The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran

[Divia]

As we all know the Heretic Queen is Ms. Moran’s second book. Once again she explores the ancient world of Egypt, something very few historical fiction authors have done.

The novel is about Nefetari who is well versed in various languages, doesn’t shy away from warfare and is a very intelligent young woman. However, she is niece of Nefertiti and with that comes a lot of baggage. Since her aunt is called the “heretic queen” Nefertari is seen as an unimportant princess. Nefetari is dislike by the people, those at court don’t want her around, and people shun her. Nefetari’s family name has been tarnished and their sins cast a shadow over everything she wants to accomplish in life. How can she become the wife of Ramesses when everyone around Nefetari hates her? Iset, Ramesses first wife, seeks to become his Chief Wife and keep Nefetari at bay. Determined to have the world remember her family’s name she seeks to win Ramesses heart and become Chief Wife while those around her try to destroy her.

For those looking for Mosses in the novel, he’s not in it, and Ms. Moran explains why she left him out in her historical note. Personally, I’m not a fan of biblical stories so I didn’t miss Moses in the novel.

I know nothing about Egypt. I think most of us have studied it in high school, and maybe took a course in college. I don’t remember much, and when I read The Heretic Queen I was pleased to see Ms. Moran gives sufficient details in her novel without it becoming longwinded or like a history lecture. There is a fine line to be walked, and I think she did it wonderfully. As a reader I felt immersed in Egyptian culture.

At the back of the novel there is also a glossary of terms and a religious calendar to help readers. Also, there is an essay in the back about how Ms. Moran used historical facts, but when needed she bridged those facts with some creative writing.

Those who who enjoyed Nefertiti they will enjoy The Heretic Queen because it has the same blend of interesting characters, back stabbing plots and great historical detail. I look forward to Cleopatra’s Daughter!

[LCW]

Great review! I can't wait to get my copy. I'm not supposed to get it until the 17th though!

I have a question: Why is the title called The Heretic Queen if the book is about the heretic queen's (Nefertiti) niece?

[Kailana]

I am still waiting for my copy of this book! Mail to Canada is soooo slow!

[Spitfire]

I am still waiting for my copy of this book! Mail to Canada is soooo slow!
Yes, I hear you, being from Canada too! I think we always get the tail end of everything up here! Still waiting for a copy myself!

[Divia]

Great review! I can't wait to get my copy. I'm not supposed to get it until the 17th though!

I have a question: Why is the title called The Heretic Queen if the book is about the heretic queen's (Nefertiti) niece?


Well "heretic queen" is thrown around a lot in the novel. I think it plays such a huge influence on Nefetari and almost defines her as a person. Plus I also believe the people of Egypt called Nefetari the heretic queen too. It really does overshadow her character and Nefetari has to win the people's trust and love, which is something she struggles with.

[Telynor]

Nefertari is a rather interesting figure in Egyptian history. I've studied a bit about her, and always found her rather skipped in most of the books about Ramses II that I've read -- what I can say with certainty is that she was important enough to him that she had a temple at Abu Simbel, she had a tomb to herself in the VQ, and that she was one of his favourite wives. I've got this one on preorder, and it should be landing on my doorstep sometime next week.

[amyb]

Here is a link to my review if anyone is interested...

http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/2008/09/heretic-queen.html

[LCW]

Here's my review

"Having read and enjoyed Nefertiti, I was really looking forward to reading this novel. I admit it was with a little trepidation as so often a much anticipated novel fails to live up to expectations, at least mine anyway!! I'm happy to report that this novel not only lived up to its hype but it exceeded it by far.

This is the story of Nefertari, niece of Nefertiti, the "Heretic Queen" and Ramses II. There is a beautiful love story between Ramses and Nefertarti, plenty of palace intrigue and plotting and scheming, battles, wars, pirates, evil priests, loyal friends, grand palaces, and even grander tombs. The author does such a good job of describing ancient Egypt that even though I know next to nothing about it, it came alive for me as I read. I could smell the figs wafting on the breeze, hear the roar of crowds, and practically see the grandeur of Egypt's Nineteenth dynasty.

Nefertari was a far more likeable heroine than Nefertiti and Rameses was a real hero as opposed to the self absorbed slightly psychotic Akhenaten from the author's first novel. The love story between Rameses and Nefertari was all the more special because it is real. Declarations of such as: "My love is unique--no one can rival her, for she is the most beautiful woman alive. Just by passing, she has stolen away my heart" have stood for centuries as testament to Rameses great love for Nefertiti. How cool is that!!

If you liked Nefertiti, you will love The Heretic Queen. I highly recommend it!"


I still don't get the title though! Nefertiti was "the heretic queen" and this novel wasn't about her so what's up??? It was a great novel though and due to the days of enjoyment it gave me I'm willing to overlook this tiny flaw! :D:p:D

[Tanzanite]

I thought the titled made reference to the whispers that went on about Nefertari (and not even behind her back) and people referring to her as "the heretic queen" as derogatory (sp?) namecalling and a slam against her for her relationship to Nefertiti. I could easily be wrong though...

[Divia]

Yeah thats what I thought too. Since she was related to Nefertiti she was also viewed as heretic Queen. ButI could be wrong on that.

[michellemoran]

Tanzanite, Divia - that's exactly it. I have been getting Lila's question (which is a good one) emailed to me a lot, and it's probably something my publishers will even ask in the Q&A at the back of the paperback version. Ultimately, I struggled a great deal in trying to find a title for this novel. As I mentioned on other blogs, a more appropriate title for the book would certainly have been The Warrior Queen, but that sounded too much like a fantasy novel, and with the ambiguous cover, I didn’t want to risk that. Even Nefertari would have been appropriate, but that sounded too much like Nefertiti. So ultimately, I chose The Heretic Queen because I wanted the book to focus on how the sins of the older generation can be visited upon the young, and the question of whether Nefertari would ever be able to overcome that.

[LCW]

Maybe it could've been My Aunt: The Heretic Queen, lol! Kidding! I get what you're saying about the difficulty involved. All joking aside I think Nefertariwould've been a great title. Either way, the book was great! Whatcha workin' on next?

[Divia]

The Warrior Queen makes me think of Buddica (sp) I can see why you wouldnt want that or Nefetari cause it does look a lot like Nefertiti

[michellemoran]

Lila: My next book will be Cleopatra's Daughter (http://www.michellemoran.com/upcoming.htm), and I'm really excited about it!!!!

A director named Brady Hall and I just finished making the book trailer for the novel (the process starts early and the book cover shown at the very end scene is a stand-in)! Here (http://www.michellemoran.com/upcoming.htm)are two of the versions he made.

Unfortunately, it was only after I saw the final cut that I realized my main character (Cleopatra's Daughter) is wearing a crocheted shawl in one the scenes!!!!! Sigh... I guess you can't have everything! ;)

[Carine]

Woaw, that is something to look forward to again Michelle !!!
But first I'm going to enjoy The Heretic Queen, which I'm about to start !!

[Vanessa]

Look forward to it, Michelle!

[Divia]

OMG that looks HOT!

I cannot wait!

[LCW]

Can't wait for the new novel! It looks great! Although I'm glad the cover that was shown is just a stand in. Look's a little too romancy and cheesy!

BTW, Cleopatra's daughter looks caucasion. If she was 1/2 Egyptian wouldn't she look more....African? What did the ancient Egyptians look like? I always thought they were dark but with maybe smaller lips and narrower noses than the more Southern African peoples. But I could be way off base. Today Egyptians look almost Arabic but do we know generally how they looked back then??

[michellemoran]

Thank you everyone who commented on the trailer! A lot of blood sweat and tears went into it (well, on the director's part ;))

And Lila, great question! Queen Cleopatra (properly spelled with a "K") was Macedonian, and the Macedonians of the time, like the Greeks, had very light skin and light hair (many were blonde. The Greeks you see today are mixes). This was a topic I wanted to be sure to get right for the book, so I met with several biological anthropologists while in Greece who confirmed my research. Funny, isn't it? So Elizabeth Taylor wasn't too far off...

As for the Egyptians, there was great racial diversity. Microscopic analysis of Ramesses the Great's hair shows he was a red head, while other Pharaohs (such as Piye) were clearly from southern Africa.

[Carine]

I finished The Heretic Queen last night and enjoyed it very very much. I was sorry to finish it ! A superb novel ! I'm already looking forward to your next novel Michelle !!

[cw gortner]

I'm reading it now - and I should be working!:o I'm completely enthralled

[Margaret]

I just finished reading The Heretic Queen and enjoyed it very much. My review is posted at http://www.HistoricalNovels.info/Heretic-Queen.html. I wrote the review before reading this thread, and actually picked a passage from Chapter 10 to quote in my review that explains the title. During the wedding procession, the Egyptian people lining the streets greet Nefertari by shouting that she is "Another Heretic Queen!" Perhaps I was less puzzled by the title than others, because I haven't read Nefertiti yet and so came to The Heretic Queen without any preconceptions. I do think The Heretic Queen easily stands on its own.

[Erika Mailman]

The Heretic Queen is a really eye-catching title, and in today's crowded marketplace that counts for a lot. And The Heretic's Niece just doesn't have the same ring!

[Ellie]

I finally got hold of it on Friday night (its Sunday in Australia btw) and finished it this morning. I loved it! We had Xmas family get togethers all weekend and I was tired from work so finding time to read was hard but when I was able to read I could't put it down. I already new about Nefertari but found my self still anxious about her future, brilliant stuff can't wait for the next book. A perfect 10!

[Ellie]

Wait! One problem. It was waaaay to short... I wanted it much longer. Michelle, are you planning on maybe some day writing a sequel on Nefertari to cover her later life?

[Andromeda_Organa]

I got it from the library and had to buy it b/c I dropped it in the tub!

[EC2]

Crikey - given the subject matter, I hope it was ass's milk - LOL!

[michellemoran]

Ellie, I'm so glad you liked it!!!! No, I don't think I'll be writing a sequel (although I would love to!). Sequels are notoriously difficult to sell, unless the first book has gone absolutely blockbuster. Instead, my next book will be Cleopatra's Daughter, and my agent and I are already planning for books four and five, which will probably be set either in Rome or the Middle Ages (my two great loves).

And Andromeda, I'm sorry to hear about your tub catastrophe. I ruined a book once that way. Unfortunately for me, it was a rare book from the library that cost $72 to replace (and that was because I went out and purchased it... they wanted to charge me $160)!

[Divia]

I'm glad you are thinking about future books :)

[Susan]

Instead, my next book will be Cleopatra's Daughter, and my agent and I are already planning for books four and five, which will probably be set either in Rome or the Middle Ages (my two great loves).

Michelle, what wonderful news about books four and five. I loved both of your books and eagerly await your future ones. I love Rome and obviously the Middle Ages also.

[michellemoran]

Thank you Divia and Susan!!! I'll post on my website as soon as I have news, which probably won't be until late Jan/early Feb, since the pub industry basically shuts down over the Holidays.

[Kasthu]

Ellie, I'm so glad you liked it!!!! No, I don't think I'll be writing a sequel (although I would love to!). Sequels are notoriously difficult to sell, unless the first book has gone absolutely blockbuster. Instead, my next book will be Cleopatra's Daughter, and my agent and I are already planning for books four and five, which will probably be set either in Rome or the Middle Ages (my two great loves).

So glad that you have a new book coming out! And I'm glad to hear that you may be making forays into Rome and the middle ages--they're fascinating periods.

[Andromeda_Organa]

What country do you plan to write about in the Middle Ages?

[michellemoran]

Possibly England, with a touch of France and Castile.

[Andromeda_Organa]

Oooh! I love England!

[ellenjane]

Please pardon me raising this thread from the dead, but I just finished The Heretic Queen and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. I watched "The Ten Commandments" a lot as a child, and it was interesting to see that storyline from a completely different angle. (A very different angle.) The authors' notes on that topic were very interesting.


Oh, as an aside - the only library book I have ever dropped in the bath was one of the Babysitter's Club books. I had to do chores to pay my mom back for the fee she had to pay to the library. :p