Nefertiti (& a giveaway)!
It’s not very often that I start a review with the word “excellent” but in this case I just can’t resist. After reading Nefertiti, a fast paced and utterly absorbing historical fiction novel written by Michelle Moran, I just new that this was a winner. The story is of two sisters, Nefertiti and Mutnodjmet, who each play a part in a high stakes political game over 3,500 years ago in ancient Egypt. Nefertiti has been chosen to marry the Pharoah Amunhotep, a hot-tempered, unstable ruler. It is the hope that Nefertiti can temper her husband and help him avoid any political mistakes. Nefertiti though is ambicious and placates her husband when he talks of forsaking the Egyptian God Amun and worshiping the sun God, Aten. They move to a new city, which they plan to build with the use of their Army, temples to Aten and statues of themselves. In the meantime, her younger sister Mutnodjmet is used by her father as a spy who ultimately compromises her own beliefs to preserve Nefertiti’s place as the next queen of Egypt.
The novel itself is atmospheric and descriptive.
She looked at herself in the mirror as Thutmose came up behind her. He raised the flat-topped crown so all of us could see it, then fit the burden tightly around Nefertiti’s head. No one else could have worn it. It had been designed for her, tall and slender with an asp ready to spit poison into her enemies’ eyes. Nefertiti turned around, and if I had been a peasant in the fields, I would have thought I was staring into the face of a goddess.
No doubt there will be many comparisons between this book and another well known historical fiction novel, The Other Boleyn Girl (you can see my review here) most likely due to the ambitious nature of both Ann Boleyn and Nefertiti, and yet this novel stands on it’s own as a great piece of fiction. What I loved about this book, and realize that only a skilled writer could pull off, is the character of Nefertiti. Yes, she is portrayed as a power-hungry, hardened, dare I say “bitchy” woman who will do anything to retain the crown, and yet there is a vulnerability to her that makes you see that yes, like the rest of us, she is just human. In the end, even though the author portrayed Nefertiti in not the most flattering light, I was sympathetic to her character and found myself saddened at the moment of her death. Now that is good writing!
On a side note, as I was reading this book I came upon this picture of Angelina Jolie over at Hooked on Houses and immediately thought that the picture has a striking similarity to the book cover. Could Nefertiti have been reincarnated into Angelina? 🙂
Michelle Moran is realeasing her next novel, The Heretic Queen, this September and will follow up with Cleopatra’s Daughter in 2009. Be sure to check out her website for more information. She also has a wonderful section on her site full of photographs of her travels, which include famous Egyptian artifacts. Also, check out Iliana’s post about the book and her trip to Berlin, where she actually got to see the bust of Nefertiti!
Now for the giveaway – if this novel sounds interesting to you and you would like to win a copy of the book, please leave a comment here by midnight EST time on Monday, June 23rd and you will automatically be entered to win a copy of Nefertiti. For an even better chance to win, post about this contest on your own blog (linking back to this post) and your name will be entered twice! I will announce the winner on Tuesday the 24th and will post a Q&A session with Michelle Moran at that time. Good luck!
Me! Pick me! Post is up for a double entry. Thank you. I’m ready for some Historical Lit.
Sounds great! I enjoy historical fiction, but haven’t read much that’s set in ancient Egpyt – pieces of Anne Rice’s books and Jo Graham’s Black Ships (which I would highly recommend) are all that’s coming to mind. I’ll have to add this one to my wishlist!
Sounds like a great book. Please throw my name into the ring.
Sounds great – I loved the Other Boleyn Girl! Please enter me in the give away 🙂
I want to be in the giveaway! You always give away the most popular books, lol. And your new header (I don’t know how new, since I use a reader) is just adorable. 😀
Oh, this does look excellent. I love stuff like this. You’re got me totally intrigued about it now. I hope I win! -Julia 🙂
P.S. It doesn’t seem like much of a stretch at all to imagine Angelina was Nefertiti in a former life, does it??
This is one of those books I keep meaning to read and just haven’t gotten around to it; I have no idea why. I have a soft spot for Egyptian fiction.
Thanks for the link to the website. Now I’m awaiting HERETIC QUEEN, too!
I’ve been wanting to read this book forever, I’d love to be entered in the giveaway!!!
Sounds like a great book!
Sounds like a good book! Please enter me in the giveaway.
oh, I want to win this one I have been eyeing it since someone else reviewed it….can’t wait!!!!! Count me in, I really hope I get it. Thanks so much for this giveaway, great stuff.
I love me some historical fiction, and some bitchy women. Count me in.
I’ve been wanting to read this book since every review I read raves about the book. Hopefully my husband and I will be taking our belated honeymoon to Egypt this winter so I’ll want to make sure I read this before I go…or maybe while I’m there on the banks of the Red Sea 🙂
This sounds like a great book. Enter me please!
This sounds like a great read. Have you read Helen of Troy? I liked that one as well, especially the perspective. Please throw my hat in this ring, and I’ll let my readers know about the contest as well. Thanks!! 🙂
This book sounds excellent – I would love to win it. I’ll announce your contest on my blog in the next couple of days. Thanks!
this sounds like an awesome book! i would love the chance to win a copy! sign me up please!
Love the comparison with the Angelina Jolie photo.
Sounds like a good book, count me in!
I’d love to read this book – count me in too!
No need to enter me; I’m just dropping by to let you know I blogged about this over at my Win a Book blog. Hope you get lots of entries. I know I’m going to add this book to my various wishlists from your great write-up of it.
This sounds like such an interesting story–please enter my name into the contest!
Sounds like a great book! Please enter my name too! 🙂
I’m new to the book blogosphere, but I’ve heard about this book in a couple of different places and think it sounds interesting. Please enter me!
I’d love to read this book
This sounds like a great book. I’ve heard you mention it before and even if I don’t win… I’m totally adding it to my TBR list.
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me!
Oof. Another addition to the growing to-read list! I’ve heard a lot of good about this one.
You really drew me in with your review! i love the cover art and would like to throw my name in the hat for the book. I agree with you that Angelina would make a very regal and stunning Nefertiti.
(Side note… one of my best friends back home in Maryland had a cat named Nefertiti.)
I’ve had my eye on this one after some recent reviews, so I would love to be entered.
One thing that I didn’t care for with The Other Boleyn Girl is that Anne was not portrayed as a sympathetic character–maybe perhaps because the book is through Mary’s eyes. I admire a writer that can make a strong person vulnerable as well–because aren’t we all a little that way sometimes? Great review! (and yes, I think you might be right about Angelina)
This sounds like a great book! Please enter me in the contest!
Thanks for the review and giveaway. Please do count me in!
Sweet! I’m glad I heard about this, the book looks really good.
I’d love to be entered!!
sounds like a great book. Onto the wishlist it goes
Oh my gosh, my daughter is fascinated with everything relating to Egypt. She would eat this book up. I would very much like to give it to her so thanks for the chance to win it.
This sounds like a great book, please enter me. Thanks!
This sounds like a fantastic book! Thanks for the great contest!
Oooooh, I’m going to read this one. Sounds too good not to.
Please don’t enter me though, since I just checked & it’s available at my library – I’m going to try to check it out before the weekend.
Great review, thanks for sharing!
I’d love to be entered! Thanks!
I’ve come over from your F&C blog and this is my first post here. I will soon have more time for reading (as kiddos start school and I change my schedule to work just weekdays instead of combo weekdays/evenings) so I’d love to be entered in the contest.
Thanks!
Put my name in the hat please! Great review. It sounds like an excellent book.
Being a fan of Historicals, I’d LOVE to read this book. I’ve heard a lot of positive things about it. In fact, I even entered a contest on the author’s site to win this book, but alas… Hope I’ll be luckier here 🙂
I’ve also blogged at A Book Blogger’s Diary. Thanks!
callmeabookworm at gmail dot com
this book sounds so interesting, count me in!
Btw, I’m having a THREE BOOKS giveaway on my blog. Come on by and please help spread word!
Father’s Day Giveaway – St.Martins
Thanks!
I posted about your giveaway, and now I’ve read several more rave reviews about the book. I’m definitely planning to read it, even if I’m not the lucky one.
I’d love a chance to win this book! Thanks for the great review and recommendation.
Greetings! I go to Michelle Moran’s site a lot. I read about her trips and such. Please enter me in your delightful giveaway drawing. I really appreciate it.
Thanks, Cindi
I’d love to win this! I’m getting my PhD. in ancient history, but I’ve not found too many great novels set in the ancient world. This one sounds great!
Hi – have just this morning discovered your blog – it’s good reading!! (poor Howie with the bum ear!)
This sounds like a good book to read – can I win it please!! 😉
I’d love to be entered! I remember seeing a Discovery Channel (?) TV special about her that I thought was really cool (and I usually don’t watch that channel too often).
You know you may be on to something there, Jolie has a very queenly aura about her. More so than most celebs.
I’ve been wanting to read this book for ages. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! 🙂
Sounds so good!
This sounds right up my alley. I love historical fiction, and really love Egyptian history. I homeschool my boys, and that’s one of my favorite time periods to teach them.
i have always loved egyptian history and i’m an historical fiction junkie! please add my name as well!
I love Egyptology and historical fiction, so would love to be added in for the contest.
~ Penelope Anne
Sounds like a very interesting book!
Oh wow! This one sounds like a good one. Please enter me in the contest. Oh, and I love the Angelina/Nefertiti comparison.
This book is wonderful and appeals to me greatly. Thanks so much for this giveaway.
I would love to be entered to win this book, sounds very interesting.
Thanks for the link at A Book Blogger’s Diary.
Thanks for the great offer – please enter me!
Sounds like a really good book!
I’d love to win this book! I’ve been fascinated with ancient Egypt since I read an adventure story about the pyramidsin Jack & Jill magazine when I was 8 years old!
I’d love it if you entered me in the drawing. It sounds like a really great book!
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.
Great review! I linked your review and contest to my own of this book. Don’t enter me in the contest as I’ve already got my own copy.
Please enter me into your contest. Love Egyptian stuff and this books sounds up my alley.
This book sounds really good, I’d love to read it!
I blogged for a 2nd entry http://momcontests.blogspot.com/2008/06/nefertiti-by-michelle-moran.html
Another glowing review of Nefertiti! And haha about Angelina being the reincarnation!
I’d love to have my name thrown in the hat. It seems one that I’ll have to seek out even if I don’t win. BTW, I’ll blog about your giveaway in my Sunday Salon this weekend.
I love historical fiction. Would you enter me in this giveaway, please?
It would be a fascinating book. Would love to have it. I will link back to you on my blog.
This looks absolutely wonderful!
I love exotic settings and this sounds like a compelling read. I’ll link back to you on my blog.
Sounds like a good one, please enter me. thanks!
Oh, this one’s on my wishlist! Please enter me!
sounds like an interesting story, please enter me!
I will definitely have to try this book since you were telling me about it. Maybe it will be a movie someday and it is obvious that Angelina Jolie could play the lead.
I’m a fan of Egyptian fiction, so please enter me as well! Thank you for offering the contest!
Sounds like a terrific book. Please count me in.
This sounds like a great book! cant wait to read it.
History and historical romance are my favorite genres. Would love this book!
would love to read this
Looking forward to reading this book!
You are making my amazon wishlist long! 🙂
This is a most unusual setting for fiction. Please enter me in the contest.
I would love to read this book!
What a great contest! I would love to win it!
I like books that have some historical basis.
Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have always been fascinated by the history of the pharoahs. This sounds great.
great book
Love this stuff!
it sounds pretty interesting. i would like to read this.
count me in
I really love all the ancient egypt stuff I really got into it when the show ROme season 2 with cleopatra
Sounds like an interesting read and thanks for bringing it to my attention, now if only to win?!
Thanks for the chance.
This is one book I would love to read,count me in
I love to read!!! would like to read this book, thanks for the opportunity
count me in please 🙂
Not only does it sound interesting, but as a history teacher, it sound useful!
I would love the book it is interesting that one of the most powerful women in history was almost erased from history.
I’d love to read this! Please enter me!
Does Michelle list her sources for this book? Where do the images of Nefertiti come from? How accurate are they? Enter me. I want to know more.
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