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emiliemoeller's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
tieflingmom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Abortion, Child death, and War
Moderate: Blood and Violence
fandom4ever's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ancient Egypt is one of my favorite times in history to learn about, so much occurred back then. Michelle Moran took a fascinating time in history that could have nearly been lost to time, as Akhenaten was branded a heretic after his death and much from his reign and those associated with him was destroyed, and filled in many of the uncertainties or complete unknowns with solid story.
Even today much is a mystery or cannot be agreed on, with many hotly debated theories the more they search Egypt. Akhenaten’s first wife’s name is lost to time, though a tomb gives the possibility of 'Kiya'. No one truly knows if Ay and Nefertiti were related or even where Mutnodjmet fits amongst them. There's even an intro, afterword, and Q&A in the novel (the audiobook just has the afterword) that discusses this. With all that in mind, I think Moran did a fabulous job trying to fill in the blanks and fit pieces together to make a cohesive history for the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
This story is told over 16 years, through the eyes of Nefertiti’s younger sister, Mutnodjmet. It starts with them as 15 and 13 year old girls, just as the Crown Prince Tuthmosis has died. All that remains is his younger brother Amenhotep IV, who has far reaching dreams that could destroy Egypt itself.
I absolutely loved this story. In fact, it was my second time reading it. Moran really was able to bring these historical figures back to life, showing how difficult and demanding life at court was; with political machinations and court intrigue aplenty. It was fascinating to see the life of the great Queen Nefertiti and the fine line she walked between what was best for Egypt and Pharaoh Akhenaten’s wishes; she held tremendous power.
I definitely recommend this book. No one will ever truly know exactly what happened back then but I think this is a wonderful historical interpretation based on what has been uncovered. You will learn so much about an important time in Egypt’s history, about how important it was to be remembered, along with gaining a greater knowledge of their gods and culture.
Even today much is a mystery or cannot be agreed on, with many hotly debated theories the more they search Egypt. Akhenaten’s first wife’s name is lost to time, though a tomb gives the possibility of 'Kiya'. No one truly knows if Ay and Nefertiti were related or even where Mutnodjmet fits amongst them. There's even an intro, afterword, and Q&A in the novel (the audiobook just has the afterword) that discusses this. With all that in mind, I think Moran did a fabulous job trying to fill in the blanks and fit pieces together to make a cohesive history for the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
This story is told over 16 years, through the eyes of Nefertiti’s younger sister, Mutnodjmet. It starts with them as 15 and 13 year old girls, just as the Crown Prince Tuthmosis has died. All that remains is his younger brother Amenhotep IV, who has far reaching dreams that could destroy Egypt itself.
I absolutely loved this story. In fact, it was my second time reading it. Moran really was able to bring these historical figures back to life, showing how difficult and demanding life at court was; with political machinations and court intrigue aplenty. It was fascinating to see the life of the great Queen Nefertiti and the fine line she walked between what was best for Egypt and Pharaoh Akhenaten’s wishes; she held tremendous power.
I definitely recommend this book. No one will ever truly know exactly what happened back then but I think this is a wonderful historical interpretation based on what has been uncovered. You will learn so much about an important time in Egypt’s history, about how important it was to be remembered, along with gaining a greater knowledge of their gods and culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death, and Child death
kyadawn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, War, Miscarriage, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death, Genocide, Death, Death of parent, Infertility, War, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Child death, Murder, Blood, Toxic relationship, Incest, and Medical content
klor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
real housewives of egypt, fun and melodramatic even though the melodrama often overstays its welcome
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Child death, Death, and Miscarriage
sasukeuchiha's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i really enjoyed reading about nefertiti from her sister's perspective. it reminded me of being in elementary and middle school reading books about ancient Egypt. i do wish that there was more depth to mutnodjmet's character and the ending felt really rushed. i wish it had been drawn out more so the finality would have been more impactful.
there is also a great sense of some sadness from me while reading this. i studied the city of amarna and have gone on Wikipedia odyssessies about nefertiti and her family, so this sadness can only come from being born in 1999 ce rather than 1335 bce. it's quite a shame that the end of the book and the hope mutnodjmet's has is short-lived.
i am also a little confused about the family tree because it says mudnodjmet is the mother of nefertari, but nefertari isn't mentioned or seen at all in this book. it's probably expanded upon in "the heretic queen" but...... whatever.
there is also a great sense of some sadness from me while reading this. i studied the city of amarna and have gone on Wikipedia odyssessies about nefertiti and her family, so this sadness can only come from being born in 1999 ce rather than 1335 bce. it's quite a shame that the end of the book and the hope mutnodjmet's has is short-lived.
i am also a little confused about the family tree because it says mudnodjmet is the mother of nefertari, but nefertari isn't mentioned or seen at all in this book. it's probably expanded upon in "the heretic queen" but...... whatever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Child death
laurajeangrace's review against another edition
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Incest
Minor: Abortion and Domestic abuse
adriennne's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Abortion, Blood, Murder, and Mental illness
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