Michelle Moran’s Egyptian Royals Collection
In the Egyptian Royals Collection, Michelle Moran channels her archaeological experience and passion for history into moving historical fiction novels about Egyptian royal women. Moran is a prolific historical fiction writer, and her works span the continents and visit many fascinating periods in history. This particular series, though, focuses on Nefertiti, Nefertari, and Cleopatra Selene. If you’re anything like me, these may be names you have heard but figures you know little about. Through this fast-paced series, Michelle Moran brings these women, and the central figures around them, into clear focus, bringing the reader along for a fascinating tour of Egyptian history.
The Books in the Egyptian Royals Collection by Michelle Moran
Nefertiti
Nefertiti, the first novel in the series, tells the story of the eponymous Pharaoh of Egypt through the eyes of her younger sister, Mutnodjmet.
The novel follows the sisters from their move to Thebes through Nefertiti’s marriage to the unstable young pharaoh, Amunhotep, and her ultimate downfall. With nuanced politics and age-old power struggles between would-be ruling families.
Watching Nefertiti’s story unfold is all the more fascinating through the lens of her younger, contemplative sister (who, outside of the scope of this novel, goes on to become Queen of Egypt as well).
Nefertiti is available from Amazon and Bookshop.org.
The Heretic Queen
Following Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen is the second novel in the Egyptian Royals Collection. This novel picks up with a new generation of Egyptian royals, including Nefertari, Nefertiti’s niece and daughter of Mutnodjmet.
Nefertari finds that she is tainted due to her aunt’s reviled legacy. In order to make a place for herself in the royal court, Nefertari has to establish herself as an individual, not merely a relic of Nefertiti’s dark reign.
The gender politics at play are almost as interesting as the geopolitical situation. The protagonist is necessarily pitted against the Pharaoh’s first wife, Iset (they are the only wives of Ramessess II portrayed). While I preferred Nefertari’s character to Iset’s, I couldn’t help but be moved by the incompatible positions the two women were trapped in due to their relationships with the Pharaoh.
The Heretic Queen is available from Amazon and Bookshop.org.
Cleopatra’s Daughter
Last in the series is the story of Antony and Cleopatra’s daughter, Selene. I recognized the rough outlines of Selene’s story from Stephanie Day’s Novel of Cleopatra’s Daughter historical fiction series. Michelle Moran’s Selene is a bit more realistic than Day’s, and, I imagine, a bit more similar to what the real historical figure might have been like.
I enjoyed Moran’s Cleopatra’s Daughter perhaps most of the Egyptian Royals Collection. Selene is a relatable character in her thoughts and emotions, though her circumstances are obviously beyond what any normal person could imagine. She is emotive, eager to learn, and must quickly master the practice of politics in her new life on the Palatine Hill.
Cleopatra’s Daughter is available from Amazon and Bookshop.org.
Closing Thoughts on the Egyptian Royals Collection
Overall, I deeply enjoyed the Egyptian Royals Collection. Michelle Moran’s writing is very engaging, guiding the reader along the story without pandering. The amount of detail in the stories is indicative of Moran’s historical research, and her dedication to her craft. Whether you know a lot about the time period or only a little, these are great books to read for any historical fiction lover.
This post is a part of my What to Read series, where I share themed reading lists and book guides based on genre, time period, theme, or author.
You can peruse more of my What to Read reading guides here!
Looking for more great historical fiction reads?
Check out my full historical fiction round up here!
