Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

This is the amazing story of a 15 year old Egyptian noble girl who becomes a Pharaoh.

At the age of 15, Nefertiti is married to Pharaoh Amunhotep IV(later known as Akhenaten). They are best known for their religious revolution of the God Aten and their banishing of the God Amun. They are a power obsessed couple, and by default wary and suspicious of almost everyone.

Nefertiti's father is the senior Vizier Ay and his sister the Dowager Queen Tiye and between the both of them, they try to control the kingdom and to keep both Nefertiti and the Pharaoh distracted and under check.

This book is written in the first person with Mutnodjmet( sister and only sibling of Nefertiti) as the narrator. The relationship between both sisters is described very well; with all the typical elements of jealousy, control and love which are natural among siblings. Both sisters are poles apart in nature. Mutny (short for Mutnodjmet) is the logical,unambitious sister. However, both are intelligent. Mutny is known as a healer due to her extensive knowledge of herbs and their uses. Nefertiti uses her intelligence to keep her husband wrapped around her finger and to slowly become his co regent and Pharaoh. Nefertiti wanted power, above anything else. She wanted to remain immortal, a wish she seems to have achieved by being written about even thousands of years later.

Nefertiti was an extremely beautiful woman who was loved by the people very much. Her husband and her used this to their advantage and tried to elevate themselves to the levels of the Gods. There were temples made in their honour and the entire city of Amarna had their statues and sculptures everywhere depicting their lives.

Mutny was a good sister and daughter who put her own life on hold and almost became a glorified servant in her sister's household. However, their relationship turned sour as Mutny fell in love with a General, whom the Pharaoh disapproved of.

The author Michelle Moran has written the story of Nefertiti and her family beautifully. The author paints such a vivid picture that the reader is compelled to study this era more.
Our book club rated it highly. I rate it as a 4/5 and a must read for fans of historical fiction.