A Reader's Respite knows that making decisions on which books to spend those little gift cards on can be agonizing. After all, we don't want to waste them on a book that turns out to be a dud.
And so after much contemplation, A Reader's Respite is here to make our Official 2008 Christmas Gift Card Purchase Suggestion:
Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran.
Published to much acclaim in 2007, Nefertiti was author Michelle Moran's debut novel. Ancient Egypt comes to life as the rise and fall of one of Egypt's greatest queens is told through the eyes of her sister, Mutnodjmet.
Vivid and compelling, if you've never read a historical fiction novel set in ancient Egypt before, this is THE ONE.
The Heretic Queen, by Michelle Moran.
Published in 2008, you can't go wrong with this follow-up novel to Nefertiti. Easily read as a stand-alone novel, The Heretic Queen is the story of the rise of Nefertari and her epic love story with Ramses the Great. The novel does include references to events in Nefertiti and is immensely satisfying when read as a sequel.
If you haven't read either of these novels, you are missing out on two rollicking good reads. Both are highly recommended and a sure-fire way to get the most out of those holiday gift cards. Happy reading!
I've got both of those books, but haven't had a chance to read them. :( I'm glad to see they're so good, though.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I'm willing to bet you'll love them. I have yet to read a negative or "meh" review on either of them. They really are fantastic books!
ReplyDeleteTotal agreement here, both were favorites of mine this year, Michelle Moran is wonderful!
ReplyDelete"Child of the Morning" by Pauline Gedge is another favorite of mine, set in Ancient Egypt and recounting the life of the amazing Queen Hatshepsut. "The Eagle and the Raven" by the same author is also excellent (it is about the warrior queen Boudicca in Ancient Britain).
This morning my husband looked at my huge TBR pile and said "Every one of these poor authors is patiently waiting for a review..."
Thanks alot, honey! Guess it is a good thing I didn't get any gift cards for Christmas....
I have to try to get to these in 2009. They've been on my list for a while now.
ReplyDeleteCarey -- I asked my husband to grab my book from "the pile next to the couch" for me. He stopped dead in his tracks, turned to me with the most incredulous look on his face and said, "You're joking, right? Exactly which pile are you referring to?" ha.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions, by the way! I'm off to look them up!
Beth - you would just love these books. Really. I'm picky, picky about HF (don't like fluff with my HF), but these are not fluff and at the same time highly readable....they don't get bogged down in descriptions or unnecessary details. Fast paced and page turners!
I have heard such good things about both of these. I think I will definitely be reading these in 2009.
ReplyDeleteJo-Jo...let me know if you end up reading them and what you think!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree that Michelle Moran is definitely a very accessible author to read if you are not normally a HF reader!
ReplyDeleteSadly I wound up with absolutely NO GIFT CARDS. However, I might still take your suggestions to heart! Enabler! lol
ReplyDeleteAndi - I only got a couple gift cards this year. I think people just assume if you are reading a bunch of arc's, then they don't need to get you any books or gift cards. How wrong they are, eh? :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about good as gold but I sure do love those things! I have an autographed copy of one of those and I read the other at the end of last month. I agree, it was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your recommendations! I've only read Nefertiti, though. I have The Heretic Queen, and I've heard from some people that it's better than the first book. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I've read both so I have to agree that they are very good choices on which to spend one's gift cards.
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