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# 6 Nefertiti

Wed to the Prince of Egypt at 15, Nefertiti lives only a life she could have dreamed off. But trouble brews when her husband breaks a thousand years of tradition in order to be remembered. When the nation is torn apart the princess must choose between family love and her power.

And book number 6 that I am reviewing is Nefertiti by Michelle Moran. I simply love the way she writes her novels! I love history, be it Greek or Egyptian there is always something captivating about it. i did not go out and buy this one, got it as my birthday gift from my best friend :D a book that I have always wanted!

The cover is interesting. The gold on dark green captures my attention again and again. Knowing how Ms. Moran writes her novels, I quickly went through the few front pages to find what special feature is in this book and i wasn't disappointed. There is a family tree of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt followed by a map of Egypt in 1351 BCE.

The book is written from the viewpoint of Nefertiti's sister Mutnodjmet. It follows the life of one of Egypt's most beautiful queens as seen through the eyes of her sister. The book tells us about the sisterly relationship that they shared and how neither could do without the other. The bond between the two is extremely strong. There are a few scenes that were very comical and I could not stop laughing. There are also a few scenes that would make you hate the characters but then you would love them at the same time. This is also a book on growing up, the transition from girls to women.

Now coming to the characters,
1) Nefertiti - It would be incomplete if you did not fall in love with Nefertiti. The beautiful daughter of Vizier Ay and niece to Queen Tiye and Pharaoh Amunhotep III . She was ambitious and fierce. And very cunning. Extremely jealous of her husbands first wife, she is always trying to divert his (and everybody else's) attention towards herself.

2) Mutnodjmet - Mutnodjmet or Mutny is the younger sister of Nefertiti. She is taken to live in the palace along with her family after Nefertiti's marriage. She is loyal to her sister throughout even though her sister seems to treat her badly. Mutny has a flair for herbs and is often praised in the book for her abilities.

 This book is a total 424 pages long. A short read if you read fast like me. I will definitely find some time to read it over again. The plot stays in your mind even after you read it. Now I am looking forward to buying the sequel to this book "The Heretic Queen". Can't wait till when I can buy it.

Until next time ;)

# 5 Madame Tussaud

First of all, my most sincerest apologies. I have not been able to post much. Not had the time to come on to post, been too caught up with college and homework. I am really sorry :(

Back to the book now, Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran.

Paris 1788, Marie is a determined young woman  in love with her work. Caught during the french revolution Marie must decide who's side she is on. How will she survive the revolution? How did she come to be known as the woman behind the most famous museums in the world?

As I have stated earlier, Michelle Moran is one of my favorite authors. The first thing I do when I enter a book store is hunt for a book by her. On  a recent trip to the mall I happened to come across Madame Tussaud. The very first thing that caught my eye was the purple and gold spine. Purple being my favorite color, I decided to look further at the book. After reading the summary at the back I decided this was the book for me. I had recently watched Les Miserables so the french revolution was fresh in my mind. She describes the revolution in such a way that you feel as if you were there.

The book is written from the view point of Marie Grosholtz. As usual, Michelle Moran has written the book beautifully. I could not put this book down for a minute. That explains how i finished the book in 3 days. The plot captures you and you want to know more and more. If you love history and love the french revolution then this is one book that you have to read.

At the beginning of the book there is a chart showing the timeline of the french revolution, this is useful for referring back when reading. The next page is a map of Paris in 1789. The last few pages of the book is a glossary, this includes all the french phrases and words that has been used in the book. This glossary also explains many of the English terms that are used. 

The story is about a young Marie who lives in Paris with her mother and uncle. Marie is a gifted wax modeler and along with her uncle she has a small museum in Paris. Her talents take her to Versailles where she is to tutor the king's sister in the art. All is well until revolution starts. (I am not going to tell you the rest of the story, you have to read the book to know more)

Here's a look at the main characters:

1) Marie Grosholts : Main character of the book. She is a wax modeler and tutor to the king's sister.

2) Henri Charles : Marie's fiance and oldest friend. He is a scientist and show-man

3) Princess Elizabeth: Sister of King Louis XVI

The book is a total 603 pages (prologue, glossary and authors note included). I would say this book is for mature readers. 

Till next time

Bye

#4 To Kill a Mockingbird

A story told through the eyes of a young girl as she watches her father defend a black man charged with the rape of a white woman.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic tale written by Harper Lee. Set in the 1930's, this book tells us the story of the sleepy little town of Maycomb. The entire story is told through the eyes of young Scout Finch. 

Harper Lee has a written a story in which all of us readers would get to know the mindset of the general population of America during the 1930's. There is racial intolerance towards the blacks and class in the whites. We get to know the prejudice between a black man and whites. This story also tells us about growing up. We get a look into the feelings and thoughts of a child towards the events happening around her.

The story is written beautifully. While reading it you feel Maycomb come alive in your mind. You can feel with the characters, laugh when they laugh and cry when they cry. This book is not exactly a heavy read and even beginners will enjoy reading it. A total of 309 pages, this book is perfect for new readers.

Lets take a look at the main characters.

1) Jean Louise (Scout) Finch : The narrator of the story, Scout lives in Maycomb with her father and brother. The story begins with her starting school, where she is told off for knowing too much already. She is loved by her father and looks up to her elder brother Jem. 

2) Jem Finch : The eldest child of Atticus Finch, he is Scouts elder brother. He looks out for his younger sister. An aspiring lawyer, Jem idolizes his father. 

3) Atticus Finch : Atticus Finch is the father of Jem and Scout Finch. He is the lawyer chosen to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with the rape of a white woman. This leads to the family being taunted and ignored by the rest of the town. He advises his children on every situation in life.

Well that's all I have time for today

Hope you liked it

Bye :)

  

#3 Honor Among Thieves

In a bid to humiliate the United States of America, Iraqi president Saddam Hussein steals the Declaration of Independence. Follow the story of CIA agent Scott Bradley and Mossad agent Hannah Kopec in their mission to get the Declaration back before July 4th. 

  

This is another great novel by Jeffrey Archer. The way he writes a novel is fascinating. Set in the year 1993, it is quite contemporary and modern. At some points you will feel that you are reading the daily newspapers rather than a novel. 

The book moves in a fast pace, yet it is a long read. The plot moves in a steady direction. Every single page in this novel is important. I caught myself trying to skip a few pages because I was impatient for the end, but had to back up and read those pages because every page is important in the plot.

Jeffrey Archer is a great author. You can get caught up in his books. The story of 'Honor Among Thieves' is thrilling. Another book that I found really interesting. There are a few tit bits here and there that will bore you but in the end you will know how important those pages are. This book keeps you at the edge of your seat. 

Lets talk about the story, after the Gulf War Saddam Hussein hatches a plan to steal the Declaration of Independence from America. To do this he ropes in the help of Antonio Cavalli, a lawyer who in turn prepares to steal the declaration. Meanwhile in Israel, the Mossad plans to assassinate Saddam. A young women, Hannah Kopec is selected for the job. There is a small love story between the two main characters but that does not take up much of the story.

The book has a surprising climax which will leave you smiling till the end. Being set in the year 1993, most of us have lived through the war and can relate to incidents mentioned in the book. If you are someone like me who gets absorbed into a book, then there are a few incidents where you will cry (I know I did) but other than that it is a great read.

Coming to the characters, there are many main characters involved in the plot, but my favorite shall be Hannah Kopec and Scott Bradely.

1) Hannah Kopec: After loosing her family in the war, this beautiful ex model joins the Mossad to settle a score with Saddam. She is outgoing and brilliant. She makes the life of a agent seem glamorous. Initially she was meant to assassinate the President but later partners with the CIA to rescue the declaration.  

2) Scott Bradley: A professor of Law on the outside, this young man has a secret side to him. Working for the CIA, he is entrusted to save the declaration from the fate planned by Saddam. Partnering with the Mossad, he and Hannah risk their lives for their mission.

And that is my third review!!! :D

Hope you liked it ;)

Bye

#2 Kane and Abel

 Born on the same day on opposite ends of the earth. William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski, one the son of a rich New York Banker, the other, a poor polish immigrant. Their lives destined to cross in the fight for supreme  power.

Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel follows the lives of William Kane and Abel Rosnovski (earlier know as Wladek Koskiewicz) right from their birth till their death. The book is set over a time period of sixty years, it takes us through both the World War's and the Great Depression. Each chapter alternates between their stories. Its the story about two different men, born into completely different situations, and how their paths cross during their lifetime. It is a story about two ambitious men and their fight for supremacy.

Kane and Abel is not one of those books that you can rush though, you have to take your time and understand what the author has written. Jeffery Archer has written this novel in such a wonderful way that while reading we tend to feel with the characters. We laugh, cry, hate and love with the characters. This is a book that can capture the mind of the readers, I found it hard to take a break from this book. Even once I stopped reading, the story kept playing in my mind. It holds the interest of the reader right from the first page to the last. This truly is a masterpiece.

Kane and Abel is a classic. Jeffery Archer has discussed human emotions such as sheer determination, hatred, love, anger and ambition in the book. These are the emotions that we feel day to day and can easily relate to it.

The main characters that you shall meet are:
1) Abel Rosnovski : Formerly know as Wladek Koskiewicz, Abel is the son of a Polish Baron. Caught up during the First World War, he is sent to a labor camp in Siberia when he is just twelve years old. After escaping from the camp he then makes his way to America where he makes is fortune. He shares a mutual hatred with William Lowell Kane.

2) William Lowell Kane : William Kane is the son of a wealthy Boston banker. Since he was a child he was brought up to take over the bank from his father. He is determined to to prove himself in the banking field. He shares a mutual hatred with Abel Rosnovski.

Being a total of 550 pages, it is a long read, especially for those who have just started reading. The book ends in a surprising revelation that will play on your mind again and again. Though it may take you a long time to complete this book, its completely worth it. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.It is a must read.



That's all for my second review.
Hope you guys like it.
Until next time ;)
Bye

#1. Cleopatras Daughter

After their parents death, Cleopatra Selene and her brother Alexander Helios, son and daughter of Queen Cleopatra and Mark Anthony are taken captive to Rome. Here they are brought up in a Roman household. Meanwhile Rome is going through a turbulent time. The 'Red Eagle' is calling for an end to slavery.

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran is one of the best novels I have read so far. Set in ancient Egypt and Rome, it follows the life of Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios, the twin children of Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and Mark Anthony. The story is written from the viewpoint of Cleopatra Selene.

First of all I have to say that the author has written the book in a beautiful descriptive way, while reading you can imagine the beautiful skyline of Alexandria and the bustling roads of Rome as if you were really there. While reading the novel I kept on being transported back to Rome. I could feel with the characters. It is very interesting. It captures the reader and I could not put this book down even for a minute. Michelle gives us an inside look into the lives of a Roman household. Their various outlooks towards slavery and justice.

The story also is about the growing Selene and we get to know her emotions while she is growing up. We get a look into the various emotions and feelings of an adolescent. Love, hatred, jealousy are a few of d feelings that are brought up.


 The book has got two maps in the beginning, one of the Roman Empire and the other of Rome at the time of Emperor Augustus. It also includes a timeline which the readers can refer to. The book has a glossary at the back explaining all the terms, words and phrases used in the book. The author also takes her time in pointing out the true historical facts that have been included in the book and those which are fiction.

A few of the main characters are :
1) Cleopatra Selene : Known as Selene in the story. She is the only daughter of Queen Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. The entire story is written in her viewpoint. She is compassionate and feels for others. Selene has a love for drawing and loves architecture.

2) Alexander Helios : He is know as Alexander in the story. Named after Alexander the Great, Alexander is the eldest son of Queen Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. He is the twin brother of Selene. He and his sister are taken captive to Rome when there father is defeated in the 'Battle of Actium'. He has a love for horses.

3) Octavian : The Emperor of Rome. He is referred to as Augustus later in the book. He defeats Mark Anthony in the battle of Actium and takes Selene and Alexander captive to Rome. He is the father of Julia and the husband of Livia.


The story is historical fiction. If you are an avid history lover then you would find this book amazing. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends.

Well that's all for my first review. Hope you all like it ;)
Until next time!!