An excellent follow up to Nefertit, full of intrigue, coniving, love and hate! Moran is proving to be a master of the historical fiction genre. While this doesn't match up to Nefertiti in my ooinion, it is a fantastic read and well worth your time! Engaging from the first page right down to the last! ( )

Once again Michelle Moran brings Ancient Egypt to life.This was a great book I couldn't put it down.She has a way of bringing the characters to life that makes you feel like your there.I really like the way she weaves fact and fiction and makes the entire book so believable!I will read anything by this author. ( )

Although she is a princess of Egypt, well schooled and beautiful, because of her roots, Nefertari is basically sneered by all around her. Throughout childhood, besides only a few others very close to her, Ramesses, prince of Egypt is one of her closest friends.

But the years pass and at the age of 17 it is time for Ramesses to become coregent of Egypt, and soon he will have to take a wife. The woman of choice--as far as the people of Egypt are concerned--is Iset.

Iset is a true seductress. Physically stunning, charming and loved by the people. Whereas, Nefertari is barely 14, talks too much, is far from adored by the people, and hasn't fully grown in to her body. And so, Ramesses marries Iset and Nefetari is left longing for something she doesn't believe she'll ever have.

But soon enough, Nefetari comes in to her own. Her beauty, her wit and her love for Ramesses inevitably steal his heart, and regardless of what his people say about her, he takes her as his second wife. Although passionate, it isn't just a physical relationship between them. Ramesses trusts and respects Nefertari like no other, and soon, she becomes one of his closet confidants.

Yet, with all Nefertari had managed to accomplish, still there are obstacles to overcome. Ramesses will soon have to choose a First Wife. The one woman he would hold above all others. The Queen of Egypt. Iset is undoubtedly the people's first choice. Hated for crimes she didn't commit, not only must Nefertari convince Ramesses she should be the Queen, but the people of Egypt as well.

The Heretic Queen is told in the first person from Nefertari's POV, and I thought that Michelle Moran did a wonderful job of portraying her. I have to give credit to this author, she really wrote a wonderful tale. Not to mention, it is more than obvious that she really did some research. Or, at least, as much as could be done about a couple who lived so long ago.

4 1/2 Stars ( )

couldn't put this one down, much better than the first ( )

I really enjoyed this Egyptian-set novel. As a piece of fiction, it's interesting to watch the cultural interactions in the novel. In order to put aside my modern feelings about love and marriage, I had to give Pharoah Ramses the benefit of the doubt and believe that he loved both of his wives, and go from there. It was a tricky road to travel, as you really want him to love only one of his wives, but I had to remind myself that these women would have sparred with one another, but understood that the Pharoah would have had multiple wives/ lovers. In the end, I really liked the setting and the way the author fictionally played out Ancient Egypt and its history. ( )