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! The way she inserted the pieces of fiction within the facts is seamless, I could not see where the facts started and the fiction ended. She brought such a twist and a life to an already iconic historical figure, I could have read more!!!
I cannot wait for this book to be out and to finally be able to share my love for it with everyone!!

I love this book. Cleopatra is an icon, many people through the ages have tried to represent and capture who she was, and all are sincere and imaginative, true in their way. She’s in our global psyche so perhaps our personal visions of her are as unique as each of us. But somehow this book succeeds in acknowledging the beauty of that, while telling Cleopatra’s story from her own point of view. How accurate it truly is doesn’t matter. It’s clearly well researched and makes perfect sense in the framework of the time. And that helps you to see life through the eyes of the person, the ‘goddess’, the era and culture and how it might have been experienced. It’s rare for that to be so immersive, well described and characterised. That Cleopatra speaks to us knowing time ahead as well as time past is poignantly explained at the end, makes perfect sense of what being immortal actually means.

This was SO good.
Thank you net galley for the arc copy.

I have always found the Pharaoh era fascinating and this book felt like the perfect blend of fiction and history. Cleopatra was an amazing character to follow and the story flowed really well.

The way the author describes Alexandria is beautiful, it makes me want to visit Egypt and see for myself. The characters felt real, as did their relationships and emotions. I especially loved the friendship between Cleo and Charmion, a true non-romantic soul mate which was beautiful to read about.

Definitely recommend! Couldn’t put it down.

Stunning. Powerful. Emotional. I was almost at a loss for words to describe this brilliantly beautiful story.

When the authors note gives you goosebumps you know that you are about to read something special.

Saara's retelling of Cleopatra's life is not only beautifully well written but the blend between fact and fiction is seamless. I have not read anything that has brought Cleopatra to life for me in such a unique way as much as this book. Saara breathes new life into a woman who we have been told many tales about and gives Cleopatra a voice we haven't heard before.

We have heard the story of the two great loves of Cleopatra's life but this is SO much more. Although they feature in the book and their love stories are told beautifully, it's the fierce devotion to her children and Egypt and the love she has towards her best friend Charmion that really gripped me.

Told through Cleopatra's POV we get to see her as a queen, a leader, a healer, a lover and a mother. We see her powerful, vulnerable, passionate and flawed. Her love and devotion to Egypt only matched by her devotion to her children. She was fiercely loyal to those who were loyal to her. The betrayals that she faces are many and the relationship with her siblings is complex and heartbreaking.

The magic aspect of the story was so interesting where people from her family are given gifts linked to certain gods. It's a source of much heartache for Cleopatra.

The world building is sublime. You feel that you are in Egypt, with sand between your toes and the breeze on your skin. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you are fully immersed.

I loved watching Cleopatra fall in love. The balls she has sneaking in to meet Julius. The letters and banter between her and Antonius had me kicking my feet. It was so beautifully written. Their love story was definitely one for the ages. But my favourite love story was between Cleopatra and Charmion. A love story built on friendship, loyalty and devotion. It's a love that lasts her whole life.

"One for the past and the happy years well spent, one for the present and the patience we extend, one for the future and love that never ends."

The last few chapters of this book were so moving. They had me sobbing.

"Let us go on one final journey, you and I"

I loved how it felt we were being told this story by Cleopatra herself and how angry she is at the way history and men have reduced her to certain stereotypes. It has humour, it has feminine rage and it's a great take on the life of a powerful woman.

"I have watched your painters portray images of me and the asp time and time again, in oil, ink and lead. It is a shame none captured this true moment - the venom of a mother's vengeance."

I absolutely cannot wait for this book to come out so others can read it.

Saara you can see how much work you have put into this story. Your passion leaps off the pages and I am so thankful to you for writing this beautiful story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and Saara El-Arifi for the arc. This is my own honest review of this book.

Saara El-Arifi got us used to great books and this one isn’t an exception. Perfect in every way, cleopatra is a story of female empowerment, fight and resilience. Absolutely perfect

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book. It gave such a human voice to Cleopatra and the people in her life.

The writing style is perfect and kept me engaged the whole time, so much so that even though I know the outcome of the story I still hoped for a different one.

If you love the story of Cleopatra I can’t recommend this book enough as it shows the woman behind the legend. It shows her feelings, fears, strengths and vulnerabilities.

Thank you to NetGalley, Saara El-Arifi and Harper Collins UK for this ARC.

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