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Nefertiti

by Michelle Moran (Goodreads Author)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 13,420 ratings · 1,489 reviews

A National Bestseller!

“Meticulously researched and richly detailed . . . an engrossing tribute to one of the most powerful and alluring women in history.”
–Boston Globe

Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined...more

Paperback, 480 pages

Published May 27th 2008 by Broadway Books (first published July 10th 2007)

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Jun 08, 2011 Stephen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, audiobook, 2006-2010, romantical, historical-fiction, kings-and-queens

UGH...PFFT...HEAD SHAKE and a wind-rustling SIGH about sums up my feelings for this MEHstorical bore festival. For this level of detail on life in ancient Egypt, I could have stuck with:

*** By the way, for those taking a trip down Nostalgia Boulevard right now seeing Steve Martin’s SNL masterpiece, I have added the lyrics in a spoiler so that those who don’t care can skip over it…otherwise…enjoy…
(view spoiler)...more

55 likes · like · see review

Jan 20, 2010 slayra rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: in-portuguese, ugh-just-no, historical-fiction

This book was rather disappointing.

The story of Nefertiti and Akhenaton, two of Ancient Egypt's most emblematic leaders was always one of my favorites. Perhaps because of this, I had very high expectations for this book... and in the end, they weren't met.

According to several summaries I've read about this book, "Nefertiti" tells the story of the Royal (or First) Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaton and it's also somewhat biographic. I was always a little dubius about the "biographic nature" of the book, a...more

16 likes · like · see review

Aug 08, 2007 Anna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Remind me next time I'm looking for a new book NOT to buy one that is advertised on perezhilton.com! I should have known what I'd be getting myself into...

This was totally a summer beach read - although next time, I will wait for paperback (too heavy)! I felt like it was just ALL dialogue ALL the time - the author never went into too much detail in her description of places, people, etc (this reminds me of my high school English teachers constantly telling us to "show, not tell" in our writing)...more

19 likes · like · see review

Nov 12, 2008 Annie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Ancient History Fans

Shelves: read-in-2008

Diana Gabaldon tagged this debut novel 'Compulsively readable!' and she's not far off the mark. I'm sure I won't be the first blogger to draw this comparison but this book was like The Other Boleyn Girl - Egyptian style - and for three main reasons:

Firstly, thematically. For as much as this was a novel of sisters, it was a novel of rivals. Moran demonstrated unflinchingly the horrible acts women are capable of commiting to gain power over one another through Nefertiti and her dealings with Kiya...more Diana Gabaldon tagged this debut novel 'Compulsively readable!' and she's not far off the mark. I'm sure I won't be the first blogger to draw this comparison but this book was like The Other Boleyn Girl - Egyptian style - and for three main reasons:

Firstly, thematically. For as much as this was a novel of sisters, it was a novel of rivals. Moran demonstrated unflinchingly the horrible acts women are capable of commiting to gain power over one another through Nefertiti and her dealings with Kiya (the Second Wife) and her sister Mutny. However Mutny is unable to abandon her sister, even as the throne of Egypt is crashing down around her. Through the relationship of the siblings, Moran shows that blood ties are stronger than the wounds we inflict on one another. These women are bound to each other ultimately, not by their rivalry, but by their love. It was this central idea that for me echoed Mary and Anne Boelyn.

Secondly, this book has been written with a conviction that can be rare in historicals of famous figures. Apart from Philippa Gregory, I haven't read another author who writes such vivid characters based on real people. After reading the author's notes, I was impressed at how much research Moran did so she could confidently draw her own conclusions on the character of Nefertiti and write a novel firmly grounded in historical fact. While she concedes that some Egyptologists may disagree with her interpretations, she hasn't allowed this to deter from the characters she's created. To me, this is brave storytelling.

Thirdly, it is written in first person through the eyes of the overlooked sister. As a reader, I think that was a smart move. Nefertiti, while fascinating, wasn't exactly likeable. Mutny however was completely relatable and I think had this been written through Nefertiti's eyes, readers would've had no one to have sympathy for.

Speaking of sympathy, as I often do when I'm finished a historical, I Googled the facts as soon as I was done. I must admit, I'm disappointed to know what came of Mutny after the pages of this book finished. I really liked her and I had hoped the Throne of Horus wouldn't come for her!

If, like me, Ancient Egypt has always called to you, then let it sweep you away into this book. I don't think you'll be disappointed. A very strong debut novel.(less)

24 likes · like · see review

Aug 11, 2011 Violet Crush rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, favorites

It’s 1351 BCE. Tuthmosis, the older brother of Amunhotep is dead and the wise men of Egypt have concluded that Amunhotep has killed his brother for power, to become the pharaoh.

And as the author Michelle Moran puts it
Whatever the truth, that night the crown prince, Tuthmosis, dies, and a new crown prince rose to take his place.

Thus begins the story of greed, unlimited power, dirty politics and one family’s journey into royalty.Nefertiti is chosen by Amunhotep’s mother and her aunt as his wife an...more It’s 1351 BCE. Tuthmosis, the older brother of Amunhotep is dead and the wise men of Egypt have concluded that Amunhotep has killed his brother for power, to become the pharaoh.

And as the author Michelle Moran puts it
Whatever the truth, that night the crown prince, Tuthmosis, dies, and a new crown prince rose to take his place.

Thus begins the story of greed, unlimited power, dirty politics and one family’s journey into royalty.Nefertiti is chosen by Amunhotep’s mother and her aunt as his wife and the chief Queen. Nefertiti’s entire family has to move to the palace when she gets married. Her father is a vizier to the pharaoh, so we get to know both sides of politics.

Nefertiti is very ambitious and is ready to assist the pharaoh in his heretic ambitious. But the pharaohs’ plans are way ahead of anything anyone could ever imagine. He wants to forsake Egypt’s ancient God Amun and give its place to a smaller god Aten. He destroys all the temples built for Amun and forbids his people from worshipping him. He builds an entirely new city called Amarna and glorifies himself and his queen Nefertiti by carving their statues and painting their faces everywhere.

Nefertiti does not stop Amunhotep because she realizes that it was the only opportunity to make herself immortal and be remembered through centuries. Like the pharaoh, she turns a blind eye on the political unrest, encroaching enemies and devotes herself entirely to the pharaoh and her ambitions.

This is not Nefertiti’s story alone. It is the story of her sister Mutnodjmet (Mutny) too . In fact I was surprised to find that the narrator is Mutny. She is the exact opposite of Nefertiti. Where Nefertiti wants power, Mutny wants a quiet life in one of the villages, away from all the politics. But for the sake of her sister and her family she becomes Nefertiti’s handmaiden.

There is so much to write about this book and the characters, but I don’t want to spoil the book for those who haven’t read it. The story and the backdrop are interesting; yes, but what brings life to the story are the characters. I loved how author Michelle Moran has constructed a story around an era which is still not entirely explored. Weaving a story around a civilization and characters as ancient as these, must have required a lot of research.

Nefertiti is a good thriller and a good story which kept me up late turning the pages.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Originally reviewed on http://violetcrush.wordpress.com (less)

9 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2011 Nina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, the-best-of-the-best, i-own

Ovako kvalitetna knjiga rijetko se nalazi! Možda je to moje mišljenje jer sam oduvijek pokazivala zanimanje za drevnim Egiptom, a ova mi je knjiga upravo dala ono što sam i željela... Ne znam, ali sa sigurnošću mogu reći da je knjiga čisto savršenstvo, po meni nema praznog hoda, svaki događaj je na svom mjestu i svaki je lik savršeno okarakteriziran.
Znimljivo je čitati o stvarnim osobama koje su postojale gotovo 3000 godina unazad.
Nisam imala pojma da je Nefertiti bila toliko jaka žena sve dok n...more

7 likes · like · see review

Feb 09, 2008 Renée rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Fairly weak novel with sketchy historical research.

11 likes · like · see review

Feb 17, 2009 Alaine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Alaine by: Annie

Shelves: historical-fiction

What I found to be fascinating about this book is that compared to other periods in history i.e. Tudor England, very little is known about it. Michelle Moran has woven an interesting and credible tale. What an amazing imagination she has!
This story is told in first person by Mutny, Nefertiti's younger sister. As a character Nefertiti has been portrayed as a beautiful and passionate woman, who will go to any lengths to get what she wants. There are many characters in this novel and I must confess...more

8 likes · like · see review

Dec 31, 2008 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am still reeling from this delicious book! Power, royalty, wealth and a sweet love story all rolled into one, this book swept me up and did not put me down until the last page of the preview to the sequel. Told through the eyes of Nefertiti's younger sister, Mutnodjmet, who was the exact opposite of her - but both were compelling and strong characters. I couldn't help but liken Nefertiti to Anne Boleyn: both driven by their families and their own ambitions for power, both used religion to seal...more

7 likes · like · see review

May 13, 2008 Rowena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the story of Nefertiti's reign, told through the eyes of her quiet and intellectual sister, Mudnojimet. Nefertiti was awe-strikingly beautiful and fiercely ambitious. She wrestled her way up to First Wife to the cruel and foolish pharaoh Akhenaten and even up to the position of Pharaoh Co-Regent which was nearly unheard of in those times.

This was an intriguing novel. MM did an excellent job portraying the intricacies of the Ancient Egyptian court. What I thought was most lacking was the...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 15, 2013 Rhiannon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

This story really grabbed me. I read for 6 hours straight before I paused for dinner, and then continued on until the end. The booked appeared fairly formidable in size, at least my library edition did, but the font and margins were large and overall a fast read. (Please note I don't in the least consider myself a FAST reader, just a 'dedicated' one.)
I did find it funny that one reviewer was relieved this was *not* a rip-off of "The Other Boleyn Girl" because I could not stop thinking how simila...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 13, 2008 Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who are bored.

Recommended to Lynn by: A friend

At first the back cover had me ready to read when I saw "meticulously researched" stated by the Boston Globe's review on the back. I tore through it in 9 hours because it was such an easy read. While the story was decent, I was rather disappointed.
Although her character portrayal was good, she never really made me SEE Egypt. It also lacked the one thing every other "meticulously researched" book on ancient Egypt lacks. No one ever> uses the actual Kemetic names of cities or gods. If it was s...more

7 likes · like · see review

Sep 07, 2008 Susan rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: No one

Shelves: fiction, historical

I am a great fan of (well done) historical fiction - Gabaldon, Gulland and Koen all come instantly to mind - but this certainly doesn't come close to any of them. In fact, I never got beyond the first 50 or 60 pages. I've had a lifelong love affair with ancient Egypt, especially the Armana period, and I've never seen it depicted quite like this. Amunhotep (Ahknaten) was depicted as a headstrong, foolish kid,bad enough, but where oh where did she come up with her idea of Nefertiti's character? Va...more

14 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2009 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was amazing historical fiction. It covers the time period between Nefertiti's acsension to queen (or chief wife of Pharaoh) and her death. It gives an indepth view of these people about whom so little is known for sure. The author does a phenomenal job of bringing these characters to life. Nefertiti is a character that you feel sorry for and are angry at simultaneously for most of the book. Anyone who likes Philippa Gregory's historical fiction novels of the English court (The Other Bo...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 23, 2008 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read it in one evening, just to give you an idea of what kind of a page-turner this is. Moran does an excellent job of pulling you deep into an ancient world with characters who are so very reminiscent of our modern selves. The narrator- Nefertiti's less well-known sister- is such a beautifully constructed character. She is, like all the characters mentioned in this novel, based on reality, though some of the details surrounding her life were conceived by the author. Either way, this book is an...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2009 Maya rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

I truly have mixed feeling about this book. The author in her note at the end of the book tells us that she is faithful to the history of the period, but from my own search into that time I know that it is not true. I also can't like the way she portrayed Akhenaten and Nefertiti at all, nor do I think that that was the way they were, based on what little I know of them.

Take away the historical references, and you've got a good story. The interactions between the two sister, was a very good stor...more

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 15, 2012 Jen W rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wishlist, zs-read-2012

As a fiction novel, I found this to be an entertaining read. However, there were several times throughout the book where I found myself getting extremely annoyed at Nefertiti’s constant self-centered, ego-centric, bratty behavior and tantrums. I had to keep reminding myself that for most of the book, Nefertiti and Amunhotep were teenagers. I don’t know that I can believe that this has any ounce of truth in regards to her personality. Maybe the author was trying to build a connection with the rea...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 28, 2011 Cassandra Silva rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

This book was so so hard to put down! I am a voracious reader anyhow but I literally could not do anything else but read this book. I loved the dialogue! I loved the storyline. The characters were so interesting, perhaps not always fully fleshed out but interesting as heck! It was a really emotionally charged ride and I loved it. I also just got back from the Tutankhamen exhibit in Melbourne and they had a number of pieces that featured the great Nefertiti so that made it doubly fun. The only re...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 19, 2007 Abby Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Starting from when Nefertiti is thirteen and first married to the soon-to-be Pharaoh, Nefertiti portrays the rest of the queen's life as seen through her sister's eyes. Nefertiti has been chosen by the reigning queen to be Chief Wife to Amenhotep IV, heir to the throne and Nefertiti is obsessed with staking her claim and protecting her position. As her husband sinks further and further into madness, Nefertiti chooses to support him, even if it means betraying her own family.

Moran's descriptions...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 24, 2009 Cathie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: absolute-favorites

I really loved this book. I thought the characters were very interesting and the research put into the book very well done. I loved the setting descriptions, learn the time period, and their ways of doing things. I feel like I learned even more about this time period and I find it so fascinating, their beliefs and the way they ruled. Funny how things relative to that are not very different from how things are today. I thought that Mutny was a wonderful person, forgiving and I admired her ability...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 04, 2009 Tera rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-09

I really enjoyed this book. It seems an Egyptian version of the Boleyn books by Phillipa Gregory. The story isn't as much about Nefertiti as it is about her sister Mutny. Since much of this time has to be pieced together from what little information we have take the events and people with a grain of salt and enjoy the story.

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 22, 2008 Denise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: historical fiction lovers

Recommended to Denise by: book club

Shelves: history

I believe that Ms. Moran had a formidable job trying to take the research of the Amarna period (or should I say the lack of available material) and turn it into a gripping novel. While some diehard people will quibble and say parts of the novel are patently untrue, her story came alive and if nothing else made me try to learn more about this interesting woman, her sister, and Akhenaten. It was a remarkable period in Egypt's history, and this talented storyteller made me want to learn even more....more

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 12, 2007 Caroline rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of historical fiction

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-in-2007, favorite-covers

While this book is obviously not going to be terribly accurate, since a lot of the story was lost to history, it was a great interpretation of what it might have been like to live during the Amarna period of Ancient Egypt. The story is from the perspective of Nefertiti's younger sister, Mutnodjmet, so at first I was a bit put off, expecting it to be a rip-off of The Other Boleyn Girl. Definitely was happy to see it wasn't. Some readers have complained about the way Moran chose to characterize Ne...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 02, 2012 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Egypt and the 18th dynasty (1351 BCE). The story of Nefertiti and Akhenaten told by Nefertiti's sister, Mutnodjmet. Even though it is a novel, the author did quite a bit of research on what is known about Nefertiti and Akhenaten. Archaeologist are in Amarna now uncovering the city that Akhenaten built to the God, Aten, which failed. Akhenaten and his 1st wife, Kiya are the parents of the well known King Tut (Tutankhaten) who marries his half sister (Ankhesenamun)the daughter of Akhenaten and Nef...more

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Aug 22, 2008 Lois Clark-Johnston rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I liked this novel quite abit. It was written in a very similar format to The Other Boleyn Girl-with the less famous sister telling the story.
This tells the story of Nefertiti and Akhenaten-focusing on thier break from traditional Egyptian gods to the one god-Aten. They moved the capital to Karnak. It is similar to The Other Boleyn Girl in that way as well-basically you have a monarch changing the way the system has been run for years-the effect that has on the people, etc.
It was interesting to...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 30, 2008 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was such a great read! The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because I like to reserve those 5ers for something really really really special. But it's a very strong 4. I would be happy to loan it out to anyone who wants to read. I could not put it down, the story is so intriguing. It's funny, I assumed I would read it and fall in love with Nefertiti all over again and think she was the greatest, but this book made her sister more of the heroine and I loved her character, and was kind o...more

1 like · like · see review

May 01, 2009 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone, history lover or not

Shelves: historical, own, crown-publishing, favorites

This was a really good read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The title is misleading because the book really is about the sister of Nefertiti and not herself, but she does have a good place in it. I remember learning things about Egypt and Mummies in elementary school, but not much since then and this book was a good little history lesson as well as a good novel. Mutny, the main character and narrator goes through so much and the way that this novel is written you (the reader) go right with her. You fe...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 13, 2008 Jaime rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008, historical_fiction

I found this to be captivating. So little is known about this period of time that it may be only 10% fact, but it was still great. I wasn’t expecting it to all be from Mutnodjmet’s point of view, and I think it gave the story an extra oomph. Only through her sister’s eyes can the reader see the true Nefertiti, who was never truly happy — even when she reached the pinnacle of power. The political maneuverings are incredible, and I found everything to be believable. Books like this tend to send me...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 12, 2011 Jenn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: general-fiction

Good story, vivid characters, and strong writing. I was really invested in this story told from the point of view of Nefertiti's younger sister, Mutnodjmet. Although the book is entitled Nefertiti, this is really about Mut and her struggle as the younger sister of the Queen of Eqypt. I ripped through this book in half a week and enjoyed every second of it. This is based on facts as they were known when it was written, the fiction in the rest of the story is believable and, in fact, probably how...more

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Apr 05, 2009 Aksana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, col

This book was a page-turner and a very fast read! I learned a lot and became fascinated with Egyptian history and that Dynasty that changed Egypt's religion. I am looking forward to reading Michelle Moran's The Heretic Queen.

1 like · like · see review

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About Michelle Moran

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Michelle Moran was born in southern California. After attending Pomona College, she earned a Masters Degree from the Claremont Graduate University. During her six years as a public high school teacher, Michelle used her summers to travel around the world, and it was her exp...more

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“I wonder if our names determine our destiny, or if destiny leads us to choose certain names.” — 33 people liked it

“You can't change the desert. You can only take the fastest course through it. Wishing it's an oasis won't make it so...” — 24 people liked it

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