This book is incredible. It is about a poor slave girl Mara in egypt, who is very smart, and speaks both egyptian and babylonian. For that very reason a mysterious man buys her from her previous owner, telling her that if she serves him as a spy, rooting out the rebels that are fighting against the queen, then he will set her free. Mara has dreamed of freedom all of her life, and will do anything to gain it, but as she goes undercover she finds herself tangled in an astonishing web of politics, treason, and worst of all, love. Mara is now playing double spy, working for both sides, but sooner or later she has to choose what means more to her, freedom for herself, or for all of egypt. This book was so good I couldn't put it down. I love how quick-witted Mara is, and the choices she are faced with are Incredible! It deserves a five star rating for sure. The author got me rooting for the main characters at the start.
Mara Daughter of the Nile
By Eloise Jarvis McGraw
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 language of Babylonian. So, to barter for her freedom, she finds herself playing the dangerous role of double spy for two arch enemies—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. But just when Mara is ready to offer Sheftu her help and her heart, her duplicity is discovered, and a battle ensues in which both Mara’s life and the fate of Egypt are at stake.
“Dangerous espionage, an unusual love story, and richly drawn background make this a book to capture quick and lasting interest.”—Horn Book
“Thoroughly engrossing.”—Kirkus Reviews
Book Reviews (3)
After being bought by a mysterious man, Mara now serves as a spy. But when another man hires her as a spy too, Mara finds herself caught in between to arch enemies and supports both of them. But she finds herself falling in love with one of them and just when Mara decides to stop helping the other man, she is caught and now Mara and Egypt’s fate are tied together. I would recommend this for ages 11+ this book was actually really good for a school book. The plot is very interesting and cool and it seems so real. I would definitely recommend this.
Thrilling and full of romance. Mara is a proud Egyptian slave that somehow gets stuck as a double spy for two sides of a dangerous conflict. On top of it all Mara finds herself falling in love with one of her Masters.