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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Good, but we all know that Michelle Moran can do much better. Nefertiti would thrill you; this is less satisfying but still good.
A lovely sequel to “Nefertiti,” exploring the life of Queen Nefertari and the palace intrigues as she vies to be Ramesses II’s Chief Wife. It was fun to see some of the themes from the Book of Exodus play out, and have a heroine who is beautiful but also a lover of languages and politics (comme moi!) I also appreciated that this story examined the fall-out of Nefertiti and Akhenaten’s scandalous attempt at monotheism, and how that may have impacted Nefertari’s reputation at court. Overall a super fun read and another wonderful jaunt through ancient history.
A real page turner!
I couldn't put down this book after I started! Very engrossing and really draws the reader in! I enjoyed seeing ancient Egypt through the author's eyes and learning about the live of Ramesses and Nefertari.
I couldn't put down this book after I started! Very engrossing and really draws the reader in! I enjoyed seeing ancient Egypt through the author's eyes and learning about the live of Ramesses and Nefertari.
This was fairly well written, definitely well researched, and I was here for the intrigue. The romance? Not so much. While it was very evident Nefertari loved Rameses, I didn’t really buy aspects of their relationship esp in the beginning. Lots of court drama and intrigue though. The historical aspect was fascinating. It was cool to be immersed in one imagining of what Egypt would have been like in all its glory
I thought this was interesting and definitely reminded me of my Egyptology obsession in middle school but it also didn’t really feel like it had a plot outside of the intrigue??? Nefertari’s only goal was to be his Queen and then it ends. Cool but I wouldn’t read it again.
I thought this was interesting and definitely reminded me of my Egyptology obsession in middle school but it also didn’t really feel like it had a plot outside of the intrigue??? Nefertari’s only goal was to be his Queen and then it ends. Cool but I wouldn’t read it again.
This book is even better than 'Nefertiti'! Her writing style is so engaging and descriptive it made me feel like I was living in the court of Ramesses II. I couldn't put it down! Great characters, intrigue, love, rich history this book had everything I wanted and more. Another great book by Michelle Moran. I'll definitely be reading 'Cleopatra's Daughter' next!
I really loved this one. I know most historical fiction isn't entirely accurate, but I love reading about different periods in history in such a fun way. Some historical fiction is really dry, but The Heretic Queen was an easy read that was hard to put down.
I often feel uneasy reading historical fiction, especially stories about women. They rarely had it very good, and you know bad things are going to happen to them. And then there are a lot of catty women in these stories, and this one is no exception. It makes it hard to read sometimes, while at the same time keeping things interesting.
Even though I find ancient Egypt really interesting, I didn't know much about Nefertari. She was a fun character to read about, and was very strong and just pretty darn awesome. I would love to read more about her in the future.
I think this is my second book by this author, the first being Rebel Queen. I liked this one better, but I will definitely be reading more of Michelle Moran's books in the future. She's a great author that makes history seem a lot more accessible.
I often feel uneasy reading historical fiction, especially stories about women. They rarely had it very good, and you know bad things are going to happen to them. And then there are a lot of catty women in these stories, and this one is no exception. It makes it hard to read sometimes, while at the same time keeping things interesting.
Even though I find ancient Egypt really interesting, I didn't know much about Nefertari. She was a fun character to read about, and was very strong and just pretty darn awesome. I would love to read more about her in the future.
I think this is my second book by this author, the first being Rebel Queen. I liked this one better, but I will definitely be reading more of Michelle Moran's books in the future. She's a great author that makes history seem a lot more accessible.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this book and it was a fast read. A lot of the themes were similar to Moran’s first book which is why I rated it lower than her others since it felt like some parts were “copy pasted.” But that is to be expected since this book is almost like a sequel to Nefertiti. Would still recommend, especially for those wanting to get into historical fiction.
I wish there were still a thousand more pages to read but alas I have finished reading all of Michelle Moran’s fantastic fiction! I could not have imagined a more fulfilling journey through time back to Ancient Egypt than the one taken through Moran’s genuine voice and her simple yet beautiful prose. “The Heretic Queen” tells the story of young Nefertari which takes place nearly half a century following Nefertiti‘s reign.
In her historical fiction, Moran clearly identifies fact from fiction and the reader has a clear idea what may have perhaps taken place, in so much as we know the facts of history at the time, and what is the flight of beautiful imagination on Moran’s part. The simplicity of the writing style and story telling grasps your attention for much longer than it should by all logic.
The story becomes addictive in small, measured steps and your imagination gets the better of you, because how can you exit the world of Ancient Egypt after entering it without learning the outcome?
Thebes, Egypt. 1283 BC. The Egyptians have taken back their banished Gods (after the fall of Pharaoh Akhenaten and Nefertiti) and have promptly erased this Pharaoh and his Queen from history. The enormous city of Amarna is reduced to sand and dust and Thebes is once again the glorious capital. Akhenaten is regarded as the Heretic King who took away their Amun and Nefertiti the Queen whose name is uttered neither within the walls of Palace nor in the streets of Thebes. Mutnodjmet, mother to Princess Nefertari and sister to Nefertiti, lost everything – her parents, her son, her husband – in an intentional fire by Horemheb whom she was then forced to wed. She died giving birth to little Nefertari who was raised by her sweet, loving nurse, Merit. She loves Merit as her own mawat, mother. It was easy to do; I fell in love with Merit’s character as much as with Nefertari herself.
We run through the palace halls and courts and gardens through Nefertari’s innocent eyes. She is a wild child with a good heart and great love for Ramesses II but she has little notion of the forces around her. While still treated like an outcast – with a “Heretic” family – she is undeniably a Princess, a Queen’s daughter, regardless of her akhu, the soul and deed of her Ancestors, and Ramesses has loved her since they were both children. Naturally, the evil forces in the palace exploit Nefertari’s relations to her bloodline as an irrevocable flaw, a tattoo stamped on her forehead through no actions of her own, and use it as enough reason to get her banished from palace and court altogether. Nefertari triumphs only too beautifully.
My most favorite moments in this book come from watching the duckling turn into an intelligent, well-groomed and visionary future Queen. It was only too pleasurable to see the complete oversight of her enemies in assessing Nefertari’s determination. Only too shocked with the turn of events, they could not begin to imagine that education can surpass beauty and a Pharaoh may highly seek that trait in his future Chief wife. Nefertari learns 5 languages by the time she is 15, along with defense strategies of defending the Egyptian land from enemies at war, settling problems at court, and winning the hearts of a nation that called her an outcast.
LOVE all of Moran's writing.... you won't be disappointed to read this one!
In her historical fiction, Moran clearly identifies fact from fiction and the reader has a clear idea what may have perhaps taken place, in so much as we know the facts of history at the time, and what is the flight of beautiful imagination on Moran’s part. The simplicity of the writing style and story telling grasps your attention for much longer than it should by all logic.
The story becomes addictive in small, measured steps and your imagination gets the better of you, because how can you exit the world of Ancient Egypt after entering it without learning the outcome?
Thebes, Egypt. 1283 BC. The Egyptians have taken back their banished Gods (after the fall of Pharaoh Akhenaten and Nefertiti) and have promptly erased this Pharaoh and his Queen from history. The enormous city of Amarna is reduced to sand and dust and Thebes is once again the glorious capital. Akhenaten is regarded as the Heretic King who took away their Amun and Nefertiti the Queen whose name is uttered neither within the walls of Palace nor in the streets of Thebes. Mutnodjmet, mother to Princess Nefertari and sister to Nefertiti, lost everything – her parents, her son, her husband – in an intentional fire by Horemheb whom she was then forced to wed. She died giving birth to little Nefertari who was raised by her sweet, loving nurse, Merit. She loves Merit as her own mawat, mother. It was easy to do; I fell in love with Merit’s character as much as with Nefertari herself.
We run through the palace halls and courts and gardens through Nefertari’s innocent eyes. She is a wild child with a good heart and great love for Ramesses II but she has little notion of the forces around her. While still treated like an outcast – with a “Heretic” family – she is undeniably a Princess, a Queen’s daughter, regardless of her akhu, the soul and deed of her Ancestors, and Ramesses has loved her since they were both children. Naturally, the evil forces in the palace exploit Nefertari’s relations to her bloodline as an irrevocable flaw, a tattoo stamped on her forehead through no actions of her own, and use it as enough reason to get her banished from palace and court altogether. Nefertari triumphs only too beautifully.
My most favorite moments in this book come from watching the duckling turn into an intelligent, well-groomed and visionary future Queen. It was only too pleasurable to see the complete oversight of her enemies in assessing Nefertari’s determination. Only too shocked with the turn of events, they could not begin to imagine that education can surpass beauty and a Pharaoh may highly seek that trait in his future Chief wife. Nefertari learns 5 languages by the time she is 15, along with defense strategies of defending the Egyptian land from enemies at war, settling problems at court, and winning the hearts of a nation that called her an outcast.
LOVE all of Moran's writing.... you won't be disappointed to read this one!
I couldn't put this book down. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! It started out slow, but soon enough it picked up. It had everything I wanted in it. Deception, sex, love, royalty, power plays, ancient "history" if you could call it that. I felt like I was watching / reading a soap opera in an Ancient Egyptian setting.
I was really sad to finish the book so quick. I didn't want to stop cheering for Nefertari!(although I have to point out, I really do feel bad for Iset in everything that had happened to her. I always did have a soft spot for pawns in games)Granted this is a work of fiction and a lot of it may / is inaccurate, the story is incredibly well told. I felt so involved in what was going on with Nefer. I'll admit I got a little teary a couple of times. How Michelle portrayed Nefertari's love for Ramsses (and vice versa) was really genuine and heartfelt you just felt like anyone who interfered between them needed to ... go away.
I find Michelle Moran quickly making it on the list of authors I'd like to read. I can't wait to start on Nefertiti and Cleopatra's Daughter.
I was really sad to finish the book so quick. I didn't want to stop cheering for Nefertari!(although I have to point out, I really do feel bad for Iset in everything that had happened to her. I always did have a soft spot for pawns in games)Granted this is a work of fiction and a lot of it may / is inaccurate, the story is incredibly well told. I felt so involved in what was going on with Nefer. I'll admit I got a little teary a couple of times. How Michelle portrayed Nefertari's love for Ramsses (and vice versa) was really genuine and heartfelt you just felt like anyone who interfered between them needed to ... go away.
I find Michelle Moran quickly making it on the list of authors I'd like to read. I can't wait to start on Nefertiti and Cleopatra's Daughter.
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes