Book Review: “Nefertiti" by Michelle Moran

Hello Fellow Historical Fictionettes,

Today I am reviewing best-selling author Michelle Moran's first novel.

Book Title: Nefertiti

Author: Michelle Moran
Year Published: 2007
Rating: 5 Crowns - Amazing.

Synopsis: "The sweeping story of a powerful Egyptian family, Nefertiti: A Novel tells the tale of two sisters, the first of whom is destined to rule as one of history’s most fascinating queens.

Beautiful Nefertiti and her sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised far from the court of their aunt, the Queen of Egypt. But when the Pharaoh of Egypt dies, their father’s power play makes Nefertiti wife to the new and impetuous king. It is hoped she will temper King Amunhotep’s desire to overturn Egypt’s religion, but the ambitious Nefertiti encourages Amunhotep’s outrageous plans instead, winning the adoration of the people while making powerful enemies at court. Younger yet more prudent, Mutnodjmet is her sister’s sole confidant, and only she knows to what lengths Nefertiti will go for a child to replace the son of Amunhotep’s first wife.

As King Amunhotep’s commands become more extravagant, he and Nefertiti ostracize the army, clergy, and Egypt’s most powerful allies. Then, when Mutnodjmet begins a dangerous affair with a general, she sees how tenuous her situation is at her own sister’s court. An epic story that resurrects ancient Egypt in vivid detail, Nefertiti: A Novel."

Review: 

And so you embark on a fascinating journey where the narrator is none other than Mutnodjmet, the sister of Queen Nefertiti.

Daughters of Vizier Ay, Mutnodjmet and Nefertiti grew up away from court in the city of Akhmim. But after the death of Pharaoh Amunhotep III, fifteen year old Nefertiti is thrust into court life as the royal wife of the new Pharaoh Amunhotep IV.

One of Ancient Egypt's most controversial rulers is known to be Amunhotep IV (later known as Akenaten). The Pharaoh who would rid Egypt of the gods they worshiped and provide them with one new god was not a popular man in his day. But, his wife is the one who has been remembered throughout history. The great Nefertiti.

Many have heard the basics of this story. Pharaoh Akenaten and Queen Nefertiti destroy Egypt as it was known and build an entirely new empire based on one god. But so few no any more than that.

Few know the struggle, the hardships, and what was given up to build the kingdom of Amarna. 

But Mutnodjmet knows and that is why she is the ideal person to tell the story of her sister.

Moran's sheer genius in using Mutnodjmet has been noted by many. Who better to tell the story of one of Egypt's greatest queens than her own sister? The one person who was with her for everything. Who better to know the truth that lay beyond the throne of Egypt? 

The thing I enjoyed the most about this book is that even though it is centered around the reign of Akenaten and Nefertiti, Mutny is clearly a main character as well.

Sometimes when a story is being told about one character from another, the one telling the story is lost among  their words. But we never forget that we are seeing this all through Mutny's eyes.

I cannot think of a better character to choose from to tell this story because Mutny knows Nefertiti so well that she can see through the facade. She knows what is really happening, despite the display that is put before the people of Egypt.

When I first read this book I immediately noticed similarities between it and "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. For example: both Mutny and Mary are sisters of famous queen's, both are often forgotten by history because their sisters outshine them, they are both kept at court to help their sisters keep their husbands interests, they both have a desire for a more common, less hectic life, and they both fall in love with someone who is considered "beneath them".

This shows that history does in fact repeat itself.

I rated this book Five Crowns because:

Excellent character choice. I will say it again, No one could have told Nefertiti's story better than Mutny. I don't even think that if Moran chose to write it through Akenaten's eyes it could have been better. Because who knows you better than a sister who you've spent your whole life around?

Because Mutny is such an inspiring female lead. She helps all those she meets from giving away her healing solutions to those in need to even helping her sister's enemy Kiya. She knows what is right in her heart and chooses to follow it, despite how hard it is.

Such wonderful details. Upon reading this book you just might find yourself actually in Egypt. Moran is fantastic with descriptions.

You will learn more about Ancient Egypt's culture and it's people than in any other historical novel. I have yet to read any other work of fiction about Ancient Egypt that has been so meticulously researched. Though Moran takes you on a wonderful journey through time, she also stays true to history. And that is where the worlds of history and fiction seamlessly meet.

Have fun on your journey Fictionettes,

Book Review: “The Flower Reader" by Elizabeth Loupas

Hello Fellow Historical Fictionettes,

I decided to start this blog off with my review of one of my favorite books thus far.

Book Title: The Flower Reader

Author: Elizabeth Loupas

Genre: Historical Fiction

Year Published: 2012

Rating: 5 Crowns - This book was an example to all authors. This is how books should be written. 

Buy it from Amazon

Synopsis: "In the sweeping new novel from the author of The Second Duchess, dangerous secrets lead a passionate young woman into a maze of murder and conspiracy as Mary, Queen of Scots, comes home to reign in a treacherously divided Scotland….

With her dying breath, Mary of Guise entrusts a silver casket to Rinette Leslie of Granmuir, who possesses the ancient gift of floromancy. Inside the casket, and meant only for the young Mary, Queen of Scots, are papers the old queen has painstakingly collected—the darkest secrets of every Scottish lord and explosive private prophecies prepared by Nostradamus. Rinette risks her life to keep the casket safe, but she makes a fatal mistake: she shows it to her beloved young husband. On the very day the young queen comes home, Rinette’s husband is brutally assassinated.

Devastated, Rinette demands justice from the queen before she will surrender the casket. Amid glittering masques and opulent weddings, courtly intrigues and Highland rebellions, the queen’s agents and Rinette herself search for the shadowy assassin. They are surrounded by ruthless men from all over Europe who will do anything to force Rinette to give up the casket—threatening her life, stripping her of her beloved castle by the sea, forcing her to marry a man she hates, and driving her from the man she has reluctantly grown to love. In the end, the flowers are all she can trust—and only the flowers will lead her safely home to Granmuir."

Review:

Set in the mid-sixteenth century, The Flower Reader will take you back to the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, and introduce a new character by the name of Rinette Leslie.

This book is one of those rare books that successfully blends both history and fiction. Most authors struggle with adding fictional characters to history, while keeping the story believable. Ms. Loupas however, seems to be an exception.

Though Rinette may not be a real historical figure, once you begin reading this enthralling story you'll wish she was.

She is not your typical damsel in distress. She lives in a court full of secrets, surrounded by enemies. Each and every person in the court wants to know where the casket is and how to get to it. Rinette is threatened, coerced, kidnapped, has her daughter taken away from her, and is torn away from everyone she loves. Yet, she does not give in. She knows what is right and fights for it until the end.

Rinette also possesses the gift of floromancy or flower-reading and thus associates most of the people she meets with a certain flower that she believes has the same traits. This is yet another fun part of the story and a great way to add more description to a character without overdoing it. 

Each and every character in this book is very well described. By the end you'll feel as if you know them all and lived this story.

A very interesting part of the book is Loupas characterization of the young Mary, Queen of Scots. Seemingly selfish and spoiled, she also carries a trait not seen in many books about her later life: lightheartedness. She is more concerned about enjoying life and creating masques and plays than ruling a country. It is a welcome change because it makes her seem more human. Young and carefree.

If you enjoy books that whisk you away into another time add The Flower Reader to your book list.

I rated this book Five Crowns because:

It was well written. Each character was described in a way that made you feel as if they were standing in front of you. Every place was easily conjured up in your minds eye after reading the words.

How well fiction was seamlessly bound to fact. As mentioned before, Rinette Leslie is a work of fiction. But Loupas did an excellent job making Rinette a believable character.

For using a different view and perspective. Also as I mentioned above, Mary, Queen of Scots was given a completely different characterization than we're used to reading about. I found Loupas idea of Mary's young, more human side entirely refreshing.

For Rinette's character. In a world where females were dumbed down and considered to be good for nothing except for marrying and having children, someone like Rinette would have been a rare thing indeed. Even though she is a work of fiction, I think she is still a character that many should aspire to be like.