by Michelle Moran,
read by Cassandra Campbell
This book is about Nefertari, the chief wife and beloved of the great Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II. The title is misleading as Nefertari was not a heretic; rather, she is portrayed in the book as related to Nefertiti, who was called the heretic queen because of efforts by her and her husband, the pharaoh Akhenaten, to establish a new religion.
The whole heretic business was confusing, but it creates a great base for a story of court intrigue, as Nefertari maneuvers to become Ramesses' chief wife with the help of his aunt, Woserit, the high priestess of Hathor, and the vizier Paser (who was real). Her competition is Iset, Ramesses' other wife (also real), the protegee of Woserit's evil sister Henuttawy (the high priestess of Isis) and the evil high priest of Amun, Rohotep. A strength of the novel is the author's attention to details that make the reader feel what life was like in ancient Egypt.
Michelle Moran's website provides a lot of background information for the novel, including a family tree (albeit not interactive as the website indicates). A Q&A page answers some questions about the inspiration and research for the book, and what the author changed or conjectured. The wonderful Cassandra Campbell read the audiobook, with a soft but firm voice for Nefertari, the narrator.
© Amanda Pape - 2017
[This electronic audiobook was borrowed from and returned to a public library.]
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