Sphinx’s Princess by Esther Freisner

With her little sister Bit-Bit and her beloved parents, Nefertiti knows little of the political war that rages between the followers of the Pharaoh Amenhotep. Despite her ignorance, Nefertiti has a thirst for learning and befriends one of Pharaoh’s scribes who teaches her to read and write. Nefertiti with her slave girl Berett is soon called to Thebes by her Queen Aunt Tiye who betroths her to her oldest son Thutmose.

Esther Freisner paints a captivating picture in Sphinx’s Princess as she describes Nefertiti’s triumphs and troubles. From the hastily-scratched hieroglyphics to the lay of the land, her style is descriptive and easily visualized due to her attention to detail and vast knowledge of the Egyptian culture. This dedication follows in the creation of her characters. From the gangling Amenophis to the sassy Sitamun, each character is distinct with his or her own quirks and personality. She pays special attention to the reactions of the characters making sure each conversation follows a logical progression. However, Freisner’s addition of modern chacteriscs in gender-roles clashes with the viewers of ancient Egypt. While this creates a captivating heroine, it does create an offset. Despite this, Freisner holds the attention of the reader in an exciting and fast-paced read. Readers will eagerly follow to the sequel Sphinx’s Queen. - Anna F. and Annalisa F., class of 2012