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Daughter of Egypt
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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.
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.
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Expected publication March 24, 2026
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About the author
Marie Benedict
24 books13.4k followersMarie 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 632 reviews
February 19, 2026
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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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.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
November 20, 2025
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.
Both women must fight for recognition and ambition in patriarchal societies. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2025
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.
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.
February 12, 2026
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.
August 9, 2025
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...
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...
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February 25, 2026This 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.
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.
February 28, 2026
Such an incredible story on audiobook! This history is so fascinating to me!
August 16, 2025
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.
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.
September 28, 2025
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.
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.
February 23, 2026
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!
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!
February 24, 2026
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.
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.
February 15, 2026
"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.
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.
August 3, 2025
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.
Want to read
May 14, 2025FEED ME MOTHER!!!🍽️
I’m so ready😍😍😍
I’m so ready😍😍😍
August 18, 2025
Review to follow.
March 12, 2026
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.
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.
February 27, 2026
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.
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.
June 10, 2025
"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.
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.
September 25, 2025
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.
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.
November 10, 2025
Daughter of Egypt is Marie Benedict’s fictional story of Hatshepsut, one of the only female pharaohs of Egypt, and Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of Lord Carnarvon, during the days leading up to and immediately following the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen.
Benedict has made efforts to be historically accurate based on information available while taking liberties to tell the story from women’s perspective. I have no issues with how she’s shown history. But as someone who minored in Anthropology, reading stories about archeological digs that tend to equate more with treasure hunts creates a pretty high cringe factor for me. Many digs in Egypt up through this time period were financed and led by wealthy British men, who were not particularly concerned about context and were often in pursuit of the money, treasure and prestige they were taking back with them to England, and, as demonstrated with Lord Carnarvon in this story, enraged when the Egyptian government and people wanted to keep the history and heritage of their country in GASP, their own country.
Even being historically accurate, this can be hard to read about. Unfortunately for me there wasn’t a whole lot to offset that feeling of distaste for me. There isn’t much character development of Eve or Hatshepsut. Eve came off as entitled brat. I respected her lack of interest in society and being a debutante, but she and Howard Carter are manipulating dig locations around her desire to find the female pharaoh, and instead of being excited about finding Tut she basically has an internal temper tantrum because they didn’t find the tomb of the pharaoh she wanted to find. This could have been a storyline focused on a woman trying to succeed in a line of work traditionally done by men, but it instead she comes off as a one dimensional character that doesn’t care about anything but what she wants until late in the book.
This isn’t the case with Hatshepsut, but she comes off as relatively one dimensional too. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore a woman in a leadership role only held by men, and the tough decisions and choices and the loneliness of being seen as a god, and yet much of her timeline is devoted first her relationship with her father and then to her daughter and lover, with very little delving into her role as ruler.
The book also seems to spend a large amount of time describing the opulence of Highclere, the family seat of the Herbert’s and places like the Winter Palace, where they stay during excavations in Egypt. Again, I’m sure that Benedict has done research to ensure these descriptions are historically accurate, but again, I don’t really see what they have to do with the attempts to discover a pharaoh’s tomb.
Perhaps I’m just feeling cranky, but I just feel like there’s a great opportunity to explore several historical females that aren’t often written about and it doesn’t seem to more than scratch the surface, and then not make them interesting enough to feel invested to learn more.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Benedict has made efforts to be historically accurate based on information available while taking liberties to tell the story from women’s perspective. I have no issues with how she’s shown history. But as someone who minored in Anthropology, reading stories about archeological digs that tend to equate more with treasure hunts creates a pretty high cringe factor for me. Many digs in Egypt up through this time period were financed and led by wealthy British men, who were not particularly concerned about context and were often in pursuit of the money, treasure and prestige they were taking back with them to England, and, as demonstrated with Lord Carnarvon in this story, enraged when the Egyptian government and people wanted to keep the history and heritage of their country in GASP, their own country.
Even being historically accurate, this can be hard to read about. Unfortunately for me there wasn’t a whole lot to offset that feeling of distaste for me. There isn’t much character development of Eve or Hatshepsut. Eve came off as entitled brat. I respected her lack of interest in society and being a debutante, but she and Howard Carter are manipulating dig locations around her desire to find the female pharaoh, and instead of being excited about finding Tut she basically has an internal temper tantrum because they didn’t find the tomb of the pharaoh she wanted to find. This could have been a storyline focused on a woman trying to succeed in a line of work traditionally done by men, but it instead she comes off as a one dimensional character that doesn’t care about anything but what she wants until late in the book.
This isn’t the case with Hatshepsut, but she comes off as relatively one dimensional too. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore a woman in a leadership role only held by men, and the tough decisions and choices and the loneliness of being seen as a god, and yet much of her timeline is devoted first her relationship with her father and then to her daughter and lover, with very little delving into her role as ruler.
The book also seems to spend a large amount of time describing the opulence of Highclere, the family seat of the Herbert’s and places like the Winter Palace, where they stay during excavations in Egypt. Again, I’m sure that Benedict has done research to ensure these descriptions are historically accurate, but again, I don’t really see what they have to do with the attempts to discover a pharaoh’s tomb.
Perhaps I’m just feeling cranky, but I just feel like there’s a great opportunity to explore several historical females that aren’t often written about and it doesn’t seem to more than scratch the surface, and then not make them interesting enough to feel invested to learn more.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 31, 2025
This novel is perfect for those who love the times in Egypt with pharaoh and tombs. I am not one of those that gravitates to those kinds of novels, but read everything Benedict publishes. She never shies away from powerful historical women in history.
Very detailed and you can tell Benedict knows her history and the research must have taken years, which she details in her notes.
Very detailed and you can tell Benedict knows her history and the research must have taken years, which she details in her notes.
Want to read
July 29, 2025So glad to get Marie Benedict’s new Book,
Daughter of Egypt
Can’t Wait To Read This 📖💗
Daughter of Egypt Can’t Wait To Read This 📖💗
August 4, 2025
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
NetGalley ARC.
It was too long and drawn out. I enjoyed Hatshepsut's chapters more than Eve's chapters. Eve was just a selfish rich young woman and she annoyed me with her what we don't have endless money?! lol. I didn't care one iota about Brograve. Gimme a book all about Hatshepsut instead! I kind of enjoyed the digs but also hated the superiority of the English but that WAS the case. They thought they owned everything and everyone and others were "savages" who needed their help. False. Every country was doing just fine before England came along. They're truly the worst lol. And I did not care for the Afterword. I didn't want to know all of that. It just made me feel disappointed.
It was too long and drawn out. I enjoyed Hatshepsut's chapters more than Eve's chapters. Eve was just a selfish rich young woman and she annoyed me with her what we don't have endless money?! lol. I didn't care one iota about Brograve. Gimme a book all about Hatshepsut instead! I kind of enjoyed the digs but also hated the superiority of the English but that WAS the case. They thought they owned everything and everyone and others were "savages" who needed their help. False. Every country was doing just fine before England came along. They're truly the worst lol. And I did not care for the Afterword. I didn't want to know all of that. It just made me feel disappointed.
June 3, 2025
I had high hopes for this book and I'm glad to say it hit my expectations! I loved Eve and Hatshepsut and the switch between their points of view. I wish we could see more of them both, but the book tied up the endings for both main characters very well. I was never very interested in egyptology but I loved delving into Eve's passion and Hatshepsut's life, and both gave me a new appreciation and respect for it all. Overall a very good book and one I'm happy to have read!
PS. Won this in a goodreads giveaway!
PS. Won this in a goodreads giveaway!
September 9, 2025
In historical fiction author Marie Benedict’s latest novel DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, readers are transported back in time to Ancient Egypt as well as England and told the story how in the 1920s Evelyn Herbert was part of the excavation of finding King Tut’s tomb, but not only this but there’s another story of a little known ruler (Hatsepsut). Marie Benedict uses these two stories to draw parallels to how women are often overlooked and not appreciated.
Thank you to author Marie Benedict for penning another fantastic story & publisher St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the advanced eARC.
** All opinions are my own **
🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬
Thank you to author Marie Benedict for penning another fantastic story & publisher St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the advanced eARC.
** All opinions are my own **
🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬 🐪 🇪🇬
March 11, 2026
A pharaoh. An archaeologist. Both women ahead of their time. This is the feminist historical fiction I didn't know I needed.
I've read maybe two books that mentioned the woman pharaoh Hatshepsut, erased from history with no one knowing what truly transpired. This book puts its twist on what could have been. Her story was rich with political intrigue, a romance that was not meant to be, and sacrifice for those she held dear. Her POV was my favorite part of this book.
The second timeline focused on Evelyn in 1919, when archaeologists' interests were directed toward Egypt, excavating tombs for profit. Evelyn's goal was finding Hatshepsut's tomb while her father and his partner Howard Carter were more focused on Tutankhamun's. There was danger and unrest during this time that the author captured beautifully. Evelyn's quest to find the woman pharaoh's tomb explored the practices of that era, which was both informational and thought-provoking.
Audio experience: Bessie Carter narrated Evelyn and captured the timeline's nuances in accent and intonation. Listening felt like being transported to England in 1919. Suehyla El-Attar brought Hatshepsut to life. I heard a fierce pharaoh who constantly had to be on her guard and use her intelligence to keep her throne and maintain a peaceful Egypt.
You'll love this if: You want feminist historical fiction about women reclaiming their place in history, dual timelines, and archaeological intrigue.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.
I've read maybe two books that mentioned the woman pharaoh Hatshepsut, erased from history with no one knowing what truly transpired. This book puts its twist on what could have been. Her story was rich with political intrigue, a romance that was not meant to be, and sacrifice for those she held dear. Her POV was my favorite part of this book.
The second timeline focused on Evelyn in 1919, when archaeologists' interests were directed toward Egypt, excavating tombs for profit. Evelyn's goal was finding Hatshepsut's tomb while her father and his partner Howard Carter were more focused on Tutankhamun's. There was danger and unrest during this time that the author captured beautifully. Evelyn's quest to find the woman pharaoh's tomb explored the practices of that era, which was both informational and thought-provoking.
Audio experience: Bessie Carter narrated Evelyn and captured the timeline's nuances in accent and intonation. Listening felt like being transported to England in 1919. Suehyla El-Attar brought Hatshepsut to life. I heard a fierce pharaoh who constantly had to be on her guard and use her intelligence to keep her throne and maintain a peaceful Egypt.
You'll love this if: You want feminist historical fiction about women reclaiming their place in history, dual timelines, and archaeological intrigue.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.
March 4, 2026
This book was amazing. I loved the story of these two strong women centuries apart with similarities. The author’s writing made me feel like I was in Egypt eager to learn and take part. This is absolutely a must read.
August 5, 2025
History! Mystery! And Just A Touch Of Romance!
Daughter of Egypt is about two very brave, determined women ahead of their time. Lady Evelyn Herbert, the daughter of Lord Carnarvon of the famous Highclere Castle noted for his archaeological find of King Tutankamun’s tomb, draws us into the story by saying “History has always been my chosen companion.” She is determined to find the tomb of the female Pharaoh Hatsheput, a mystery to this day. Hatsheput was almost completely erased from history. Eve hoped for a world where no woman is ever erased. Hatsheput, the daughter of the most influential man of the time, Pharaoh Thutmose I, was given the opportunity to study by his side as a son would. She became God’s wife of Amun which enabled her to move forward in her position to become Pharaoh, unheard of for a woman. All new ideas cause their share of strife as her reign did. Even though she accomplished much good for her people, gender was always an issue. Egypt in all its splendor amid mysteries and political upheavals in two time periods is all in this story to enjoy. There is just a touch of romance for both women making them appear more relatable to readers of the genre. Eve and Hatsheput are forward thinkers especially in regard to women as equals in worlds that hadn’t quite caught up yet. Eve’s quote at the end left much to dwell on. “History is shaped – or erased – to fit the narrative its tellers want or need to share.” The history I’ve enjoyed in this book has left me reaching for more about the Pharaoh Hatsheput as well as the excavation of Tutankamun’s tomb. The possible answers to the mystery of Hatsheput are intriguing and truly fascinating. I enjoyed Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict and believe anyone interested in History, Egypt, Hatsheput, Tutankamun or just a good old-fashioned mystery would enjoy it as well. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Daughter of Egypt is about two very brave, determined women ahead of their time. Lady Evelyn Herbert, the daughter of Lord Carnarvon of the famous Highclere Castle noted for his archaeological find of King Tutankamun’s tomb, draws us into the story by saying “History has always been my chosen companion.” She is determined to find the tomb of the female Pharaoh Hatsheput, a mystery to this day. Hatsheput was almost completely erased from history. Eve hoped for a world where no woman is ever erased. Hatsheput, the daughter of the most influential man of the time, Pharaoh Thutmose I, was given the opportunity to study by his side as a son would. She became God’s wife of Amun which enabled her to move forward in her position to become Pharaoh, unheard of for a woman. All new ideas cause their share of strife as her reign did. Even though she accomplished much good for her people, gender was always an issue. Egypt in all its splendor amid mysteries and political upheavals in two time periods is all in this story to enjoy. There is just a touch of romance for both women making them appear more relatable to readers of the genre. Eve and Hatsheput are forward thinkers especially in regard to women as equals in worlds that hadn’t quite caught up yet. Eve’s quote at the end left much to dwell on. “History is shaped – or erased – to fit the narrative its tellers want or need to share.” The history I’ve enjoyed in this book has left me reaching for more about the Pharaoh Hatsheput as well as the excavation of Tutankamun’s tomb. The possible answers to the mystery of Hatsheput are intriguing and truly fascinating. I enjoyed Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict and believe anyone interested in History, Egypt, Hatsheput, Tutankamun or just a good old-fashioned mystery would enjoy it as well. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
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