Ancient Egypt, a civilization that thrived for millennia, continues to captivate our imaginations. What better way to explore this ancient world than through the pages of historical fiction? This article delves into a curated list of books set in ancient Egypt, offering tales of royalty, romance, and the lives of commoners. Whether you're a seasoned historical fiction enthusiast or a curious newcomer, there's something here for everyone.
I recently went on a deep dive looking for Ancient Egypt historical fiction books to read, and I was truly amazed at how deep and broad this genre is. As a former Classics major, I love ancient history and ancient civilizations. The Classical World primarily focuses on Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. I love a good, well-written historical fiction novel. I find it’s a great way to learn some historical facts about a particular time and place, while also enjoying a good story.
Not only are there several standalone novels that explore this ancient time and place, but there are also several series that focus on Ancient Egypt. The Ancient Egyptian period lasted from approximately 4300 B.C. to 642 A.D. The 18th Dynasty includes the monotheistic pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti. The 19th Dynasty focuses on Ramses II. I wanted this list to include the best books in this genre I could find, so all of the books included are highly rated by fans of historical fiction.
This post is all about the best Ancient Egyptian historical fiction books. First up is the series. This is not an exhaustive list, but like I mention above, I wanted to focus on those that have stood the test of time and that continue to be highly-rated.
Exploring Ancient Egypt Through Series
Dive deeper into the world of Ancient Egypt with these captivating book series:
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The Egyptian Royals Collection by Michelle Moran
The Egyptian Royals Collection is a three-book series by Michelle Moran that begins with Nefertiti, first published in 2007.
From the Publisher: “Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped that her strong personality will temper the young ruler’s heretical desire to forsake Egypt’s ancient gods. From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people but fails to see that powerful priests are plotting against her husband’s rule. The only person brave enough to warn the queen is her younger sister, Mutnodjmet. Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. She yearns for a quiet existence away from family duty and the intrigues of court. But remaining loyal to Nefertiti will force Mutnodjmet into a dangerous political game; one that could cost her everything she holds dear.
The Ramses Series by Christian Jacq
The Ramses Series by Christian Jacq is a five-book series that begins with Ramses: The Son of Light, which was first published in 1997.
From the publisher: “Taita is a humble slave; an expert in art, poetry, medicine and engineering, as well as keeping important secrets. He is the most treasured possession of Lord Intef. Yet when Intef’s beautiful daughter Lostris is married to the Pharaoh, Taita is commanded to follow her, and swiftly finds himself deeper than he ever could have imagined in a world of deception and treachery. But outside the palace, the great kingdom of Egypt is divided, and in even greater danger.
The first in Christian Jacq’s bestselling Ramses series, recounting the thrilling story of Ramses, the legendary king who ruled Egypt for more than 60 years. From the publisher: “Taita is a humble slave; an expert in art, poetry, medicine and engineering, as well as keeping important secrets. He is the most treasured possession of Lord Intef. Yet when Intef’s beautiful daughter Lostris is married to the Pharaoh, Taita is commanded to follow her, and swiftly finds himself deeper than he ever could have imagined in a world of deception and treachery. But outside the palace, the great kingdom of Egypt is divided, and in even greater danger.
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must begin to pass a series of royal tests designed to build his mental and physical prowess-or break him. Is Seth planning to leave the world’s most powerful empire to Ramses, and not his corrupt brother, Shaanar? Before he knows it, the younger prince is surrounded by enemies and turning to his friends: Moses, the brilliant young Hebrew; Setau, the snake charmer and mage; Ahmeni; the frail scholar; and Set and Nefertari, the two beautiful women Ramses loves. And so begins the journey of the hero the world has yet to know… Let the saga begin.
The Lady of the Reed series by Pauline Gedge
The Lady of the Reed series is a two-book series by Pauline Gedge that begins with the House of Dreams, first published in 1994.
From the publisher: “In the tiny hamlet of Aswat, far to the south of the royal capital, a beautiful young girl wants more than the meager prospects her village offers. Determined and resourceful, she is quick to leap upon an opportunity when the great seer Hui, who is also physician to Pharaoh, visits Aswat to commune with its god, Wepwawet. Taken under Hui’s wing to become a healer, she has no idea of his real plans for her-plans that will bring her close to Pharaoh as his favorite concubine, but will ultimately enmesh her in court intrigue of the most dangerous kind.
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
The Kane Chronicles is a trilogy by Rick Riordan that begins with The Red Pyramid.
Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a “research experiment” at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them-Set-has his sights on the Kanes.
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I was hesitant to give the first one, The Red Pyramid, to my older kids because of it’s length: 528 pages! They devoured it! This is the book that I heard about most often when doing other read-alouds about Ancient Egypt.
The Judge of Egypt trilogy by Christian Jacq
Beneath the Pyramid is the first book in The Judge of Egypt trilogy. It’s set in ancient Egypt during the reign of Ramses III. The story follows our main character, Pazair, a young judge with a knack for solving mysteries and a strong sense of justice. There’s corruption, murder, and secrets lurking around every corner. Pazair, along with his wife Neferet (who’s a pretty awesome doctor), has to navigate through political schemes and religious conflicts to uncover the truth. The best part? Jacq knows his stuff about ancient Egypt, so you’ll feel like you’re right there in the bustling streets of Thebes or the shadowy corridors of the temples.
The Mask of Ra is set in ancient Egypt during the reign of Tutankhamun, and follows our clever protagonist, Chief Judge Amerotke, as he tries to solve a series of puzzling murders.But Pharaoh Tutankhamun dies under suspicious circumstances, and Amerotke is tasked with investigating. Doherty blends historical accuracy with a gripping murder mystery.
Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters
Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody Series is a 20-book series. From the Publisher: “In this first adventure, our headstrong heroine decides to use her substantial inheritance to see the world. On her travels, she rescues a gentlewoman in distress - Evelyn Barton-Forbes - and the two become friends. This is a very popular and highly rated series, and with a Ph.D.
Naguib Mahfouz’s Timeless Stories
His first book, Khufu’s Wisdom, follows the Fourth Dynasty monarch as he faces a challenging transition from ruling power to finding out that his daughter is in love with his successor. His second book, Rhadopis of Nubia, paints a vivid picture of the beloved Pharaoh Merenra II and his captivating courtesan Rhadopis - an affair that enlivens all of Egyptian society. Mahfouz’s timeless stories continue to inspire and captivate audiences all around the world.
Standalone Novels: A Glimpse into Ancient Egypt
Explore these highly-rated standalone novels that offer a unique perspective on ancient Egyptian life:
| Title | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mara, Daughter of the Nile | Eloise Jarvis McGraw | A proud slave girl yearning for freedom, caught in a web of espionage. |
| The Golden Goblet | Eloise Jarvis McGraw | A young boy's quest to become a master goldsmith amidst hardship and betrayal. |
| Hatshepsut, Speak to Me | Ruth Downie | A take on one of ancient Egypt’s most controversial pharaohs, Akhenaten, who shook things up by introducing monotheism to Egypt. |
| Cleopatra | Margaret George | A creative retelling of the biblical story of Moses but with a unique twist. |
| The Cat of Bubastes | G.A. Henty | The story follows our main character, Pazair, a young judge with a knack for solving mysteries and a strong sense of justice. |
| The Pharaoh’s Daughter | Julius Lester | The story is narrated by Almah, the daughter of Pharaoh, who rescues baby Moses from the Nile River. |
| Boy of the Pyramids | Ruth Fosdick Jones | A popular choice for young readers, offering a glimpse into the construction of the pyramids. |
| Tirzah | Lucille Travis | A tale of a Hebrew girl who leaves Egypt during the Exodus. |
From the publisher about Mara, Daughter of the Nile: “Mara is a proud and beautiful slave girl who yearns for freedom in ancient Egypt, under the rule of Queen Hatshepsut. Mara is not like other slaves; she can read and write, as well as speak the Babylonian language. each of whom supports a contender for the throne of Egypt. Against her will, Mara finds herself falling in love with one of her masters, the noble Sheftu, and she starts to believe in his plans of restoring Thutmose III to the throne.
From the Publisher about The Golden Goblet: “Winner of a Newbery Honor, an exciting ancient Egyptian mystery! Ranofer wants only one thing in the world: to be a master goldsmith like his beloved father was. But how can he when he is all but imprisoned by his evil half brother, Gebu? But can a poor boy with no skills survive on the cutthroat streets of ancient Thebes?
Thirty-five centuries ago, Hatshepsut, the youngest daughter of the Pharaoh, was to marry her father’s illegitimate son and heir to the throne, Thothmes, in order to cleanse the bloodline in accordance with Egypt’s supreme law. Fearing his son’s incompetence, Hatshepsut’s father chose her as the heir-provided that the unprecedented ascension by a woman did not inspire the priests to commit treason or instill enough hatred in the envious heart of her half-brother and future consort to have her put to death. Menenhetet, their creature, lover, and victim; and the gods and mortals that surround them in intimate and telepathic communion.
Margaret George specializes in historical fiction that focuses on famous historical women. which begins when the twenty-year-old queen seeks out the most powerful man in the world, Julius Caesar, and does not end until, having survived the assassination of Caesar and the defeat of the second man she loves, Marc Antony, she plots her own death rather than be paraded in triumph through the streets of Rome. Most of all, in its richness and authenticity, it is an irresistible story that reveals why Margaret George’s work has been widely acclaimed as ‘the best kind of historical novel, one the reader can’t wait to get lost in.
The Cat of Bubastes follows the journey of Amuba, a young prince from Rebu, who becomes a slave in Egypt after his father is defeated in battle. Along with his friend Jethro, Amuba serves in the household of an Egyptian high priest. As the story unfolds, we see Amuba and Jethro navigate the complexities of Egyptian society, learning about their customs and beliefs along the way. The boys face numerous challenges and close calls as they try to escape punishment for the cat’s death and eventually find their way back to Amuba’s homeland.
The Pharaoh’s Daughter is a creative retelling of the biblical story of Moses but with a unique twist. The story is narrated by Almah, the daughter of Pharaoh, who rescues baby Moses from the Nile River. We follow Moses as he grows up, torn between his Hebrew roots and his Egyptian upbringing. Almah, too, struggles with her own place in society as she questions the beliefs and practices of her people. The story touches on themes of slavery, freedom, identity, belonging, and faith, all while keeping you hooked with its engaging narrative.
Additional Recommendations & Resources
Here are some additional tips and resources to help you find the perfect Ancient Egypt historical fiction books:
- Libraries: Utilize your local library and its interlibrary loan program to access a wide range of books for free or a small fee.
- Used Bookstores: Explore used bookstores, book swaps, and online marketplaces like Amazon Z-shops and Half.com for affordable options.
- Online Resources: Websites like Paperbackswap.com and Bookcloseouts.com offer discounted books.
- Consider Age Appropriateness: When selecting books for younger readers, be mindful of potentially sensitive content, such as depictions of religious practices or immodestly dressed characters.
One warning-many of the heavily illustrated books, like the Usborne type books and the knock-offs of them, have very immodestly dressed women in their Egypt books. This was not right for our family so we left those on the shelf.
For younger readers, "Boy of the Pyramids" by Ruth Fosdick Jones is often recommended. It is a popular choice, offering a glimpse into the construction of the pyramids and daily life in ancient Egypt. Also, consider "Tirzah" by Lucille Travis, a tale of a Hebrew girl who leaves Egypt during the Exodus.
We have a book called The Egyptian News that was a lot of fun, and we picked it up at bookcloseouts.com for very little once. I don’t know how available it still is. It’s like a “newspaper” with stories and ads.
There is a good book about a little Hebrew girl who leaves Egypt with the Exodus; we loved it, but I can’t find it and I’m having a middle-age moment and can’t remember the title. We really liked it though! Hopefully someone sharper can help.
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