Book review: Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Genre: Historical fiction

Release date: March 24, 2026

Goodreads rating: 3.98

My rating: 4.5

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From even before the opening scene, Daughter of Egypt completely drew me in. I loved the introduction by Marie Benedict; it sets the stage so vividly that I genuinely felt like I was stepping into another time and place when I turned the page to start the first chapter. This introduction really stood out to me.

This story weaves together the lives of Lady Evelyn Herbert and Hatshepsut, two women separated by centuries but united in their defiance of male-dominated worlds. Evelyn, a pioneering archaeologist in the 1920s, plays a key role in the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, while Hatshepsut’s story highlights how history tried (but failed) to erase one of Egypt’s most powerful female rulers.

I really enjoyed the dual timeline structure and how it connected the two women. There’s also something fascinating about the details shared in the story: daily royal life, religious practices, even getting to ‘step inside’ the pyramids during the opening of a new chamber. Marie Benedict’s writing is beautifully immersive.

There’s a strong feminist thread running throughout, with both women pushing boundaries and reshaping what was possible in their time.

I strongly recommend this book if you love historical fiction with powerful women at its core.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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