The voice the author gives to Cleopatra really brings her shrewd intelligence and superiority to life.
This book follows right up until Caesar's death, and is primarily Cleopatra narrating events and describing her own emotions and thoughts as she navigates the politics of her relationship with Caesar whilst vying for power over Egypt with her siblings and Rome itself. There is also another POV from Roman matron, Servilia: one of Caesar's lovers. You don't get any deep sense of any character other than Cleopatra (and Servilia by the end), which really highlights how isolated Cleopatra feels she is, and how vulnerable to betrayal she is. I appreciate it's written as Cleopatra's historical account of events, but I would have liked more dialogue to get a deeper, more involved sense of the character dynamics. The poison foreshadowing throughout was dark and well done. The story starts quite fast-paced, then slows for the middle, punctuated by scenes of betrayal and action, then speeds up again at the end. In terms of writing style, I felt there was a slight over-reliance on commas rather than other more appropriate punctuation marks, which sometimes disrupted the flow, but other parts were beautifully poetic.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy historical fiction and historical retellings, and particularly those fascinated by Cleopatra, of course.

I really loved this book! The writing was very evocative and I loved the setting of ancient egypt / rome. I found the theme of power struggles really interesting and also the focus on female friendship that Chariman and Cleopatra share. I thought the character of Semilina had a lot of depth and I'd like to have heard more from her in this. I didn't know too much about Cleopatra going into this so it was fascinating to see the woman behind the icon and get a peak into her thoughts / motivations. Similar with Julius Caesar. I rated this 4.75 stars on Storygraph and would highly recommend!

(This book is an Arc and is being published on the 8th of May) 📖 ⭐️⭐️ 2.5/5

If this wasn’t an arc I think I would have DNFd it, BUT I am very glad I didn’t.

This book follows Cleopatra, Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt, and her bought woman who has been by her side since birth. This story is told through the eyes of Cleopatra and Servilia, the Roman woman who Cleopatra also shares a lover with, Caesar. Following both women we see the battles they face, the heart break and loss, and their ever changing relationship with Caesar. But who will heed the warning that hangs over all of their heads.

It is clear that Natasha is a very established researcher, there is no doubt about it. Although this is suggested to be a story of Cleopatra’s life, it only covers her life to the point of her relationship ending with Caesar.

I loved learning about how strong and intelligent she was as a person and the Pharaoh of Egypt but it was a lot of background info which made it feel like it dragged.

The first 10% good, 11% to 80% not badly written but not interesting. The last 20% amazing!

The ending was brilliant! The way the POV changes picked up made you feel the urgency.

If this book was about 50-75 pages shorter and the middle condensed it would have been a 4 star

She was born a goddess. Destined to be a queen yet always the dark shadow of Rome hid the light from Egypt.

Intertwining within Cleopatra's story are that of two other strong women, Charmian her slave from childhood, also her friend. And Servilia, sister of senator Cato who first meets Cleopatra on her first visit to Rome with the Pharaoh, her father. Though Cleopatra was a mere child, Servilia saw in her what others didn't. She knew she was clever, strong and deadly. A kindred.
Servilia's first husband was killed by Pompey, after he had surrendered, fostering her hatred for him.

For me, it felt rushed and matter of fact. I like to savour the stories I read, enjoy the development of the characters and the plot, but I felt I was being hurried, pushed through the story.
Thank you so much to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book before it's publication on 8th May 2025. But sadly it's a dnf from me.

Suse

An interesting retelling of the Cleopatra story narrated by the woman herself and by her rival for Caesar’s love, Servilia.

It spans the time between and including her two visits to Rome, and describes their meeting and her contribution to his downfall.

I loved this book. Did I mention that I loved it? Because I really loved it I was absolutely engrossed and then it was finished before I’d noticed I was near the end

A very easy read, but also fascinating and giving us a side of cleopatra I think people have not considered before. It humanises her story and allows you to empathise with her as a young girl and then as a mother fighting to protect her child.

My only annoyance is that it was over too soon I had expected it to move on to the mark anthony story - hut he seemed like an annoying person so actually I prefer to think of the story ending here

How great to get away from the patriarchal narrative, and read a book looking at Cleopatra's transition from girl to Pharaoh. Good pace and characterisation, this was an easy read, which left me wanting to find out more about Cleopatra's. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

Natasha Solomons’ Cleopatra offers a fresh and intimate look at one of history’s most iconic figures. Solomons brings Cleopatra to life as a complex, ambitious woman balancing love, power, and survival in a male-dominated world. The writing is immersive and vivid, making ancient Alexandria feel real and alive, while the story keeps you hooked with its mix of drama, politics, and personal struggles. It’s an engaging and approachable read for anyone who loves historical fiction or wants to see Cleopatra as more than just a legend.

Cleopatra’s power is her mind not her face.
I’m a sucker for stories involving Cleopatra so this title immediately caught my attention. Before reading Ms Solomon’s novel I debated whether it was fair to review the book, because the gold standard novel has to be Margaret George’s ‘Cleopatra’, (a stellar standard to live up to) however I’m so pleased I went ahead and this ‘Cleopatra’ is equally as enthralling but in a different wa.
The novel focuses on Cleopatra growing from a mischievous girl into a young woman with the mind of a general. She is Egypt and Egypt is her, and she prepared to do whatever it takes, no matter how distasteful to her personally, to protect her country. When Cleopatra’s father, the ruling Phaoroah dies, not only is she bereft of a father but she must rule with her brother/husband Ptolemy.
And so the problems begin.
Ptolemy is that dangerous combination of self-indulgent, arrogant, and stupid. His advisors sideline Cleopatra, trying to manoeuvre her out of power so they can step reign. Cleopatra doesn’t seek power for the sake of power, but can see how Egypt will be lost to the Romans if Ptolemy and his advisors continues down that path. The book then follows the twisting machinations of Cleopatra’s rise to supremacy in the face of death threats, betrayal, personal danger, and self-sacrifice.
One of many things that excelled about Solomon’s ‘Cleopatra’ is the personal relationships between Cleopatra and her lifelong companion Charmian, Caesar’s mistress Servilia, along with loyal acolytes. The book cover description of “Know her, love her, fear her” gives me chills having now read the book and is indeed apt. A full 5 stars for this great read.

Natasha Solomons’ Cleopatra offers a compelling and thought-provoking retelling of one of history’s most enigmatic figures. Stripping away centuries of patriarchal narratives, Solomons dares to imagine the woman behind the myth—a pharaoh, a queen, and a force to be reckoned with.

Cleopatra has long been portrayed as the ultimate seductress, wielding her beauty to gain power. But what if this image was merely a construct of men who sought to undermine her legacy? Solomons masterfully unravels Shakespeare’s Roman plays and peels back the layers of historical bias to deliver a fresh and richly nuanced portrayal of Cleopatra.

In this captivating tale, we meet a ruler who is as strategic as she is vulnerable, as fiercely loyal as she is heartbreakingly betrayed. Through exquisite prose, Solomons paints a vivid portrait of a woman navigating the treacherous waters of love, friendship, and power in a world designed to see her fail.

Cleopatra is more than a historical reimagining; it is a celebration of female strength, complexity, and resilience. Fans of Fair Rosaline will find Solomons’ signature blend of literary elegance and emotional depth in full force here. This is a must-read for anyone ready to meet Cleopatra—not as a legend, but as a woman.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons

Cleopatra, Egyptian Princess, grows up the favoured daughter of the Pharoah, hiding amongst the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria with her beloved slave Charmian, longing for the chance one day to write her own story.
Then when her father dies, willing that Cleopatra rule with her selfish brother Ptolemy, danger stirs. As the young Egyptian Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, he plots to destroy her and take the throne for himself.
I really enjoyed this book , it was fascinating to read about the life of Cleopatra and the relationship,she had with her brother Ptolemy and her servant Charmian.
A quick check online shows that Charmian was as trusted servant of her and she held an important position within her circle.

A beautifully researched historical novel, well written as well with attention to sights and smells. The characters are well drawn especially Cleopatra and Charmian, Cleopatra's love for Charmian is expressed when she is upset when Charmian is punished in her stead. All an all a brilliant read.