Book Review: Egypt’s Sister by Angela Hunt
I received a complimentary copy of this book to read and review, so you could know exactly what to expect from it. After reading my honest notes on the story and writing style, you‘ll have a better idea about whether or not this book is one you’d enjoy.
This historical fiction tale presents an admirable heroine in a fascinating era, complete with an ever-changing plot line.
Bound in a beautiful, nice-to-hold cover and filled with strong writing (Thank you, Hunt!), this book was not one of those that I forget about until I accidentally notice again. Its story was compelling enough to pull me back to it each day.
The tale is filled with accurate, historical details, making it easy to see that the book was well-researched — a sign of a committed writer. While at times the historical explanations were a bit long for my taste, History lovers and ancient Egypt lovers alike would be pleased with Hunt’s dedication to getting the facts right and presenting the whole story.
I found that Hunt skillfully intertwined historical truth with her imaginative story lines. While we know the way History goes down, the story line did not seem forced or destined to end a certain way — a true feat, in my opinion, and one I am very grateful for. There’s nothing less enjoyable to read than a predictable plot.
Every interesting story has its twists and turns,but Hunt kept me turning the pages in wonder with hers. I can safely say without giving anything away, that the protagonist’s story seems reflective of another Bible character’s, but you’ll have to get halfway through the book before you’ll be able to figure out who I mean. So keep reading!
Personally, this time era fascinates me, as does Egypt and Cleopatra in general. As a result, I was a tad disappointed with how Cleopatra’s story was told during the last half of the book, but not because the story didn’t do her justice. It did. Again, you’ll have to read the book to know what I mean. (Hehe. Sorry, not sorry.)
The authentic Biblical and Jewish references were also intriguing and added another stamp of historical credibility to Hunt’s work. It’s always thought provoking to consider how Old Testament Jews interpreted prophecies of the very distant future.
For all you English lovers and writers, the story is told by a first person narrator — the protagonist. Normally, this narration irritates me, but this story was incredibly unique in that I hardly noticed the first person narration. It fit the story beautifully.
Hunt uses a good ratio of internal reflection and external observation. She employs realistic reactions — so no eye rolls or head scratches needed for convenient or sudden character development.
As a fellow English major and writer, I found Hunt’s writing refreshing and intriguing. She covers many interesting eras and people in her books, and after being introduced to her writing style with this tale, I will definitely be reading her work again.
So, to sum up, you can expect:
- Strong writing
- Accurate, thoroughly-explained historical details
- Authentic characters
- Captivating plot
