The Heretic Queen

Title: The Heretic Queen
Author: Michelle Moran
Reading level: All
Paperback: 370 pages
ISBN #: 9780307381750
Received From: I bought it
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Group Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover: A-
Overall: B+

"In ancient Egypt, a forgotten princess must overcome her family’s past andremake history.The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastatingpalace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty’s royal family—all with the
exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl’s deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. A relic of a previous reign, Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh’s aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family’s history,they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history."

So this is Michelle Moran's second novel of the doomed Egyptian family. Nefertari is the niece of The Heretic Queen Nefertiti. After her families fall from grace Nefertari must fight not only for her place at court but also for her life. Ther is always danger in a royal court but when everyone thinks your akhu (family history) has bad blood in it what mor can you do?

Unfortunately it is almost the same story as Moran's first novel and Nefertiti's rise to power. And I know ancient Egypt had many similarities but after being so enthralled in her first novel I wanted her second to surpass my expectations. Unfortunately it fell a little short of meeting them instead. The people and times may have changed yet the plot priomarily remains the same. The fighting wives scenario seems overplaye to me since it was the focus of the first book. However; there is one shining star I loved that everyone had a hidden double agenda so to speak and some chapters will take your breath away with it's corruptedness.

Overall I liked the book, not loved but liked. I really loved Nefertiti and hope that Moran makes a comeback with Cleopatras Daughter (her third book). If your going to pick up a Moran book definetly go for Nefertiti first. The Heretic Queen isn't a bad read but maybe don't read the two so closely together as I did (because then perhaps you won't nit-pick everything). I really enjoy the author's writing style though and look forward to her next enticing novel. After all Egyptians never really die!

LOL=Lots Of Love