In this novel, Nefertari is the niece of Nefertiti, although there is no documentation of this relationship. In the novel, Ramesses has been the playmate of Nefertari all her life. As the story opens, she has followed nine-year-old Ramesses to the temple of Amun. Ramesses had gone there to ask this chief of the gods to spare the life of his six year old sister, Pili. Pili lay seriously ill inside the palace. Her parents, Pharaoh Seti and Queen Tuya would not leave her side.

The fact that the Pharoah did not come himself to the temple to pray angered Rahotep, high priest of Amun. He told Ramesses that he would not intercede for Pili. Unless Seti came in person, Pili woujld die. Thus Ramesses became the only livng child of Seti and Tuya.

Nefertari was the daughter of a queen who had died giving birth to her only child. Nefertari grew up as a princess, sort of an orphan of the court. Because of Nefertiti, Nefertari was called a heretic. After all, hadn’t Nefertiti and her husband, Akhenaten, abandoned Egypt’s gods and worshipped one god whom they called Aton?

Even though it’s fiction, the story of Nefertari’s rise from hated princess to beloved queen is an absorbing one. I’ve always found ancient history fascinating. This jaunt into Egypt’s past is a plausible story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I think you will too. And when you’re shopping for The Heretic Queen picked up its companion Nefertiti. You’re in for a treat.