Mara is a slave girl, cocky, proud, and resentful of her life. When her attempt to escape from her cruel master catches the eye of one of Queen Hatshepsut's spies, Mara jumps at the chance that he offers: become a spy for the queen and find out how the captive Thutmose III is getting secret messages—in exchange for her freedom. On the way to her role as interpreter in the palace, Mara runs across Lord Sheftu. Mistaking her for a runaway slave, he blackmails her into joining his plot to restore the rightful king to the throne—by secretly delivering messages for Thutmose III.
Having no real loyalty, Mara decides to play both sides as a double agent until the balance of power tips one way or the other. But her plan is not that simple, for against her will she begins to believe in the cause of the earnest and charming Lord Sheftu. Mara finds herself caught once again—but this time a power struggle that will claim her, heart and soul.
McGraw's Egyptian fiction is incomparable. In Mara, Daughter of the Nile she succesfully sets a political thriller and romance in the unlikely time period of ancient Egypt. And she does it well. From the roaring Nile to the cool stone palace, the suffocation of a pharoah's tomb to the sweltering heat of the desert, she brings the atmosphere of ancient Egypt vividly to life.
This is required reading for more than a few history curriculums, but it's good reading in its own right. Mara is plucky, resourceful, strong-minded and quick-tempered. Her romance with the noble Lord Sheftu has spark and wit, and is grounded by more than just chemistry, and the intrigue and action is properly dramatic and thrilling. This is historical fiction at its best.
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Review by Lauren Shearer
Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews here.
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Review by Lauren Shearer
Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews
here.
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