Date published: May 2007
ISBN: 978-0-307-38174-3
Historical Fiction
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
When chosen as a wife by the newly ascended Pharaoh Amunhotep, Nefertiti determines she will settle for nothing less than to be Chief Wife, his Queen. No matter his first wife, Kiya, is already several months pregnant and appears to hold his heart. Nefertiti seeks greater status for herself and her family. With her father Vizier Ay and her grandmother, Queen Tiye to guide her, the young queen walks forward to meet her destiny. Despite the affinity between Amunhotep and Kiya, Nefertiti quickly takes center stage. She captures her husband’s heart and mind so much so he all but forgets his first wife. Vizier Ay, his eye on becoming the power behind the throne, brings his entire family, including younger daughter, Mutnodjmet (“Mutny”) to Thebes.
The family is not long in the capital city of Thebes when they are moved to Memphis where Amunhotep will rule Lower Egypt while his father Amunhotep the elder rules upper. When his father dies, the younger will rule a unified Egypt. Intrigue swirls at all levels from the machinations of the Pharaoh and his wives, their power hungry fathers, through sycophantic courtiers down to the household servants with their cornucopia of gossip. In his quest for immortality Amunhotep abandons the old gods in favor of the new deity, Aten. His people must either worship Aten or face the consequences. In a mad bid for power, rather than fight the invading Hittites, Amunhotep orders the army to build the city of Amarna, a city devoted to the glory of Aten. In the meanwhile Nefertiti tries again and again for a son yet only gives birth to princesses. Six in her time. Kiya gives their husband a son and before she can birth a second one, she becomes mysteriously ill. Strife from within and without chips away at the crumbling walls of the once bright and shiny city of Amarna and the reign of Amunhotep and Nefertiti.
Told through Mutny’s eyes, NEFERTITI is a fast moving, compelling and utterly memorable story. At first I felt sad for Nefertiti when, as a young woman, she is essentially scarified into a marriage meant to glorify her family. In no short order I began to see her as a selfish, self-centered, egotistical women who cared for nothing but her own glory. As Mutny reveals her older sister to readers, it is clear Nefertiti is a master at manipulation and twisting things to get her own way. It’s all about her. The Queen sits by while her sister’s child is murdered before it can draw breath. Again, when Mutny conceives, Nefertiti puts her wants and needs before her sister and as Queen, can order the younger woman where and when she pleases. Demanding total devotion at all times no one, including her husband Pharaoh, dares to question her. She is someone you love to hate.
NEFERTITI captures the world of ancient Egypt in breathtaking detail. From the blue waters of the Nile to the splendor of Amarna there is a sense of being part of the story. While I have long been enthralled by ancient Egypt, the pageantry, practices and mostly the beliefs, you do not have to be a fan of the times or country to enjoy this story. There is something for everyone within the pages and not just adult men and women, but teens will find the story interesting and enjoyable. Ms. Moran’s passion for the period is evidenced in the detail she reveals in the pages, down to the minutest details of make-up, sandals and beliefs.
There were a number of places where the timing was off, however. For instance, on one page Mutny is fourteen, then fifteen and then a few pages later fourteen again. When she becomes pregnant the second time, first she is seven months pregnant, then five. At one time when they are referring to Amarna a different city is cited. While these do not take away from a well told story, a more careful edit would have caught them.
I have already picked up a copy of the second book in this series, THE HERETIC QUEEN and placed an order at my local library for CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER from my local library. Become part of Nefertiti’s family and pick up your copy today.
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