When something comes out that involves Egyptology or other ancient history, I feel I have to give it a try. I enjoy these subjects and keep hoping for a new historical novel that delivers a unique, epic, or just satisfying story. Maybe it's just me, but I've yet to find one.

If you've perused a lot of recent releases in the historical genre, you'll find this book predictable. There are two timelines, and the protagonists of both are female. The "modern" protagonist is just your average young woman of 100 years ago--visionary, feminist, enlightened, culturally sensitive, abjures dinner parties and guns. She's more competent than her elders of both sexes, and she's on a mission to discover the secrets and preserve the legacy of the historical protagonist, who despite having lived 3000 years earlier, is also completely modern and enlightened.

It's certainly not that historical female characters need to be meek or stupid--but they also don't need to be Wonder Woman, nor does the author need to shout their extraordinary intelligence/power/resilience constantly from the rooftops.

You can at least give this book points for not casting every male character as a complete beast. However, neither do they have much depth. The two love interests exist solely to validate the wonderfulness of their partners.

As to plot, there isn't much. While I was admittedly speed-reading, it didn't seem like anything of great import happened here at all, except perhaps in the Hatshepshut timeline. The two timelines are barely interconnected other than the fact that Eve is looking for Hatshepshut's tomb, which of course she never finds. Instead she finds Tutankhamun, and the single most famous archaeological discovery of the century is a crushing disappointment because he's just an "insignificant boy king," not like that "impactful" female ruler. Or maybe our heroine is bummed because he's just the wrong gender.

(One also wonders whether the portrayal here is remotely authentic to the real Evelyn Herbert, or if she's just a vessel for a completely fictional character. I'll leave it to the experts on the subject but I'll wager it's much more the latter.)

The prose itself wasn't terrible and some audiences might at least enjoy being immersed in ancient Egypt. Otherwise, I can't personally recommend this book. I would sincerely like to see authors in the historical fiction genre branch out and try something other than this overused formula. More authentic and well-rounded characterization, especially of men; better, more thoughtful plots; and less pontificating and transplanting of modern notions into the past, would go a long way in revitalizing the genre.

A new Marie Benedict historical fiction? Yes please! Once again, Ms Benedict has put together a fascinating story, this time taking place during the 1920's and Egypt during the BC times of the Pharaohs. Eve is a young girl who's father arranges for historical digs in Egypt. She wants nothing to do with Society's ideals, especially those that will take her away from searching for the lost tomb of Hatsheput. The storyline moves back and forth every few chapters from Eve's story, to Hatsheput's. One that ends with the reading wanting to know "wait, what happens next?". Of course, Ms Benedict does include what really happened next at the end, but being caught up in both storylines, I was sad to see it end. Many thanks to NetGalley, Ms Benedict, and St. Martin's Press for the week long ARC in exchange for an honest review. Looking forward to see what is written next.

This was another excellent book from Marie Benedict. The history of both time periods used in the story were interesting. I think it would help if one is interested in the pharaohs of Egypt but not absolutely necessary if you are a history fan in general. This book made me research both Lady Herbert and Hatshepsut to learn more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is perfect for those who love the times Egypt, pharaoh and tombs. I am not one of those that gravitates to those types 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

Two things that I am obsessed with are anything written by Marie Benedict and all things Egypt! I am thrilled to have received an advanced copy of “Daughter of Egypt”. This story involves two timelines and two very intelligent women who lived hundreds of years apart working to discover all facts regarding a forgotten Pharoah.

This novel is full of suspense and intrigue and everything a lover of historic fiction requires and loves. Marie Benedict has done it again!

Sincere thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the gift of this book.

I have read all this authors books and thoroughly enjoy them. This was no exception. Thanks for the opportunity to read and good luck with this one.

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this novel, not because I am interested in Egyptology, but because I can rely on author, Marie Benedict, to transport me to a different place and time with her well-written historical fiction. I was mesmerized by this book and learned so much about one of the very few female pharaohs, Hatshepsut, as well as the excavation of Egyptian tombs in the 1920’s.

Told in two voices, that of Hatshepsut, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and amateur Egyptologist, the first person narratives make the time periods come alive. The thread connecting the two stories is that of two women living unique lives for their time periods.

The personal stories are riveting, one occurring among ancient Egyptian royal intrigue, and the other at the decline of British colonialism and Egyptian nationalism. This was another stellar example of Marie Benedict’s historical fiction.

In 1920’s London a discovery was made of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, a tomb that was filled with priceless treasures thus creating fervor for the ancient Egyptian world and a great interest in archeology.

This discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, Howard Carter and Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter Lady Evelyn, who as a young woman, became obsessed with the story of Hatshepsut. As it would happen, she had to fight her way to go to Egypt with her father as conventions at that time had women stay at home, and whose only function was to find a husband, a wealthy one at that. Yet her father stepped up and dominated her mother’s intentions to keep Evelyn in London, offering to take her to Egypt on a dig.

Told in two timelines, we also read about Hatshepsut a woman who became a Pharaoh. This portion of the novel was fascinating as we read about her rise to the top. As her father’s favorite, Pharaoh Thutmose, she would be at his side learning the discipline it would take to rule. Upon his death and with no male heirs as her brothers both died, Hatshepsut was chosen to climb the ladder of success. However, at the dig, there was little to be found about Hatshepsut as most everything about her had been destroyed. She was erased from history.

This was definitely an interesting novel, with historical facts you may never have learned in school. Set at a time, after WWI, there is talk of colonization and the end of British rule. This was a well written book, as you would expect from Marie Benedict.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Daughter of Egypt is told in a dual timeline, and the title accurately describes both main characters, neither of whom received the acclaim they deserved. Hatshepsut had numerous roles, from priestess to queen to pharaoh, but has been all but erased from history. Lady Evelyn, daughter of Lord Carnavon and protege of Howard Carter, was unable to pursue a life as an archaeologist because of her gender and societal constraints.

I was fascinated by the familial parallels between the two women. Both lived lives of unimaginable luxury and extravagant wealth. Both women had extremely powerful fathers and favored older brothers. And each of the women was much more like their father than the sons were. Equally important were the political changes in Egypt for both women. During the time of Hatshepsut, Nubia rebelled against the rule of the Egyptian pharaoh with repeated uprisings. Eve is faced with Egyptian nationalism after World War I, which resulted in riots & protests against the British and an end to aristocratic archaeology in the Valley of the Kings.

Although I'm sure some will say that the author has flavored this story with feminist fervor that didn't exist in either time, I disagree. This isn't a contrived sentiment. Why assume that women haven't always chafed at the limitations placed on their gender, especially when their goals are those claimed exclusively by men? Women have been reduced to subservient roles of wives and mothers for millennia. Their caretaker status may be high or low, but still dictated by their father or husband. Of course, history has been recorded by men, and the women who didn't fit the image were simply left out. Marie Benedict has given a voice to those silenced women. I loved every page of this book. As Lady Evelyn said, "None of us deserves to be erased."

Lady Evelyn Herbert is part of her father's archeological team, who uncover Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb. What she is really interested in, is Hatshepsut, the woman who ruled Egypt as a man. The story alternates between Eve and Hatshepsut.
This was a fascinating story. I don't know much about Egyptian history, so I enjoyed learning about it. This book kept me enthralled from the first page to the last. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I didn't realize until I started reading that I already read this book. I thought it was excellent. Anything Egypt is a plus for me and learning the role of a powerful Queen was fascinating. Characters well developed. A bit of intrigue, mystery and history.

I always enjoy reading books from Marie Benedict, she is able to create a great historical novel with a great suspenseful atmosphere. Daughter of Egypt was another winning book from Marie Benedict, I loved the use of Egypt and Hatshepsut’, it was everything that I was hoping for from the description and getting into this world and characters. I was invested in what was happening with the characters and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. I can't wait to read more from Marie Benedict as its always a great read.

What a stunning book! I felt I had been transported to 1920s England and 15th BCE Egypt as I read. Marie Benedict has delivered a marvelous historical fiction novel of the exploration of the Valley of the Kings leading to finding King Tut’s tomb and which entered first by Lady Evelyn Herbert. But the story is more than that. It also centers around the first known female Pharoah, Hatshepsut, and the search for her tomb. The book alternates between Evelyn (Eve) and Hatshepsut, about which little is known, except that her name was erased many years after her death (though as the author says in her foreword she changed this a bit). I enjoyed the information pre- and post-read that the author shares. But more importantly this is the story of how women do impact history and should not be erased; women’s contributions have made the world a better place. I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I am obsessed with anything Egypt! I loved how it gave vibes of Indiana Jones on top of everything else as well, I knew I’d be in for a ride when it came to the time frame and our demo wanting to discover more