THE HERETIC QUEEN - Michelle Moran
Crown Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-307-38175-0
September 2008
Historical Fiction

Egypt during the reign of Pharaohs Seti and Ramesses

Growing up in the royal palace of Pharaoh Seti, Nefertari has always known the protection of Seti's son, Ramesses, and his friends while in school. The boys have treated her as a little sister, and Nefer has responded by being as wild and boisterous as they are. But when Seti decides to make his son Pharaoh and to rule jointly with him, Nefer must face the reality of her family history. Born the daughter of Queen Mutnodjmet, Nefertiti's half-sister, and General Nakhtmin, Nefertari has known all of her life that even though she is a princess, her remote relationship to Nefertiti has labeled her a heretic. Her mother died in childbirth shortly after the rest of her family died in a fire. Now that she is on her own in the palace, Nefer struggles to maintain her composure as those around her try to ruin her.

The High Priestess of Hathor, Woserit, takes Nefertari under her wing...but she has an ulterior motive. Woserit's sister, Henuttawy, the Temple of Isis priestess, has forced a harem woman's daughter into marriage with Ramesses in the hope that Iset will have the influence to promote Isis and, therefore, make Henuttawy more powerful in the realm. Woserit, who knows how much Ramesses adores Nefertari, whisks Nefer away to her temple for training, theoretically as a future priestess, but actually to make her more desirable to Ramesses, who will miss her presence in the palace. Eventually, the plan works, and Ramesses takes Nefer as his second wife. Will he make her his Chief Wife, though? Or will Iset and her backers discredit Nefer in the eyes of the people by reminding them who she is?

THE HERETIC QUEEN is a sequel to Ms. Moran's riveting NEFERTITI. It's an excellent portrayal of the highly volatile atmosphere within the royal family. No one is safe from slander, or even poison. Nefer grows up quickly after retreating to the Temple of Hathor, learning how to be a queen, as well as honing her natural skill of languages, a talent that may someday be vitally important to Egypt. Nefertari narrates her story with passion and compassion as a young woman thrown into a dangerous lifestyle.

Another beautifully written novel by Michelle Moran of a real-life woman who is strong, intelligent, loving, and devoted to her husband, as well as to the memory of her family. Thanks to Ms. Moran's impeccable research, ancient Egypt is brought to life in incredible detail. A riveting, character-driven story, THE HERETIC QUEEN is a must read.

Jani Brooks