Daughter of Egypt

by Marie Benedict

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Benedict comes an extraordinary story of the woman who helped uncover Tutankhamun's tomb and the mystery behind Egypt’s first woman Pharaoh.

1920’s London was enthralled by the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Filled with priceless statues, jewels, and the gold-encased mummy of the boy Pharaoh himself, the burial site unleashed a fascination with the ancient world and revolutionized the world of archeology.

The discovery was made by Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle and his associate, famed archeologist Howard Carter. What no one knows is that without the pioneering spirit of Lady Evelyn Herbert, Carnarvon’s daughter, the tomb might never have been found. As a young woman, Evelyn was fascinated by the story of Hatshepsut, a woman who had to assume the guise of a man in order to rule Egypt. Although she brought peace and prosperity to Egypt, her male successors ruthlessly and thoroughly erased her name from history.

Lady Evelyn’s ambition to find the tomb of Egypt’s first woman ruler exposes her to life-threatening danger and pits her against archeologists who refuse to believe the tomb can be found―and certainly not by a woman. Refusing to give up, Evelyn is on the verge of success when she is suddenly forced to make an agonizing choice between loyalty to her beloved father and Carter and realizing the dream of a lifetime.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Egypt, Audiobook, Mystery, Fantasy

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2026

About the author

Marie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie's Maid, The Other Einstein, and the novella, Agent 355. With Victoria Christopher Murray, she co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. With Courtney Sheinmel, she co-wrote the first in a middle grade historical adventure series, called The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy.

Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List.

Up next is the March 24, 2026 release, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, the sweeping tale of a young aristocratic archaeologist — Lady Evelyn of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — who unearths the truth about a forgotten female Pharaoh, rewriting both of their legacies forever.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Benedict has once again proven why she is one of the most important voices in historical fiction today. She has an extraordinary ability to shine a light on women who shaped history but were hidden in the shadows, and Daughter of Egypt may be her most daring excavation yet. This book is not only about tombs and treasures—it’s about silenced voices clawing their way back into the narrative. It’s about courage, defiance, and the cost of being a woman who refuses to accept the role history has written for her.

The novel unfolds across two breathtaking timelines. In the 1920s, we meet Lady Evelyn Herbert, the daughter of Lord Carnarvon, living in the very world of privilege and limitation that defined her era. While society expected her to play the dutiful daughter, marry well, and keep to the drawing rooms, Evelyn’s heart is in the sands of Egypt. Her obsession with discovery—particularly the story of Hatshepsut—pulls her into a dangerous world where politics, greed, and nationalism collide. She isn’t just searching for a tomb; she’s searching for her own identity, her own legacy, in a time when women were rarely allowed either.

And then there is Hatshepsut, the lost Pharaoh. Benedict brings her to life with a vivid, almost aching power—her intelligence, her ambition, and her willingness to seize authority in a world that tried to erase every trace of her existence. Reading about her reign felt like standing inside a temple, torchlight flickering against stone walls, hearing her voice echo back through the centuries. She wasn’t just ruling Egypt; she was daring to imagine a different future. And for that, her enemies ensured her name was struck from the monuments she built.

What makes this book feel so alive is how these two women’s stories mirror one another. Both Evelyn and Hatshepsut fight to carve space for themselves in male-dominated worlds, and both pay the price for their audacity. Their struggles, though separated by millennia, resonate deeply with today’s readers: the erasure of women’s achievements, the battles for autonomy, the fight to be remembered.

Benedict also doesn’t shy away from the larger questions. Who owns history? Who has the right to decide where artifacts belong—the colonizers who plundered them, or the people whose ancestors built them? These questions haunt Evelyn’s chapters, set during a time of Egyptian independence and unrest, and they still feel urgent today.

But for all its political and historical weight, this is also a deeply emotional novel. I found myself moved not just by the grandeur of ancient temples or the thrill of discovery, but by the very human pulse of the story: Evelyn’s determination to step beyond her father’s shadow, Hatshepsut’s fight to lead with strength and vision, and the universal desire to leave behind a legacy that cannot be erased.

Reading Daughter of Egypt felt like peeling back layers of sand, brushing away dust, and uncovering something luminous that had been there all along. Benedict doesn’t just give us history—she gives us connection, empathy, and fire.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this empowering, feminist-vibed, and inspirational historical fiction ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’m so grateful to have experienced this story, and I’ll be thinking about Evelyn and Hatshepsut long after I’ve turned the final page.

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[Dee (in the Desert) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - very interesting look at two women from history, that I knew very little about before - Lady Evelyn who was involved in the opening of King Tut's tomb & the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, who I had never heard of either. This one felt a bit off in the pacing - super slow at first & then the end flew by - it just took a while to get invested but I found myself doing extra research while reading which is a sign to me of a good historical fiction

[Lydia Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an entertaining an interesting book. The book connects Lady Evelyn Herbert, a woman involved in the 1920s discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb, with Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh whose legacy was nearly erased thousands of years earlier by her male successors.
Both women must fight for recognition and ambition in patriarchal societies. Highly recommend.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel brings to light two extraordinary women: Evelyn Herbert who helped uncover Tutankhamun’s tomb, and Hatshepsut with her mysterious reign as the first woman Pharaoh of Egypt.

1919, England. The novel begins with the backstory of Evelyn Herbert who comes from privileged family. Her father, Lord Carnarvon, employed Howard Carter to lead excavations in Egypt. Howard Carter has been tutoring Eve in history and archeology of ancient Egypt every summer since her childhood. And that’s when her fascination with Hatshepsut began – why her successors tried to erase her from history. That’s the puzzle she’s been determined to solve.

The story portrays well the spirit of Eve and her fascination with Hatshepsut. While traveling to Egypt with her parents, she witnesses the excavations of the final layer at the site possibly tied to Tutankhamun and Hatshepsut. Her anticipation is contagious. She also experiences what she only heard of and never imagined that could happen to her until it did – collapsed tunnels and tombs, and archeologists and others not making it out alive. She stumbles upon other challenges that make her question others’ motives when she learns of Howard Carter procuring some artifacts for himself and not his patron. Thus, exposing her smarts, sophistication, and determination.

The story weaves in another timeline beginning in 1486 BC, Thebes, when Hatshepsut is a priestess. Her father Pharaoh Thutmose teaches her how to command and make decisions. After the death of her two brothers, she remains the sole highest-born royal child in the land, but no woman has ever ruled Egypt. Who succeeds and what happens next reveals the puzzle Eve has been searching for. Hatshepsut’s character reveals a strong woman who is highly-intelligent and creative in navigating the world she lives in.

The story has a rich historical background and weaves in Hatshepsut’s story interestingly – and the answer Eve is searching for. The narrative has a feel of telling rather than showing.

Eve’s voice has that distinct aristocratic tone. On the other hand, Hatshepsut’s voice lacks the authoritative tone and is missing the tension between her and her subordinates.

The novel brings to light two women who have not received enough credit for creating history as they lived in a male dominated world. Both are such fascinating characters that I wish there was even more to their character-development.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book as this is a part of history that I’m extremely fascinated by and the love of all things Egypt has shaped my vacation destination choices many times over the years. I’ll admit to a little trepidation, as I’ve read a few books with a similar focus, but I was impressed with how Benedict gave us insight into the life of the times; readers get a full meal deal! I’ve been disappointed before by the narrow focus authors have chosen, but Benedict gives us a full picture of what it was like, during different slices of history, for women to grasp power during a time when it wasn’t accepted, and to live under the thumb of societal and parental expectations. She plants our feet on the hot sand, allows us to adjust our breathing to the climate, and then dazzles us with a pacey narrative that keeps readers spellbound. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough.

This will be one of my top reads for the year because it allowed me to go back and revisit 5-star vacations where I experienced Egypt and stood in the same places Benedict’s characters roamed. Like Benedict, “history has always been my chosen companion.”

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I heard about this book, I was all in. Love history, connecting a story from multiple millennia in the past plus some connection to the present. Egyptian Pharoah are fascinating understanding how one of the most significant female queens came to power held my interest. But the story from the 1920s didn't, so I found myself alternating between somewhat bored and compelled to sneak peaks on Wikipedia to understand how much of the historical story was true. Benedict's work is always strong, just perhaps the topics are not 100% to my taste. While Egyptian history is intriguing, this was also about a woman with a desire to find the buried tomb of a long-forgotten Pharoah, who never fully achieved her goal. So maybe I just didn't want to deal with the ending? This isn't a spoiler as it's truthful history, but there's a secret in the pages (probably not entirely true, tho perhaps could be) that will keep many readers compelled to consider all the possibilities.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is broken into two different timelines. The first is that of Eve set during a few years around 1920. Eve is a wealthy Englishwoman who has a fascination with Egyptology, archaeology, and specifically Hatshepsut. She yearns to be an archaeologist and discover Hatshepsut's tomb.

The second timeline is that of Hatshepsut from 1486 to 1458 BC. This storyline follows an intelligent and ambitious Hatshepsut as she rises from a princess, daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose, to pharaoh herself. I felt that this was the more interesting storyline, but it only accounted for about 1/3 of the book. This part of the story caused me to go down a rabbit hole looking for information about Hatshepsut and all we have now learned or believe to be true.

Unfortunately, Eve's sections started off very interesting, but became stale by the end of the book. It seemed that not much interesting or new happened in this timeline and the ending was somewhat anticlimactic.

I was fortunate enough to have both the ebook and audio of this one, which was super helpful with the pronunciation of some of the names. The ebook was taking a while for me to get through, so I leaned heavily into the audio for the majority of the book. The audio was excellently narrated by Bessie Carter and Suehyla El-Attar. I would definitely recommend listening to this one.

3.5★

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with complimentary electronic copies of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Marialyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars plus one more because it’s ancient Egypt! 🐪🐫

So many historical things excite us as we read about things of long ago. High up among them in my book is matters connected to and about ancient Egypt. It is a land of mystery of so many secrets and treasures buried in the sand. So when I had the opportunity to read Marie Benedict's new book I grabbed it.

Ms Benedict writes of two woman, one Hatsheput, a female ruler of Egypt who quite mysteriously had her name erased from history, and Lady Eve Carnarvon, a lady whose intense interest in archeology and Hatshepsut, allowed her to be present at the most amazing archeological find in recent memory that of Pharaoh Tutankhamen's tomb.

Daughter of Lord Carnarvon and friend to Howard Carter, Eve was able to travel to the sands of Egypt and for her it was a search for Hatsheput and the many question surrounding her reign as a female Pharaoh. Why was it that Hatsheput was erased from history, a woman who would often assume the guise of a man to fulfill her duties as Pharaoh. Like Eve who is not often associated with the find of Tut's tomb, she has slipped into history, although she was an avid archeologist and a courageous woman.

The dichotomy between Hatsheput's fate and Lady Evelyn's is similar. They lived and grew in a male society, one in which Eve's pursuits were often overlooked.

Eve was fascinated with Hatsheput, and the reasons why and where she may be buried. Hatsheput set many fine things in motion in her kingdom, increasing its size, and bringing in an era of peace and prosperity for her people. Was she obliterated from history because of that or because she was a woman?

This was an interesting story with much conjecture about Hatsheput and Lady Evelyn. However, there were, drawn into the story, some relevant facts about the political climate of Egypt at the time when the digs were done in the Valley of the Kings. Lady Evelyn was among the first to step into Tut's tomb with her father, Carter, and was the first to enter the burial chamber.

Was she able to ever find Hatsheput's tomb and fulfill that thirst she had for this female Pharaoh? Unfortunately, after finding Tut's tomb, Lady Evelyn returned to England, married, and had a child, never to return again to Egypt with her dream never realized.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Ev...

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an incredible story on audiobook! This history is so fascinating to me!

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just had the hardest time getting into this book. I think I should have read the blurb more closely. It alternates between 1910 and 1500BC. So, even though I love that Marie Benedict was passionate about going so far back to the Pharaohs and recognizing the first woman one, I just find that time period tedious. The later time period began quite interesting, but it also slowed, with constant references to getting married, cotillions, a romance begins. The part I enjoyed were the excursions to Egypt.

So, if you enjoy a detailed story taking place 3,000 years ago, I think you will enjoy this book. Most of the reviews have been positive, so give it a read if this is a subject that pulls you in. It just didn’t captivate me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin for a copy of this book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A dual timeline that weaves together the lives of a woman in the 1920's with the search for the secret tomb of Ancient Egypt's Hatshepsut.

Marie Benedict is one of my go-to historical fiction authors, and I love meeting the strong women that she makes central to her novels. Both women straddle the expectations of their society while also striving to be fiercely independent. Lady Evelyn( Eve) is an adventurous young woman who feels more alive talking with her father about archaeological digs than attending high-society events. Likewise, Hatshepsut was a woman who had to assume the role of Pharaoh when the previous Pharaoh died, and his heir was still young. I appreciated that the author has both women share the narrative powers; however, instead of alternating chapters, specific sections of consecutive chapters allow Eve and Hatshepsut's stories to be fully realized.

I had read a lot of mixed reviews on the novel, but I have to say I felt that the narrative flowed nicely, and I was really immersed in both storylines. My only tiny complaint is that I was lukewarm about Eve's romance with the handsome lieutenant she meets in Egypt. I wasn't feeling their chemistry whatsoever.

All in all, a great tale.


Publication Date 24/03/26
Goodreads Review 24/03/26

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by this author and it did not disappoint! I’ve never been a huge historical fan girlie, but this book just made me one! I absolutely love how in depth this book was. You can really tell that the author did a lot of research before writing this book. This novel is written in dual timelines and comes with a lot of adventure! It is informative, inspiring, engaging and mysterious.

It fully immersed me into a historical suspense. This is a medium paced read, where the characters are strongly developed. It comes with lovable and a diverse cast of characters. If you love historical fiction, or if you want to give historical fiction a chance, definitely check this one out! Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Marie Benedict and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This novel is expected to be published on March 24, 2026!

[Monica Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel centered on the first female pharaoh of Egypt, yes please! Plus Lord Carnarvon had a daughter that was present at the discovery of King Tut's tomb. I had no idea! As someone who has studied and read so much about this time period, this book taught me so much as well as kept me interested until the very end.

The novel is told in two parts. Lady Evelyn is fascinated with ancient Egypt, especially that of Hatshepsut. Eve dreams of one day finding Hatshepsut's tomb. She has joined her father, Lord Carnarvon, and Howard Carter on some of their excavations in the early 1920s. Her mother however wants to settle down in a good marriage. Lady Evelyn refuses to give up and is determined to find Haatshepsut's resting place no matter the cost. The second part of the story is that of Hatshepsut and how she came to be the first female pharaoh of Egypt. Her story is fascinating especially considering that Egypt had a female who ruled successfully and accomplished great things for Egypt in the 1400s B.C. Yet it is A.D. 2025, and we have yet to have a female president.

The author certainly did a fantastic job researching and recreating not only the world of ancient Egypt but that of Egypt in the 1920s. I felt like I was right there and could picture excavating tombs on an archaeological dig. Lady Evelyn was a fascinating character, even more so for me because she was a real person. This is a book you do not want to miss if you are interested in ancient Egypt and the pharaohs.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Lisa Burgos · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about two women, one in the early 1920's who loves Egyptology, and the other an Egyptian woman who became a Pharaoh. Packed with wonderful and interesting facts about Egypitan history.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author writes amazing books of historical fiction about strong resilient women and her newest book, Daughter of Egypt is no exception. This is the tenth book that I have read by Ms. Benedict and possibly my favorite.

This fascinating and intriguing story follows two different, yet connected, timelines. In the 1920s in England, an archaeologist with the British Museum is being financed for many years by George Herbert, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, to spend every summer in Egypt excavating in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor in the search for rare Egyptian antiquities. Herbert's daughter Evelyn (Eve) accompanies her father to Egypt and discovers what may be a clue to the history of the only female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, who ruled during the 1400s BC, seven reigns before King Tutankhamun.

The other part of the story, that portrays the rise and fall of Hatshepsut and her ambition to rule Egypt as Pharaoh, is truly astounding. The primary mystery to be solved is why after Hatshepsut's death she was completely erased from all historical records, her name was scratched from monuments, and her statues were all destroyed.

Historians and aficionados of Egyptology or nonfiction fans may balk at the fictionalization of these characters, while historical fiction lovers may be deterred by the inclusion of so much historical data. However, I believe that this book can sincerely be enjoyed by everyone. I can't wait to find out what topic Ms. Benedict covers next.

My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

DAUGHTER OF EGYPT
By Marie Benedict
Narrated by Bessie Carter and Suehyla El-Attar

A powerful historical novel about strength, ambition, and women reclaiming their place in history.

I always appreciate how Marie Benedict shines a light on remarkable women overlooked by history, and Daughter of Egypt is no exception. The book follows two compelling figures: Hatshepsut, the powerful female Pharaoh of ancient Egypt, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, the determined daughter of Lord Carnarvon who witnessed the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The dual timelines kept me fully engaged as Benedict seamlessly connects past and present. I was especially drawn to Eve’s growing fascination with Hatshepsut and the mystery surrounding her erasure from history. I loved how the archaeological discoveries were woven together with Eve’s personal drive, giving the story real depth. The tone balances historical detail with character-driven moments, keeping me invested the whole way.

I’ve always been fascinated with archaeology, so I was excited to read Benedict’s book. Her thorough research is evident throughout, and she blends fact with fiction in a way that gives emotional depth and dimension to women whose stories history only partially preserved. At the same time, it highlights how culture, politics, and expectations shaped their lives across the centuries.

I especially appreciated the strong, distinct voices of both women—Eve navigating the tension between tradition and modernity, and Hatshepsut embodying political power and female authority in a male-dominated world.

I alternated between the audiobook and the ebook, which made the story feel even more immersive. Both narrators enhanced the story beautifully, bringing nuance and personality to their respective timelines.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

[Tara (on hiatus while my husband recovers from surgery) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Daughter of Egypt" by Marie Benedict chronicles the stories of two formidable women, born nearly three millennia apart—Hatshepsut, an Egyptian pharaoh in her own right, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, a young woman of the 1920s committed to uncovering Hatshepsut’s history, which had been nearly obliterated from historical records. To my surprise, Lady Evelyn was among the earliest to enter Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb, accompanied by her father, Lord Carnarvon, and the archaeologist Howard Carter; yet her name is seldom acknowledged in historical accounts. My longstanding interest in Egyptology was affirmed by Benedict’s meticulous attention to detail, which brings the historical characters to life. The narrative’s alternating perspectives—those of Hatshepsut and Evelyn—offer comparative glimpses into women’s roles throughout history and illustrate how their achievements have been erased or claimed by others. The author skillfully integrates the social and political contexts of each period, adding depth and nuance to the story.

Benedict offers a compelling portrayal of historical women, imbuing them with emotional complexity that invites further exploration. Her vivid descriptive language creates an immersive experience, whether depicting ancient Egypt or early twentieth-century society—conveying sensory details such as the scorching sun overhead, gritty desert sand, calls to worship ancient Egyptian deities, and the scent of burning incense. Most compelling is the portrayal of these two resilient women, brought vividly to life at a time when history has systematically sought to ignore and erase their contributions.


Overall, Daughter of Egypt is a compelling, meticulously crafted historical novel that demonstrates the author’s growth. Readers interested in archaeology, underrepresented women in history, and dual-timeline narratives will likely find considerable value in this story.

Expected publication date: March 24, 2026.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected to love this more than I did. I love all things Egypt, so this book had me so excited. I think the two timelines didn’t work for me. Past Egypt didn’t give me a chance to really know the female pharaoh. Just snippets of her rule. Eve was ok, but with her obsession being with the pharaoh but the excavation leading to King Tut, it didn’t seem cohesive. At times I felt the writing to be stilted; it didn’t have a seamless flow. I was expecting this to be a five star read, but unfortunately left me a little disappointed.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict. It was narrated very well by Bessie Carter and Suehyla El-Alttar. Marie Benedict has been an author that I have enjoyed reading over the years. I was quite impressed that she chose to write a novel about two very strong, ambitious and almost forgotten women who lived centuries apart from one another. Her research for this book was extensive and very informative. I was so glad to have learned about Lady Evelyn Herbert who during the 1920’s helped Howard Carter, a world renowned archeologist and her father, Lord Carnarvon, in the exhibition where the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen was discovered along with many of his treasures. Marie Benedict also introduced Hatschepsut, the forgotten female Pharaoh, whose existence and accomplishments were lost to history. Lady Evelyn became obsessed with finding Hatschepsut’s tomb over the years her father allowed her to join their archeological expeditions. Both were incredible women far beyond the times they lived. I was grateful for Marie Benedict’s determination to write about these women so that I was able to discover their unique achievements and accomplishments.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict and recommend it highly if you enjoy learning about strong women who would not take no for an answer. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Melodi | booksandchicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me set the stage for you. I listened to this book while riding a bus, gazing out the window while on the West Bank in Luxor, Egypt. Perfection! I knew I wanted to save and read this book while on my 4th trip to Egypt and it made it all the more special for it.

While visiting Queen Hatshepsut's Temple I made a concerted effort to turn this on for a minute. Sometimes I just have to stamp in time a listening experience!

The book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the juxtaposition of the storylines of how Queen Hatshepsut came to power and her supposed loss of power (ultimately we don't really know how things ended for her, the story continues to change as we continue to learn.) Our second storyline was of Lord Carnarvon's daughter and her interest in Hatshepsut. As she travels to Egypt in the 1920's, per this book, she is part of the reason her father continued discovering in the Valley of the Kings and then found King Tut's tomb (through Carter's work).

I know both of these stories so well, I really enjoyed this historical fiction book about them. Granted, what I have read, studied, and heard from Egyptologists differ from the stories of discovery differ from Benedict's story, it is enjoyable regardless.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love when historical fiction is based on real people and true facts. (Be sure to read the author's note!)

Daughter Of Egypt did not disappoint. The dual pov's between Lady Evelyn Herbert and Hatshepsut told in alternating timelines was fascinating. These are strong female characters with a lot working against them. Women who are very much ahead of their time!

The amount of research that went into writing this story is evident. I often felt as though I was in the dessert alongside Evelyn.

I have such a deep love of Egypt. I visited in 2009 and it changed my life. There is something really special about Cairo.

My thanks to Raincoast Books for the gifted copy!

[lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn’t land for me at all. I found the plot to be pretty dry and lackluster, the character development to be minimal, the romance to be dull, and the pace to be so slow. Not much really happened and it wasn’t a short book.

See more of my book reviews on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/booktal...

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fabulous story this was. I always really enjoy historical fiction when I read it, so much to learn about the past. Marie Benedict books are always so well researched and informative, and I love listening to the authors notes at the end about her writing processes.

This is a dual timeline read, one of British woman Lady Evelyn Herbert in the 1920s who is the daughter of an archaeologist who worked with the famous Howard Carter. Eve is obsessed with an ancient Egypt and finding the lost tomb of Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh that history has almost forgotten. The second narrative is from the pharaoh herself, and he struggles as a women in a male dominated society.

I have always been fascinated by this period in time, and the ancient Egyptians. I felt like I was in the Valley of the Kings with the characters, under the searing sun searching for the past. We all know that Howard Carter is the man that discovered Tutankhamen's tomb and all the treasures it held, and that part of the story was so interesting. What an experience that would have been to unearth all that history.

What I really love about this author is that she writes about strong women, who are ahead of their time. Evelyn struggles to be taken seriously as an historian and archeologist, and female pharaoh was just unheard of. Very inspiring stories.


Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for my early audiobook to listen to. Highly recommended if you love history. This one is out on March 24th.

[Karina Bartow · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Daughter of Egypt" is an intriguing mix of "Indiana Jones," "Cleopatra," and "Little Women".

Lady Evelyn, or Eve, is set on resurrecting the memory of Hatshepsut, a woman pharaoh Egypt has erased from history. To do so, however, she must fight the same elements that Hatshepsut faced, including sexism, family conflict, and political unrest. Her quest and resilience to rise above such challenges strengthens her character and confidence to pursue her goals, rather than conform to the path forged for her by tradition.

"Daughter of Egypt" holds poignant messages for women, young and old, present and past, across cultures about the power of staying true to oneself while still having the courage to pursue groundbreaking endeavors.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate Benedict researching Egyptian history, especially involving women and their place in the world, Daughter of Egypt was lacking structure. It ended up becoming slightly cheesy by the end.

It's a very glossed over history of Hatshepsut. I didn't enjoy the present story involving Evelyn, who goes out to find her tomb. It didn't have much depth and while Benedict may have tried to tie Hatshepsut and Evelyn as two string women, I just didn't see the connection.

It was just an "ok" historical fiction. I much preferred Fiona Davis' Stolen Queen much better.

I felt it really ends on a flat note.

[kaleigh]

FEED ME MOTHER!!!🍽️

I’m so ready😍😍😍

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter of Egypt is the story of Evelyn Herbert, daughter of the 5th Earl Carnarvon from the end of World War I through when King Tut’s tomb is discovered. She is depicted as an active participant in her father’s archaeological work with a desire to find the tomb of Hatshepsut. We also see her courtship with Bograve Beauchamp, relationship with fellow archeologist Howard Carter, and with her brother, Henry. In a parallel story set thousands of years before we see a basic story of Hatshepsut’s life as she rose from princess to queen to Pharaoh, including her love for her daughter Neferure.

This dual-timeline novel ropes readers in, especially on Evelyn’s timeline. Hatshepsut’s timeline helped to provide historical background, but was otherwise lackluster and could have been excluded. Evelyn’s love of archeology and drive to find Hatshepsut’s tomb shows throughout the entire novel. And historical facts, both about Eveyln’s life and era and Hatshepsut’s are written into the narrative. Both women are written as strong women ahead of their times. And Evelyn’s feelings are evoked throughout and are one’s the reader can connect to.

This review is based on the audio advanced reader copy from NetGalley. The narrator providing voice to Evelyn was clear and lively, leading to emotions showing through. The narrator for Hatshepsut was fairly monotone.

[Krista (Mrs K Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Bendict is one of those historical authors that is a must buy for me so when I got approved for this arc i was excited and after reading Daughter of Egypt i was not disappointed.

a very well-researched book with words that seem to go with the Victorian era speech. This book with dual timelines and both historical eras are realistically and accurately portrayed due to Benedicts research.

A very captivating story which features one of my favourite timelines. I learned alot about ancient Egypt and the rediscovery of The Pryamids so i was completely captivated throughout the story.

Alternating between 1919 England and 1486 BC Egypt, Daughter of Egypt connects the challenges faced by women across such different times and places was very enlightening and so this book is for sure definitely a book worth reading.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid histfic tale about two women centuries apart: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost female pharaoh, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, who risks all to find her tomb. She is also the daughter of Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, and made possible his 1920s co-discovery of King Tut's tomb. A must-read!

[Stacey | read.with.stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Raincoast Books and St Martin’s Press for the arc 🫶

I enjoyed this one! I’ve always been fascinated by Egyptian history, and this story delivers a lot of factual historical information in a way that’s very interesting! I loved learning about young Lady Evelyn, the daughter of an English aristocrat in the 1920s, who played a huge role in the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. It was cool reading about a woman who loved archeology and knew so much about Egyptian history in a time when women were not part of the field. I enjoyed seeing the parallels between her and Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female Pharaoh, as they both paved the way for women in their times. I loved going back and forth between their POVs. It also did a great job discussing Egypt’s fight for independence and autonomy, including juridiction over their own historical burial sites and the items found in it. Definitely worth checking out!