Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

In the 1920s, archaeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2026; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250280732
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); historical fiction

Who knew that ancient Egypt could be so fascinating? Ancient historical fiction is usually MK's baliwick, but I was drawn to the 1920s plotline that ties into the ancient Egypt plotline. I was also interested in learning about Highclere Castle. I'm a Downton Abbey fan, and that is the place that played the house.

I previously reviewed Marie Benedict's novel The Queens of Crime. Her storytelling skills are wonderful. And Daughter of Egypt was a fantastic story.

I was so pulled into both plotlines. I was shocked by how invested I was in Hatshepsut's story.

I know very little about ancient Egypt except for what I've learned through Bible study. So, of course, I haven't heard of an obscure female Pharaoh. It was interesting to see her rise to power. In some ways, it paralleled the Egyptians' desire for independence in the 1920s storyline. Both Hatshepsut and the Zaghluls (the couple at the forefront of the Egyptian push for independence) want a united, strong Egypt. They want to preserve its culture and traditions. 

From an episode of Bones that involved an Egyptian mummy, I knew that the Egyptian government was quite protective of its artifact. I don't think I understood the root of that protectiveness. Daughter of Egypt shed light on why they had to be. Prior to independence, foreign archaeologists largely removed the treasures they unearthed from the tombs. This is on top of what was lost to looters in antiquity

Just as Hatshepsut protected her family's claim to the throne, Zaghluls and other Egyptians wanted to protect the country's identity and right to rule themselves.

Alongside all of this history, we have Lady Evelyn "Eve". She is at a crossroads of sorts. She knows she must marry, but she wonders why the women of her family are forgotten in the shadows. She saw how capable her mother was during the war, and now she has shrunk back into the role society has deemed appropriate. Eve wants more. But even her desires and passions come up against the changes that are happening in the world. In some ways, this is a coming-of-age story for Eve.

If you had asked me before I read this book if I ever wanted to visit Egypt, I would have said no. But while I was reading, I started thinking a river cruise along the Nile would be a fun vacation.

If you are looking for a book that will whisk you away to foreign lands, then you should get this book.

Buy Daughter of Egypt at Amazon

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