Author: Malayna Evans
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Release Date: 2024
Pages: 354
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: For readers of The Wolf Den and Kaikeyi comes the thrilling tale of the forgotten daughter of a legendary Egyptian pharaoh and the path she must take to escape her own dangerous fate.
There are many paths to power.
They all come with a price.
Neferura, princess and high priestess of Kemet, knows her duty is to her people. When your mother is the great Pharaoh, it is hard to forget. But Neferura's unique position at court comes with high stakes for her country, especially when she's forced to serve her vile half-brother, a man determined to stop Neferura's potential rise.
Peace, it seems, never lasts for women who wield power in the open. Especially when they cross a vengeful man.
When Neferura overhears Thutmose's plot to end her mother's rule, she knows he must be stopped, no matter the cost. The discovery of a mysterious tattooed wisewoman and her shadowy network of spies offers an uneasy alliance. But the wisewoman wields more power than Neferura knew possible—power with the potential to rival her own. Neferura must decide where her loyalties lie and how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the people she loves before everything crumbles at the hands of a tyrant.
My Review: Neferura was the daughter of Hatshepsut and Thutmose II. She was known as God’s Wife of Amun and may have been Hatshepsut’s preferred successor. Besides these facts, very little is known about. This historical novel tries to tell the story of Neferura. One day Neferura overheard her half-brother, Thutmose III plot to end Hatshepsut’s reign. Neferura decided to plot against Thutmose II to keep her mother on the throne.
Neferura is the forgotten daughter of Pharaoh Hatshepsut! I was very excited to read a novel about her! Overall, it was an enjoyable read! Neferura is a likable protagonist. She is very naive, but she has a keen intellect. She is devoted to her duties as God’s Wife of Amun. She admires her mother as a female ruler and hates her half-brother, Thutmose III. I love how she is fiercely devoted to her friends and family and is willing to help them at all costs. Therefore, I could not wait to see what Neferura’s ending would be!
Overall, this novel is about love, family, and friendship. I liked all of the characters, except for Thutmose III. He was portrayed as a cartoonish villain. I wished that he was given more depth than how the novel depicted him. My favorite character was Hatshepsut. She seemed like an astute ruler. I also thought the romance was instantaneous and was hoping for more of a slow-burn romance! I also thought the ending was very shocking! I did like how the story portrays the ruthlessness of the Ancient Egyptian court! I loved the courtly and political intrigue in this novel! Neferura moves at a fast-pace that reads like a soap opera! Neferura is an entertaining novel for fans of Ancient Egypt! I recommend this for fans of Heir of the Heretic, The Last Heiress, and Nefertiti!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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