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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting take on the story of the daughter of Hatshepsut, Neferura, whom we know very little about. I enjoyed this book and I love the rich detail within the Egyptian setting. It was fascinating. I also really liked the way Neferura was written, and her relationship with her mother became more complex as the story went on. The political intrigue, secrets, and underlying mystery were things I liked as well. I did find a pacing a little difficult to keep up with as it sped up and abruptly slowed, and there were a lot of characters to keep up with that kept me confused. I enjoyed the first half of the book more as the rest became a bit repetitive. I did enjoy the book, though. ✨
My rating of this book is actually 3.5 stars. I did enjoy this book and that it takes place in ancient Egypt helped to separate it from other similar books. If you're into court intrigue, royal squabbles, and women controlling things behind the scenes... then you'll likely enjoy this book. My only issue was, how many times can you successfully pull off faking deaths and having those people never be found or recognized? I get it... most readers want a happy ending. This book has the happy fairy tale ending. And I suppose that is where my only issue lies as a student of history... fairy tale endings rarely happen. As much as it might be an unpopular opinion, I'd have enjoyed the ending a little better if it had been a bit more realistic. But yes, this is historical fiction... emphasis on the fiction... rather than history. Overall it was a good read and I would recommend it.
Royals, scheming, deception, political intrigue and power struggles are what this book is all about. The book tells the story of Neferura, the daughter of Hatshepsut. While living in the royal courts, Neferura experiences the ups and downs of life through her relationships with her family members, friends, and several influential figures in Ancient Egypt. The first-person narrative follows Neferura as she navigates her position at court, focusing on the power struggle between Hatshepsut and Thutmose.
For anyone interested in ancient Egyptian history and historical retellings - this is a book you should read.
The book has a good premise, exploring the paths to power and the price that comes with it. It is mostly centred around the lives of the women surrounding Neferura and shows the multiple facets of women empowering each other, as well as women fighting each other. I also appreciated that the book was (as far as I am aware) not marketed as a feminist retelling, allowing the story to stand on its own. The recent influx of feminist-mythological retellings has struggled to reconcile the historical/mythological facts of characters and modern readers' expectations of what a feminist version would look like. This does not mean that this book lacks strong female characters. We learn that the people with true power are not the ones we suspect and that power comes in many different forms.
However, I found the ultimate powerlessness of Hatshepsut and Neferura hard to believe. Despite their intelligence, political power and potential for heroism, they fall short and are unable to achieve their goals. All it takes is for Thutmose (by all accounts a spoiled brat) to appear with the accusation of murder and the carefully constructed web of power crumples. He can simply show up and make demands, and Hatshepsut is willing to sell off Neferura to maintain her legacy, seemingly without pushback.
While I liked the premise of the book, my enjoyment of the book was slightly dampened by the fact that the narrative felt flat. The plot hinged on scheming and deception, which could have added intrigue to the story, but didn't feel fully thought out. Neferura, as well as the friends willing to help her with her schemes, feel unreasonably naive in many instances. Having lived through multiple assassinations in her closer surroundings, you would expect Neferura to deploy a little more caution in her scheming. Her unquestioning belief in proper rituals, the gods will and her Mother's innocence and benevolence make her appear naive. Despite the character's interesting roles and potential for complex development, their personalities and motivations (besides their hunger for power) were not fully fleshed out, making it difficult to connect with them.
The novel's fast pace, easy-to-follow plot and interesting premises will likely be appealing to many readers. Despite my somewhat harsh words in the previous paragraph, I enjoyed the book and liked how it transported me back to my 10-year-old self, who was utterly obsessed with watching documentaries about ancient Egypt. I also appreciate the thought that went into the use of names and terminology that would have been appropriate to the period.
*I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book. I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. *
For anyone interested in ancient Egyptian history and historical retellings - this is a book you should read.
The book has a good premise, exploring the paths to power and the price that comes with it. It is mostly centred around the lives of the women surrounding Neferura and shows the multiple facets of women empowering each other, as well as women fighting each other. I also appreciated that the book was (as far as I am aware) not marketed as a feminist retelling, allowing the story to stand on its own. The recent influx of feminist-mythological retellings has struggled to reconcile the historical/mythological facts of characters and modern readers' expectations of what a feminist version would look like. This does not mean that this book lacks strong female characters. We learn that the people with true power are not the ones we suspect and that power comes in many different forms.
However, I found the ultimate powerlessness of Hatshepsut and Neferura hard to believe. Despite their intelligence, political power and potential for heroism, they fall short and are unable to achieve their goals. All it takes is for Thutmose (by all accounts a spoiled brat) to appear with the accusation of murder and the carefully constructed web of power crumples. He can simply show up and make demands, and Hatshepsut is willing to sell off Neferura to maintain her legacy, seemingly without pushback.
While I liked the premise of the book, my enjoyment of the book was slightly dampened by the fact that the narrative felt flat. The plot hinged on scheming and deception, which could have added intrigue to the story, but didn't feel fully thought out. Neferura, as well as the friends willing to help her with her schemes, feel unreasonably naive in many instances. Having lived through multiple assassinations in her closer surroundings, you would expect Neferura to deploy a little more caution in her scheming. Her unquestioning belief in proper rituals, the gods will and her Mother's innocence and benevolence make her appear naive. Despite the character's interesting roles and potential for complex development, their personalities and motivations (besides their hunger for power) were not fully fleshed out, making it difficult to connect with them.
The novel's fast pace, easy-to-follow plot and interesting premises will likely be appealing to many readers. Despite my somewhat harsh words in the previous paragraph, I enjoyed the book and liked how it transported me back to my 10-year-old self, who was utterly obsessed with watching documentaries about ancient Egypt. I also appreciate the thought that went into the use of names and terminology that would have been appropriate to the period.
*I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book. I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. *
An interesting look into a woman who's history is not well known. I appreciated the authors notes at front and back for what liberties were taken and why certain terms were used (Iteru for the Nile for example). I liked the use of locations as what they were known in the 18th dynasty instead of how we know them today.
Neferura was the daughter of two pharaohs. Her mother was the pharaoh Hatsheput her father pharaoh Thutmose II. Hatsheput's rule is a fascinating time in history and getting to look at it from the lens of her daughter was interesting. Nobody knows much about Nefurura so much of the story was speculative however it was done using the bits of knowledge that has survived. Neferura was Lady of Upper and Lower Egypt, Mistress of the Lands, and God's Wife of Amun. She must have served Queenly roles during her mothers reign as pharaoh as Hatsheput had no queen of her own to do so.
This story gives us a view of a possibility of what life was like for the princess. But more than that it does a great job of giving a feel for the time period and what was asked of people in various roles. Also it is a story of love. The love of a sisterhood. Of women banding together to make lives better. The importance of friendships and the love that can come with them.
Good book, recommend for anyone looking for something different from an ancient Egypt historical fiction.
Neferura was the daughter of two pharaohs. Her mother was the pharaoh Hatsheput her father pharaoh Thutmose II. Hatsheput's rule is a fascinating time in history and getting to look at it from the lens of her daughter was interesting. Nobody knows much about Nefurura so much of the story was speculative however it was done using the bits of knowledge that has survived. Neferura was Lady of Upper and Lower Egypt, Mistress of the Lands, and God's Wife of Amun. She must have served Queenly roles during her mothers reign as pharaoh as Hatsheput had no queen of her own to do so.
This story gives us a view of a possibility of what life was like for the princess. But more than that it does a great job of giving a feel for the time period and what was asked of people in various roles. Also it is a story of love. The love of a sisterhood. Of women banding together to make lives better. The importance of friendships and the love that can come with them.
Good book, recommend for anyone looking for something different from an ancient Egypt historical fiction.
I went into this story not knowing much of anything regarding ancient Egyptian life and not quite believing I had an interest for historical fiction. But this book has some wonderful character depictions of figures that did once truly exist, even if we don't really know much about them. Malayna Evans brings this cast of characters to life with intricately woven relationships between royals and lowborn, men and women, and family with careful regards to the everyday practices of this ancient era. I am pleased with the level of details in the environments these characters are placed in and journey through, and the struggles Neferura faces prove pivotal to her growth from start to finish. This was an entertaining and highly satisfying read, and while some reviewers have noted the slow pace of the story, I think it works rather well this time.
While I enjoyed this book well enough it never quite went far enough in any of its direction. Out of all of Neferura’s relationships only one felt like it had any real substance, and the characters personalities were largely flat. I just wanted more. I wanted something richer. Overall though an enjoyable spring read.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Phenomenal! ♥️ Oh, my days! The moment I finished reading it I wanted to read it again!
It’s stunning, beautiful, empowering and, (my favourite word), exquisite. I loved every single page. Every single word. Every single thing.
It’s stunning, beautiful, empowering and, (my favourite word), exquisite. I loved every single page. Every single word. Every single thing.
⭐️4/5⭐️ Did not expect to like this book has much as I did. A bit of a slower start but once it takes off you're on one hell of a ride with plot twists and royal family drama with strong feminist undertones. Seriously the women and their friendships is truly beautiful.
I will however warn you that there is some toxic and abusive relationships depicted. It's not explicit or detailed (it's short scenes with implications) but just keep that in mind if you're sensitive to those situations.
I will however warn you that there is some toxic and abusive relationships depicted. It's not explicit or detailed (it's short scenes with implications) but just keep that in mind if you're sensitive to those situations.