Neferura by Malayna Evans
If you’re a lover of female-forward ancient historical fiction, do yourself a favor and go ahead and order Neferura by Malayna Evans. Centering on Neferura, the princess and high priestess of Kemet, the novel follows as she navigates high stakes politics of the Egyptian Court. With enemies everywhere — the most threatening of which is her half brother — Neferura has to learn quickly who she can and cannot trust.
Release Date: February 13, 2024
Available from: Amazon & Bookshop.org.
About the Author, Malayna Evans
Malayna Evans is a marketer, writer, and Egyptologist, with both a M.A.s in ancient Mediterranean history and a Ph.D in ancient Egyptian History. The influence of both degrees can be seen quite clearly in the attention to detail in her new novel, Neferura. Evans was born and raised in Utah, but now calls Chicago home, where she lives with her two children and two French Bulldogs. Neferura is her first adult work.
About Neferura by Malayna Evans
Plot Summary
There are many paths to power. They all come with a price.
Neferura, princess and high priestess of Kemet, knows her duty is to her people. When your mother is the great Pharaoh, it is hard to forget. But Neferura’s unique position at court comes with high stakes for her country, especially when she’s forced to serve her vile half-brother, a man determined to stop Neferura’s potential rise.
Peace, it seems, never lasts for women who wield power in the open. Especially when they cross a vengeful man.
When Neferura overhears Thutmose’s plot to end her mother’s rule, she knows he must be stopped, no matter the cost. The discovery of a mysterious tattooed wisewoman and her shadowy network of spies offers an uneasy alliance. But the wisewoman wields more power than Neferura knew possible—power with the potential to rival her own. Neferura must decide where her loyalties lie and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the people she loves before everything crumbles at the hands of a tyrant.
My Thoughts on Neferura by Malayna Evans
I devoured this book. Like Michelle Moran’s Egyptian Royals Collection, Evans’ Neferura gives life to the humanity of its protagonist. The daughter of Hatshepsut and Thuthmosis II, Neferure is a mysterious figure in Egyptian history. There are lots of uncertainties around her life and her death. In this novel, Evans makes use of those ambiguities to create a compelling and heart wrenching story of a woman trying to maintain her autonomy (and her life) in a demanding and backstabbing court.
Where to Buy Neferura by Malayna Evans
Neferura by Malayna Evans is set for publication on February 13, 2024. It is available for pre-order from Amazon and Bookshop.org.
Looking for more great Egyptian historical fiction reads?
I think you’re going to love Michelle Moran’s Egyptian Royals Collection!
Learn more about the series here.
*This novel was gifted to me as part of a review program that Cats & Coffee is a part of. I was not required to post about the novel in exchange for getting a copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my honest own.
