First published 2018
Mara possesses skills that set her apart from other slaves in ancient Egypt. She reads, writes, and speaks Babylonian fluently. Under Queen Hatshepsut's rule, she strikes a perilous bargain to win her freedom. Two enemies each want to place their candidate on Egypt's throne, and Mara agrees to spy for both sides simultaneously. She feeds information to opposing factions while keeping her double role secret. The arrangement grows complicated when she develops feelings for Sheftu, one of her masters. Sheftu works to restore Thutmose III as rightful pharaoh, and Mara begins supporting his cause. Her emotions pull her toward offering genuine loyalty to Sheftu and his political mission. But her deception unravels at the worst possible moment. When her duplicity comes to light, the resulting conflict threatens both her survival and Egypt's political future.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, political-thriller, ancient
Vibes: emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: double-agent, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: Babylon, Egypt, Nile
Period: Ancient
368 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books