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A Novel
by Michelle Moran
Book Reviewed by:Love, betrayal, political unrest, plague, and religious conflict — Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life in vivid detail. Fast-paced and historically accurate, it is the dramatic story of two unforgettable women living through a remarkable period in history.
Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped by all that her strong personality will temper the young Amunhotep’s heretical desire to forsake Egypt’s ancient gods, overthrow the priests of Amun, and introduce a new sun god for all to worship.
From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people. Her charisma is matched only by her husband’s perceived generosity: Amunhotep showers his subjects with lofty promises. The love of the commoners will not be enough, however, if the royal couple is not able to conceive an heir, and as Nefertiti turns her attention to producing a son, she fails to see that the powerful priests, along with the military, are plotting against her husband’s rule. The only person wise enough to recognize the shift in political winds—and brave enough to tell the queen—is her younger sister, Mutnodjmet.
Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. She yearns for a quiet existence away from family duty and the intrigues of court. Her greatest hope is to share her life with the general who has won her heart. But as Nefertiti learns of the precariousness of her reign, she declares that her sister must remain at court and marry for political gain, not love. To achieve her independence, Mutnodjmet must defy her sister, the most powerful woman in Egypt—while also remaining loyal to the needs of her family.
Love, betrayal, political unrest, plague, and religious conflict—Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life in vivid detail. Fast-paced and historically accurate, it is the dramatic story of two unforgettable women living through a remarkable period in history.
Prologue
If you are to believe what the viziers say, then Amunhotep
killed his brother for the crown of Egypt.
In the third month of Akhet, Crown Prince Tuthmosis lay in his
room in Malkata Palace. A warm wind stirred the curtains of his chamber,
carrying with it the desert scents of zaatar and myrrh. With each breeze
the long linens danced, wrapping themselves around the columns of the
palace, brushing the sun-dappled tiles on the floor. But while the twenty-year-old
Prince of Egypt should have been riding to victory at the head of Pharaoh’s
charioteers, he was lying in his bedchamber, his right leg supported by
cushions, swollen and crushed. The chariot that had failed him had immediately
been burned, but the damage was done. His fever was high and his shoulders
slumped. And while the jackal-headed god of death crept closer, Amunhotep
sat across the room ...
An addictively engrossing epic that brings to life a fascinating time and place - a good choice for book clubs and lovers of historical fiction...continued
Full Review
(311 words)
(Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).
Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Breath of Snow and Ashes
Nefertiti is a fascinating window into the past, a heroic story with a very human heart. Compulsively readable! India Edghill, author of Wisdom's Daughter
An engrossing page-turner, Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life as two royal sisters struggle to find fulfillment and happiness- one craving ultimate political power, the other desiring only to follow her heart. A strong debut novel of passion and intrigue, Nefertiti kept me up way too late! Ki Longfellow, author of The Secret Magdalene
A provocative portrait of limitless power in an ancient land of limitless fascination. Robin Maxwell, author of The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
There haven't been two more fascinating or outrageous siblings since the Boleyn sisters...Nefertiti is obsessive reading. Rosalind Miles, bestselling author of I, Elizabeth
A stunning debut-I can't believe it's her first novel-what a thrilling read! I found the whole book rich and compelling, exciting and haunting. Nefertiti is a fine creation, both appealing and frightening, and she's surrounded by a thoroughly satisfying cast of characters, too. The whole world of Ancient Egypt comes to life.Interesting Links:
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