A review by p12rochakt
Nefertiti: The Book of the Dead, by Nick Drake
3.0
This is my first excursion into historical ficton, so kindly bear with me.
The book takes you on a journey to ancient Egypt (ca. 1350 BC). The great queen Nefertiti (sobriquet "The Perfect One") has mysteriously disappeared just before the King ("Akhenaten") has announced a festival to commemorate his overhaul of Egyptian religion (and by extension, politics).
Which brings our hero, Rahotep (the "Seeker of Mysteries") into the fray. Leaving his peaceful familial existence behind, the seeker must now trace the queen and return her in time before the festival to save the king embarrassment. Should he fail, threats to him and his family are made in no uncertain terms.
Rahotep balances through the quagmire of Egyptian politics and the envy of local police ("Medjay"), while constantly watching over his back for unknown yet potent adversaries out to get him, even as the time is running out.
The setting, character profiling and exploration of ancient Egypt (I did have to Google this) gratify my inner nerd sufficiently enough, so I am tempted to give it a 4 (this is after all my first historical fiction read). However, I certainly found the book lacking in terms of the mystery itself, maybe just a 2 then? (Admittedly, Ms. Christie has spoiled me for mysteries forever.)
I think I will settle this with a 3.
READER ADVISORY: Contains descriptions of graphic violence. May induce nightmares in over-imaginative readers.
The book takes you on a journey to ancient Egypt (ca. 1350 BC). The great queen Nefertiti (sobriquet "The Perfect One") has mysteriously disappeared just before the King ("Akhenaten") has announced a festival to commemorate his overhaul of Egyptian religion (and by extension, politics).
Which brings our hero, Rahotep (the "Seeker of Mysteries") into the fray. Leaving his peaceful familial existence behind, the seeker must now trace the queen and return her in time before the festival to save the king embarrassment. Should he fail, threats to him and his family are made in no uncertain terms.
Rahotep balances through the quagmire of Egyptian politics and the envy of local police ("Medjay"), while constantly watching over his back for unknown yet potent adversaries out to get him, even as the time is running out.
The setting, character profiling and exploration of ancient Egypt (I did have to Google this) gratify my inner nerd sufficiently enough, so I am tempted to give it a 4 (this is after all my first historical fiction read). However, I certainly found the book lacking in terms of the mystery itself, maybe just a 2 then? (Admittedly, Ms. Christie has spoiled me for mysteries forever.)
I think I will settle this with a 3.
READER ADVISORY: Contains descriptions of graphic violence. May induce nightmares in over-imaginative readers.