When We Were Gods by Colin Falconer – A Historical Novel of Cleopatra | Rite of Fancy Review

When We Were Gods by Colin Falconer 

 A Historical Novel of Cleopatra 

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

The life and lovers of Cleopatra.

A short summary of When We Were Gods:

When We Were Gods is a richly imagined historical novel that follows the life of Cleopatra, tracing her rise to power, her intimate relationships, and the political calculations behind her most famous decisions. Colin Falconer focuses not just on the events of Cleopatra’s life, but on the motivations, the fears, ambitions, and personal loyalties that shaped her rule. Through vivid scenes and emotional depth, the novel explores what it meant to be a woman wielding power in a world determined to control her, blending romance, intrigue, and history into a compelling portrait of one of antiquity’s most misunderstood figures.

My favorite quote from the book:

"Nothing was ever lost by generosity."

Colin Falconer, When We Were Gods

Questions to ponder while reading the book:

Do you believe in power?

Do you believe in justice?

My review of When We Were Gods:

This was an engaging and surprisingly thoughtful read that made Cleopatra feel human rather than mythic. I appreciated Falconer’s attention to the “why” behind her choices, why she trusted certain people, why she loved the men she did, and why she made decisions that history often judges harshly. While I enjoyed the emotional and romantic elements of the story, there were moments where I found myself questioning whether I would have made the same choices in her place. That tension, though, is part of what made the book memorable, it invites reflection rather than easy agreement.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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