I read and enjoyed this book several years ago but am now trying to catch up on these missing book posts. "In her adult fiction debut, [Malayna] Evans ... uses her Egyptology background to tell the almost-unknown fictionalized story of Hatshepsut's daughter at the height of ancient Egyptian civilization. A split between the famous woman pharaoh Hatshepsut and her stepson/co-pharaoh Thutmose leads to court intrigue, politics, and espionage, which Hatshepsut's daughter Neferura gets involved in as she tries to make her own path between the two powerful figures. Part coming-of-age story, part political period drama, the novel bear accurate and interesting politics and historical details, while Hatshepsut's personal journey is compelling enough to draw in readers who may be leery about such a long-ago time period. VERDICT The combination of court intrigue, a light romance, and a feminist focus means that YA readers looking to jump up to adult novels will find this an accessible read, while historical-fiction fans who miss the heyday of royal novels full of court intrigue will be glad to see this book... (Library Journal).
Publishers Weekly opens their laudatory review by saying, "Historian Evans ...channels her knowledge of Egyptology into a gripping political drama of Egypt's 18th Dynasty..." and concludes " Evans seamlessly integrates vivid period details into the clever and tense plot..." Similarly, Booklist praises, "The narrative is filled with murder, intrigue, and scandal, presenting Neferura with the dilemma of choosing between familial loyalty or carving out her own path, mirroring the strength and power her mother showed to become pharaoh. Evans infuses the novel with rich and historically accurate details that will transport readers to ancient Egypt...."
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