Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the eARC! Neferura by Malayna Evans is a Historical fiction/Feminist Ancient Egyptian retelling ❤️

Author has a PhD in Egyptology! You’d think that would make this more academic but boy can Evans weave a tale while also encapsulating the world of Ancient Egypt (or Kemet as it was called), having you learn something and be entertained!

MC, Neferura, is daughter to famous pharaoh Hatshepsut. Not much was known about Neferura but Evans used what is known to create this captivating novel!

Evans uses ancient Egyptian names and terms to reflect the time period which I loved! She did use some modern terms in places where it would be difficult for modern readers to recognize (like pharaoh wasn’t a term used back then). 

The novel paints vivid pictures of ancient Egypt, I feel my childhood hyperfixation returning 😅😍 The story is intriguing and I can clearly picture the scenery and opulence of the court. The pacing was well done, I did not want to put this down!! There were a few twists and I only guessed one of them. I loved the characters, each person was well developed and had their own stories/personalities so you really get to know everyone, even the more minor characters! 

I especially enjoyed seeing how women wielded power back then, in both large and small ways. Some of the characters had this sort of “quiet power” to affect their communities without getting credit or being seen for their accomplishments, which only makes me think about how much women truly affected history without  being credited! 

The ending felt perfect, it tied most things up but also left it open a bit. I also enjoyed the author’s note to learn more background about Neferura and Hatshepsut’s reign.

If you enjoy court intrigue, found family/sisterhood, and are looking for a historical retelling not set in Greece, I’m begging you to pick this up!! It is divine and I need Evans to write more ancient Egyptian stories 🥹 (although she does have 2 middle grade books so maybe I’ll pick those up while I wait)