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The Heretic Queen  By  cover art

The Heretic Queen

By: Michelle Moran
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

In ancient Egypt, a forgotten princess must overcome her family's past and remake history.

The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the 18th Dynasty's royal family, all with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl's deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. A relic of a previous reign, Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace.

But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh's aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.

Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family's history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one.

While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history.

Sweeping in scope and meticulous in detail, The Heretic Queen is a novel of passion and power, heartbreak and redemption.

©2008 Michelle Moran (P)2008 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Nefertari tells her story simply, humbly, and in a clear voice that will attract readers." (Romantic Times)

"Moran’s careful attention to detail and her artful storytelling skills bring these people to vivid life, imbuing ancient history with suspense and urgency." (Boston Globe)

"Performing deft feats of Egyptian magic, Michelle Moran transforms stone-cold history-from-hieroglyphs into gripping narrative, peopled by unforgettable characters seething with conflict and passion. I couldn’t stop reading, but I didn’t want this book to end." (Robin Maxwell, author of Mademoiselle Boleyn)

What listeners say about The Heretic Queen

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping

I enjoyed the first novel, Nefertiti, but The Heretic Queen blows that one out of the water. I couldn't stop listening to this book and I found myself really caring about Nefertari, her feelings, and things she deals with. The attention to detail in this book was also excellent. For example, Moran makes religion an underlying theme and also makes their religion believable, so that you find yourself understanding how it motivates the characters. The narrator is also very good and I liked listening to her. I really loved this book.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

The Heretic Queen

The Heretic Queen is a worthy sequel to Nefertiti. Moran continues to draw you into the exotic world of Ancient Egypt, weaving an intriguing story with historical details that bring that era (1200s BC) completely to life. This is the story of Mutnodjmet's daughter, Nefertari, and her triumph over her past (as the niece of Nefertiti, the Heretic Queen). Nefertari is an incredibly strong character--much like her mother was in Nefertiti. It's amazing to think that the rulers of Egypt at this time were largely teenagers, counseled by older, wiser viziers, but teenagers, nevertheless.

Both of these books made me appreciate how the women of that time knew how to care for their skin and use make-up and accessories to dramatize and enhance their features, drawing parallels to the use of skin care products, makeup and jewelry today.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! It was well written, with vivid details. It was an amazing love story. I was actually on the edge of my seat waiting and worried about what would happen next. Great book.

What other book might you compare The Heretic Queen to and why?

Nefertiti, by the same author. I loved the way the two books connected. The author made the setting so integral to both stories.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

Loved her narration. Her voice fit the age of the characters perfectly. She made me feel like I was there. She should have been used as the narrator on Cleopatra's Daughter. That narrator is HORRIBLE! She is too too old for the characters in the book. Campbell was a great choice. I could listen to her all day.

If you could take any character from The Heretic Queen out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Ramases. He has such an amazing presence. I almost felt like I knew him and he was a real man. He had depth and dimension and was my favorite character.

Any additional comments?

Great book!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Just OK

The writing was competent enough, getting the reader from beginning to end without any major interrupts (save for a few naps), but I found the skill level to be amateurish and the prose is absolutely stuffed with lazy cliques. The Egyptians managed to capture our collective imagination for thousands of years, yet the characters is this book were far from engaging and not memorable in the slightest. The love making scene was downright cringe-worthy. A valiant effort indeed, I hope future books get better!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Anyone who enjoys historical novel cannot help but love this book. It follows Nefertiti, and tell the story of her niece, Nefetari. It's worth the credit.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and interesting

A rare combination of a beach book and historical fiction, that's both entertaining and fairly intellectual. If you liked The Other Boleyn Girl by Philiippha Gregory, you'll like this. I've always wondered what ancient Egypt was like and this book made it come alive without being boring or too esoteric.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An entertaining take on history

If you could sum up The Heretic Queen in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, empowering, smouldering

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nefertari, she is a smart young woman who truly loves her country and her pharaoh husband

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

She captures the intelligent air of the young lady main character, Nefertari

If you could rename The Heretic Queen, what would you call it?

The Warrior Wife

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

New headphone thinking something was wrong

Took me a while longer to get through this one.. I bit disappointing considering I loved the book. the narrators voice went up and down through out the book it was hard to get through a few times it sounded like the narrator was sick or getting the flu (phlegmy). for the sake of a good book I endured til the ending.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gorgeous

What did you love best about The Heretic Queen?

Absolutely gorgeous storytelling via the author and narrator. An absolute audio book connoisseur, I literally worked an "all-nighter" just to finish this book. Beautifully done.

Any additional comments?

If you love historically accurate romance novels with substance you will adore this well written treasure.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought the voice of Cassandra Campbell was well suited for the parts. I listened to this one before Nefertiti and wished now that I had read them in order.

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2 people found this helpful