From the first pages, Cleopatra: Secrets from the Tomb sets itself up as a sweeping historical fiction retelling of Cleopatra VII’s life. The opening chapters follow her from childhood in the royal palace gardens to the brutal politics of the Ptolemaic dynasty, where executions, betrayals, and uneasy alliances shape her world. We watch her lose a sister, fend off assassins, endure exile, and stage her dramatic return to Alexandria, ultimately stepping onto the stage with Julius Caesar in a way that blends political calculation with personal ambition. It reads like a behind-the-scenes chronicle of a woman forced to sharpen her instincts in a nest of vipers, and it moves steadily from innocence to strategy to survival.

As I moved through the story, I found myself reacting not just to the events, but to the way Blundell chose to show them. The writing is direct, almost cinematic at times, with scenes that place you right in the heat of Alexandria or the hush of a temple at night. Some moments are vivid enough to feel like you’re standing beside Cleopatra herself, like the early image of her playing among flowers before freezing at the sight of a viper, a simple childhood moment that quietly foreshadows the dangers ahead. Other scenes, like Berenice’s execution or Cleopatra’s exile, come at you quickly and without sentiment, which fits the harsh world the book wants you to feel. I appreciated how the author frames Cleopatra as intelligent and capable without softening the darker edges of her ambition.

What surprised me most was how personal the story sometimes feels, even while staying grounded in historical detail. Cleopatra’s voice comes through in her shifting confidence, her anger, and her sharp awareness of how others perceive her. The book doesn’t try to turn her into a flawless heroine. Instead, it lets her be ambitious, manipulative, wounded, and occasionally tender. Those choices made the familiar historical moments feel fresher. And while the writing is straightforward, moments of sensory detail land well when they appear.

By the time I closed the book, I felt that anyone who enjoys historical fiction centered on political intrigue, complicated women, and ancient worlds brought to life would get a lot from this story. Readers who want a richly detailed, almost immersive retelling of Cleopatra’s rise will appreciate the blend of fact and interpretation. If you’re looking for a reflective character study wrapped in the drama of palace life, war, and shifting loyalties, this book is an engaging pick.

Pages: 323 | ISBN : 979-8-8230-9526-6