I thoroughly enjoyed this story particularly the second half. Based loosely on actual characters who lived and loved in ancient Egypt, the author cunningly adds those she’s imagined to bring history not exactly to life but to empowerment. An odd thing for me to say but this charts the lives of a female Pharaoh who many have forgotten and the two children that seemed to forever be caught up in political machinations, power struggles and a thirst to survive. Our young heroine changes greatly throughout this book and realises not only her own potential but also that of those females around her. It’s a love story in parts but more than that it’s a coming of age with tragedy played out on the page but in those brutal times isn’t that what we expect ? I will admit I kind of guessed the ending but the epilogue was written in a way that I hadn’t expected but that didn’t mar my enjoyment.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

5 stars for this bold feminist book.

Neferura is a well researched feminist tale, that does an exceptionally good job regarding world building. Throughout the whole book I was *there* with Neferura, watching her struggles and limitations during a time period where womens power was severely restricted as were their basic human rights. The setting is good on its own but the politics and power struggles were phenomenal.

I loved and I mean LOVED Nefuras character. Such a well written fmc, I was actually rooting for her through the whole book, her emotions were portrayed perfectly.

This is a MUST read for fans of historical fiction. I'll be looking forward to anything else the author puts out!

"If you are to survive this, Neferura, you must learn to curate your options. Stop confusing prestige with power. Don't wait for someone else to give you permission to be potent."

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks and Malayna Evans for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Set during the Eighteenth Dynasty in Ancient Egypt, during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, <i>Neferura</i> paints a story of political intrigue, corruption and power struggles within the royal family, with Neferura, daughter of Hatshepsut and Thutmose II, Lady of Upper and Lower Egypt, Mistress of the Lands, and God's Wife of Amun caught up between her mother's pragmatism and desire for a legacy, and her half-brother's lust to rule Egypt.

Malayna Evans breathes life into Neferura's story, previously a footnote in her mother's legacy and primarily forgotten in history. It is altogether a story of political scheming, power struggles and the pursuit of a legacy, but Neferura, at its heart, is a beautiful, feminist perspective on life for women in Ancient Egypt. Evans' characterisation of Neferura and Hathor highlights the different kind of power held by women in Ancient Egyptian society and the importance of female relationships. Neferura's development throughout the novel is vibrant and carefully cultivated by Evans via key events and the introduction of other strong female characters.

However, I was left a little dissatisfied with some of the pacing (Part I and some of Part II were more of an info dump and subsequently dragged on a bit), but as an ancient history nerd, I didn't mind this too much. What irked me was Hatshepsut's characterisation, which I understood was necessary from a narrative perspective, but I felt there was a missed opportunity in writing her. Especially for a novel centred around female empowerment and feminism, when there was a vibrant, exciting and intriguing story/character<i>right there</i> that was not utilised properly.

Hatshepsut went from Great Royal Wife of Thutmose II to regent for her then two-year-old half-son Thutmose III to Pharaoh in her own right. She ushered Egypt into a period of peace and economic prosperity, marked by renewed trade with western Asia, Punt and the Aegean Islands in the Mediterranean and exceptional architectural feats, namely her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Not utilising a character with such a rich history surrounding her feels like a missed opportunity.

All things considered, Neferura by Malayna Evans is an excellent piece of historical fiction; Evans's work as a historian and her love for ancient history shines in this retelling.

This is a fascinating Historical fiction story, I had a vague idea about the Egyptian culture and deities before this, so it was really interesting to venture into the topic and know further. Even though it is fiction, many characters, artifacts and beliefs reflect the true history of ancient Egypt.

• This book gives a intimate look into the life of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and priestesses, what are expected of them and the schemes, revenges, spies, murders that go hand-in-hand with these. The plot is mostly fiction but so well researched that felt captivating from the very start.

• Neferura and Iset were my favourite characters in the story, their friendship was worthy between all the political intrigue going on. I loved the evolution of Neferura throughout the story, and also all the other strong women featured in this amazing story. I also loved Hathor, Senenmut and Satiah for their part.

• Thutmose, the main antagonist and Hatshepsut, the current pharaoh were such complex characters ... They were the ideal examples of greed, hunger for power gone wrong. They would stop at nothing to secure their place at the top.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I would highly recommend this if you love Historical fiction and Egyptian culture.

"Neferura" by Malayna Evans is a historical tale set in ancient Egypt, focusing on the intriguing world of palace politics. The story revolves around Neferura, the daughter of the renowned Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Neferura, both a princess and a high priestess of Kemet, faces the challenge of balancing her mother's ambitions for her and dealing with her malicious half-brother, Thutmose, who is determined to obstruct her path to power.

As the plot unfolds, Neferura uncovers a conspiracy aimed at dethroning her mother. In her quest to prevent this upheaval, she forms an alliance with a mysterious tattooed wisewoman and her network of spies. However, due to her royal status, working closely with them is a risky endeavor. Neferura must navigate the precarious terrain of palace intrigue and make difficult choices and sacrifices to protect her beloved kingdom and its people.

Neferura left me with mixed feelings regarding its suitability for an adult audience. Since the book's description didn't explicitly state its intended readership (whether adult, young adult, or middle grade), my critique is rooted in my personal preferences as an adult reader. However, the book still possesses some strengths that make it a valuable reading experience.

A primary concern I have lies in the limited character development beyond the protagonist, Neferura. While the narrative's exclusive focus on Neferura's perspective can be seen as a stylistic choice, it unfortunately results in underdeveloped supporting characters. This lack of depth in the cast made it challenging for me to fully connect with them.

Furthermore, I found the dialogue in the narrative less impactful than I would prefer, ultimately affecting the pacing. Much of the text consisted of Neferura's internal musings, and a more pronounced emphasis on interactions and conversations between characters could have enriched my connection to them and intensified the emotional stakes. Given the tale's theme of treachery and intrigue, I anticipated a more thrilling reading experience.

Another element potentially affecting the book's resonance with an adult audience is the language used. While Malayna Evans demonstrates commendable familiarity with ancient Egyptian names and cultural elements, there are instances where modern idioms and expressions are introduced. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern language occasionally felt discordant and disrupted my immersion into the historical setting.

Nonetheless, it is worth acknowledging that “Neferura” delves into the life of an enigmatic historical figure about whom little is definitively known. I appreciate Evans's decision to shed light on the life of a young woman who might otherwise have been forgotten by history. Her willingness to engage in historical speculation and imaginative storytelling adds a layer of drama to the narrative. This approach may resonate particularly well with readers who enjoy historical fiction infused with speculative elements.

While “Neferura” may not align perfectly with the preferences of an adult audience due to limited character development, dialogue, and occasional modern language intrusions, it offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on a historical figure. The book may find a more enthusiastic reception among younger readers, especially those in middle school, who can relate to Neferura's perspective and journey and appreciate the straightforward storytelling.

Based on Malayna Evans's other published works, it appears that her target audience primarily comprises middle-grade readers. “Neferura” could be viewed as a step forward for fans of her earlier works as they mature and seek more in-depth engagement with stories rooted in ancient Egypt.

An ARC was provided by the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is very well written and the plot is very intriguing, but for some reason I just didn’t connect with it. I think a big part of the reason is because I didn’t connect with any of the characters and most of the time I didn’t understand their actions.

I do however want to recommend it, because all around it was pretty good and I think a lot of people would enjoy this very much.

Thank you so much Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for this ARC.

This is the book that I have been waiting for. As an Egyptian mythology obsessed girlie, I have been begging for a feminist Egyptian retelling and this book was it. I really became invested in the characters, especially the side characters, and how everything would work out. Since there is not a lot known about the real Neferura, I was constantly guessing how it would end. The Ancient Egyptian vibes are 10/10, and I felt like I was transported back in time.

This story is all about Neferura, the daughter of legendary, female pharaoh Hatshepsut. It’s a story of power and political intrigue of Ancient Egypt. Neferura finds herself in the middle of a power struggle when her half brother Tutmose III returns to court seeking his throne. She is forced to shred her naivety and take control of her own future.

The main reason this wasn’t a 5 star for me was the writing style wasn’t my favorite. Sometimes it felt a little forced with all the Egyptian lore and background information. With that being said, the author is an Egyptologist and you can really tell how much study and research went in to building the world and the story.

If you never grew out of your childhood ancient Egypt phase, this book is for you! I cannot wait to see what Malayna writes next.

A great historical fiction novel about an Egyptian priestess whose mother is a great Pharaoh striving to hold on to power as her half-brother is determined to take the thrown for himself. This is power struggle with political intrigue, lies, deception and murder. If you are a fan of the time period, this doesn't disappoint. I can't tell you if this is completely historically accurate, but i can tell you it is a fun read.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Sourcebooks and Malayna Evans for providing me with the opportunity to delve into this captivating ARC (advanced reading copy). My passion for books about Egypt was truly satisfied, and I was delighted to discover a narrative that delved into a lesser-explored era of Ancient Egypt, specifically the reign of Hatshepsut, the remarkable female Pharaoh.

The level of detail within the pages was simply astonishing, and the plotline proved to be nothing short of fantastic. It held my attention from the very first page until the final chapter. The vivid descriptions transported me back in time, making me feel as though I were right there in Ancient Egypt, experiencing it all firsthand.

For those seeking a suspenseful and immersive journey into the reign of Hatshepsut, this book is an absolute must-read. I wholeheartedly recommend it, and it deserves a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for its excellence! 📚🌟

I'm always ready to devour a lush historical fiction, and I absolutely adore the way this book brings Egypt to life. The atmosphere and prose work perfectly for this kind of book, and it was definitely the highlight of reading it. I could tell the author put a lot of effort into keeping the story and world as historically accurate as possible, and that attention to detail really shines in every aspect of the story.

I love the way these characters are written, they feel complex and whole, like I could reach out and grab them. I particularly love this angle on womanhood, how each female character has their own strengths and unique qualities that don't feel cookie cutter or tropey. They're real, compelling women with a strong sense of community and companionship. In this sort of setting, that element is crucial to the story and I really enjoyed that.

I am overall blown away by the complexities and intricacies of this story. It's beautiful, it's entertaining, it's a fantastic commentary on historical women and their roles in society, and I loved every second.

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I had not had a ton of exposure to Egyptian history and lore, and so I thought this was a unique and intriguing story.

The prose is beautiful, but at times it made me feel like the story drug a little bit. The beginning was a little slow for me, but I thought it picked up nicely. The ending was fantastic, and I loved the characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was a bit slow but it picked up about midway & then I couldn’t stop.

The story is fast paced and easy to follow along with while diving into some hard topics for some readers. However, I was very fascinated by the authors ability to describe the ancient Egyptian setting and bring it to life, while having such strong female characters.

I recently read a non-fiction book that meticulously detailed how precarious it was to be a woman in ancient Egypt, especially of royal blood. Neferura by Malayna Evans emphasized that theme beautifully, with both an intriguing cast of characters, as well as a plot that was both dramatic and intense. Great work!

I think this is a very strong debut, even if it turned out to be not my cup of tea.

What I did love about this book was that we got to explore so many incredible people from myth and history a like, and that each one felt incredibly distinct from the other. I also was very impressed that I could see where the daughter got some of her personality from her mother. They are very different characters, but had similar mannerisms throughout the book that I think established the dynamic between the two well.

I did however, not always understand the motivations of the main character. Even when they were stated clearly, it felt like that was just a ruse, and they had another trick up their sleeve that never planned out.

Even still, this is absolutely a book I would recommend to my friends and family as overall I had a good time reading it.

"Neferura: A Novel" by Malayna Evans is a captivating historical fiction tale that immerses readers in the world of ancient Egypt. This book provides a glimpse into the life of Neferura, the largely undocumented daughter of the legendary Pharaoh Hatshepsut.
The story revolves around Neferura's struggles and sacrifices as she navigates her unique position at court, compelled to serve her treacherous half-brother Thutmose. As political tensions escalate and Neferura uncovers a plot against her mother's rule, she allies with a mysterious tattooed wise woman and her network of spies.

What makes this book stand out is its vivid character development and meticulous attention to historical accuracy. The author's extensive research is evident in the immersive depiction of ancient Egypt, its courtly politics, and religious rituals. The complex relationships between Neferura, Hatshepsut, and Thutmose add depth to the narrative.

It's essential to note that while Neferura's existence is historically acknowledged, there are limited documented details about her life. However, Malayna Evans skillfully weaves a compelling narrative around this enigmatic figure.

One notable feature is the author's inclusion of historical notes at the end, shedding light on the factual basis of the story. This provides an educational layer to the novel, enriching the reader's understanding of ancient Egyptian history.

In summary, "Neferura: A Novel" is an engaging and well-researched historical fiction novel that transports readers to ancient Egypt, offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of a mostly unrecorded princess. With its compelling characters and meticulous historical detail, it's a must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts, showcasing the allure of history's hidden figures and to anyone who has an interest in Egyptian culture.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I throughly enjoyed this fictional telling of Neferura: it provided an amount of depth and context that allowed her to flow off the page and live again—something all in Ancient Egypt dreamed of happening for them.

This novel is much like those of myths set in Ancient Greece being brought to life from the woman’s perspective.

Women were revered as Gods, and the blood flowing through Nerferura is that of a God. It shows just how ruthless family can be when those ties aren’t established and it’s about who will be the next God to rule the kingdom.

As a reader and lover of Ancient Egyptian culture, I found this book to be a work that I found myself questioning if it was factual. It was beautifully crafted and the plot carried throughout. I wasn’t felt left wanting. It hit all the marks.

Neferura follows the little-known daughter of the famous pharaoh Hatshepsut as she fights for her own safety and that of the women in her circle. It does show that the author is an Egyptologist - the descriptions really suck you in and make each scene incredibly vivid. The setting and main characters are written in much detail, but not too much to bog anything down. I feel like the plot does start to meander partway through the book, however and doesn't finish as strong as it started. I also had trouble with the number of characters; some don't seem very consequential initially but show up later on, and it is hard to remember how they were significant.

Note: I received a free ebook copy of Neferura from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

One of the best history/ slight mythological book retellings around due to it's excellent mix of strategy, comprehension over source material and entertainment. It shines as a good first book to read when delving more into Egyptian historical fiction, as well as an opener for someone loves mythology but has not yet delved in to Egyptian mythology.

This is a solid 4.4 for me. I was blessed with being given an ARC of this for an honest review so here it is. The writing was detailed and comprehensive as it also gave you the background of Egyptian Mythology and on what life and Egypt was like during her time. The tone of the writing felt suitable as it matched well with her personality, as someone who was born and raised a princess during a time when they were exalted and detached from the lives of your average human. Formality and comprehension didn't feel out of place as they seem to have melded well into the book due to these traits also being attributed to her.

There was no inconsistency within her characterizations. What the author claims to be who she is is also followed through in her actions, decisions, points of strategy. Her intelligence and attempts on seeing past what was taught naturally to her pervades through the story. The handling of women within power dynamics were something I was always cautious about as I have seen countless pieces of media either lay it on too thick by making her a girl boss who rejects femininity or turn them into femme fatales but I was pleased as I read through the story as all I saw were the different types of strengths women can hold, all equal to one another, and the women gaining strength, community and solace from one another in not necessarily traditionally masculine ways but in ways that were intelligent, strategic and natural to their individual person.

The story just felt detailed, well thought of and cared for. As a person who has no more than surface knowledge about Egyptian mythology and history, you could feel the respect the author held over the source materials . The story was riveting and entertaining as it wasn't necessarily predictable and it held a great balance between drama and accuracy.

I only kept it at 4 or 4.4 (and am choosing to not round up) as I normally give my 5 stars to books that profoundly shine or change you. That bleed philosophy/psychology, beauty, art and life into one story, which can also be seen in the writing itself. Though, this still is the best Egyptian historical/ slight mythological book retelling I've read so far.

5 stars! A wonderful novel!

The first thing I noticed was the beautiful prose of the novel. The 2nd thing I noticed was how captivating the characters and the culture of ancient Egypt was depicted. Nothing can compare to the beautiful narration and the way this novel brought Neferura to the frontline. I have read numerous accounts, both fictions and facts but this novel was too good and surely fed us historical fiction lovers.

I was blown away by the intricacies of this novel. The ending was also beautifully done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Neferura offers an intimate look into her world of being Egyptian priestess with great Pharaoh mother, and half-brother trying to overrule them.

The story begins with introduction of the most powerful priestess of Kemet – Neferura. Her mother is the most powerful Pharaoh – Hatshepsut. Their surroundings are threatened by arrival of Neferura’s half-brother – Thutmose. At the palace, he is plotting to accuse his step-mother of murder of their father. Neferura tries to stop Thutmose’s lies.

The story is woven with beautiful prose and the characters are interestingly presented. I enjoyed how their backstories were revealed. The first third of the book is more character driven, building up to action. The remaining part is more plot-driven.

There is no proof that Neferura married her half-brother. This story imagines it. Alliances among the trio shift. There is one who pays the price for the truce between two others. There are spies, murders, revenges, scheming and more in this intriguing story.

There were some moments when I didn’t feel the force in revealing something. What was the secret in the first part later got revealed in such way that I didn’t feel the surprise or intensity of it.

Overall, the richly imagined characters and their situations with impressive prose stand out in this story.