Cleopatra

An enthralling, groundbreaking reimagining of an iconic queen, from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author

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.

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.

Review

'Enchanting, smart, and subversive – this is El-Arifi’s masterpiece' R. F. KUANG

'Saara El-Arifi's lush world-building and lyrical prose invest Cleopatra with a humanity, dignity, power and independence that burn brightly on every page. Her deep love and vast knowledge of her subject shine through, and we see Cleopatra's fascinating life portrayed on her own terms, as readers have never encountered her before' JENNIFER SAINT

'Few historical figures have been as maligned, romanticised or exoticised as Cleopatra. With this unflinching take on her life and legacy, El-Arifi raises Cleopatra from the sands of time, greets her with profound compassion, and liberates her from the judgement of men, granting her dignity and humanity. An extraordinary achievement’ SAMANTHA SHANNON

'This may well be [El-Arifi’s] masterpiece… Transforms the legend of Cleopatra into the most addictive and entertaining of stories' STYLIST

‘Sensational: Cleopatra as she is meant to be told… Saara El-Arifi is true brilliance, and this book cements here even further as one of the most prolific and important writers of the moment' HANNAH KANER

'An evocation of the Ancient World that is so vividly immersive you feel you are physically present with Cleopatra, watching events unfold. Saara El Arifi’s passion and deep knowledge of her subject is always apparent and her Cleopatra has a wonderfully distinctive voice. I also loved how seamlessly the fantasy element was woven into the history, giving Cleopatra’s famous story a new and unique twist' ELODIE HARPER

'Vividly realised and skillfully unravelled, Cleopatra is as insightful as it is engrossing. A sorely needed new light' KAT DUNN

‘Cleopatra is El-Arifi’s best yet. Pairing exquisite prose with a propulsive plot, she resurrects Cleopatra from the tomes of history, retelling the life of Egypt’s last pharaoh and vividly bringing Ancient Egypt to life' THE BOOKSELLER

'Gripping' RADIO TIMES

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. You can find her on Tiktok and Instagram at @saaraelarifi or on her website www.saaraelarifi.com