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Daughter of Egypt
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Expected 24 Mar 26From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Benedict comes an extraordinary story of the woman who helped uncover Tutankhamun's tomb and the mystery behind Egypt’s first woman Pharaoh.
1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.
The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history.
Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.
1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.
The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history.
Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 24, 2026
71 people are currently reading
23896 people want to read
About the author
Marie Benedict
21 books12.9k followersMarie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie's Maid, The Other Einstein, and the novella, Agent 355. With Victoria Christopher Murray, she co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. With Courtney Sheinmel, she co-wrote the first in a middle grade historical adventure series, called The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy.
Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List.
Up next is the March 24, 2026 release, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, the sweeping tale of a young aristocratic archaeologist — Lady Evelyn of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — who unearths the truth about a forgotten female Pharaoh, rewriting both of their legacies forever.
Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List.
Up next is the March 24, 2026 release, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, the sweeping tale of a young aristocratic archaeologist — Lady Evelyn of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — who unearths the truth about a forgotten female Pharaoh, rewriting both of their legacies forever.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
November 22, 2025
Marie Benedict has once again proven why she is one of the most important voices in historical fiction today. She has an extraordinary ability to shine a light on women who shaped history but were hidden in the shadows, and Daughter of Egypt may be her most daring excavation yet. This book is not only about tombs and treasures—it’s about silenced voices clawing their way back into the narrative. It’s about courage, defiance, and the cost of being a woman who refuses to accept the role history has written for her.
The novel unfolds across two breathtaking timelines. In the 1920s, we meet Lady Evelyn Herbert, the daughter of Lord Carnarvon, living in the very world of privilege and limitation that defined her era. While society expected her to play the dutiful daughter, marry well, and keep to the drawing rooms, Evelyn’s heart is in the sands of Egypt. Her obsession with discovery—particularly the story of Hatshepsut—pulls her into a dangerous world where politics, greed, and nationalism collide. She isn’t just searching for a tomb; she’s searching for her own identity, her own legacy, in a time when women were rarely allowed either.
And then there is Hatshepsut, the lost Pharaoh. Benedict brings her to life with a vivid, almost aching power—her intelligence, her ambition, and her willingness to seize authority in a world that tried to erase every trace of her existence. Reading about her reign felt like standing inside a temple, torchlight flickering against stone walls, hearing her voice echo back through the centuries. She wasn’t just ruling Egypt; she was daring to imagine a different future. And for that, her enemies ensured her name was struck from the monuments she built.
What makes this book feel so alive is how these two women’s stories mirror one another. Both Evelyn and Hatshepsut fight to carve space for themselves in male-dominated worlds, and both pay the price for their audacity. Their struggles, though separated by millennia, resonate deeply with today’s readers: the erasure of women’s achievements, the battles for autonomy, the fight to be remembered.
Benedict also doesn’t shy away from the larger questions. Who owns history? Who has the right to decide where artifacts belong—the colonizers who plundered them, or the people whose ancestors built them? These questions haunt Evelyn’s chapters, set during a time of Egyptian independence and unrest, and they still feel urgent today.
But for all its political and historical weight, this is also a deeply emotional novel. I found myself moved not just by the grandeur of ancient temples or the thrill of discovery, but by the very human pulse of the story: Evelyn’s determination to step beyond her father’s shadow, Hatshepsut’s fight to lead with strength and vision, and the universal desire to leave behind a legacy that cannot be erased.
Reading Daughter of Egypt felt like peeling back layers of sand, brushing away dust, and uncovering something luminous that had been there all along. Benedict doesn’t just give us history—she gives us connection, empathy, and fire.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this empowering, feminist-vibed, and inspirational historical fiction ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’m so grateful to have experienced this story, and I’ll be thinking about Evelyn and Hatshepsut long after I’ve turned the final page.
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The novel unfolds across two breathtaking timelines. In the 1920s, we meet Lady Evelyn Herbert, the daughter of Lord Carnarvon, living in the very world of privilege and limitation that defined her era. While society expected her to play the dutiful daughter, marry well, and keep to the drawing rooms, Evelyn’s heart is in the sands of Egypt. Her obsession with discovery—particularly the story of Hatshepsut—pulls her into a dangerous world where politics, greed, and nationalism collide. She isn’t just searching for a tomb; she’s searching for her own identity, her own legacy, in a time when women were rarely allowed either.
And then there is Hatshepsut, the lost Pharaoh. Benedict brings her to life with a vivid, almost aching power—her intelligence, her ambition, and her willingness to seize authority in a world that tried to erase every trace of her existence. Reading about her reign felt like standing inside a temple, torchlight flickering against stone walls, hearing her voice echo back through the centuries. She wasn’t just ruling Egypt; she was daring to imagine a different future. And for that, her enemies ensured her name was struck from the monuments she built.
What makes this book feel so alive is how these two women’s stories mirror one another. Both Evelyn and Hatshepsut fight to carve space for themselves in male-dominated worlds, and both pay the price for their audacity. Their struggles, though separated by millennia, resonate deeply with today’s readers: the erasure of women’s achievements, the battles for autonomy, the fight to be remembered.
Benedict also doesn’t shy away from the larger questions. Who owns history? Who has the right to decide where artifacts belong—the colonizers who plundered them, or the people whose ancestors built them? These questions haunt Evelyn’s chapters, set during a time of Egyptian independence and unrest, and they still feel urgent today.
But for all its political and historical weight, this is also a deeply emotional novel. I found myself moved not just by the grandeur of ancient temples or the thrill of discovery, but by the very human pulse of the story: Evelyn’s determination to step beyond her father’s shadow, Hatshepsut’s fight to lead with strength and vision, and the universal desire to leave behind a legacy that cannot be erased.
Reading Daughter of Egypt felt like peeling back layers of sand, brushing away dust, and uncovering something luminous that had been there all along. Benedict doesn’t just give us history—she gives us connection, empathy, and fire.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this empowering, feminist-vibed, and inspirational historical fiction ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’m so grateful to have experienced this story, and I’ll be thinking about Evelyn and Hatshepsut long after I’ve turned the final page.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
November 20, 2025
What an entertaining an interesting book. The book connects Lady Evelyn Herbert, a woman involved in the 1920s discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb, with Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh whose legacy was nearly erased thousands of years earlier by her male successors.
Both women must fight for recognition and ambition in patriarchal societies. Highly recommend.
Both women must fight for recognition and ambition in patriarchal societies. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2025
The novel brings to light two extraordinary women: Evelyn Herbert who helped uncover Tutankhamun’s tomb, and Hatshepsut with her mysterious reign as the first woman Pharaoh of Egypt.
1919, England. The novel begins with the backstory of Evelyn Herbert who comes from privileged family. Her father, Lord Carnarvon, employed Howard Carter to lead excavations in Egypt. Howard Carter has been tutoring Eve in history and archeology of ancient Egypt every summer since her childhood. And that’s when her fascination with Hatshepsut began – why her successors tried to erase her from history. That’s the puzzle she’s been determined to solve.
The story portrays well the spirit of Eve and her fascination with Hatshepsut. While traveling to Egypt with her parents, she witnesses the excavations of the final layer at the site possibly tied to Tutankhamun and Hatshepsut. Her anticipation is contagious. She also experiences what she only heard of and never imagined that could happen to her until it did – collapsed tunnels and tombs, and archeologists and others not making it out alive. She stumbles upon other challenges that make her question others’ motives when she learns of Howard Carter procuring some artifacts for himself and not his patron. Thus, exposing her smarts, sophistication, and determination.
The story weaves in another timeline beginning in 1486 BC, Thebes, when Hatshepsut is a priestess. Her father Pharaoh Thutmose teaches her how to command and make decisions. After the death of her two brothers, she remains the sole highest-born royal child in the land, but no woman has ever ruled Egypt. Who succeeds and what happens next reveals the puzzle Eve has been searching for. Hatshepsut’s character reveals a strong woman who is highly-intelligent and creative in navigating the world she lives in.
The story has a rich historical background and weaves in Hatshepsut’s story interestingly – and the answer Eve is searching for. The narrative has a feel of telling rather than showing.
Eve’s voice has that distinct aristocratic tone. On the other hand, Hatshepsut’s voice lacks the authoritative tone and is missing the tension between her and her subordinates.
The novel brings to light two women who have not received enough credit for creating history as they lived in a male dominated world. Both are such fascinating characters that I wish there was even more to their character-development.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1919, England. The novel begins with the backstory of Evelyn Herbert who comes from privileged family. Her father, Lord Carnarvon, employed Howard Carter to lead excavations in Egypt. Howard Carter has been tutoring Eve in history and archeology of ancient Egypt every summer since her childhood. And that’s when her fascination with Hatshepsut began – why her successors tried to erase her from history. That’s the puzzle she’s been determined to solve.
The story portrays well the spirit of Eve and her fascination with Hatshepsut. While traveling to Egypt with her parents, she witnesses the excavations of the final layer at the site possibly tied to Tutankhamun and Hatshepsut. Her anticipation is contagious. She also experiences what she only heard of and never imagined that could happen to her until it did – collapsed tunnels and tombs, and archeologists and others not making it out alive. She stumbles upon other challenges that make her question others’ motives when she learns of Howard Carter procuring some artifacts for himself and not his patron. Thus, exposing her smarts, sophistication, and determination.
The story weaves in another timeline beginning in 1486 BC, Thebes, when Hatshepsut is a priestess. Her father Pharaoh Thutmose teaches her how to command and make decisions. After the death of her two brothers, she remains the sole highest-born royal child in the land, but no woman has ever ruled Egypt. Who succeeds and what happens next reveals the puzzle Eve has been searching for. Hatshepsut’s character reveals a strong woman who is highly-intelligent and creative in navigating the world she lives in.
The story has a rich historical background and weaves in Hatshepsut’s story interestingly – and the answer Eve is searching for. The narrative has a feel of telling rather than showing.
Eve’s voice has that distinct aristocratic tone. On the other hand, Hatshepsut’s voice lacks the authoritative tone and is missing the tension between her and her subordinates.
The novel brings to light two women who have not received enough credit for creating history as they lived in a male dominated world. Both are such fascinating characters that I wish there was even more to their character-development.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2025
3 stars plus one more because it’s ancient Egypt! 🐪🐫
So many historical things excite us as we read about things of long ago. High up among them in my book is matters connected to and about ancient Egypt. It is a land of mystery of so many secrets and treasures buried in the sand. So when I had the opportunity to read Marie Benedict's new book I grabbed it.
Ms Benedict writes of two woman, one Hatsheput, a female ruler of Egypt who quite mysteriously had her name erased from history, and Lady Eve Carnarvon, a lady whose intense interest in archeology and Hatshepsut, allowed her to be present at the most amazing archeological find in recent memory that of Pharaoh Tutankhamen's tomb.
Daughter of Lord Carnarvon and friend to Howard Carter, Eve was able to travel to the sands of Egypt and for her it was a search for Hatsheput and the many question surrounding her reign as a female Pharaoh. Why was it that Hatsheput was erased from history, a woman who would often assume the guise of a man to fulfill her duties as Pharaoh. Like Eve who is not often associated with the find of Tut's tomb, she has slipped into history, although she was an avid archeologist and a courageous woman.
The dichotomy between Hatsheput's fate and Lady Evelyn's is similar. They lived and grew in a male society, one in which Eve's pursuits were often overlooked.
Eve was fascinated with Hatsheput, and the reasons why and where she may be buried. Hatsheput set many fine things in motion in her kingdom, increasing its size, and bringing in an era of peace and prosperity for her people. Was she obliterated from history because of that or because she was a woman?
This was an interesting story with much conjecture about Hatsheput and Lady Evelyn. However, there were, drawn into the story, some relevant facts about the political climate of Egypt at the time when the digs were done in the Valley of the Kings. Lady Evelyn was among the first to step into Tut's tomb with her father, Carter, and was the first to enter the burial chamber.
Was she able to ever find Hatsheput's tomb and fulfill that thirst she had for this female Pharaoh? Unfortunately, after finding Tut's tomb, Lady Evelyn returned to England, married, and had a child, never to return again to Egypt with her dream never realized.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Ev...
So many historical things excite us as we read about things of long ago. High up among them in my book is matters connected to and about ancient Egypt. It is a land of mystery of so many secrets and treasures buried in the sand. So when I had the opportunity to read Marie Benedict's new book I grabbed it.
Ms Benedict writes of two woman, one Hatsheput, a female ruler of Egypt who quite mysteriously had her name erased from history, and Lady Eve Carnarvon, a lady whose intense interest in archeology and Hatshepsut, allowed her to be present at the most amazing archeological find in recent memory that of Pharaoh Tutankhamen's tomb.
Daughter of Lord Carnarvon and friend to Howard Carter, Eve was able to travel to the sands of Egypt and for her it was a search for Hatsheput and the many question surrounding her reign as a female Pharaoh. Why was it that Hatsheput was erased from history, a woman who would often assume the guise of a man to fulfill her duties as Pharaoh. Like Eve who is not often associated with the find of Tut's tomb, she has slipped into history, although she was an avid archeologist and a courageous woman.
The dichotomy between Hatsheput's fate and Lady Evelyn's is similar. They lived and grew in a male society, one in which Eve's pursuits were often overlooked.
Eve was fascinated with Hatsheput, and the reasons why and where she may be buried. Hatsheput set many fine things in motion in her kingdom, increasing its size, and bringing in an era of peace and prosperity for her people. Was she obliterated from history because of that or because she was a woman?
This was an interesting story with much conjecture about Hatsheput and Lady Evelyn. However, there were, drawn into the story, some relevant facts about the political climate of Egypt at the time when the digs were done in the Valley of the Kings. Lady Evelyn was among the first to step into Tut's tomb with her father, Carter, and was the first to enter the burial chamber.
Was she able to ever find Hatsheput's tomb and fulfill that thirst she had for this female Pharaoh? Unfortunately, after finding Tut's tomb, Lady Evelyn returned to England, married, and had a child, never to return again to Egypt with her dream never realized.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Ev...
August 16, 2025
I was excited to read this book as this is a part of history that I’m extremely fascinated by and the love of all things Egypt has shaped my vacation destination choices many times over the years. I’ll admit to a little trepidation, as I’ve read a few books with a similar focus, but I was impressed with how Benedict gave us insight into the life of the times; readers get a full meal deal! I’ve been disappointed before by the narrow focus authors have chosen, but Benedict gives us a full picture of what it was like, during different slices of history, for women to grasp power during a time when it wasn’t accepted, and to live under the thumb of societal and parental expectations. She plants our feet on the hot sand, allows us to adjust our breathing to the climate, and then dazzles us with a pacey narrative that keeps readers spellbound. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough.
This will be one of my top reads for the year because it allowed me to go back and revisit 5-star vacations where I experienced Egypt and stood in the same places Benedict’s characters roamed. Like Benedict, “history has always been my chosen companion.”
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This will be one of my top reads for the year because it allowed me to go back and revisit 5-star vacations where I experienced Egypt and stood in the same places Benedict’s characters roamed. Like Benedict, “history has always been my chosen companion.”
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 28, 2025
A novel centered on the first female pharaoh of Egypt, yes please! Plus Lord Carnarvon had a daughter that was present at the discovery of King Tut's tomb. I had no idea! As someone who has studied and read so much about this time period, this book taught me so much as well as kept me interested until the very end.
The novel is told in two parts. Lady Evelyn is fascinated with ancient Egypt, especially that of Hatshepsut. Eve dreams of one day finding Hatshepsut's tomb. She has joined her father, Lord Carnarvon, and Howard Carter on some of their excavations in the early 1920s. Her mother however wants to settle down in a good marriage. Lady Evelyn refuses to give up and is determined to find Haatshepsut's resting place no matter the cost. The second part of the story is that of Hatshepsut and how she came to be the first female pharaoh of Egypt. Her story is fascinating especially considering that Egypt had a female who ruled successfully and accomplished great things for Egypt in the 1400s B.C. Yet it is A.D. 2025, and we have yet to have a female president.
The author certainly did a fantastic job researching and recreating not only the world of ancient Egypt but that of Egypt in the 1920s. I felt like I was right there and could picture excavating tombs on an archaeological dig. Lady Evelyn was a fascinating character, even more so for me because she was a real person. This is a book you do not want to miss if you are interested in ancient Egypt and the pharaohs.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
The novel is told in two parts. Lady Evelyn is fascinated with ancient Egypt, especially that of Hatshepsut. Eve dreams of one day finding Hatshepsut's tomb. She has joined her father, Lord Carnarvon, and Howard Carter on some of their excavations in the early 1920s. Her mother however wants to settle down in a good marriage. Lady Evelyn refuses to give up and is determined to find Haatshepsut's resting place no matter the cost. The second part of the story is that of Hatshepsut and how she came to be the first female pharaoh of Egypt. Her story is fascinating especially considering that Egypt had a female who ruled successfully and accomplished great things for Egypt in the 1400s B.C. Yet it is A.D. 2025, and we have yet to have a female president.
The author certainly did a fantastic job researching and recreating not only the world of ancient Egypt but that of Egypt in the 1920s. I felt like I was right there and could picture excavating tombs on an archaeological dig. Lady Evelyn was a fascinating character, even more so for me because she was a real person. This is a book you do not want to miss if you are interested in ancient Egypt and the pharaohs.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Review to come. 🫶
Want to read
May 14, 2025FEED ME MOTHER!!!🍽️
I’m so ready😍😍😍
I’m so ready😍😍😍
June 10, 2025
"Daughter of Egypt" is an intriguing mix of "Indiana Jones," "Cleopatra," and "Little Women".
Lady Evelyn, or Eve, is set on resurrecting the memory of Hatshepsut, a woman pharaoh Egypt has erased from history. To do so, however, she must fight the same elements that Hatshepsut faced, including sexism, family conflict, and political unrest. Her quest and resilience to rise above such challenges strengthens her character and confidence to pursue her goals, rather than conform to the path forged for her by tradition.
"Daughter of Egypt" holds poignant messages for women, young and old, present and past, across cultures about the power of staying true to oneself while still having the courage to pursue groundbreaking endeavors.
Lady Evelyn, or Eve, is set on resurrecting the memory of Hatshepsut, a woman pharaoh Egypt has erased from history. To do so, however, she must fight the same elements that Hatshepsut faced, including sexism, family conflict, and political unrest. Her quest and resilience to rise above such challenges strengthens her character and confidence to pursue her goals, rather than conform to the path forged for her by tradition.
"Daughter of Egypt" holds poignant messages for women, young and old, present and past, across cultures about the power of staying true to oneself while still having the courage to pursue groundbreaking endeavors.
August 3, 2025
I expected to love this more than I did. I love all things Egypt, so this book had me so excited. I think the two timelines didn’t work for me. Past Egypt didn’t give me a chance to really know the female pharaoh. Just snippets of her rule. Eve was ok, but with her obsession being with the pharaoh but the excavation leading to King Tut, it didn’t seem cohesive. At times I felt the writing to be stilted; it didn’t have a seamless flow. I was expecting this to be a five star read, but unfortunately left me a little disappointed.
August 18, 2025
Review to follow.
September 25, 2025
While I appreciate Benedict researching Egyptian history, especially involving women and their place in the world, Daughter of Egypt was lacking structure. It ended up becoming slightly cheesy by the end.
It's a very glossed over history of Hatshepsut. I didn't enjoy the present story involving Evelyn, who goes out to find her tomb. It didn't have much depth and while Benedict may have tried to tie Hatshepsut and Evelyn as two string women, I just didn't see the connection.
It was just an "ok" historical fiction. I much preferred Fiona Davis' Stolen Queen much better.
I felt it really ends on a flat note.
It's a very glossed over history of Hatshepsut. I didn't enjoy the present story involving Evelyn, who goes out to find her tomb. It didn't have much depth and while Benedict may have tried to tie Hatshepsut and Evelyn as two string women, I just didn't see the connection.
It was just an "ok" historical fiction. I much preferred Fiona Davis' Stolen Queen much better.
I felt it really ends on a flat note.
July 31, 2025
This novel is perfect for those who love the times in Egypt with pharaoh and tombs. I am not one of those that gravitates to those kinds of novels, but read everything Benedict publishes. She never shies away from powerful historical women in history.
Very detailed and you can tell Benedict knows her history and the research must have taken years, which she details in her notes.
Very detailed and you can tell Benedict knows her history and the research must have taken years, which she details in her notes.
August 4, 2025
A splendid histfic tale about two women centuries apart: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost female pharaoh, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, who risks all to find her tomb. She is also the daughter of Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, and made possible his 1920s co-discovery of King Tut's tomb. A must-read!
June 3, 2025
I had high hopes for this book and I'm glad to say it hit my expectations! I loved Eve and Hatshepsut and the switch between their points of view. I wish we could see more of them both, but the book tied up the endings for both main characters very well. I was never very interested in egyptology but I loved delving into Eve's passion and Hatshepsut's life, and both gave me a new appreciation and respect for it all. Overall a very good book and one I'm happy to have read!
PS. Won this in a goodreads giveaway!
PS. Won this in a goodreads giveaway!
Want to read
July 29, 2025So glad to get Marie Benedict’s new Book,
Daughter of Egypt
Can’t Wait To Read This 📖💗
Daughter of Egypt Can’t Wait To Read This 📖💗
September 9, 2025
In historical fiction author Marie Benedict’s latest novel DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, readers are transported back in time to Ancient Egypt as well as England and told the story how in the 1920s Evelyn Herbert was part of the excavation of finding King Tut’s tomb, but not only this but there’s another story of a little known ruler (Hatsepsut). Marie Benedict uses these two stories to draw parallels to how women are often overlooked and not appreciated.
Thank you to author Marie Benedict for penning another fantastic story & publisher St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the advanced eARC.
** All opinions are my own **
🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬
Thank you to author Marie Benedict for penning another fantastic story & publisher St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the advanced eARC.
** All opinions are my own **
🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬
August 5, 2025
History! Mystery! And Just A Touch Of Romance!
Daughter of Egypt is about two very brave, determined women ahead of their time. Lady Evelyn Herbert, the daughter of Lord Carnarvon of the famous Highclere Castle noted for his archaeological find of King Tutankamun’s tomb, draws us into the story by saying “History has always been my chosen companion.” She is determined to find the tomb of the female Pharaoh Hatsheput, a mystery to this day. Hatsheput was almost completely erased from history. Eve hoped for a world where no woman is ever erased. Hatsheput, the daughter of the most influential man of the time, Pharaoh Thutmose I, was given the opportunity to study by his side as a son would. She became God’s wife of Amun which enabled her to move forward in her position to become Pharaoh, unheard of for a woman. All new ideas cause their share of strife as her reign did. Even though she accomplished much good for her people, gender was always an issue. Egypt in all its splendor amid mysteries and political upheavals in two time periods is all in this story to enjoy. There is just a touch of romance for both women making them appear more relatable to readers of the genre. Eve and Hatsheput are forward thinkers especially in regard to women as equals in worlds that hadn’t quite caught up yet. Eve’s quote at the end left much to dwell on. “History is shaped – or erased – to fit the narrative its tellers want or need to share.” The history I’ve enjoyed in this book has left me reaching for more about the Pharaoh Hatsheput as well as the excavation of Tutankamun’s tomb. The possible answers to the mystery of Hatsheput are intriguing and truly fascinating. I enjoyed Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict and believe anyone interested in History, Egypt, Hatsheput, Tutankamun or just a good old-fashioned mystery would enjoy it as well. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Daughter of Egypt is about two very brave, determined women ahead of their time. Lady Evelyn Herbert, the daughter of Lord Carnarvon of the famous Highclere Castle noted for his archaeological find of King Tutankamun’s tomb, draws us into the story by saying “History has always been my chosen companion.” She is determined to find the tomb of the female Pharaoh Hatsheput, a mystery to this day. Hatsheput was almost completely erased from history. Eve hoped for a world where no woman is ever erased. Hatsheput, the daughter of the most influential man of the time, Pharaoh Thutmose I, was given the opportunity to study by his side as a son would. She became God’s wife of Amun which enabled her to move forward in her position to become Pharaoh, unheard of for a woman. All new ideas cause their share of strife as her reign did. Even though she accomplished much good for her people, gender was always an issue. Egypt in all its splendor amid mysteries and political upheavals in two time periods is all in this story to enjoy. There is just a touch of romance for both women making them appear more relatable to readers of the genre. Eve and Hatsheput are forward thinkers especially in regard to women as equals in worlds that hadn’t quite caught up yet. Eve’s quote at the end left much to dwell on. “History is shaped – or erased – to fit the narrative its tellers want or need to share.” The history I’ve enjoyed in this book has left me reaching for more about the Pharaoh Hatsheput as well as the excavation of Tutankamun’s tomb. The possible answers to the mystery of Hatsheput are intriguing and truly fascinating. I enjoyed Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict and believe anyone interested in History, Egypt, Hatsheput, Tutankamun or just a good old-fashioned mystery would enjoy it as well. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 23, 2025
This was a very extensive view into the history of Ancient Egypt. One of the timelines in this book was the 1400s BC. I’ve never read fiction related to this time period. The author’s note explains how she became interested in this time in history in the 1970s when there were traveling exhibits of discoveries from the tomb of Tutankhamen - I remember as King Tut. He was Pharaoh in the 1300s BC.
The author does a good job explaining the importance of the tombs of these rulers and how they even seemed to have input into their final resting place.
The other timeline in this book is in the 1920s. Egypt was still under the rule of England, but there were several uprisings by Egyptians wanting to gain their independence. The storyline from the 1920s centered on Lady Evelyn Herbert who actively participated in archaeologist digs with her father and a mentor, Howard Carter. No one gave much credit to Eve’s archaeological expertise because she was a woman. It actually took Eve quite a lot of persistence to convince her mother and dad to allow her to participate in these archaeological digs. The intricacies of the archaeological process was described very well by the author.
The main focus in the 1400s BC timeline was on the first woman who came Pharaoh, Hatshepsut. I really enjoyed the story of her family’s history as rulers and how she was definitely prepared to lead when the opportunity arose.
Thanks to Net Galley, the author and publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The author does a good job explaining the importance of the tombs of these rulers and how they even seemed to have input into their final resting place.
The other timeline in this book is in the 1920s. Egypt was still under the rule of England, but there were several uprisings by Egyptians wanting to gain their independence. The storyline from the 1920s centered on Lady Evelyn Herbert who actively participated in archaeologist digs with her father and a mentor, Howard Carter. No one gave much credit to Eve’s archaeological expertise because she was a woman. It actually took Eve quite a lot of persistence to convince her mother and dad to allow her to participate in these archaeological digs. The intricacies of the archaeological process was described very well by the author.
The main focus in the 1400s BC timeline was on the first woman who came Pharaoh, Hatshepsut. I really enjoyed the story of her family’s history as rulers and how she was definitely prepared to lead when the opportunity arose.
Thanks to Net Galley, the author and publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 10, 2025
Daughter of Egypt is Marie Benedict’s fictional story of Hatshepsut, one of the only female pharaohs of Egypt, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of Lord Carnarvon, during the days leading up to and immediately following the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen.
Benedict has made efforts to be historically accurate based on information available while taking liberties to tell the story from women’s perspective. I have no issues with how she’s shown history. But as someone who minored in Anthropology, reading stories about archeological digs that tend to equate more with treasure hunts creates a pretty high cringe factor for me. Many digs in Egypt up through this time period were financed and led by wealthy British men, who were not particularly concerned about context and were often in pursuit of the money, treasure and prestige they were taking back with them to England, and, as demonstrated with Lord Carnarvon in this story, enraged when the Egyptian government and people wanted to keep the history and heritage of their country in GASP, their own country.
Even being historically accurate, this can be hard to read about. Unfortunately for me there wasn’t a whole lot to offset that feeling of distaste for me. There isn’t much character development of Eve or Hatshepsut. Eve came off as entitled brat. I respected her lack of interest in society and being a debutante, but she and Howard Carter are manipulating dig locations around her desire to find the female pharaoh, and instead of being excited about finding Tut she basically has an internal temper tantrum because they didn’t find the tomb of the pharaoh she wanted to find. This could have been a storyline focused on a woman trying to succeed in a line of work traditionally done by men, but it instead she comes off as a one dimensional character that doesn’t care about anything but what she wants until late in the book.
This isn’t the case with Hatshepsut, but she comes off as relatively one dimensional too. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore a woman in a leadership role only held by men, and the tough decisions and choices and the loneliness of being seen as a god, and yet much of her timeline is devoted first her relationship with her father and then to her daughter and lover, with very little delving into her role as ruler.
The book also seems to spend a large amount of time describing the opulence of Highclere, the family seat of the Herbert’s and places like the Winter Palace, where they stay during excavations in Egypt. Again, I’m sure that Benedict has done research to ensure these descriptions are historically accurate, but again, I don’t really see what they have to do with the attempts to discover a pharaoh’s tomb.
Perhaps I’m just feeling cranky, but I just feel like there’s a great opportunity to explore several historical females that aren’t often written about and it doesn’t seem to more than scratch the surface, and then not make them interesting enough to feel invested to learn more.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Benedict has made efforts to be historically accurate based on information available while taking liberties to tell the story from women’s perspective. I have no issues with how she’s shown history. But as someone who minored in Anthropology, reading stories about archeological digs that tend to equate more with treasure hunts creates a pretty high cringe factor for me. Many digs in Egypt up through this time period were financed and led by wealthy British men, who were not particularly concerned about context and were often in pursuit of the money, treasure and prestige they were taking back with them to England, and, as demonstrated with Lord Carnarvon in this story, enraged when the Egyptian government and people wanted to keep the history and heritage of their country in GASP, their own country.
Even being historically accurate, this can be hard to read about. Unfortunately for me there wasn’t a whole lot to offset that feeling of distaste for me. There isn’t much character development of Eve or Hatshepsut. Eve came off as entitled brat. I respected her lack of interest in society and being a debutante, but she and Howard Carter are manipulating dig locations around her desire to find the female pharaoh, and instead of being excited about finding Tut she basically has an internal temper tantrum because they didn’t find the tomb of the pharaoh she wanted to find. This could have been a storyline focused on a woman trying to succeed in a line of work traditionally done by men, but it instead she comes off as a one dimensional character that doesn’t care about anything but what she wants until late in the book.
This isn’t the case with Hatshepsut, but she comes off as relatively one dimensional too. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore a woman in a leadership role only held by men, and the tough decisions and choices and the loneliness of being seen as a god, and yet much of her timeline is devoted first her relationship with her father and then to her daughter and lover, with very little delving into her role as ruler.
The book also seems to spend a large amount of time describing the opulence of Highclere, the family seat of the Herbert’s and places like the Winter Palace, where they stay during excavations in Egypt. Again, I’m sure that Benedict has done research to ensure these descriptions are historically accurate, but again, I don’t really see what they have to do with the attempts to discover a pharaoh’s tomb.
Perhaps I’m just feeling cranky, but I just feel like there’s a great opportunity to explore several historical females that aren’t often written about and it doesn’t seem to more than scratch the surface, and then not make them interesting enough to feel invested to learn more.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 18, 2025
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of Daughter of Egypt. I have never read Marie Benedict before but I found her writing to be engaging. Daughter of Egypt is historical fiction in the most historical fiction-way you can get. The sections alternate between Eve Herbert and Hatshepsut (both very real people) and the people who live around them (also all real people). Of course Benedict takes some liberties to tell the story in how she believes the characters felt or how they may have acted, but overall the story is very close to the truth and I learned a lot by reading this. I did feel however that Benedict had a bit of an agenda when it came to trying to convince us of Eve's thoughts on feminism. It does sound like Eve was a woman ahead of her time, but there were parts of thes story where Eve had feelings about the Egyptian people or about the work she was doing that I did not feel would have been accurate for the times.
I never felt the book was slow, but with that being said, not much does happen. I was always engaged and was even scouring the internet for information on everybody, but again this is not an edge of your seat story, it is more informative. I also didn't feel there was a ton of emotional impact that you can sometimes find in these kind of stories, I did feel the ending was rather emotional which I like, but these moments were few and far between.
I would like to pick up another book by Benedict, I feel that her stories are a good way to learn about history, especially parts and people of history we may not know as much about.
I never felt the book was slow, but with that being said, not much does happen. I was always engaged and was even scouring the internet for information on everybody, but again this is not an edge of your seat story, it is more informative. I also didn't feel there was a ton of emotional impact that you can sometimes find in these kind of stories, I did feel the ending was rather emotional which I like, but these moments were few and far between.
I would like to pick up another book by Benedict, I feel that her stories are a good way to learn about history, especially parts and people of history we may not know as much about.
September 20, 2025
Lady Evelyn (Eve) Herbert has been enthralled with Egypt’s first female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, for as long as she can remember. Her father, Lord Carnarvon and his colleague, famous archeologist Howard Carter, have been traveling to Egypt for years going on excavation digs. Eve finally gets to tag along on a few of these trips in the hopes of finding Hatshepsut’s tomb, but at the time, all that anyone cared about was finding Tutenkhamun’s tomb. Eve is so frustrated with how no one, past or present, is interested in Egypt’s first female pharaoh and how everyone is fine with erasing her from history (typical, huh?). All the while, Egypt is in the throes of wanting its independence from Britain, which would change all the laws regarding excavation digs and who the spoils would belong to. I found this story to be very informative of that time period and enjoyed learning also about early Egypt.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
August 15, 2025
Daughter of Egypt is a lovely dual timeline story aet to come out in March of next year! This is actually my first time reading anything by Marie Benedict so I will say that I was quite impressed with what I read. The firat timeline takes place in the 1920's while the second goes back to ancient times when Egypt was ruled by pharaohs. I will say that this was a very exciting story to read!
In the 1920's we are introduced Evelyn Herbert who was the silent partner in helping her father and his assistant finding a lost tomb of a forgotten Pharaoh. This takes place during a time when it was still frowned upon for women to be working Archeology. You really have to admire Evelyn for going against the patriarchy in order to make a difference.
In ancient times we are introduced to Hatshepsut who is the daughter of the Pharaoh. She is determined to leave a mark on the world to avoid being forgotten about. However with her being a woman that is easier said than done.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
In the 1920's we are introduced Evelyn Herbert who was the silent partner in helping her father and his assistant finding a lost tomb of a forgotten Pharaoh. This takes place during a time when it was still frowned upon for women to be working Archeology. You really have to admire Evelyn for going against the patriarchy in order to make a difference.
In ancient times we are introduced to Hatshepsut who is the daughter of the Pharaoh. She is determined to leave a mark on the world to avoid being forgotten about. However with her being a woman that is easier said than done.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
July 27, 2025
A beautiful historical fiction that blends the duality of women in a time of male-centric society. Hatshepsut and the Evelyn, daughter of Lord Carnarvon, were borne into elevated status, and each had a domineering father, and older male mentor, and a brilliant intelligence fostered beyond the usual expectations for a woman.
Evelyn is torn between the demands of her mother to enter societal circles in preparation for obtaining a rich husband and finding herself a place to visit Egypt to participate in an expedition with family friend Howard Carter. Her Mother is a fashionista of constant attendance to top functions, fashion swings and come-uppance in order to promote the status of Highclere Castle and Lord Carnarvon. Her Father is a devotee of gambling functions, and finances money producing expeditions to Egypt with Howard Carter. The scheming, scholarship, and determination of Evelyn open a world of freedom, proving her individual contribution to finding an Egypt of historical impact and her personal future.
Hatshepsut was raised by her father, Pharaoh and tutored at his side. Male children were schooled separate from the females, so she had her father to guide her. Her brothers had the hand selected tutors provided by Pharoah himself. The attention of his personal views focused her for later use as the wife of the next successor to her father.
The author weaves the conflicts of both women into a believable and possible answer to questions that are usually asked about the female Pharoah's place in the history of her time.
I liked this book; it was a free to read and review. I would have selected it due to the historical mystery of both families, how involved and directing they were to shape a history hidden by their gender expectations. It contains much historical background presented in a readable context for those not historically inclined and the unspoken practice of dispensing archaeological artifacts between the discoverers, the middlemen and the final destination. the role of world politics post-World War I placed the colonization policies of governments and their allies, their protectorates and newly developing countries into a maelstrom of discovery.
Evelyn is torn between the demands of her mother to enter societal circles in preparation for obtaining a rich husband and finding herself a place to visit Egypt to participate in an expedition with family friend Howard Carter. Her Mother is a fashionista of constant attendance to top functions, fashion swings and come-uppance in order to promote the status of Highclere Castle and Lord Carnarvon. Her Father is a devotee of gambling functions, and finances money producing expeditions to Egypt with Howard Carter. The scheming, scholarship, and determination of Evelyn open a world of freedom, proving her individual contribution to finding an Egypt of historical impact and her personal future.
Hatshepsut was raised by her father, Pharaoh and tutored at his side. Male children were schooled separate from the females, so she had her father to guide her. Her brothers had the hand selected tutors provided by Pharoah himself. The attention of his personal views focused her for later use as the wife of the next successor to her father.
The author weaves the conflicts of both women into a believable and possible answer to questions that are usually asked about the female Pharoah's place in the history of her time.
I liked this book; it was a free to read and review. I would have selected it due to the historical mystery of both families, how involved and directing they were to shape a history hidden by their gender expectations. It contains much historical background presented in a readable context for those not historically inclined and the unspoken practice of dispensing archaeological artifacts between the discoverers, the middlemen and the final destination. the role of world politics post-World War I placed the colonization policies of governments and their allies, their protectorates and newly developing countries into a maelstrom of discovery.
August 6, 2025
A captivating dual-timeline novel of discovery and legacy!
Marie Benedict’s Daughter of Egypt is an engaging and enlightening read that intertwines the lives of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s few female pharaohs, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, who helped uncover Tutankhamun’s tomb in the 1920s. Both women defy expectations in their own eras, and Benedict brings their stories to life with vivid detail and emotional depth.
As someone fascinated by ancient Egypt, I found myself researching more about both time periods—and even brushing up on the pronunciation for all the Egyptian rulers! This novel is a perfect blend of history and storytelling, and I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.
Marie Benedict’s Daughter of Egypt is an engaging and enlightening read that intertwines the lives of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s few female pharaohs, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, who helped uncover Tutankhamun’s tomb in the 1920s. Both women defy expectations in their own eras, and Benedict brings their stories to life with vivid detail and emotional depth.
As someone fascinated by ancient Egypt, I found myself researching more about both time periods—and even brushing up on the pronunciation for all the Egyptian rulers! This novel is a perfect blend of history and storytelling, and I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.
December 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.
I started out really excited for this book. I loved the story of Eve hunting for the tomb of Hatshepsut as a young female in the early 1900s while also maneuvering post-war life and her mother’s expectation of finding a suitable husband as well as getting to also read about Hatshepsut’s experiences in the 1400s BC.
I teach about ancient Egypt in elementary school and absolutely enjoyed all of the Egyptian terminology and vocabulary included. You can tell it was well researched. I also appreciated learning about more modern Egyptian politics through Eve’s experiences there.
The ending left me wanting more, but after reading the author’s note I understood why. It makes me want to learn more about the real Eve and what is really known about Hatshepsut.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, as I have with many other books by Marie Benedict.
I started out really excited for this book. I loved the story of Eve hunting for the tomb of Hatshepsut as a young female in the early 1900s while also maneuvering post-war life and her mother’s expectation of finding a suitable husband as well as getting to also read about Hatshepsut’s experiences in the 1400s BC.
I teach about ancient Egypt in elementary school and absolutely enjoyed all of the Egyptian terminology and vocabulary included. You can tell it was well researched. I also appreciated learning about more modern Egyptian politics through Eve’s experiences there.
The ending left me wanting more, but after reading the author’s note I understood why. It makes me want to learn more about the real Eve and what is really known about Hatshepsut.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, as I have with many other books by Marie Benedict.
September 20, 2025
4.75 ⭐️
Marie Benedict is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and she did not disappoint with her upcoming book! I loved the dual-timeline following Lady Evelyn Herbert’s journey to discovering the tomb of Tutankhamen in the 1920s and the rise of the female pharaoh in Egypt, Pharaoh Hatshepsut, in the 1940’s BC.
I was blown away by Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s story and her determination to not only rule her people but bring them into an age of prosperity by restoring “trade with Asia, ensured work and food services for her people, created one of the most ambitious building plans of any pharaoh, and did it all with constant war.” Pharaoh Hatshepsut also “created a better land for her people, and even though she colonized other land, she gave them rights and better treatment.”
I was also deeply moved by the backstory of Egypt’s fight for its independence from England and its fight for ownership of its history and artifacts and to ending Partage. I was fascinated by the story of political activist, Safiya Zaghloul, and how she rallied the women of Egypt to boycott English goods and to stage protests and marches.
This book in my opinion, is a great representation of why we need more women in power. “Like the desert sand…one day, women will sweep up into a mighty storm and transform the land.”
Marie Benedict is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and she did not disappoint with her upcoming book! I loved the dual-timeline following Lady Evelyn Herbert’s journey to discovering the tomb of Tutankhamen in the 1920s and the rise of the female pharaoh in Egypt, Pharaoh Hatshepsut, in the 1940’s BC.
I was blown away by Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s story and her determination to not only rule her people but bring them into an age of prosperity by restoring “trade with Asia, ensured work and food services for her people, created one of the most ambitious building plans of any pharaoh, and did it all with constant war.” Pharaoh Hatshepsut also “created a better land for her people, and even though she colonized other land, she gave them rights and better treatment.”
I was also deeply moved by the backstory of Egypt’s fight for its independence from England and its fight for ownership of its history and artifacts and to ending Partage. I was fascinated by the story of political activist, Safiya Zaghloul, and how she rallied the women of Egypt to boycott English goods and to stage protests and marches.
This book in my opinion, is a great representation of why we need more women in power. “Like the desert sand…one day, women will sweep up into a mighty storm and transform the land.”
September 7, 2025
First, thanks to St. Martin’s Press Group for this yet-to-be published book by Marie Benedict. The parallels in the of the two women was an inspiration in the writing. Women in the early twentieth century were not encouraged to pursue professions as anything but nurses, wives or mothers. That is a rarity. Then having a role so identified as male, yet claimed by a female is just as rare.
Benedict included just a dab of romance as that would be expected at this time of Eve’s life. The details provided for the archeological digs was intriguing. I remember when the remains of Tutankhamen were brought to America and the media coverage that accompanied it.
Lastly, I am a huge fan of Marie Benedict’s novels. Her attention to detail and devotion to accuracy in the retelling of real historical women makes learning more accessible and exciting.
Benedict included just a dab of romance as that would be expected at this time of Eve’s life. The details provided for the archeological digs was intriguing. I remember when the remains of Tutankhamen were brought to America and the media coverage that accompanied it.
Lastly, I am a huge fan of Marie Benedict’s novels. Her attention to detail and devotion to accuracy in the retelling of real historical women makes learning more accessible and exciting.
December 4, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. This is a captivating work of historical fiction intertwining a story line from ancient Egypt with a storyline from post WWI England/Egypt. This book considers many important topics including colonialism and the role of women, but does so in a very engaging and entertaining way. Benedict does an amazing job of creating vivid characters, settings and relationships. I learned a lot about ancient Egypt and excavation in Egypt without being bored by too many details as happens in some other authors' works of historical fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
August 27, 2025
“like the desert sand . . . one day, women will sweep up into a mighty storm and transform the land.”
As a lover of Ancient Egypt and historical fiction, as well as stories with strong female characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
We follow the interconnected stories of passionate women in two different times and places, Hatshepsut and Evelyn Harper, both determined to step outside of constricting gender roles.
Clever, intuitive, and skilled at the intricacies of politics, Hatshepsut is the perfect choice to carry on her father's legacy and lead Egypt into a time of peace and prosperity, except that women don't become pharaohs. Rather than enduring a tedious cycle of dinner parties and balls in search of a suitable husband, Eve dreams of excavating in the golden sand of Valley of the Kings alongside her father, in search of Hatshepsut's tomb.
Sadly, for both of these women, most of the pushback they receive comes not from the men in their lives, but from other women, particularly their own mothers. Yet as the Egyptian people rise up to claim their independence from Britain, we catch an inspiring glimpse of women from all walks of life working together and empowering one another.
Marie Benedict has written a fascinating story about women who dared to follow their own hearts.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
As a lover of Ancient Egypt and historical fiction, as well as stories with strong female characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
We follow the interconnected stories of passionate women in two different times and places, Hatshepsut and Evelyn Harper, both determined to step outside of constricting gender roles.
Clever, intuitive, and skilled at the intricacies of politics, Hatshepsut is the perfect choice to carry on her father's legacy and lead Egypt into a time of peace and prosperity, except that women don't become pharaohs. Rather than enduring a tedious cycle of dinner parties and balls in search of a suitable husband, Eve dreams of excavating in the golden sand of Valley of the Kings alongside her father, in search of Hatshepsut's tomb.
Sadly, for both of these women, most of the pushback they receive comes not from the men in their lives, but from other women, particularly their own mothers. Yet as the Egyptian people rise up to claim their independence from Britain, we catch an inspiring glimpse of women from all walks of life working together and empowering one another.
Marie Benedict has written a fascinating story about women who dared to follow their own hearts.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
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