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racheln23's review
5.0
This was a nice sized book and was perfect for before bed reading, as it wasn’t a page-turner but it was a great companion every day before bed.
The writing was fluid. I honestly did not know much about Hatshepsut before reading this, and now I’m curious to read up on the specific facts of everything presented in the book. I guess architecture was probably a very important aspect of her reign, which was maybe just a little slightly boring.
Although the story was compelling and I am sure the details that were filled in were believable, I do think that with as much as the Egyptians worshiped their gods and had such elaborate burials and tombs, I think the novel was lacking in some compelling magical element to get the reader to believe in why the Egyptians believed in the gods, if that makes sense.
A million stars to the character development on Senmut! 🤩😍
The writing was fluid. I honestly did not know much about Hatshepsut before reading this, and now I’m curious to read up on the specific facts of everything presented in the book. I guess architecture was probably a very important aspect of her reign, which was maybe just a little slightly boring.
Although the story was compelling and I am sure the details that were filled in were believable, I do think that with as much as the Egyptians worshiped their gods and had such elaborate burials and tombs, I think the novel was lacking in some compelling magical element to get the reader to believe in why the Egyptians believed in the gods, if that makes sense.
A million stars to the character development on Senmut! 🤩😍
lizzieaxxe's review
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
geolatin's review
5.0
I first read this when I was 13 or 14 and loved it. Now, several decades later, it holds up to my fond memories. This is fun to read in conjunction with "Mara, Daughter of the Nile", because it's more or less the same story from 2 different perspectives.
firerosearien's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderfully evokes Ancient Egypt, although some plot points strain credulity.
jlynnelseauthor's review
3.0
The language of this is so poetic. "The night folded around them with a sweetness and poignancy heightened by the new pale stars that prickled silver fire in the water of the lily ponds, by the scented winds, and by the nearness of each other." Wow! Lovely.
Gedge is vivid in her descriptions of the ancient land and the lifestyle. Her narrative is rich and beautiful. Conversely, this could also cause the story to drag a bit. And while some things are richly defined, other moments (like the raising of Hatshepsut's two oblieseks) were vague and hard to clearly see in your mind's eye. There was also no clear definition of time, place, or family written into the story. Time transitions were poor and a bit confusing.
The other thing the author does is shift the point of view quickly. At one moment you're seeing things in Hatshepsut's mind, but then it switches to her father's point of view without warning, and then it switches to his viser's, etc. It was hard to follow sometimes.
Overall, this story is based on the known history of the time. While now-a-days some of these thoughts are now known to be inaccurate, all historical novels are in danger of falling into this trap, so you cannot fault the book because of this. Its a good story of a strong woman who easily shows others what a real women is made of. She's smart, vibrant, and strong in body and spirit. Its a story with a strong female protagonist leading the journey. Its a good story which unfortunately got a little slow here and there. Nice story and well written but a little too much conversation.
Gedge is vivid in her descriptions of the ancient land and the lifestyle. Her narrative is rich and beautiful. Conversely, this could also cause the story to drag a bit. And while some things are richly defined, other moments (like the raising of Hatshepsut's two oblieseks) were vague and hard to clearly see in your mind's eye. There was also no clear definition of time, place, or family written into the story. Time transitions were poor and a bit confusing.
The other thing the author does is shift the point of view quickly. At one moment you're seeing things in Hatshepsut's mind, but then it switches to her father's point of view without warning, and then it switches to his viser's, etc. It was hard to follow sometimes.
Overall, this story is based on the known history of the time. While now-a-days some of these thoughts are now known to be inaccurate, all historical novels are in danger of falling into this trap, so you cannot fault the book because of this. Its a good story of a strong woman who easily shows others what a real women is made of. She's smart, vibrant, and strong in body and spirit. Its a story with a strong female protagonist leading the journey. Its a good story which unfortunately got a little slow here and there. Nice story and well written but a little too much conversation.
emileaf626's review
2.0
This book didn't hold my attention well. It can't be easy to make something like ancient Egypt that uninteresting.
This would obviously be the fault of the publisher rather than the author, but the ebook copy I read was full of typos. Periods in the middle of sentences. Multiple sentences lacking any punctuation at all. Random misspellings were scattered throughout the book, including spelling Hatshepsut as Hafshepsut, and God as Cod.
I initially read this book because of the introduction by Michelle Moran, who is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I recommend skipping this book altogether, and reading Moran instead.
This would obviously be the fault of the publisher rather than the author, but the ebook copy I read was full of typos. Periods in the middle of sentences. Multiple sentences lacking any punctuation at all. Random misspellings were scattered throughout the book, including spelling Hatshepsut as Hafshepsut, and God as Cod.
I initially read this book because of the introduction by Michelle Moran, who is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I recommend skipping this book altogether, and reading Moran instead.
muddler's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lisa_setepenre's review
5.0
In all honestly, I'm not too fussed on Hatshepsut, but this made me love her . Okay, she did come across as a little too good to be true at some points, but Gedge really made me love her.
One of the things I really adored is the complexity in the relationships Gedge creates. While some Egyptologists love the idea of Thutmose III and Hatshepsut hating each other as bitter rivals and Child of the Morning does, to a degree, conform to this, the relationship between the two rivals is marked by a great deal of affection, even love.
Another thing I have to mention is the relationship between Hatshepsut and Senmut – it's a thing of incredible beauty.
I don't agree with all of the decisions Gedge made, particularly that ending, but it's an amazing, amazing read that I loved every page of.
One of the things I really adored is the complexity in the relationships Gedge creates. While some Egyptologists love the idea of Thutmose III and Hatshepsut hating each other as bitter rivals and Child of the Morning does, to a degree, conform to this, the relationship between the two rivals is marked by a great deal of affection, even love.
Another thing I have to mention is the relationship between Hatshepsut and Senmut – it's a thing of incredible beauty.
I don't agree with all of the decisions Gedge made, particularly that ending, but it's an amazing, amazing read that I loved every page of.