Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thornton
Publication date: 05/06/2014
Format: Paperback 448pp
Synopsis (From the Publisher):
"Egypt, 1400s BC. The pharaoh’s pampered second daughter, lively, intelligent Hatshepsut, delights in racing her chariot through the marketplace and testing her archery skills in the Nile’s marshlands. But the death of her elder sister, Neferubity, in a gruesome accident arising from Hatshepsut’s games forces her to confront her guilt...and sets her on a profoundly changed course.
Hatshepsut enters a loveless marriage with her half brother, Thut, to secure his claim to the Isis Throne and produce a male heir. But it is another of Thut’s wives, the commoner Aset, who bears him a son, while Hatshepsut develops a searing attraction for his brilliant adviser Senenmut. And when Thut suddenly dies, Hatshepsut becomes de facto ruler, as regent to her two-year-old nephew.
Once, Hatshepsut anticipated being free to live and love as she chose. Now she must put Egypt first. Ever daring, she will lead a vast army and build great temples, but always she will be torn between the demands of leadership and the desires of her heart. And even as she makes her boldest move of all, her enemies will plot her downfall....
Once again, Stephanie Thornton brings to life a remarkable woman from the distant past whose willingness to defy tradition changed the course of history."
My Review:
One of the most pleasurable experiences to encounter is that moment when you are swept away to another moment in history, just by opening a book. That is exactly what you will discover while reading Stephanie Tornton's novel, Daughter of the Gods.
From the very first page the reader is brought into the ancient world, with its scents of oils and dust, the clamor of chariots and whisper of footsteps, as well as the sound of breaking water as characters sail down the Nile. Every element, from characters to scenery, is exquisitely developed; it is obvious the extent of research that went into the making of this novel.
As you read the book, it is effortless to revel in Hatshepsut's glory, and feel broken upon her downfalls, while twists will bring emotions rising to the surface as well. If you are a fan of historical fiction of any kind, and especially one of the ancient world, I highly recommend this engrossing novel about such a strong yet overlooked Queen of Egypt.
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