Review: In Feast or Famine by Mesu Andrews

Thrust into an arranged marriage, the daughter of ancient Egypt’s high priest plays a pivotal role in Joseph’s biblical narrative in this powerful novel from the award-winning author of Potiphar’s Wife.

After four-year-old Asenath’s mother is murdered by Egypt’s foreign rulers, the child is raised to be a priestess by her overprotective father—high priest of Egypt’s sun god. For fifteen years, Asenath is sequestered in the upper levels of Ra’s temple, convinced it is her destiny to heal the land by becoming queen to the next Egyptianpharaoh. But when Egypt’s foreign king instead gives her as a bride to the newly appointed vizier—a Hebrew named Joseph—her entire world is shaken. 

Beyond the walls of her tower, Asenath discovers treachery, deceit, and conspiracy that force her to redefine her destiny and weigh where her true loyalties lie. Can she still trust the gods of Egypt? Or is Elohim, the foreign God of her husband, the one who will heal her nation during the feast and famine to come?

 I loved this book. I may have even liked it better than book one, in all honesty. I found the characters compelling, and the depth given to people the Bible mentions only in passing is fascinating. I loved Asenath and her journey. I felt for her so much, and I loved getting to know her. I thought the way that this story interweaved with Potiphar's story was incredible. The rich historic detail caused me to be immersed in the land. I was fascinated by everything, though equally repulsed by other bits. (Looking at you... Crocodile-toothed priest!) The story had it's share of laughter and grief and was, I believe, a fair representation of how Genesis could have played out. I was sad to see the book end. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"Elohim loves."

"Trusting Elohim is always a choice between doubt that sends us spiraling or faith that reveals an awe-inspiring aspect of God's character."

"Elohim meets us in our pain."

"Elohim - who is the same yesterday, today, and forever- still chooses the unlikely and those less than perfect to partake in His promises."