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The Forgotten #2
The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic
It is a time of new beginnings! Pharaoh Akhenaten has declared that there is only one god to be worshipped throughout Egypt. He has also made a promise to his oldest daughter, Merytaten, that one day she will be his heir and the future pharaoh. However, as pressures build up against the new religion, it falls upon Akhenaten's wife, Nefertiti, and Merytaten to help prevent an insurrection.
Merytaten soon finds herself trapped in a world of broken dreams and empty promises. When she loses the meaning to her life, how can she possibly help the citizens? What can she do to assist the people who are falling into poverty? How can she save those she loves when Death's shadow looms large across the city?
Discover the struggles and triumphs of one young woman's lifetime...
"Heir of the Heretic" is book 2 of 'The Forgotten' series by J. Lynn Else. Learn more at www.teasippinnerdymom.com. And be sure to check out book 1 of 'The Forgotten' series, "Aten's Last Queen."
Merytaten soon finds herself trapped in a world of broken dreams and empty promises. When she loses the meaning to her life, how can she possibly help the citizens? What can she do to assist the people who are falling into poverty? How can she save those she loves when Death's shadow looms large across the city?
Discover the struggles and triumphs of one young woman's lifetime...
"Heir of the Heretic" is book 2 of 'The Forgotten' series by J. Lynn Else. Learn more at www.teasippinnerdymom.com. And be sure to check out book 1 of 'The Forgotten' series, "Aten's Last Queen."
- GenresHistorical Fiction
450 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2016
6 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
J. Lynn Else
7 books116 followersJ. LYNN ELSE is an award-winning author from Minnesota who’s self-published two historical fiction novels set in ancient Egypt, “The Forgotten: Aten’s Last Queen (2013),” which was named an Indie Editor’s Choice book for 2016 by the Historical Novel Society, and “The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic (2016)” as well as a sci fi novella “Strangely Constructed Souls (2018).” Through Inklings Publishing, she’s authored an Arthurian-influenced, female-driven fantasy trilogy, “Descendants of Avalon” (2018), “Lost Daughters of Avalon” (2019), and “Destiny of Avalon” (2021).” Her short story “The Girl from the Haunted Woods,” won 2nd place in the “Journey into the Fantastical” Anthology contest. From 2021 to 2025, she served as the Indie Reviews Editor for the Historical Novel Society. She believes in unicorns and practicing random acts of awesome.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 27, 2018
Merytaten is Akhenaten and Nefertiti’s oldest daughter. Because a son had not yet been born, Merytaten is raised to be the next pharaoh. However, her dreams of ruling are crushed when her father becomes obsessed withgetting a healthy son. She is married off to her evil cousin Smenkhkare, who is chosen to be Akhenaten’s successor. Merytaten watches her people’s suffering as both her father and husband lusts for power. Can Merytaten stand up to her husband and help her citizens?
Merytaten is a wonderful character. I loved her more than Ankhesenamun. She is a very mature character. She suffers a lot and witnesses her dreams being taken away from her. Merytaten must learn how to make the best of the situation that is given to her. She is wise and is not afraid to stand up to her enemies. However, the reason why I love Merytaten more than Ankhesenamun is that she is selfless. She is not afraid to risk her life in order to help her people. She is a loving and caring individual. I hated to read the suffering that she went through and hoped that she would find happiness in the novel.
Overall, this book is about faith, love, family, duty, and sacrifice. I thought that all the characters were very realistic. I thought that this novel was very fast-paced and full of action. The only thing I did not like about The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic was the ending. It reminded of the ending of Tess of the d'Urbervilles. I thought that Merytaten deserved a better fate than what she was given in the novel. However, The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic is a thought-provoking read that will linger with you long after you have read the last page. I have to add that even though this is the sequel to The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen, it reads more like a prequel. I suggest that you read this book first in order to get a better understanding of the events that happen in The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen. Thus, I recommend this novel for fans of Kiya, The She-King, and Nefertiti.
Merytaten is a wonderful character. I loved her more than Ankhesenamun. She is a very mature character. She suffers a lot and witnesses her dreams being taken away from her. Merytaten must learn how to make the best of the situation that is given to her. She is wise and is not afraid to stand up to her enemies. However, the reason why I love Merytaten more than Ankhesenamun is that she is selfless. She is not afraid to risk her life in order to help her people. She is a loving and caring individual. I hated to read the suffering that she went through and hoped that she would find happiness in the novel.
Overall, this book is about faith, love, family, duty, and sacrifice. I thought that all the characters were very realistic. I thought that this novel was very fast-paced and full of action. The only thing I did not like about The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic was the ending. It reminded of the ending of Tess of the d'Urbervilles. I thought that Merytaten deserved a better fate than what she was given in the novel. However, The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic is a thought-provoking read that will linger with you long after you have read the last page. I have to add that even though this is the sequel to The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen, it reads more like a prequel. I suggest that you read this book first in order to get a better understanding of the events that happen in The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen. Thus, I recommend this novel for fans of Kiya, The She-King, and Nefertiti.
September 15, 2018
Very well written, excellent historical fiction. The ending was dramatic. (spoiler alert) Too bad Mayati and Kahotep could not be together.
The prose is rich, and is worthy of a movie script, with plenty of verifiable details.
One of my favorite phrases reads: "When dawn comes, dreams are forgotten."
I am glad my daughter picked this book up from our local library.
The prose is rich, and is worthy of a movie script, with plenty of verifiable details.
One of my favorite phrases reads: "When dawn comes, dreams are forgotten."
I am glad my daughter picked this book up from our local library.
November 1, 2017
The author did a lot of research and it paid off. The book was well written and the characters came to life. I enjoyed reading the book. Would recommend to anyone interested in Egyptian history.
July 12, 2018
Somewhat less engaging than her first book, The Heir of Heretic is written asking the same timeline but from a different sister's perspective.
December 30, 2019
An opinion.
Why is it necessary for authors to link Hebrew matters to Nefertitis family? If not for this this book would be a keeper
Why is it necessary for authors to link Hebrew matters to Nefertitis family? If not for this this book would be a keeper
December 17, 2016
Having enjoyed Aten's Last Queen, the first book in The Forgotten series, I anticipated the release of the second book quite eagerly, and I must say, disappointed I was not!
The same magical blend of meticulously researched history presented with poignantly vivid, realistic story of real-life characters and their daily lives and struggles kept me glued to my Kindle this time as well. Merytaten, or Mayati to those who loved her, is the leading voice in this different take to the turbulent time when Pharaoh Akhenaten decided that one god, Aten, would be more than enough to keep Egypt and its people happy and safe. He goes about it in the typical way of a tyrant who expects his 'divine' word to be taken for granted, even if this word contradicts something as basic as people's religious beliefs. But his principal wife, wise and beautiful Nefertiti knows better. And so does Merytaten, his firstborn daughter and the prospected heir. Together they try to prevent the disaster Akhenaten's rule is turning into, struggling against terrible odds and unscrupulous, often outright immoral, forces, standing tall against betrayal and deceit.
The story of Mayati is touching and often sad, beautiful in her human struggles and disappointments, her feelings strong, her beliefs firm and forceful. Often one wishes to hug her and help her along as much as one can, something the characters around her seem to reflect as well, those who love and care about her.
A beautiful story and an amazing history lesson. Highly recommended!
The same magical blend of meticulously researched history presented with poignantly vivid, realistic story of real-life characters and their daily lives and struggles kept me glued to my Kindle this time as well. Merytaten, or Mayati to those who loved her, is the leading voice in this different take to the turbulent time when Pharaoh Akhenaten decided that one god, Aten, would be more than enough to keep Egypt and its people happy and safe. He goes about it in the typical way of a tyrant who expects his 'divine' word to be taken for granted, even if this word contradicts something as basic as people's religious beliefs. But his principal wife, wise and beautiful Nefertiti knows better. And so does Merytaten, his firstborn daughter and the prospected heir. Together they try to prevent the disaster Akhenaten's rule is turning into, struggling against terrible odds and unscrupulous, often outright immoral, forces, standing tall against betrayal and deceit.
The story of Mayati is touching and often sad, beautiful in her human struggles and disappointments, her feelings strong, her beliefs firm and forceful. Often one wishes to hug her and help her along as much as one can, something the characters around her seem to reflect as well, those who love and care about her.
A beautiful story and an amazing history lesson. Highly recommended!
December 24, 2016
Set during the turbulent 'Amarna' period and told through Princess Merytaten's voice, "Heir of the Heretic" tells the story of Akhenaten and Nefertiti's revolutionary monotheistic reign and the consequences across the country as well as within their own family. Merytaten is their oldest daughter and is preparing to become Akhenaten's successor. However, when pressures mount against Ahkenaten and his new religion, Merytaten finds herself questioning her loyalties and her god. When Merytaten begins to see things from her citizen's point of view, she finds a new meaning to her life. But can she save her citizens from the growing madness rising in the palace? Discover the trials and triumphs of one young woman's lifetime.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews