had a clever mind and wasn't afraid to use it and her body to get what she wanted, in order to protect her people and keep Egypt under its own rule. Which shows courage in this time period especially with the Romans on the scene. I did really enjoy the book but would have like to know more about Cleopatra. I felt once Ceasar arrived on the scene it became more about them, rather than her.

As beautifully written and poignat novel about love, life and destiny. And I would urge anyone who is interested in the period to read the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for this eCopy to review

Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons is a captivating reimagining of one of history's most enigmatic figures. The novel depicts the life of Cleopatra, the legendary Queen of Egypt, presenting her as a complex, ambitious woman navigating the treacherous waters of power, love, and survival in a male-dominated world.

The story is told from the perspectives of Cleopatra herself and Caesar's mistress, Servilia, which adds a unique depth to the narrative. This dual perspective allows readers to see Cleopatra not just as a ruler and seductress, but as a deeply human character with vulnerabilities and strengths. The novel begins with Cleopatra's early years, her struggles with her brother Ptolemy for the throne, and her strategic alliance with Julius Caesar. Solomons paints a vivid picture of Cleopatra's intelligence and cunning, as well as her deep love for her people and her country.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its portrayal of Cleopatra's relationships. Her interactions with Caesar and later with Mark Antony are depicted with nuance and emotional depth, highlighting her ability to wield power through both political acumen and personal charm. The novel also explores her friendships and betrayals, adding layers to her character that go beyond the typical historical caricatures.

Solomons' writing is lush and lyrical, bringing ancient Egypt to life with rich descriptions and a strong sense of place. The historical details are meticulously researched, making the setting feel authentic and immersive. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense drama interspersed with quieter, reflective scenes that allow for character development.

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.

This is a well researched account of Cleopatra as she transforms from girl into Queen and Pharaoh. The story focuses heavily on her life with Caesar, how he aided her to regain power, and ends shortly after his death.

Natasha Solomans writes this book using first person narrative, giving the reader an intimate view into Cleopatra's thoughts, feelings and experiences. We also get a first person POV from Servilia, whose life was entwined with Caesar too. Servilia's POV was an interesting choice but provided a wholly different perspective of Cleopatra.

I found this to be a good historical retelling. It's not too bogged down with fastidious detail, but instead concentrates on building atmosphere of the time and place.

I did find that there were some pacing issues where the plot lost momentum. Also I would have liked to follow Cleopatra's story to the next part of her life and her relationship with Marc Antony. Maybe there will be a sequel? I sure hope so.

Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and Netgalley for my complimentary copy for review consideration.

This story, told in the first person from the POV of two women, including Cleopatra, traces the story of the Pharaoh from her first visit to Rome with her father to her fleeing Rome with her son after Caesar's murder.

The first-person narration helps the viewer step into the story. I really enjoyed how Cleopatra was unapologetically a person of her time and not rewritten based on modern ways of thinking. As a strong woman in a man's world, she had to use her wit and wiles to survive. I would love to read a sequel to this book focusing on the latter part of her life.

A recommended read for fans of Nefertiti, Hamnet and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alright, where to begin. This claims to be a retelling of Cleopatra’s life. It’s not. It really just focuses on her relationship with Caesar. From the moment he’s introduced, we never see Cleopatra in scenes unrelated to him again. There was so much opportunity! For example, we’re told by another character that for over a year, Caesar went back to Rome without her. What did she do in Egypt in that time? No clue. There’s a time jump, we only see her again when they’re reunited. And because this is only the story of Cleopatra and Caesar, it ends at Caesar’s death. An incredible disappointment to me as her life after that only gets more fascinating.

The book is told in alternating first-person POVs, Cleopatra and Servilia. Cleopatra comes across as unlikeable and unkind, and pretty clueless about other people’s emotions. There’s an incredible scene in which she wonders what happened to her ‘sweet-natured, open-faced’ little brother. After their father died, she killed their other brother, imprisoned their sister, and had him marry her. Gosh, what cause does he have to be sad, uh? But whatever, she’s a queen, I expect her to be ruthless and self-centered, that’s fine, I didn’t mind. I do wish I’d felt something for her, though. This is a woman who had a brief yet extraordinary life. But the only emotion I felt reading this were from Servilia’s POV. I’m still unsure why it was there; it only reinforced the feeling that this was about Caesar, not Cleopatra. But I enjoyed it a lot more than Cleopatra’s, as Servilia is clever, interesting, kind, and did make me feel things.

Cleopatra’s POV felt completely flat to me. Someone unfamiliar with her story might feel more engaged, but if you already know what happens, there’s nothing new here. No fresh perspective, no attempt to fill in the gaps in historiography. It just tells you what you already know, in a very matter-of-fact way. I was also disappointed that Charmion was reduced to a beloved slave with no political influence. I did appreciate that Cleopatra constantly kept in mind the imbalance of power between them even as she thought about their friendship, though (I’m trying hard to find positives here). I would love a Cleopatra retelling in Charmion’s POV. If you know of one, please let me know!

But now we get to what I found hugely problematic in this book: the rampant fatphobia. Three characters are described as fat. Now I'm all for reclaiming the word as a neutral descriptor, but it doesn't end there. Cleopatra's brother isn't just fat: he's 'fat as an overstuffed partridge, the filling oozing out', a description clearly designed to elicit disgust. She 'worries for the safety of his stool', lest it break. She's 'astonished [the people carrying him] can support his bulk'. She laments that his supporters 'don't see a corpulent and vicious tyrant'. He doesn't 'understand the restraint of any appetite - for food, flesh or violence', equating being fat with having no self-control.

As for her father, he isn't evil, just wildly incompetent, and of course, also fat. He emerges 'sweating and corpulent'. 'Perspiration is beaded in the fleshy folds at his wrists and in the sausages of his neck.' Cleopatra 'pities the slaves who lugged him here'. This time, fat seems to mean inept and pathetic, and the idea of him being 'lugged' is incredibly dehumanizing.

And then we meet a third fat character. He's a drunk Roman accosting Cleopatra. He is 'barely able to stuff his gut into his toga'. She makes fun of his 'immense proportions'. Of course it's not enough to tell us he's a lewd pervert; we need to know he's fat to be properly disgusted, right?

I read an ARC, so I hope there have been changes in the final version. But it's still very telling that this was written in the first place and stayed in all the previous rounds of editing. Why is it so important to insist on how fat they are, and yet nothing else about their appearance is discussed in such detail? Why are there not whole paragraphs about the weight of other characters, except the occasional reminder that Cleopatra and Caesar, the ‘good guys’, are thin? What does the fatness of these three characters add to the story, except trying to make them seem disgusting? Especially at a time when being fat was a sign of wealth, so for Cleopatra to harbour these views seems out of place.

I also had a problem with the constant comments and jokes about her brother's advisors being eunuchs. They're shitty people, but they're not shitty because they're eunuchs, how many times do you need to make fun of that. Even her constantly referring to them as only 'the eunuchs' was annoying. And it doesn’t make sense for Cleopatra to be judgemental of eunuchs, when in reality, she had her own eunuch advisor, who here is entirely erased because I guess it didn't fit the evil eunuch narrative the author made up.

A final criticism but that's more a pet peeve of mine, I hate when authors choose to use ‘Marc Antony’ instead of ‘Antonius’. I’m sorry, Marc Antony sounds like an idiot frat boy, not one of the most important men in Rome. Anyways, that doesn’t matter much, and I’d have forgiven it easily if the book had more redeeming qualities. Alas, it didn’t.

I couldn’t wait to dive into "Cleopatra" by Natasha Solomons, and I was absolutely captivated from start to finish. This novel is a beautifully crafted retelling that brings a fresh, humanised perspective to one of history’s most misunderstood female figures.
What struck me most was Solomons’ lyrical, almost poetic prose. Her writing lends an ethereal quality to the story, making the ancient world feel vivid and alive. I appreciated how the book masterfully weaves historical details into the narrative without overwhelming the reader with facts — instead, it immerses you in Cleopatra’s world, allowing her internal struggles and triumphs to take centre stage.
The characterisations are what truly made this book stand out. Cleopatra feels so real — a woman of immense intelligence, strength, and vulnerability. Solomons delves deeper than the usual regal image we see in history books, exploring her internal dialogue and emotional landscape. I found myself sympathising deeply with her, especially during her first encounter with Caesar — her fierce resolve and sense of duty shining through even in her most vulnerable moments. The quotes where she reflects on her sacrifice and her sense of identity really resonated with me, highlighting her complexity as both a ruler and a woman.
The friendship between Cleopatra and Charmian was a highlight for me; it added warmth and depth to her character. The subtle hints of a deeper, perhaps sapphic connection also added an intriguing layer of intimacy, leaving me to ponder the true nature of their bond. The scene where Cleopatra releases Charmian to be with Apollodorus was particularly poignant, revealing her tender, more compassionate side beneath her royal veneer.
I did find myself wishing for a bit more dialogue throughout — I think more direct interactions could have brought some scenes to life even further. Still, the prose-heavy style made each spoken word feel meaningful, and I appreciated how it emphasized Cleopatra’s inner strength and strategic mind.
The perspective of Servilia, Caesar’s mistress, took some adjustment. At first, I was frustrated by the interruptions from her point of view, but as the story progressed, I understood their interconnectedness and how their stories complement each other. Servilia’s chapters didn’t quite leave the same emotional impact on me as Cleopatra’s, but they added an interesting dimension to the narrative, especially in terms of political and personal alliances.
One area I felt could have been expanded was the storyline surrounding Cleopatra’s sister — I wanted to know more about her motivations and fate. The ending, which comes shortly after Caesar’s death, felt a bit abrupt, as I was expecting to follow Cleopatra’s life further. However, I appreciated how Solomons chose to conclude with Cleopatra’s own words, speaking directly to us and reminding us of her enduring story.
Overall, "Cleopatra" is a haunting, enchanting retelling that offers a nuanced, compelling glimpse into one of history’s most fascinating women. Natasha Solomons has created a story that balances historical accuracy with emotional depth, making Cleopatra’s story more relatable and human. It’s a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time — a truly memorable read.

A fascinating retelling of Cleopatra and her rise to Queen of Egypt and her relationship with Caesar, who facilitated her succession. It took me a chapter or two to get into the story but that may have been me because once I got into the tale I was fascinated and engaged. The descriptions of the surroundings in both Alexandria and Rome are well portrayed; the relationships and intrigues among the main characters fascinating and the relationship between Cleopatra and Charmian very touching.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Natasha Solomons/Bonnier Books for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book which covers some of Cleopatra’s early years but mainly her relationship with Caesar. The first person narrative works well and the prose is very evocative - this book humanises both Cleopatra and Caesar. The book was engaging, realistic and told a clear story. I would definitely recommend it.

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons

This is a beautiful retelling of the life of Cleopatra, yet it is just as haunting as it is enchanting. I have always been fascinated with Egypt and their most famous queen, so when I saw this book, I just had to read it. This book is one of my favourite retellings I’ve read in a long time!

Natasha Solomons’ writing is done in a stunningly lyrical prose, giving the narrative an ethereal tone. The research that went into this book is evident through the amount of historical facts/details woven into the story, making the readers feel like they are truly being transported back in history to Egypt. This was clearly a huge undertaking for the author and full credit goes to her as it’s absolutely paid off. The setting descriptions, with the use of research, are vivid and enticing. Although this is, of course, a historical retelling, the author does not get caught up in listing facts or explaining historical events and instead the focus lies mainly on Cleopatra as a woman and as a queen. The story felt natural and well paced; it did not come across as just a retelling but instead a brilliant exploration of the life of Cleopatra. The author’s personal additions to the well-known plot and the way she brings life to all the characters was outstanding and really memorable. I did wish in places we would have had more dialogue (as Solomons’ writing is definitely more prose heavy) so we could see the way the ancient characters interacted with one another, but the lack of dialogue did make every spoken word feel more weighted and important, which made up for it in my eyes.

The characterisation of Cleopatra in this book is what made this such an outstanding tale. Natasha Solomons writes about Cleopatra in such a way that she feels alive, as if we can feel her presence through the pages. History remembers her as a beautiful queen with a sharp mind and an astute politician, but Solomon delves deeper than that to show us the more human, raw side of her character. This book is heavy with Cleopatra’s internal dialogue and, although I often dislike this narrative technique elsewhere, I do think it was incredibly well done here. There is a deep exploration of Cleopatra’s internal struggles and this made her feel really animated, relatable and I found myself sympathising with her. The scene where she first meets Caesar and we are shown the lengths she must go to to protect her queendom and Egypt is heartbreaking and very moving, yet we see her almost take it as her duty and there is no sense of her feeling sorry for herself, which suggests a real steely resolve from her as a character. When she says “He thinks he takes me, but I’m not here at all. He cannot reach me”, and, later, “There is no time for how I feel, not now. There is no room for Cleopatra the woman. I must not think about Caesar fucking me, but lock the thought tight away…” I found these to be really powerful quotes about her personal sacrifice. I also appreciated how we saw Cleopatra as the wise woman she was, as intelligent and complex, but this added a really interesting contrast as we see that although she is capable of ruling off her own mind, she must sacrifice her body and her thoughts to Caesar to protect what is most dear to her.

Charmian and Cleopatra’s friendship was a bewitching addition to the story. Right from the start we are told under no uncertain terms that although they are friends, Cleopatra owns Charmian, to the point of even naming her herself (“Every part of her belonged to me - even her name. Charmian, giver of joy”). There is an almost sapphic element woven into the book, with suggestions that Cleopatra’s feelings for her slave are not just that of ownership, or even friendship, but that of a lover. I found this a really interesting underlying element and, although it is not explored directly, it feels that the author was expertly trying to hint at this whilst also leaving it up to readers to determine the truth behind these suggestions. When Cleopatra releases Charmian to go and be with Apollodorus, this is truly an emotive scene which tugs on the heartstrings; it shows that although the Queen can be ruthless and cut-throat when necessary, Cleopatra also has a sensitive, soft and loving side which she hides for fear of betrayal.

The final words of Cleopatra were remarkable and ones I will remember long after I stopped reading: “...they would seal me inside a history that never was. I worry that one day… my own self [will be] lost… The world is stuffed with my enemies and rivals who only see me through the veil of their own dislike… But I’ve told you my story and you know that I am not who they say… Don’t listen to them, for who knows the truth better than me? For I am Cleopatra.” I found this a really compelling way to end her narrative.

I was confused at first why Servilia had her own POV and, the first few times she cropped up, found myself getting frustrated at the interruption from Cleopatra’s POV. However, as the story goes on you begin to see that their fates and their stories are unequivocally linked, and not just by their sharing of Caesar’s bed. I didn’t necessarily warm to Servilia’s character, and found her POV not to be particularly memorable, but this didn’t take away from the enjoyment overall; it did mean I unfortunately rushed through her chapters trying to get back to Cleopatra, though. I felt that Servilia was perhaps the only character I didn’t see real complexity with; even the characters like Ptolemy, his eunuchs, Mark Anthony etc had complexity where we want to see them as evil, yet there are moments where we realise we cannot fully see them as villains but simply humans trying to survive in the vicious historical times. I must say I felt that the storyline surrounding Cleopatra’s traitor sister could have been explored in more detail, but again this didn’t detract from how much I enjoyed the story. I just would have liked to have known a bit more about her motivations, what happened to her, who she was as a person etc. Furthermore, we do seem to end the story very abruptly after Caesar's death (I was expecting us to explore right through to the end of Cleopatra’s life). Perhaps Solomons had her reasons behind doing this, but I didn’t find those reasons to be particularly clear to me as a reader. However, I will give the book credit as it still does feel like a complete story with the way the author finishes the tale by having Cleopatra directly speaking to the readers and encouraging them to remember her story.

Overall I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book carried some heavy themes (betrayal, grief, love, slavery, sacrifice, duty and many more) which were expertly and sensitively explored by the author. I would love to read more from this author and would definitely highly recommend this book. A huge thank you to Netgalley and Natasha Solomons for the ARC.

An interesting delve into the life of Cleopatra! I didn't know much about this historical figure aside from the very well known facts, so found this take on her character an intriguing one

I’ve always been fascinated by Egypt since I was younger, so this book really caught my interest. I loved the early parts that focused on Queen Cleopatra’s power, independence, and intelligence—it was refreshing and inspiring to see her portrayed that way. As the story moved into the middle and end, I felt like some of that strength faded, which was a bit disappointing, but I still enjoyed the journey. It was an engaging read overall, and I’m glad I powered through it.

I read an eARC of this book on Net Galley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This book explores a period of the life of Queen Cleopatra. From visiting Rome with her father as a teenager, to the conclusion of her relationship with Caesar. Because this book is about a real historical figure and is drawing on the Shakespeare play, it focuses less on events and more on character. Many of the key moments in the book will be known by people familiar with the play or the history. So the author has cleverly chosen to look at this more as a character study rather than a retelling. We have a slower pace, a look behind the scenes at the powerful and beguiling queen, seeing her thoughts and what she has to sacrifice to ensure the best outcomes for her people. We see her troublesome family and the poisonous narratives that are spread about her by those looking to push their own agenda.

We have a beautiful look at found family and friendship here. Cleopatra’s actual family has toxic dynamics that cause her numerous problems. Her romantic relationships are strategic and while she can take some joy and companionship from them, she is always using herself as a political tool. Her friendships however, are where we see her true loves come into play. This is tested in the book and we see Cleopatra forced to make a choice between what’s best for her, and what’s best for those she cares about.

Cleopatra’s story into interspersed with chapters from a Roman woman’s point of view to show us another side to Caesar and his legacy. This gives us the Roman context juxtaposed with Cleopatra’s distaste at visiting Rome.

A well-written and fascinating historical novel.

Finished it in almost one sitting. For someone who has little interest in Egypt or Egyptian mythology I have to say that I really enjoyed the book. And I really appreciate books like this as I like to learn while I read. Whereas I don't really research things myself, I just.feel like I'm back at school and get bored easily. Didn't really care about Servilla but Cleopatra's POV was very interesting.

I’ve always been intrigued by Egypt and Egyptian mythology so I was excited to read this book. Although it took me a short while to get into I was soon totally engrossed in Cleopatra’s world. Told from dual POV’s, that of Cleopatra and of Servilia, Caesar’s mistress, this is a reimagining based on fact, and the authors own imagination. Covering the period until Caesars death it’s the story of a girl, then a woman, brought up to believe that they are a princess and a goddess and their wishes and desires are sacrosanct. The narrative is good and the descriptions made me feel like I was there in Alexandria, on the Nile and in Rome. How I would have loved to walk the library!

Briefly, after the death of her father Cleopatra was married to her brother Ptolemy and they ruled jointly, as her father decreed. However, Ptolemy wants the power and riches for himself and when Cleopatra leaves Alexandria to meet her people Ptolemy, with the support of Rome take over the palace. But Cleopatra has a plan. Aware of Caesar’s reputation with women she decides to find a way to get back into the palace and seduce him.

The character of Cleopatra is one that’s always fascinated me. This story shows her as a commanding figure who fights for what she believes is right, albeit it is her version of right. However, there is another side to her. She loves her younger siblings and is devastated when one turns against her, she loves her maid Charmain and she loves her children. Her feelings for Caesar are more complex, she admires him and comes to care for him but unlike Servilia is not in love with him. The two perspectives worked really well and I enjoyed learning about Servilia. A captivating and entertaining historical novel, there is violence and treachery in spades but there is also love and loyalty. Very enjoyable. 4,5⭐️

I really enjoyed the first third of the book, but I found the middle and ending of the book slow and if I’m honest a bit repetitive. Initially Cleopatra was this strong teenage queen who did what she must for her kingdom but towards the end I felt she lacked any sort of personality. I didn’t feel engaged with her outcome.

I have been so excited about this book - and just look at that cover, it's so beautiful.

I have read quite a lot of Egypt-related books recently and I am here for it. Like most people it seems, I was fascinated by Ancient Egypt and Egyptology as a kid and I'm starting to feel that again thanks to this influx of the genre.

The background, scene setting, historical points - they're all so beautiful. You can see how much research Natasha has had to carry out to make this so vivid and lifelike.

For the most part, it is heavy on the prose and light on dialogue, and I like that, that's how I write actually. For me, it leads you better into the story and only through that do you get to understand the characters.

The characters are so well created. The goodies, the baddies, and the in-betweens. Few of them are 100% villains, instead most are morally grey; they're violent because o the time they live in and that's what is expected from them in context. Cleopatra's story is not one I know well, but she is depicted as the fierce and powerful leader that we all know, but Natisha has also shown her as a loving, caring friend.

I don't really know much about Cleopatra, but having done a quick Google, from what I can tell, this is so accurate its like Natasha was there alongside Cleopatra. You can tell she has a passion for this subject, you don't get this level of passion into the story without having some sort of love for it.

I read this in less than 24 hours it was so addictive, it reads almost like a thriller, so engrossed I was in it. It's brutal and gory and violet and fierce and sad and bloody, but if you look between all of that, you'll also find love and friendship and hope.

I own a copy of Natasha's book Fair Rosaline, but it still remains on my TBR, but having read this I know it needs to go to the top of my list because her storytelling and writing is wonderful.