The Heretic Queen

July 7, 2008
The intricacies of the ancient Egyptian court are brought to life in Moran's fascinating tale of a princess's rise to power. Nefertari, niece of the famed “heretic queen” Nefertiti, becomes part of the court of Pharaoh Seti I after her family is deposed, and she befriends Ramesses II, the young crown prince. When Ramesses is made co-monarch, he weds Iset, the granddaughter of a harem girl backed by Seti's conniving sister, Henuttawy, the priestess of Isis. As Nefertari's position in the court becomes tenuous, she realizes that she, too, wants to marry Ramesses and enlists the help of Seti's other sister, Woserit. But when Nefertari succeeds in wedding Ramesses, power struggles and court intrigues threaten her security, and it is questionable whether the Egyptian people will accept a heretic descendant as their ruler or if civil war will erupt. Moran (Nefertiti
) brings her characters to life, especially Nefertari, who helped Ramesses II become one of the most famous of Egyptian pharaohs. Nefertari's struggles to be accepted as a ruler loved as a leader and to secure her family's position throughout eternity are sure to appeal to fans of historical fiction.

Starred review from August 15, 2008
With her second historical novel (after "Nefertiti"), also set in ancient Egypt, Moran continues to delight. Following the murder of Nefertiti and most of her family for their heretical beliefs, the sole survivor, Princess Nefertari, is raised in the household of Pharaoh Seti I. Although much loved by the crown prince, Ramesses II, Nefertari is feared and hated by the people of Egypt because of her birth family's unpopularity. But, young as she is, Nefertari discovers that there is great power in her love for Ramesses and her gift for languages and political maneuvering, and she uses both to carve a place for herself as queen of Egypt. As readers of the Bible may recall, it is Ramesses II who is credited with releasing the Hebrews from slavery following the demands of Moses. Moran puts a twist on this story and uses it as a subplot in a wonderfully original way. It's all here: palace intrigue, politics, romance, warfare, and religion. As beautifully written and engrossing as her first novel, this should enjoy wide readership. Recommended for all popular fiction collections. [Moran participated in the historical fiction panel at this year's Day of Dialog program at BookExpo.Ed.]Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage P.L.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2008
Moran, author of Nefertiti (2007), continues to plow the fertile terrain of ancient Egypt to produce evocative historical fiction. Nefertari, niece of the infamous Queen Nefertiti, is the only member of her reviled and deposed dynasty to survive a devastating fire. When young Nefertari falls in love with Ramesses, heir to the Egyptian throne, the sparks really begin to fly. Though many are opposed to the union, the young lovers defy the court of public opinion and marry, setting the fervent tone that will characterize their royal union through years of war, rebellion, and exodus. Set against a colorful backdrop of court intrigue, jealous rivalries, and internal and external power struggles, this authentically detailed slice of Egyptaniawill appeal to fans of Christian Jacqs Ramses series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)