Daughter of the Gods

A Novel of Ancient Egypt

By: Stephanie Marie Thornton

Narrated by: Ilyana Kadushin

Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of The Secret History comes a vibrant historical novel about a woman who dared to declare herself pharaoh. 

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.

©2014 Stephanie Thornton (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

This was good!

I wouldn't have picked this up if my book group wasn't doing an egyptian theme this month, but I am glad I chose to read this one! As much as I love books on strong powerful women, sometimes they feel repetitive. Not this one. It was unique and I was intrigued and hooked to the story. It is one of my top books this month. I loved it!

Great story

Overall a great story that leaves you with knowledge of the ancient world and with a sense that you learned more. Even though it was a great story it still has its faults, at times it felt too long and dragged out. Great overall.

Masterpiece!

It's amazing how Thornton was able to weave the historical facts we have about Hatshepsut into this captivating novel. And the narration by Kadushin was the icing on the cake. I was thrilled while listening to this work. Well done!

Great narrator and story

4 stars only because I save the 5th for extra special stories. Enjoyed the narration and loved learning about Hatshepsut (fictionalized). I recommend for a pre Egypt trip read

Interesting Read

The writing is quite good, and the story of this intriguing historical figure is very interesting. The narrator's voice grates on me, though.

Beautifully done!!!

I did a research paper on Hatshepsut in college, and have always felt a close affinity with her legacy and Ancient Egypt in general. So when I found this title I HAD to give it a listen and I am so glad I did! Compelling, engaging, hard to stop listening. As historically accurate as possible with what little we know of the enigmatic female Pharaoh. I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book. If you have any interest at all in Egyptology, and are willing to have enough of an open mind to fill in the blanks of antiquity, this is well worth the time to listen.

Clear your throat

I liked the story but I kept catching myself clearing my throat for the reader- drove me insane!

An outstanding story

As someone who enjoys historical fiction surrounding women, this is a gem worthy to sit alongside the works is Phillipa Gregory and Allison Weir.

Uhh

I enjoy history and the fiction that can intertwine with in. I couldn’t even finish this book the narrator of the story was so hard to listen to. I was really looking forward to the book when I read the synopsis and then highly disappointed getting no more than two chapters in before I just called it quits.