Book Review: The Pharaoh’s Daughter
The Pharaoh’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Date: March 17, 2015
So a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…no wait. Wrong story. There once was a baby that was sent down the river in a basket. There we go. Right story! Everyone knows that one don’t they? Basket is found by Pharaoh’s daughter and very long story short – everyone lives mostly happily ever after. But this, Pharaoh’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews, is a completely new glimpse of this tale. The title give you the clue that it’s obviously told from one of the key players we don’t often hear about: Pharaoh’s Daughter. I still figured I knew everything that was coming. I figured wrong.
From the moment I picked this book up, it was different, unique, and fascinating. Anippe was raised with the understanding that Anubis hovered around every corner. At any time, he could show up and steal you to the afterlife. For a child, this was not a pleasant thought. And knowing that you are someone else’s namesake in order to fool Anubis into taking you first? That adds an all new level of stress and terror.
Mesu Andrews took a story that we all know and she didn’t just breathe new life into it – she recreated it completely. When I picked this book up, I figured it was another historical novel retelling a Bible story. They’re okay. I like them. I enjoy the insight into my favorite people from the Bible. But those books don’t always get me excited about reading. This book absolutely shocked me with how good it was. This was so much more than anything I’d imagined! I mean really – I know the Moses story. I just read through it for my own personal devotions a few weeks ago. But this book had me so on edge, I had no idea what was coming next! I loved it!
If you want rich historical detail, beautiful characters and intricately woven storytelling, this is most definitely the book for you. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Don’t miss this one!