“I wonder if our names determine our destiny, or if destiny leads us to choose certain names.”
A time of pharaohs and pyramids, Ancient Egypt is an era that has left an indelible mark on history. Spanning over three thousand years, the advancements in art, politics, writing, religion and diplomacy made by the kingdom along the Nile Delta have captured our imaginations, and continue to shape our cultural works, whether that be in music, film, television, theatre or literature. Join us today at What We Reading as we present some of our favourite Ancient Egyptian Historical Fiction books!
River God (Ancient Egypt #1) – Wilbur Smith
Worldwide bestselling novelist renowned for his works of Historical Fiction set in Ancient Egypt, Wilbur Smith takes readers on a whirlwind ride of blood and glory in River God. In the first book in his Ancient Egypt series, Smith introduces readers to Tanus, the fair-haired warrior set to unite Egypt’s divided halves.
A tale of an extraordinary adventure following one of the most remarkable protagonists in the genre, Smith vividly sets a stunning backdrop along the Nile and keeps the action flowing from the first page to the last.
Nefertiti – Michelle Moran
Inspired by one of the most iconic figures from the ancient world, Michelle Moran presents one of the best Egyptian Historical Fiction books that perfectly captures the intrigue, unrest and betrayals rife across the 18th Dynasty.
Drawing upon the life and times of one of Ancient Egypt’s most powerful women, she tells the story of the tumultuous political and religious as well as her complicated relationship with her sister, Mutnodjmet. An enthralling story of love and political scheming, Nefertiti is an absolute must-read for anyone looking to be transported into the heart of the royal court in Ancient Thebes.
Valley Of The Kings: The 18th Dynasty – Terrance Coffey
Author Terrance Coffey transports readers back to 1355 BCE where Ancient Egypt was one of the world’s leading superpowers. He introduces King Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti, two rulers who are on the verge of catapulting their kingdom into a catastrophic revolution that will forever divide its people and rip apart this civilisation from its very foundations.
Coffey’s Valley of the Kings takes inspiration from the real-life Hittite and Amarna letters of the 14th century BCE and resurrects a thrilling and shocking story of a leader whose imprint on history was both visionary and catastrophic.
Lily Of The Nile (Cleopatra’s Daughter #1) – Stephanie Dray
New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling novelist Stephanie Dray produces another stunning piece of Women’s Historical Fiction in her Cleopatra’s Daughter series, Lily of the Nile. In the opening book in the series, readers are introduced to Princess Selene, heiress to the Ancient Egyptian who is forced to navigate the many perils that come about from being a prisoner in the Roman court.
Desperate to secure the safety of her twin brother and a Golden Age for the kingdom she is heir to, Selene attempts to avoid the wrath of a new Caesar in a political game where not winning usually leads to death.
The Mask Of Ra (Amerotke #1) – Paul Doherty
For one of the best Historical Mysteries set in the Nile Delta, look no further than Paul Doherty’s The Mask of Ra. Following his long campaigns against the Sea Raiders, Pharoah Tuthmosis II has grown frail and is keen to return to his royal court in Thebes. He is given a hero’s welcome by his people, and is reunited with his wife, Hatusu, however, just an hour after completing his speech in front of the statue of Amun-Ra, Tuthmosis is dead.
In a captivating tale of scheming and betrayal, readers follow Hatusu and respected Judge Amerotke as they search for the truth behind this shocking murder, unearthing a web of secrets that will blow the kingdom of Egypt apart.
A Time To Seek (The Time Travel Journals of Sahara Aldridge #1) – Tracy L. Higley
In the first book of her acclaimed Sahara Aldridge series, readers are introduced to the titular protagonist on the dig site that would soon unearth the tomb of the boy-king, Tutankhamun in 1922. When a childhood friend unearths a strange journal left behind by her mother, Sahara is forced to question whether her parents, instead of Egyptologists, might have been time travellers.
Aiming to unearth the mysteries behind her parents’ legacy and their ultimate fate, she is transported back to the reign of King Tut. There, she learns the truth about her parents, her destiny as well as the mumblings of conspiracy behind the death of Ancient Egypt’s most iconic Pharaoh.
Daughter Of The Gods: A Novel Of Ancient Egypt – Stephanie Marie Thornton
Set in the 1400s BCE, Stephanie Marie Thornton’s Daughter of the Gods is the story of Hatshepsut, the pampered and lively second daughter of the Pharaoh. Inheriting the throne through her marriage to her half-brother, Hatshepsut is forced to surrender a life of freedom and instead learn to put her kingdom first. Leading a great army and embarking on huge infrastructure projects, Hatshepsut’s time on the Horus Throne is constantly marred by scheming enemies, as well as the insecurities that arise from the challenges of leadership and the yearnings of the heart.
Delivered with striking historical accuracy, Thornton’s book is another one of the best Ancient Egyptian books that brings to life a powerful woman whose defiant approach to tradition forever altered history.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
