The Heretic Queen [Paperback]

MICHELLE MORAN (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: QUERCUS PUBLISHING PLC; 1st Edition/1st Printing edition (2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847247229
• ISBN-13: 978-1847247223
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,316,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michelle Moran was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA. She took an interest in writing from an early age, purchasing Writer's Market and submitting her stories and novellas to publishers from the time she was twelve. When she was accepted into Pomona College she took as many classes as possible in British Literature, particularly Milton, Chaucer, and the Bard. Not surprisingly, she majored in English while she was there. Following a summer in Israel where she worked as a volunteer archaeologist, she earned an MA from the Claremont Graduate University.

Michelle has traveled around the world, from Zimbabwe to India, and her experiences at archaeological sites were what inspired her to write historical fiction. She is the international bestselling author of Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter. Her fourth novel, Madame Tussaud, was released on February 15, 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Michelle Moran hits a home run with her second novel!, September 27, 2008

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LCW - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Heretic Queen: A Novel (Hardcover)

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 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 one of the greatest love stories in history.

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

5/5 stars

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful novel, October 4, 2008

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S. McGee (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Heretic Queen: A Novel (Hardcover)

A bookseller that I have often ordered from has a special category for novels like this -- they are called "Thumping Good Reads". It's a category devised especially for novels that never aspire to be literature (no Virginia Woolf or James Joyce opus would qualify, perhaps) but provide hours of enjoyment and immersion in a parallel fictional universe. This novel -- as well as Moran's debut offering -- qualifies hands down.

The heroine is daughter of that first novel's central character, Nefertiti's sister Mutnodjmet. Aside from some chronological issues (you will have to close your eyes to the fact that too many years have elapsed, chronologically, for that parentage to be valid), Moran draws on an obviously extensive knowledge of ancient Egypt, and meshes that with compelling fiction. It's hard to find novels that can combine the two as effortlessly as she manages to do. It's so seamless, in fact, that you find yourself never questioning whether something is fact or fiction; instead, you are caught up in the story of Nefertari's efforts to achieve her destiny as Ramesses' chief wife and co-ruler. Which is just as it should be.

While Moran has set herself a challenge here -- living up to a great first book, and doing it based on a heroine who, compared to Nefertiti, is almost completely unknown beyond the world of Egyptology scholars -- she has succeeded triumphantly. I was gripped from the opening paragraphs, and was angry when I had to turn off my Kindle and stop reading when my plane landed.

By the way, while you're waiting for Moran's next book (which I am, eagerly -- her books now go onto my "must buy as soon as they are published" list) you may want to check out some of the novels by Pauline Gedge, the only other writer I know of to write fiction that is as believable and compelling as Moran.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Michelle Moran does it again!, September 16, 2008

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YA Librarian "http://yabookmarks.blogspot.com/" (Always Cloudy Upstate NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heretic Queen: A Novel (Hardcover)

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 the biblical Mosses 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. Morgan 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.

For those 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!