“Every day will be like this, I thought. Every morning for the rest of my life I will be treated as the Heretic’s niece. If I don’t change their opinion of me, I will never escape it.” (169)
I finished this novel at 3 this morning. Let me just say–it is so, so nice to return to one of my first ancient history obsessions: Egypt. It has been a long time since I’ve read anything regarding Egypt–her history, her people. Due to my overload of Tudor related history, I was not sure I would even return to history based novels for a while. I’ve even had to temporarily remove certain novels until I have a Tudor history craving again. Egypt and England–two of my favorite kingdoms and constant loves–I just need a small break from one for a bit.
So, I guess this entry might be a small lesson based on what I remember of Egyptian history. To keep it honest, I’ll only write what I remember completely:
Nefertari is one of the queens I remember vividly next to Hatshepsut, Cleopatra, and Nefertiti. Nefertari is rumored to have been named in honor of Nefertiti, who came a couple of decades before her. She was married to Ramesses the Great–the pharaoh who fought with Moses. Historians do not know much about Nefertari’s beginnings, but it is believed she is related to Nefertiti, Tutankhamun, and Akhenaten. She gave Ramesses many children, none of which lived long enough to rule Egypt. Nefertari is known for being the greatest love of Ramesses (he wrote poetry and built temples dedicated to her) and her importance in political matters. In regards to their love match, he wrote on her burial chamber wall: “My love is unique and none can rival her… Just by passing, she has stolen away my heart.” (374) The romantic in me goes, “Awww!!”
Obviously, historical fiction writers take liberties with information that is fuzzy or not completely known. Michelle Moran makes it work where other authors might lack. There is a believability to her writing. I love the character development–and especially enjoyed Nefertari’s plan to leave the court so Ramesses will miss her. One of
the oldest games in the book–absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I really liked all the conflicts and sub-plots–they really made the story stand out from other novels I’ve read. Moran states that she does place information for the holes in history, so certain things might not fit. However, the story flows without hitch. Oh! And I soo envied Moran’s descriptions of Nerfertari’s makeup regimen–perhaps not the entire process–but the styles and colors. And the Nubian wigs–Ahh!!
The Heretic Queen was such an amazing read. Thanks to school it took a tad longer to finish the novel–but it is indeed finished. I will definitely be reading this particular novel again. I look forward to reading Moran’s Nefertiti and Cleopatra’s Daughter. I give Michelle Moran’s The Heretic Queen a 4.5 out of 5.
“Performing deft feats of Egyptian magic, Michelle Moran transforms stone-cold history-from-hieroglyphics into gripping narrative, peopled with unforgettable characters seething with conflict and passion. I couldn’t stop reading, but I didn’t want this book to end.”
–Robin Maxwell, author of Mademoiselle Boelyn
Miss Nolaleigh 
I need spoilers.. Please give me spoilers.
Hmmm… shipper spoilers? event spoilers? What kind of spoilers would you like? 🙂
My friend, there’s a love triangle? Oh Lord, you’re pampering me.
Event spoilers too. Is the story very tragic? I need to prepare myself.
Bizarre love triangle… polygamy… and some really messed up relationships. It was awesome! haha
Not too tragic, the tragedy is very much below the surface because it takes place in the past–but the hurt is there none the less. On a happier note–lots of moments that will give shivers. 😉
There are some EVIL characters–but you end up feeling sorry for them in the end. I’d say Nefertari’s death (which is not in the book) had to be one of the most tragic things ever–Ramesses was sooooo in love with her.
Buuut…read the book. It is soo good!!
Incest? I supposed if you felt sorry for those villains, they’re not really villainous after all.
I shall take your advice. So, did Nefertari ever find out how much Ramesses loved her? I’m going to lock myself up in the room with The Heretic Queen!
No, not incest. Lots of wives, but none loved more than Nefertari. 🙂
I suppose they aren’t evil… but I did not like them. 😦
Nefertari does find out–and it is believed by historians that without her extensive knowledge in the languages, Ramesses would not have gotten as far as he did! Props to powerful women!! lol
Just read it. I didn’t know Ramses II/Ramesses (How do you pronounce his name?) was Caucasian. Red hair. Blue eyes. He’s got to be Caucasian.
Is Ahmoses the biblical Moses?
I quite liked this.. Maybe Henuwatty was evil or just plain selfish.
This is my first time reading about Egypt’s history and culture. Womanising Henry VIII and his wives and relatives were so.. let’s just say.. I love Henry VIII’s biography.
Kinda fascinated with Egyptian history now.
I read most of it in detail but was forced to rush through the last pages of the novel, so I didn’t know if Ramesses ever had any other wives besides Nefer and Iset.
Doing a lot of background reading now on all of them. Need to research.
Thanks. This was enjoyable and quite addictive because now I find myself wanting to know more about Egyptian kings and queens.
Was there any other Pharaoh who loved his wife more than Ramesses did?
Guess that’s what I’m going to find out. =)
Some people pronounce it Ram-eh-cease. Other pronounce it Ram-zeez. Just depends on where you are in the world I suppose. 😉
Ahmoses is a version of the Biblical Moses. Moran changed his name and added what it is believed he was like–slightly manipulative and having alterior motives. In the Bible, Moses grows up in the Royal Palace as Ramesses’ brother. However, Ahmoses does not do this, thus creating, partially, a new person. The same goals her had are there–but there was not a huge revelation in the novel like there was in the Bible.
The more I think about, the more I pity Henuttawy. So selfish and insecure–wanting things so her sister could not. Beauty will only get you so far before you fall.
There are two other books re: ancient Egypt I will be reading: Nefertiti and Cleopatra’s Daughter. Both appear to be promising. I am working on two books right now–a Mercy Thompson novel and a psychological thriller.
Egypt has always fascinated me–she reached me before England. England’s princes and princesses still grab at me, but I think Egypt will always be one of my first loves.
It was quite common to have many wives during that time. Ramesses supposedly had about 200 children during his lifetime, but his true love was Nefertari. It always was. I love doing background research. It is amazing to read about the research that has been done for certain time periods. To my knowledge, there are no other love matches that even begin to put a candle to Nefertari and Ramesses (Awwww!). The only other love (match?) I can think of is Cleopatra, Antony, and Caesar (but that is more of a warpedlove triangle). There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding this because many people say that Cleopatra was not Egyptian. Her lineage trails back to Macedonia–but she gave up all Macedonian remnants and immersed herself in the culture of all that is Egypt. But Cleopatra is another story–when I read Cleopatra’s Daughter, I will do a huge section surrounding Cleopatra’s death–don’t get me started!! lol
Happy reading, my friend. I am so glad that you enjoy reading my entries. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
I find it weird and a bit scary that Ramesses married his daughters. Were those sexual relationships or did he just need someone to sit on the throne beside him and help him with the petitions? Because if he did have sex with his daughters while they were his wives, it’s weird, I think it would be a disgrace to Nefertari. Meritamen and Bintanath were his daughters. That’s just too.. weird if he loved them in the same way he loved Nefer.
I don’t think he had sex with his daughters. It was more than likely a way to have someone on the throne with him.:/ Hmmm…
Forgive my erroneous spelling. Couldn’t quite remember how to spell Henuttawy’s name. Thanks, nolaleigh, thanks for the recommendation. Ramesses was such a darling. He was so devoted.
He was. 🙂
Thank God. I wanted him to stay true to Nefertari.