I will automatically request / buy / read any books linked with ancient egyptian history so was very excited when I saw Neferura (especially with Evans being an egyptologist herself!!)
I was completely captivated learning about Neferura, the only daughter of Hatshepsut, who finds out that Thutmose (her half brother) plans to overthrow her mother by murdering her and devises a plan to stop this from happening by dispelling his lies.
I loved the backstory retellings, the character building, the action and the main plot, all beautifully interwoven with true historical facts and interlaced with some opinions on what is believed to have happened (no evidence that Nefurura actually married Thutmose) and it really set the pace to get the reader to understand familial and royal dynamics and how sacrifices need to be made in order to get what you want and to protect the ones you love.
I felt my imagination completely transported and felt like a fly on the wall watching this play out.

A well-crafted story with plenty to appreciate. The pacing, characters, and plot twists kept me interested throughout. I'm looking forward to seeing how readers respond once it's released!

I don't think I have seen much Egyptian mythology make its way into the current mythology resurgence. It was refreshing to see. As a kid I loved Egyptian history and mythology! It was quite factual at the beginning and of course there is a lot of information to absorb. I think at times the author was writing more factual than emotional which is why I was a little disjointed from it. But overall it was a story about female empowerment and again, the story of women that were erased from history.

Since I was little and learnt the story of Howard Carter discovering Tutankhamen's tomb, I have been fascinated with Ancient Egypt. The Mummy (1999) made me want to be an archaeologist, but alas - it was not to be and so I make do by travelling back in time via books. The market is saturated with retellings of women from Greek myth, with some light cast on the women of Rome (Elodie Harper's Wolf Den trilogy being a firm favourite) but this is the first I have found that looks to women in Egypt - indeed Egypt on the whole aside from Wilbur Smith's River God books. I'm familiar with Hatshepsut, but had no idea she had a daughter so the concept immediately grabbed my attention.

Malayna has created an exceptional story - blending fact with interpretation expertly (you can tell she has a PhD in Egyptology - I'm not at all envious...). I adored it - the characters were brought wonderfully to life, and there are plenty of strong females to like in this outside of the titular character though Nerferura is my favourite (closely followed by the tattooed wisewoman).

The plot is intriguing and gripping, and I devoured this in days - which is saying something with a young baby attached at my hip 24/7.

I'd highly recommend for lovers of historical fiction with interests in strong female leads and ancient civilisations. It's a book which has reignited my passion for Egypt so I'm off to deep dive into some of my non-fic books !

“Neferura” by Malayna Evans is a captivating historical thriller that immerses you in the opulent and treacherous world of Ancient Egypt. While the initial introduction to the many characters and their titles might feel daunting, persevere! The payoff is a richly detailed and suspenseful journey that brings a fascinating lesser-known historical figure to life.

Evans’ meticulous research shines through in her vivid descriptions of the palaces, rituals, and political landscape. You’ll feel the scorching desert sun on your skin and smell the fragrant incense burning in the temples. This immersive setting becomes the backdrop for a plot brimming with intrigue and betrayal.

Neferura, the daughter of two pharaohs, Hatshepsut and Thutmose II, is a captivating protagonist. Her struggle to carve her own path in a world dominated by men is both relatable and inspiring. The supporting characters, particularly the women in Neferura’s life, are equally well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

While the initial pacing might be deliberate, it allows the reader to fully absorb the intricacies of the Egyptian court. Once the story takes hold, it’s hard to put down. Twists and turns keep you guessing, and the underlying themes of family, duty, and the fight for power resonate long after the final page.

“Neferura” is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a strong dose of intrigue. It’s a testament to the author’s talent for storytelling and historical research.

as someone who loves greek mythology i wanted to try something different and egyptian sounded interesting. i just got a bit lost with the plot and wasn't engaged enough to keep reading but i would definitely read something else in this vein

Phenomenal! ♥️ Oh, my days! The moment I finished reading it I wanted to read it again!
It’s stunning, beautiful, empowering and, (my favourite word), exquisite. I loved every single page. Every single word. Every single thing. 🦂

Neferura is such a divine and courageous character. I fell in love with her. She has the kindest of hearts & is so pure. This is shown in the beautiful friendships she has and forms including the strongest of female bonds where these women love, respect and are fiercely protective of each other.

Then we have the romance. It’s endearing, tender and made my heart smile. What’s even better, it’s not the focus. Don’t get me wrong, I love romance in books but not to the detriment of the story.
I haven’t even mentioned the setting and language, which is also exquisite but I’m struggling to put into words how much I loved this book. It’s *chefs kiss*

I was nervous about the ending but I shouldn’t have been, it’s was perfect. ♥️
I think this is my favourite book so far this year and will be one of my favourite mythology retellings ever.
I only wish there was a stunning hardback version cos I feel it deserves one.

I may add more to my review at a later date but for now, words fail me.
Just read it. 🧡

Favourite quotes ~

“Oh, Ra, help me.” I drop to the floor. I intend to fall with finesse, but I have the grace of a hippo, so even my dramatic, fake faint is clumsy.”

“No, dear one,” he whispers from the dark. “You’re not the child of my body. You’re far more than that. You’re the child of my heart.”

Thank you so much, NetGalley & Sourcebooks UK.

I was mad for anything to do with ancient Egypt when I was young. To be an archaeologist, like Howard Carter, was my life's ambition. I read a book about Hatshepsut and was so excited by a woman leader at a time of such political unrest. Remembering that book lead me to take up Neferura.

Neferura certainly encapsulated the political unrest I recall from Hatshepsut's reign but from the perspective of her daughter. It felt, to me, like a YA novel as the language was very modern and the plot felt along the lines of a adventure like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys; a mystery to solve without involving adults. It was wonderful to revisit the ancient Egyptian world though it was lacking a wee bit of polish.

You could clearly see the research this author put into the book; I felt completely immersed into the world of ancient Egypt, and it introduced me to a lot of history that I had no idea about before. There was also a lot of intrigue and court politics, but I struggled to keep all of the characters straight - none of them, apart from Neferura and the Pharoah, felt particularly distinctive or strong.

I found this book difficult to get through, which was a shame because I went into this hoping to enjoy it just as much as Circe and Kaikeyi. I think that's because this was marketed as fantasy - and it's not at all. There are no magical elements to speak of; it's very much a historical fiction. The ending was also incredibly abrupt, and I had to go back a few pages to check that I hadn't missed a chapter in the proof - all of a sudden we were just in the epilogue. It kind of felt like the author had just decided to end the book without really building up to it, which was jarring considering how well researched the book was.

Super!

I enjoyed reading this book. Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read it

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6286950858

Fast paced and fun, but didn't quite elevate itself above three stars for me. The twists and turns of the plot kept the pages turning but also at times felt slightly silly/unrealistic, and it was the same with character development - baddies were pantomime baddies, goddies were exaggeratedly good, and character decisions often didn't quite ring true.

I did enjoy this though, and a big shout out too to the author's comprehensive knowledge of ancient Egypt. The details of life in that period, and the very illuminating afterword explaining the historical context, were the best bit of the book for me. If she were to write something like a biography of Neferura's mother - a very illustrious, and unusual, female Pharaoh - it would immediately be on my reading list!

Thanks to her, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I tried a couple of times to get into this book but had difficulty. It just wasn’t for me unfortunately.

This is a captivating historical fiction novel that transported me to ancient Egypt with vivid detail and impeccable research. Set during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten, the story follows the life of Neferura, daughter of the controversial ruler.

Evans skillfully intertwines historical events with fictional elements, bringing to life the vibrant court of Akhetaten and the complexities of ancient Egyptian society. Neferura is a compelling protagonist, navigating palace intrigue and personal struggles with courage and resilience.

The author's meticulous attention to detail immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and customs of ancient Egypt, making "Neferura" a captivating and educational read. With its richly drawn characters and engaging plot, this novel is sure to enthrall fans of historical fiction and ancient history alike.

I really enjoy books where I can learn something as well as be absorbed in the story, and this ticked a lot of boxes for me. Great read.

“In the end, everyone’s heart will be weighed”
Neferura, known as the daughter of two pharaohs, she is caught between the power struggle of the two pharaohs
As a young woman with a unique position in court, with it’s spies, murders, revenge and scheming, she certainly had to face her challenges.
Loved the feminist retelling, with Neferura as the narrator, you really get to know the strong female characters in ancient Egypt, their customs and beliefs and the power they could quietly wield in a male dominated heiracrchy.
Female empowerment is at the centre of the novel - “but we averted the tragedy we had some power over. Let’s give ourselves permission to make an impact where we can without feeling guilty for all the things we can’t control”
The characters were interesting and I enjoyed their backstories.
The only minor point, I personally felt it was more of a teenage read rather than an adult read
It was certainly well researched - a wonderful re-imagining of ancient Egypt
Thanks @malaynaevans @sourcebooks & @netgalley for the fabulous historical read

Long before I wanted to be an author or a teacher, long before I encountered the Greeks or Romans I wanted to be Howard Carter, but female and better, I still want to be Evelyn O'Connell but I digress. 

Neferura is based on the imagined life of Princess Neferura, daughter of the great Pharaoh Hapshepsut and the half sister of Thutmose III. Caught in the power struggle between the two Pharaohs, Neferura must decide what and who she can stand to lose in order to survive. 

I was lost in the incredible world Malayna Evans created. I could see the ancient city of Wastet around me feel the breeze of the Nile even as I wanted to drown the vicious, self-absorbed pharoahs in it. Neferura is an emotional rollercoaster snatching characters that become like dear friends away whilst gifting warm joy pages later.

This book dragged on forever and I wish I dnf'ed it. I just couldn't get into it for the love of God.

This was a hard read, it didn't work for me even though I thought I'd love this and wanted to love it.

The story is very slow at the start and there's very little that drew me in or got me invested in the characters. It takes a long time for the story to pick up and by that time, I was tired of the book.

I also feel there should be trigger warnings.

Unfortunately this was a dnf for me, I just couldn’t get into the story at all

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc