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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
genre of first-person historial fiction of real people is a genre im rarely a fan of but i liked Neferura more than i expected. feels overall very well balanced with an eye for detail I think is made clear by the authors note at the end. the plot is based in a lot of royal intrigue, none of which I think is too wild but it does morph into something different than I thought it would be. the ending in particular helps to frame things into more of tragedy than the book's surprisingly light tone conveys for most of it.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not huge into historical fiction, but not bad. A bit too dark for my liking but not a bad story for what it is.
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just don't care enough about Neferura or the plot. I really expected to like this one but I don't.
Also, I hate her pining after her servant when he seems indifferent to her
Also, I hate her pining after her servant when he seems indifferent to her
This book talks in circles and the main character is naive to the point of delusion. I don’t really care to have her grow in the slightest and the writing won’t get better through out the story I can’t even recon with what has already been said.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
"Neferura" by Malayna Evans is a historical tale set in ancient Egypt, focusing on the intriguing world of palace politics. The story revolves around Neferura, the daughter of the renowned Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Neferura, both a princess and a high priestess of Kemet, faces the challenge of balancing her mother's ambitions for her and dealing with her malicious half-brother, Thutmose, who is determined to obstruct her path to power.
As the plot unfolds, Neferura uncovers a conspiracy aimed at dethroning her mother. In her quest to prevent this upheaval, she forms an alliance with a mysterious tattooed wisewoman and her network of spies. However, due to her royal status, working closely with them is a risky endeavor. Neferura must navigate the precarious terrain of palace intrigue and make difficult choices and sacrifices to protect her beloved kingdom and its people.
Neferura left me with mixed feelings regarding its suitability for an adult audience. Since the book's description didn't explicitly state its intended readership (whether adult, young adult, or middle grade), my critique is rooted in my personal preferences as an adult reader. However, the book still possesses some strengths that make it a valuable reading experience.
A primary concern I have lies in the limited character development beyond the protagonist, Neferura. While the narrative's exclusive focus on Neferura's perspective can be seen as a stylistic choice, it unfortunately results in underdeveloped supporting characters. This lack of depth in the cast made it challenging for me to fully connect with them.
Furthermore, I found the dialogue in the narrative less impactful than I would prefer, ultimately affecting the pacing. Much of the text consisted of Neferura's internal musings, and a more pronounced emphasis on interactions and conversations between characters could have enriched my connection to them and intensified the emotional stakes. Given the tale's theme of treachery and intrigue, I anticipated a more thrilling reading experience.
Another element potentially affecting the book's resonance with an adult audience is the language used. While Malayna Evans demonstrates commendable familiarity with ancient Egyptian names and cultural elements, there are instances where modern idioms and expressions are introduced. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern language occasionally felt discordant and disrupted my immersion into the historical setting.
Nonetheless, it is worth acknowledging that “Neferura” delves into the life of an enigmatic historical figure about whom little is definitively known. I appreciate Evans's decision to shed light on the life of a young woman who might otherwise have been forgotten by history. Her willingness to engage in historical speculation and imaginative storytelling adds a layer of drama to the narrative. This approach may resonate particularly well with readers who enjoy historical fiction infused with speculative elements.
While “Neferura” may not align perfectly with the preferences of an adult audience due to limited character development, dialogue, and occasional modern language intrusions, it offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on a historical figure. The book may find a more enthusiastic reception among younger readers, especially those in middle school, who can relate to Neferura's perspective and journey and appreciate the straightforward storytelling.
Based on Malayna Evans's other published works, it appears that her target audience primarily comprises middle-grade readers. “Neferura” could be viewed as a step forward for fans of her earlier works as they mature and seek more in-depth engagement with stories rooted in ancient Egypt.
An ARC was provided by the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As the plot unfolds, Neferura uncovers a conspiracy aimed at dethroning her mother. In her quest to prevent this upheaval, she forms an alliance with a mysterious tattooed wisewoman and her network of spies. However, due to her royal status, working closely with them is a risky endeavor. Neferura must navigate the precarious terrain of palace intrigue and make difficult choices and sacrifices to protect her beloved kingdom and its people.
Neferura left me with mixed feelings regarding its suitability for an adult audience. Since the book's description didn't explicitly state its intended readership (whether adult, young adult, or middle grade), my critique is rooted in my personal preferences as an adult reader. However, the book still possesses some strengths that make it a valuable reading experience.
A primary concern I have lies in the limited character development beyond the protagonist, Neferura. While the narrative's exclusive focus on Neferura's perspective can be seen as a stylistic choice, it unfortunately results in underdeveloped supporting characters. This lack of depth in the cast made it challenging for me to fully connect with them.
Furthermore, I found the dialogue in the narrative less impactful than I would prefer, ultimately affecting the pacing. Much of the text consisted of Neferura's internal musings, and a more pronounced emphasis on interactions and conversations between characters could have enriched my connection to them and intensified the emotional stakes. Given the tale's theme of treachery and intrigue, I anticipated a more thrilling reading experience.
Another element potentially affecting the book's resonance with an adult audience is the language used. While Malayna Evans demonstrates commendable familiarity with ancient Egyptian names and cultural elements, there are instances where modern idioms and expressions are introduced. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern language occasionally felt discordant and disrupted my immersion into the historical setting.
Nonetheless, it is worth acknowledging that “Neferura” delves into the life of an enigmatic historical figure about whom little is definitively known. I appreciate Evans's decision to shed light on the life of a young woman who might otherwise have been forgotten by history. Her willingness to engage in historical speculation and imaginative storytelling adds a layer of drama to the narrative. This approach may resonate particularly well with readers who enjoy historical fiction infused with speculative elements.
While “Neferura” may not align perfectly with the preferences of an adult audience due to limited character development, dialogue, and occasional modern language intrusions, it offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on a historical figure. The book may find a more enthusiastic reception among younger readers, especially those in middle school, who can relate to Neferura's perspective and journey and appreciate the straightforward storytelling.
Based on Malayna Evans's other published works, it appears that her target audience primarily comprises middle-grade readers. “Neferura” could be viewed as a step forward for fans of her earlier works as they mature and seek more in-depth engagement with stories rooted in ancient Egypt.
An ARC was provided by the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.