The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran is a wonderful example of historical fiction done right. While the bones of the novel are based upon Egypt's 19th Dynasty and the rule of Ramesses II, with all of the possible political games that could've accompianied it, the story within is what makes you want to keep reading.
Nefertari is the niece of the famed Heretic Queen, Nefertiti. This family connection does not help her, but instead sullies her reputation among the people of Egypt. When her royal father dies, her mother is forced into marriage while pregnant with Nefertari and is eventually killed. Upon her mother's death, the Pharoah Seti takes care of Nefertari and allows her to continue living the life of a princess of Egypt under his protection, but she is never fully accepted by the court.
When the time comes for her friend, Ramesses II, to choose a wife, she is passed over because of a powerful priestess, Ramesses' aunt, Henuttawy, and has to claw her way to where she believes she belongs.
The Heretic Queen is about Nefertari's quest for the love of her life and the games that might have been played in that ancient Egyptian court to keep her from achieving her goal. This novel is full of love, passion, betrayal, intrigue, war and power. A must read for anyone who enjoys history with a little bit of fiction thrown in!
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