Sphinx's Queen

Ancient Egypt springs to life in this enthralling sequel to Sphinx#x19;s Princess. As she did in Nobody#x19;s Princessand Nobody#x19;s Prize, author Esther Friesner offers readers a fresh look at an iconic figure, blending historical fiction and mythology in a heady concoction. Hunted. . . Overnight, every aspect of Nefertiti#x19;s life has changed. She is no longer living at the royal palace as the intended bride of the crown prince. Instead, she is being chased by the prince and his soldiers for a crime she did not commit. Hidden. . . Traveling with two of her dearest friends, including the crown prince#x19;s brother, who helped her escape, Nefertiti takes shelter in the wild hills along the Nile#x19;s west bank. She must rely on her own resourcefulness and skills (all those secret archery lessons prove very useful) as the fugitives fight to survive. Haunted. . . But the need for justice gnaws at Nefertiti. She is determined to plead her case to the Pharaoh and set things right. As she begins to question long-held sacred beliefs-a questioning that could alter the fabric of Egyptian society-her extraordinary journey from commoner to royalty brings adventure, intrigue, and romance. From the Hardcover edition.

Nebula Award winner ESTHER FRIESNER is the author of more than 30 novels and over 150 short stories, including the story "Thunderbolt" in Random House's Young Warriors anthology, which lead to the creation of Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize. She is also the editor of seven popular anthologies. Her works have been published around the world. Educated at Vassar College and Yale University, where she taught for a number of years, Ms. Friesner is also a poet, a playwright, and once wrote an advice column, "Ask Auntie Esther." She is married, is the mother of two, harbors cats, and lives in Connecticut. You can visit Esther at: www.sff.net/people/e.friesner/.