3.5 stars
Neferura is the daughter of female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, princess and high priestess of Kemet (as Egypt would have been known then). Neferura takes her duty to her people and to the gods seriously, as food production and other things depend on her, and her priestesses', careful devotion.

Hatshepsut's reign has been peaceful and prosperous, and she has plans for Neferura to become Pharoah after her. However, the Pharaoh's stepson, Thutmose, and Neferura's half-brother, has other plans. He was a spoiled, demanding, and cruel child, and has only grown worse, as is apparent now that he is back at court, and intent on thwarting Hatshepsut's plans. Neferura herself has no desire to become Pharaoh, but also does not think Thutmose understands what it means to rule, or appreciates the importance of her role as high priestess.

Thutmose begins actively plotting against and accusing Hatshepsut of the murder of his father, and Neferura becomes convinced that he must be stopped. She has heard of a tattooed wisewoman and her network of spies who work throughout the kingdom, and hopes to engage her help in stopping Thutmose. Hatshepsut repeatedly attempts to stop Thutmose also, but things just keep getting worse and more dire for Neferura and her.

Author Malayna Evans has clearly done a lot of research on ancient Egypt. The lives of these privileged women is detailed, and I like how, though there is very little known about the actual Neferura, Evans crafts a credible portrait of a young, serious, devout woman who wants to do right by the gods and her country, but is not interested in doing so as a pharaoh. Rather, she is happy as the high priestess, and has a sometimes prickly, sometimes caring, but always difficult relationship with her powerful mother Hatshepsut.

Thutmose comes off as a pretty terrible person, unconcerned about the many he tramples or kills in his bid for power. Interestingly, though there was a practice at the time of siblings marrying one another amongst the powerful, and there is no proof that the real Neferura married Thutmose, in this story Evans speculates that Neferura had no choice but to marry her half-bother to maintain peace.

I liked how the author's knowledge of the time period was apparent, and she does do a good job of characterizing Neferura and the political intrigue surrounding her, I found the prose to be a little dry, however, even as I liked how carefully Evans built the situation's stakes. I liked how Neferura starts out totally naïve and constantly pushed and pulled between her powerful mother and nasty half-bother, but she gradually begins to find her voice, and a way to deal with the conflict around her. I particularly liked how the author wrapped up Neferura's story, leaving her in a very interesting and differently powerful position in Kemet.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Neferura</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>Neferura</i> by Malayna Evans falls short of its ambitious premise, offering a lackluster and disjointed narrative that fails to engage readers.

<h4>The Details</h4>

One of the main issues with the novel is its pacing. The story meanders aimlessly, lacking a clear direction or sense of urgency. Instead of building tension and excitement, the plot plods along at a tedious pace, making it difficult for readers to stay invested in the story.

Furthermore, the characters in <i>Neferura</i> are poorly developed and fail to resonate with readers. The protagonist, Neferura, comes across as bland and unremarkable. She lacks the depth and complexity needed to carry the story. Supporting characters are similarly one-dimensional, with motivations that feel contrived and unconvincing.

The world-building in the novel is also lacking. Despite its exotic setting in ancient Egypt, the world of <i>Neferura</i> feels underdeveloped and uninspired. Details are sparse, leaving readers with little sense of the rich cultural tapestry that should be inherent in a story set in this time period.

Another issue with <i>Neferura</i> is its writing style, which is clunky and awkward at times. Dialogue feels stilted and unnatural, hindering the development of meaningful connections between characters. There was tell than show, and even the “tell” was choppy and underdeveloped at best. Descriptions are often overly simplistic. They do not evoke the sense of wonder and awe that should accompany a story set in ancient Egypt.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Neferura</i> is a disappointing read that fails to live up to its potential. With its lackluster pacing, underdeveloped characters, and uninspired world-building, the novel struggles to hold the reader's interest. While it may appeal to fans of historical fiction, those seeking a more engaging and immersive read would be better off looking elsewhere.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Based on the only daughter of the most famous female pharoah, Evans takes us through Neferura's formative years through to her death (?). The first line really caught me, even though I got stuck a bit after that. "Everyone's heart will be weighed." Just a top tier first line. Understandably, I found myself getting angry about a lot of the things that were imposed upon Neferura by her mother - who would give Dance Moms and Toddlers & Tiaras mums a run for their money - in an effort to maintain HER "legacy." Without a thought to what Neferura's legacy might be. It's a short, sad life, but I was so riveted by the relationships that Evans built around this poor woman, the way that she allowed Neferura to regain her own power, millennia after her death.

For fans of Madeline Miller

Neferura is a historical fiction retelling of the life of an Egyptian princess. While there is little known about the real Neferura, daughter of renowned female pharaoh Hatshepsut, the author brings to life the likely rituals and political pressures she might have experienced growing up and into power as Egyptian royalty.

The author is an Egyptologist and it shows - the atmosphere of Neferura was my favorite part. I hoped for more in terms of the character development and plot, but found it to be an interesting look into history nonetheless.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this digital ARC - all opinions are my own.

God, I love a good historical fiction book and this one delivers.
This story was AMAZING. SO well told.
ten out of ten, no notes. Loved it, can't say that enough. Great world building.

I loved this book! The author weaves an intriguing tale rooted in history with a fictional story that you just want to be true. If you're an ancient history fan this book could go either way for you as the author included quite a bit of ancient names/words scattered throughout that could be tedious if you're not used to reading them. Thankfully, the author also included a glossary to help readers out which was very insightful.

You'll enjoy the book if feminist-driven stories are your jam, the backstory and tangent storylines of the side characters are fascinating and give the book more avenues for the reader to consider especially since it takes place during the great Hatshepsut's reign. Neferura and her troupe are truly a wonder of "what if" for ancient history buffs and I could have enjoyed a longer book with their further exploits. For all the vagaries surrounding the real Neferura's life, this is a story that could be one of many actualities that have been erased over time by nature or erasure from succeeding dynasties. And it is wonderful to wonder who the great pharaoh Hatshepsut's daughter Neferura was in her time and what part she played in Thutmose III's reign if any.

Thanks- NetGalley and the publishers for providing an ARC for an honest review.

This was fine but not really what I wanted it to be. There's not much fantasy. The beginning was really slow but it did build from there. I'm always interested in court politics and seeing who can outsmart who in the quest for power. It was interesting seeing the different workings of ancient Egyptian court especially with the worship of the gods and the role their priests and priestesses played. This book was not bad but it was not really for me.

I've always found Egyptian history to be extremely fascinating. Right from their Kings and queens to their culture and beliefs- everything is quite interesting. This book takes us through the life of aanefarura- a young princess who has very few records about her whereabouts. Her mother is one of the first or probably one of the few woman pharaohs and her step brother is out to dethrone her. In all this, Nefarura neither wants the fame or the power and is happy being the priestess. However, life has different plans for her. This book is interesting and great plot I'm equal measures and I quite enjoyed it. However, I'm unable to pin it, but something makes the book a little boring at times..

Egyptian mythology based books is a new thing for me, Neferura was an interesting and enjoyable read for me for sure! I felt that some of it was rushed through but I would definitely recommend this book for someone who might want to give Ancient Egyptian stories a go.

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a really great example of historical fiction. The setting, ancient Egypt, was very well done. The characters felt authentic and the plot was very well done. Really enjoyed this one.

As someone who's always been fascinated by ancient Egypt, I really enjoyed this novel. We follow Neferura, the daughter of a female pharaoh Hatshepsut. Very little is known about the historic Neferura (from what I could tell). However, I loved the author's take on the ways women found ways to cooperate with each other and quietly push their own agendas and exert power. Neferura as a character undergoes tremendous growth in the novel. We first meet her as a young naive girl who is wholeheartedly dedicated to the role she plays as the high priestess of god Amun. She believes her own purity and devoutness ensure the prosperity of the people and the entire country. So she is shocked to find herself in the midst of political machinations and a struggle for power between her mother and her half brother Tutmose. Neferura resolves to be the maker of her own destiny rather than remain subservient to someone else. Overall, I really liked the main character, the historical setting, the politics and would highly recommend this to everyone who likes ancient history and women's roles in history. I am really loving the trend of giving voice to forgotten women.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

Neferura is historical fiction set in Ancient Egypt about the daughter of a legendary female Egyptian pharaoh. Like any good nerd, I had an Ancient Egypt phase and learned some about hieroglyphs, historical figures, artifacts, etc. I had no idea that Neferura was a person! I recently read a book that was set in Egypt (not Ancient Egypt) and it made me really want to read a faithful historical fiction set in Ancient Egypt. This book answered my wish!

And I liked it! I saw that the author is an actual Egyptologist, which is very cool and makes me more confident that she accurately captured life in Ancient Egypt during this time period. The setting and details were truly *chef's kiss.*

I didn't find the story quite as compelling as some other female-centered historical fiction based on mythology/Ancient history that this book has been compared to. I had a difficult time with the characters, particularly remembering who was who. I also thought that the plot dragged a little in the second half.

If you're into Ancient Egypt, I definitely recommend this book! 3.5 stars from me rounded down to 3. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the eARC of this book, my thoughts are my own!

If Ancient Egypt is a historical topic that intrigues you, or well written historical fiction is something you enjoy, then definitely add this to your TBR!! The writing flowed so well that I never realized how quickly I was progressing in the story until I had finished. The cast of characters were relatable and interesting, and the author’s writing was very immersive. I loved the balance of plot, culture, and female empowerment! Highly recommend this book to all.

In "Nefura," by Malayna Evans, takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the courts of ancient Kemet, where power and politics collide in a high-stakes game of intrigue and betrayal. Set against the backdrop of a land ruled by Pharaohs and steeped in mysticism, this gripping tale follows Neferura, princess and high priestess, as she navigates the treacherous waters of palace intrigue and familial conflict.

From the very beginning, Neferura's path to power is fraught with challenges and dangers. As the daughter of the great Pharaoh, she knows that her duty lies with her people, but her position at court is precarious, especially when she is forced to serve her vile half-brother, Thutmose. Determined to protect her mother's rule and thwart Thutmose's nefarious plans, Neferura finds herself drawn into a web of secrets and alliances that will test her loyalty and courage to the limit.

What sets "Nefura" apart is its richly drawn characters and vividly imagined setting. Neferura is a compelling protagonist, torn between her duty to her family and her desire to do what is right for her people. As she grapples with the complexities of power and morality, she must navigate a dangerous political landscape where alliances shift like sand and betrayal lurks around every corner.

The discovery of a mysterious tattooed wisewoman offers Neferura an uneasy alliance and a chance to stop Thutmose's tyrannical ambitions. But as she delves deeper into the wisewoman's world, Neferura realizes that her new ally wields more power than she could have imagined, power that could rival her own. Caught between loyalty and self-preservation, Neferura must make difficult choices that will shape the fate of her kingdom and determine the course of her own destiny.

In "Nefura," [Insert Author's Name] delivers a mesmerizing tale of power, betrayal, and sacrifice that will captivate readers from beginning to end. With its richly detailed world-building, compelling characters, and suspenseful plot, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply love a good story of political intrigue and moral ambiguity, "Nefura" is not to be missed.

As someone who’s always been fascinated by ancient Egyptian history but doesn’t really know too much beyond the basics, I knew I had to read this book.

Neferura, the daughter of not one but two pharaohs, finds her world turned upside down when her half brother Thutmose returns. She quickly discovers no one in her life is quite who they claim to be and is then propelled into a journey to save her life while trying to maintain peace in the city she loves. She’s not alone in this though, she has a group of women at her side to help her along the way.

This book starts off a bit slow but I believe that in this case it was crucial for character development. At no point did I accurately predict what was going to happen next and I am usually very good at that so this book was a very fun journey for me.


I’d love a prequel that goes further into the Wisewoman and how she became the powerful women she is.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

My teenage obsession with Ancient Egypt carried over in adulthood, only lessened by the lack of quality media being produced about Ancient Egypt for adults. So when a novel comes out about women in Ancient Egypt during the power transition between Thutmose and Hatshepsut, I am interested to say the least.

Neferura is a real historical figure who we know a little about, but less then we would like. I was incredibly pleased to see that this novel used all known information about Neferura as its starting place, fleshing her out while keeping all historical certainties in mind as a base for her life as shown in the novel. Similarly I was deeply please to see this novel take great care to insure all details about daily life in this period in Ancient Egypt were carried over correctly into the text of the novel. It was deeply refreshing to read a period piece that took such deep care with remaining true to the period it is based on.

The novel itself was a page turner that had me stressing and deeply caught up in the intrigue and plotting that was happening at court. The development of Neferura from the quiet and obedient princess to the end of the book felt real and gritty. As did the both celebration and heart break of being a woman that is on full display in this novel. The emotional impact of this novel is not form any romantic relationships, but from chosen family, friends, and the sisterhood that women build when left with nothing but hard choices.

I would recommend this novel to you if you are looking for:
- Novels about Ancient Egypt
- Stories with a deeply feminist core
- Stories about how women deal in power
- Page Turners that keep you hooked
- Historical Novels that pay attention to History

I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

𝐍𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚
𝐁𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐚 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟐.𝟏𝟑.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒


Thank you @bookmarked for this gifted copy.


This took me a few chapters to settle into, but then I was hooked!

I love a good family drama and 𝐍𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚 is a dark tale of vengeance, murder, and magic in one ancient Egyptian Royal family.

Neferura is the daughter of the great woman Pharaoh, Hatshepsut. While Neferura is the princess and high priestess, she is made to serve her evil half-brother, Thutmose.

There is never a dull moment in this family – poisonings, infidelities, betrayals, and more murders. Neferura tries to stop her power-hungry half-brother from rising to the coveted position of Pharaoh by taking down her mother. Neferura sacrifices much and risks her own life, but the question is: who can she trust, who is an ally, and who is an enemy?

Besides all the family drama, there are politics and intrigue, plus you are immersed in the world of ancient Egyptology and mythology. It is not surprising that the little details of Egypt set this book apart since the author holds a Ph.D. in ancient Egyptian history.

This book had the potential for greatness. My tiny little Egypt-obsessed heart was immediately intrigued and devastated by Neferura's plight. Her position at court is precarious: caught between two pharaohs and their grudges against each other. She is pulled into a web of secrets and betrayals and danger, including dealings with a lady spy and her scorpion minions. She harbors feelings for one of her guards but is terrified when her half-brother, Thutmose, becomes co-pharaoh and his anger and jealousy and blind hatred threaten everything she loves. I expected this to be lushly described. I wanted the setting to become a main character. But it fell very flat. It became a very plot-centered story, and the ending kind of threw me for a loop.

**Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

This book was like stepping back in time. Beautiful descriptions and well rounded characters kept me glued to the page. I love the story and strength of the characters. It stayed in my head and heart long after I finished the final page.