Description
Description
Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic from the bestselling and award-winning author of Faebound and The Final Strife. "Enchanting, smart, and subversive--this is El-Arifi's masterpiece."--R.F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Katabasis This stunning edition includes designed endpapers and a custom case stamp. 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, and divinely blessed to rule. Death will silence me no longer. This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
About the Author
About the Author
Saara El-Arifi is an internationally bestselling and award winning 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.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"Enchanting, smart, and subversive--this is El-Arifi's masterpiece."--R.F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Katabasis "Lush world-building and lyrical prose . . . Cleopatra's fascinating life is portrayed on her own terms, as readers have never encountered her before."--Jennifer Saint, #1 internationally bestselling author of Ariadne
"An extraordinary achievement that raises Cleopatra from the sands of time and liberates her from the judgment of men, granting her dignity and humanity."--Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree "A compassionate, beautiful and lustrous insight into Cleopatra. Saara El-Arifi is a master of her craft."--Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne "Saara El-Arifi is true brilliance, and this book cements her as one of the most prolific and important writers of the moment."--Hannah Kaner, bestselling author of Godkiller "Saara El-Arifi's passion for and deep knowledge of her subject are always apparent, giving Cleopatra's famous story a new and unique twist."--Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den "Epic in scope but fine in detail, Cleopatra is a searing, masterful depiction of this incredible queen. This novel establishes El-Arifi as the voice of a generation."--Amy McCulloch, bestselling author of Breathless "Vividly realized and skillfully unraveled, El-Arifi''s Cleopatra is as insightful as it is engrossing. It brings Aa sorely needed new light."--Kat Dunn, author of Hungerstone "Bold, beautiful, and breathtakingly brilliant, Cleopatra is destined to bring El-Arifi to even greater heights."--Katherine Webber, bestselling co-author of Twin Crowns "Captivating and deeply moving--it will stay with me for a long time."--A. S. Webb, bestselling author of Daughter of Chaos
"An extraordinary achievement that raises Cleopatra from the sands of time and liberates her from the judgment of men, granting her dignity and humanity."--Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree "A compassionate, beautiful and lustrous insight into Cleopatra. Saara El-Arifi is a master of her craft."--Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne "Saara El-Arifi is true brilliance, and this book cements her as one of the most prolific and important writers of the moment."--Hannah Kaner, bestselling author of Godkiller "Saara El-Arifi's passion for and deep knowledge of her subject are always apparent, giving Cleopatra's famous story a new and unique twist."--Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den "Epic in scope but fine in detail, Cleopatra is a searing, masterful depiction of this incredible queen. This novel establishes El-Arifi as the voice of a generation."--Amy McCulloch, bestselling author of Breathless "Vividly realized and skillfully unraveled, El-Arifi''s Cleopatra is as insightful as it is engrossing. It brings Aa sorely needed new light."--Kat Dunn, author of Hungerstone "Bold, beautiful, and breathtakingly brilliant, Cleopatra is destined to bring El-Arifi to even greater heights."--Katherine Webber, bestselling co-author of Twin Crowns "Captivating and deeply moving--it will stay with me for a long time."--A. S. Webb, bestselling author of Daughter of Chaos
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Ballantine Books
Pub date:
2026-02-24
Length:
352 pages
The Allstora Membership
Membership Perks:
- Save 30% on all online store purchases
- Exclusive access to author's content
- You pay less, but authors still earn double
Membership Terms:
First Month:
$0.00
Monthly price:
$5.00
- To access membership discount simply log in and add to cart, discount applied automatically.
- One month free trial, cancel anytime. Membership renews on the 15th of each month.