Skip to main content

Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge: A Book Review

Child of the Morning
Author: Pauline Gedge
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Release Date: 2010
Pages: 416
Source: Personal Collection
Synopsis: Thirty-five centuries ago the sun had a daughter: Hatshepsut. Youngest daughter of the Pharaoh, she was a lithe and magical child. But when her older sister died, it became her duty to purify the dynasty’s bloodline. She was to wed Thothmes, her father’s illegitimate son, who was heir to the throne. But fearing his son’s incompetence, Hatshepsut’s father came to her with startling news. She was to be Pharaoh, ruler of the greatest empire the world had ever known--provided, of course, that the unprecedented ascension by a woman did not inspire the priests to treason or instill in her half-brother and future consort sufficient hatred to have her put to death.

     This is the premise for Child of the Morning, based closely on the historical facts. Hatshepsut assumed the throne at the age of fifteen and ruled brilliantly for more than two decades. Her achievements were immortalized on the walls of her magnificent temple at Deir el-Bahri, built by her architect and lover, Senmut.


     Sensuous and evocative, Child of the Morning is the story of one of history’s most remarkable women.


     My Review: Child of the Morning chronicles the life of one of Egypt’s Female Pharaohs, Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut is the youngest daughter of Thutmose I. However, she is also his favorite. She is smart, ambitious, and strong. When her older sister dies, Hatshepsut is now prepared to be Chief Royal Wife for Thutmose II. However, it is clear that Thutmose II is not suited for the role of Pharaoh because he has no interest in politics Instead, it seems that Hatshepsut would be a better pharaoh than him. Thutmose I proposes to make Hatshepsut his heir instead. Yet, when Thutmose I dies, Hatshepsut realizes that all of her father’s dreams of making her king have been in vain because Egypt cries for a male king to rule. Hatshepsut reluctantly gives up her crown and becomes Chief Royal Wife for Thutmose II. When Thutmose II died, Queen Hatshepsut steps in and crowns herself Pharaoh. However, her stepson Thutmose III is determined to destroy Hatshepsut and take the throne that is rightfully his.

     I really love Hatshepsut. She is a strong female pharaoh. She is ambitious and dreams that she can help make Egypt great. However, despite what she has done for Egypt, people still want a male to rule Egypt. Hatshepsut can be arrogant, stubborn, and defiant. Yet, there were moments where she did not have any confidence in herself. There were very weak moments in her life and difficult problems that she did not want to face. Yet through the encouragement of her friends and followers, she eventually picked herself up and faced her obstacles head-on. Thus, Hatshepsut is a relatable character. She is a woman who struggles with tough problems in her life, but with her friends, she is willing to fight any battle that comes her way.

       Overall, this book is about love, friendship, duty, and responsibility. It is about a woman’s love for Egypt. In a world dominated by men, Hatshepsut acted every bit like a king. She believed that she was the chosen Pharaoh. Her actions astounded many men, and even her enemies admired her. I also found this book to be meticulously-researched, and Mrs. Gedge made Ancient Egypt come alive. While some information in this novel is outdated, I still think that this is a gem in historical fiction. I loved Child of the Morning so much that I have read it twice! Child of the Morning is full of political and courtly intrigue, romance, and drama. I recommend to fans of Michelle Moran, Stephanie Thornton, and Libbie Hawker. Child of the Morning is an excellent tribute to one of Egypt's most successful pharaohs.



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1) by John Edward Mullen: A Book Review

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1) Author: John Edward Mullen Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Western  Publisher: Murders in Time Press Release Date: 2022 Pages: 300 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the winter of 1892, the once-vibrant gold-mining town of Bodie, California is in serious decline.        Nell Doherty, an 18-year-old young woman with a wooden leg, dreams of leaving and becoming a Pinkerton detective.       When a tragic shooting presents her with an opportunity to prove she has the skills needed to work for the Pinkertons, Bodie’s justice of the peace deputizes Nell — over the loud objections of the majority of the town’s residents.      Can she prove them all wrong?       Nell digs in and investigates the shooting, with the help of Rags, her half-Irish, half-Chinese be...

The King's Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick: A Book Review

The King’s Jewel Author: Elizabeth Chadwick Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Sphere Release Date: 2023 Pages: 456 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Wales, 1093.      The warm, comfortable family life of young Nesta, daughter of Prince Rhys of Deheubarth, is destroyed when her father is killed and she is taken hostage. Her honour is further tarnished when she is taken as an unwilling concubine by King William's ruthless younger brother Henry, who later ascends the throne under suspicious circumstances.      But it is Nesta's marriage that will really change the course of her life. Gerald FitzWalter, an ambitious young knight, is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to his new King with Nesta's hand. He is delighted, having always admired her from afar, but Nesta's only comfort is her return to her beloved Wales. There, she cannot help but be tempted by the handsome, charismatic and danger...

The Woman from Lydia (The Emissaries #1) by Angela Hunt: A Book Review

The Woman from Lydia (The Emissaries #1) Author: Angela Hunt Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Publication Date: 2023 Pages: 330 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Synopsis: Widowed Euodia, known to her neighbors as "the Lydian woman," seeks to make a fresh start by moving to the foreign city of Philippi. She finds new purpose after meeting Paulos, apostle to the Gentiles, who opens her eyes to helping those in need, particularly women and those who have been enslaved.        Retired Roman soldier Hector has settled in Philippi with dreams of a future filled with wealth and status, pooling his army earnings with Lucius, his fellow comrade-in-arms turned business partner. His hopes are dashed, however, when Paulos robs their youngest enslaved girl of her lucrative ability to foretell the future, rendering her worthless to Hector's ambition.     ...