Egyptian Chronicles In Feast or Famine, (Paperback)

Once again Mesu Andrews has transported us to a time and place far different from our own. The second book in The Egyptian Chronicles series takes us on a further journey with Joseph in Egypt. Due to her impeccable research, we learn more about the Egyptian culture that surrounded Joseph during his time as vizier to the Pharoah and his Egyptian wife. This story has three voices which I found I really enjoyed. The voice is that of Asenath, Joseph's Egyptian wife. Ms. Andrews brings Asenath to life. She was raised to be the queen to the next Egyptian pharaoh and believed she would be the one to bring healing to her land. Her story is full of deceit, palace intrigue, and a truly horrible villain. She plays an important part in Joseph's life and the burning question is: Will she remain faithful to her Egyptian idols, or will she abandon them for the God of her Hebrew husband? Joseph also has a voice and I found at times that the portrayal of him as kind of whiny did not fit with my perceived notion that he was a very strong man emotionally. But in going back to Scripture, I found myself agreeing that just perhaps he did struggle with forgiveness and bitterness. Kind of nice to know he had feelings just like us. The scenes with his brothers hit a nerve, who have I not forgiven because of unresolved bitterness? So, kudos to Ms. Andrews for bringing Joseph to life in a new way. Potiphera is absolutely one of the most hateful villains ever. I wanted to scream at him a lot and even plotted how to get rid of him. But he was a very important part of this story, and it would have lacked something without him. Ms. Andrews is one of my go-to authors for Biblical fiction and this story did not disappoint. I suggest that you read Potiphar's Wife first if you can but certainly this book can stand alone. Also, I suggest you read this part of Joseph's story in Genesis 41-50. As always, Mesu has me reaching for my Bible to read about the people in the pages of her books. I highly recommend this book. It is now one of my favorites of Ms. Andrews and I am excited to read Book 3 in this series. I received an E-book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. These opinions are all my own.

"In Feast or Famine" is the second book in the Egyptian Chronicles series telling the story of Joseph through the lives of the women that influenced him. In this book we engage in the story of Asenath, the woman Joseph was forced to marry upon being appointed vizier of Egypt. Asenath, who has lived a cloistered life in preparation to marry a Pharoah and act as Isis Incarnate, is now thrust into a marriage with a man who believes in only one God. Her world has been turned upside and this is just the beginning. Intrigue and treachery lie at the heart of Egyptian politics and a lack of acceptance for a Hebrew who has suddenly risen to power. What will see believe in this time of feast and then famine? This novel is a meaty book. By meaty I mean that is is full of the inner workings of ancient Egyptian politics. It is also meaty in the sense that it deals with the inner struggles of faith, doubt, trust, and love. It is rich in the complexities of human relationships and understanding of God. Where this book excels is in world building. This is a fine craft that too many authors miss. To truly believe in the characters of a book, I must be immersed in their world. I need the credible building of setting and imagery to pull me into the story. Too often authors rush headlong into the conflict without these basic building books of literature. Not so with the writing of Mesu Andrews. This novel is a superb example of excellence in the crafting of the story that not only entertains but enages and educates. It enriches and points to the God who is sovereign and good. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.