At that time, I would have found no issues with the story but I do have some now. I first read Nefertiti years ago and was crazy about it. Unfortunately, there just isn’t much historical fiction about ancient Egypt so anytime I see a book that looks promising, I grab it up. I mean, the kind of love where I watch documentaries and read non-fiction about the subject for fun. Fast-paced and historically accurate, it is the dramatic story of two unforgettable women living through a remarkable period in history. Love, betrayal, political unrest, plague, and religious conflict, Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life in vivid detail. To achieve her independence, Mutnodjmet must defy her sister, the most powerful woman in Egypt, while also remaining loyal to the needs of her family. 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.

Her greatest hope is to share her life with the general who has won her heart. She yearns for a quiet existence away from family duty and the intrigues of court. Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. The only person wise enough to recognize the shift in political winds–and brave enough to tell the queen–is her younger sister, Mutnodjmet. The love of the commoners will not be enough, however, if the royal couple is not able to conceive an heir, and as Nefertiti turns her attention to producing a son, she fails to see that the powerful priests, along with the military, are plotting against her husband’s rule. Her charisma is matched only by her husband’s perceived generosity: Amunhotep showers his subjects with lofty promises. It is hoped by all that her strong personality will temper the young Amunhotep’s heretical desire to forsake Egypt’s ancient gods, overthrow the priests of Amun, and introduce a new sun god for all to worship.įrom the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries.

The same is slightly true for this book but I’ll get more into that below after the synopsis. I mentioned in my review of Cleopatra’s Daughter that now that I’m older and have learned to read books more critically, I didn’t enjoy the story as much. After reviewing Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran last week, I decided I wanted to reread and review my favorite book by her, Nefertiti.

Nefertiti moran