Nefertiti

Written by one of my all-time favourite Historical Fiction authors, this is the story about Nefertiti, one of the most famous queens of Egypt. I had first read this book many years ago and liked it so much I went on to read all of Michelle Moran's books which feature strong women in history.

This time out, I decided to listen to the Audible version and was impressed with Cassandra Campbell as narrator and how she handled the many syllabled Egyptian names like the pro she is. I enjoyed hearing the correct pronunciations of the Egyptian names (which I would have been mispronouncing in my head if I had re-read the print format).

The story is told through the POV of Nefertiti's half-sister, Mutnodjmet who is a likable character readers can root for. Through her eyes, we follow Nefertiti’s life from a 15-year-old girl who already has set her sights on being King Akhenaten's chief wife. Nefertiti is a fierce, head-strong young woman with ambitions to rule all of Egypt alongside her mercurial and power-hungry husband. As his power, hubris, and obsession increase, he forces Egyptians to renounce their gods and follow a new sun god, Aten (and even renames himself Amunhotep). He's not a nice guy.

While this is a historical novel about power struggles, royal arrogance and political intrigue set within 14th century BCE Egypt, it is also a story about the unique bond between the two sisters who have very different personalities and ambitions, but who are head-strong in their own ways.  The story is told using wonderful descriptions of Egyptian culture and has clearly been well-researched. Moran admits to taking a few liberties as she imagines the personalities of the historical characters and these liberties are outlined at the end of the book. 

This is an atmospheric and compelling story filled with tragedy, jealousy and power-obsessed royals and I found it fascinating to read the life story of one of the most powerful women in ancient history. I look forward to re-reading the next book in this duology, The Heretic Queen which follows the life of Nefertari, Nefertiti's niece. 

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Michelle Moran

Genre: Historical Fiction (Egypt)
Series: #1 in Egyptian Royals

Type and Source: e-Audiobook from Audible.ca
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Publisher: Random House Audio

First published in print: 2007

Opening Line: If you are to believe what the viziers say, 

then Amunhotep killed his brother for the crown of Egypt.

Book Description from GoodReads: 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 desires.

From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people. But as she turns her attention to producing a son, she fails to see those plotting against her husband’s rule. The only person wise enough to recognize the shift in political winds is Mutnodjmet. Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. 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–while also remaining loyal to 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.