This is an amazing book by Mesu Andrews. It is part of a series and has drawn me back to read the first book in the series. I will be posting reviews as soon as I have read the rest of the books also . And it is well written enough to make me want to check out other books by this author.

An engaging read, rich in historical detail, that brings to life the time of Joseph's influence in Egypt and his marriage to an Egyptian woman.

A well written read, that imagines what might have been during Joseph's time in Egypt. I liked how the author really dove into the time period, as well as exploring his conflicts with the culture around him and even in his own marriage. Asenath's heart is softened as she gets to know Joseph, I liked that she was also vulnerable and open to learning more about his God.

Definitely thought provoking and made me appreciate how he stayed true to his beliefs despite living in a culture that was counter. Well written and engaging, with strong themes of faith and forgiveness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mesu Andrews is one of the best Biblical Literature storytellers today. I am never disappointed when I pick up one of her novels to read. In Feast or Famine is an exquisite tale that has all the hallmarks of a superb Andrews novel: impeccable attention to historical detail, settings written so beautifully I feel like I am transported in time, characters who are complex, realistic, and often endearing, and themes that transcend time and place. Of all the many wonderful aspects to this novel, the divers themes and discussion points resonated with me the most. The first is the idea of family. Everyone knows that Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery by his family. That betrayal cut Joseph deeply, so much so it had to have changed how he saw family. There is a moment in this story when Joseph ponders what it takes to be a family. He ruminates, “Though they weren’t [Manasseh’s] blood relatives, they were bound by love in a protective family who cared more about people than power.” I think this moment is powerful in the story for sure, but it’s a powerful truth in today’s world as well. Family is hard. Many times, family can be disappointing. Blood relatives should be those you can count on to have your back and to support you. But, sometimes, blood is not actually thicker than water. Sometimes, it is the tribe you form outside of family that is, indeed, thicker than water. It’s sad, but it is truth. I appreciate wanting to have deep ties towards the biological family God provided, and I do believe that forgiveness and restoration is possible when family ties go astray, but I also believe that God provides “family” in unique ways beyond biology. Ways that provide us with the love and support we so desperately crave, and the way God perhaps intended “family” to be. In this way, these “family” members are tremendous blessings in their own right, and often provide a healing balm to hurt, lost, and broken souls. This is something that Joseph learns over time in this story. It is a great reminder for me to be uber thankful for the extra “family” God has put into my life.

A second theme that resonated with me is illustrated through Asenath’s relationship with her incredibly frustrating and selfish father. Asenath’s father is awful. He is self-serving, manipulative, and abusive. He shows love by bribing with gifts and then taking away those gifts if the receiver doesn’t do what he wants. This is actually not love at all. Over the course of Asenath and Joseph’s relationship, Asenath does come to realize how toxic and dangerous her father truly is. BUT the draw to her father is magnetic. It’s like a moth to flame. She knows she should cut ties with her dangerous father, but her heart just won’t let her. There is a moment where Asenath chastises herself in regards to her father. She ponders, “How could I still care for an abi who had hurt me so deeply?” I related so intensely to Asenath in this moment. I think some of us continue to run back to the parents who hurt us because we cannot fathom that they would choose to love themselves more than those of us they brought into this world. So we give these parents a second, third, hundredth chance because maybe this next time will be the time they become the parents we so crave. We do this, not because we are gluttons for punishment, but because the alternative is too difficult to accept…our parents don’t want us. I won’t tell you how Asenath reconciles her daddy-issues. Don’t want to chance spoiling a thing. But I will say, for me, the best thing I ever did was realize that my one true Father is God, and He is the only Parent I need.

In Feast or Famine is another home run by Mesu Andrews. This novel has intense depth and complexity. It is so well written and so highly engaging I could not put the book down. If you are a fan of Biblical Literature at its finest, if you love excellent historical fiction, and if you appreciate a story filled with thoughtful and timely themes then this is the book for you.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, WaterBrook and Multnomah, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In Feast or Famine Mesu Andrews has novelized the Biblical passage of Genesis 41- 47. She has brought out the characters to show what it might have been like during this time while still being true to scriptures. Reading her book made me go back to the Bible to read the passage. This book made the Bible more real to me. I would also recommend reading the first book in the series Potiphar’s Wife first.

Mesu Andrews does a fabulous job in writing on Biblical historical fiction. Another great addition to her books. The way the characters are described as well as the surroundings makes me feel like I was there.

Another great Biblical fiction from Mesu Andrews. Joseph is one of my favorite people in the Bible and Andrews does a marvelous job of creating a fictional account of how things might have happened in his life and in the life of Asenath, his Egyptian wife. The narrators did a great job narrating the story which made for an enjoyable listening experience. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

Oh my my my!! What a book! Mesu Andrews did it again! This story kept me on edge from the first page to the last. Reading Biblical Fiction is a wonderful way of making you go back to the Bible to research that passage one more time. Even though there is a lot of fiction in each book the Biblical truths stand out. Joseph and Asenath story was really brought to life for me. Actually all the characters were brought to life and at times it was very emotional. Just saying the wrong thing could get you killed especially if Pharaoh thought he was being betrayed. Intrigue, inspiration and forgiveness was all part of their life.
Don’t miss this wonderful book by one of the best Biblical Fiction writers.
I wasn’t on the launch team this time because I knew I had some more books to finish before I could read this one but I did pre-order where I could start reading as quickly as I could. I also got a copy from NetGalley before I received the paperback. All opinions are my own.

Mesu Andrews is always a go-to writer for Biblical fiction. Her work never detracts from scriptural truths. That much is evident in "In Feast or Famine" as we follow Asenath and Joseph's journey of faith in God while living in a land where other gods are served. As much as this is a faith-based story, the reader's mind is taken into a world filled with political intrigue, researched history and adventure. I highly recommend this inspiring read which seeks to reaffirm the faithfulness of God.

Thank you to Netgalley and Waterbrook Multnomah for a chance to review this fascinating story!

In Feast or Famine is the sequel to Potiphar’s Wife. The story focuses on Joseph’s Egyptian wife, Asenath. Asenath is an Egyptian priestess who dreams of becoming Queen of Egypt. When the Pharaoh forces her to marry Joseph, who was once a Hebrew slave and rose to become the vizier of Egypt, Asenath feels her dreams have fallen apart. Asenath must learn to love her husband, Joseph. As Asenath tries to make marriage work, she learns more about her husband’s god, Elohim.

At first, I found Asenath a hard character to like. She is very selfish, childish, and whiny. She always threw tantrums when things didn't go her way. Therefore, I found her to be a very annoying character, and I felt sorry for Joseph because he had to marry her. Over time, Asenath gradually begins to change. She grows more mature and is wiser. I found her to be a good match for Joseph. I like how she becomes a woman of faith. Thus, Asenath really grew on me as a character.

Joseph was one of my favorite characters in Potiphar’s Wife. I liked his immense faith. Even though he did not want to marry Asenath, he married her because it was God’s will. Therefore, Joseph was very kind, compassionate, and loyal. I like how Joseph was human and had flaws. Nevertheless, Joseph always tried to do what was right. Even though Asenath was not his choice, I also liked how he was willing to make his marriage work. Thus, Joseph was very admirable.

Overall, this novel is about faith, marriage, and loyalty. I like all the supporting characters, and I loved revisiting some of them from Potiphar’s Wife. I did find the novel to be very slow at times. Nevertheless, I love how Mrs. Andrews made Ancient Egypt come alive! I love how there was romance, mystery, and political intrigue! I recommend this novel for fans of Dreaming in Egypt: The Story of Joseph and Asenath, Asenath: Vision of Egypt, and Joseph and Asenath!

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.

Now Elohim defined my destiny, and His love was my strong tower. Whether in feast or famine, Joseph ben Jacob has shown me the only firm foundation-and together, we teach our children to bear their blessings well.

Many people may be familiar with the story of Joseph. Some know it as the broadway show "The Coat of many Colors and Christians know the story of Joseph as a foreshadowing of Christ. Joseph was chosen and favored by his father and his 11 brothers were very jealous. Our story too is known thru Joseph's story and our need for saviour. Joseph story continues when he is sold into slavery by his own brothers and his brothers had told their father that his favorite son was now dead. Out of all that God had ordained Joseph to save many and caused Joseph to be second to Pharaoh. He married a Egyptian Priestess known as Asenath. The bible does not say very much about her. However, with the research that Andrews has done, it answers many questions. One being why did Pharaoh give Asenath to Joseph as his wife? How did the two cultures come together in marriage? How did Joseph arrange Egypt to come together in years of Feast followed by the years of Famine? How may Asenath play a part in the forgiveness that Joseph gave to his brothers?

All these questions and more were answered with clarity and made the account of Joseph so much richer. God is good and it is easy to forget. Ancient Egypt is not that different when it comes to the hearts of men and our current culture. Wonderful story telling of a great God using ordinary men.

A special thank you to Waterbrook and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest revi

This was a wonderful telling of part of Joseph's story. Mesu Andrews takes the Biblical texts and fleshes it out with details based on elaborate historical research. Even those who do not traditionally consider themselves fans of Biblical fiction will enjoy any of Andrews's books. There is history, intrigue, romance, and Biblical truth.

This was the first book I read from this author and I just fell in love! I just put all of her books on my TBR list!
I have to say I love Biblical Fiction, but I find it a marvel when it is so well done that you feel transported to the era. This story is so full of historical details of Egypt in that period of time that I felt I was there cheering for Joseph and Asenath right there!
The story starts when Joseph is a slave in Egypt and the new young Pharaoh is having those strange dreams that Joseph will interpret by Elohim’s inspiration as the seven years of abundance in harvest and the consequent seven years of famine. Joseph proposes a way to solve this huge problem by gathering all the extra grain during the years of abundance so they can be distributed during the seven years of famine. The Pharaoh decides to name him his grand vizier and puts him in charge of this grand operation. But first, he’ll have to marry a pagan priestess, daughter of the High Priest of Ra, one of the pagan gods. Joseph is already in love with another woman, but he has to trust God to show him his plans, even if they are quite contrary to what he ever dreamed. Meanwhile Asenath, orphaned by mother and traumatized by her tragic death, has always lived sheltered in a tower by her manipulative father, Potiphera, along with two girls who were rescued the day her mother died and have been like sisters and only companions to her during all of her young life. Promised to marry King Apophis, she is shocked to receive the news that the Pharaoh has decreed that she marry the Hebrew vizier. Will this marriage be destined to fail? Potiphera will do anything to regain control over his his daughter and marry her to the powerful king, even if he has to do evil things to get his way. Will Joseph survive the new enemies that don’t want a Hebrew to control Egypt?
I totally loved this book! The storyline was amazing! It matches perfectly well with what we know from the Bible but has a fictional story surrounding the real facts that make it all so believable and captivating! I loved Joseph and Asenath’s relationship. It was not lacking of obstacles, intrigue and rumors, but the way Joseph proved his integrity and his love to Asenath was a sight to behold! I just fell in love with Joseph! He was so honest, strong, faithful to his only God and his moral values. He was sacrificing, and he wanted the best for the Egyptians, who he makes his own people, even if they believe in other gods. The way he conquered Asenath’s love and faith was beautiful. Asenath was a strong woman too. Even if she was a bit spoiled at times, her character growth was inspiring. She matures into a woman willing to sacrifice everything for this new God she has just discovered. Even if she loses all that she has ever known. The plot has too much intrigue, which made the book captivating until the last page. Having the villains POV in the story is quite interesting and suspenseful. It’s difficult to trust anyone, and I was always suspecting of betrayal somewhere. Poor Joseph, he has to fight for what he know is God’s will! And fight he does! I don’t want to spoil the story. Just say that it was amazing, the characters so lovable, even the secondary ones, that it was hard to say goodbye when the story ends. And what an ending!
This book is Biblical Fiction at its best! Can’t recommend it highly enough! I received an early copy from the Publisher via Netgalley but also purchased my own copy. I wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

“To agree would betray the abi who saved my life. To contradict would betray my heart.”

Mesu Andrews is one of the giants in the realm of Biblical fiction writers. She always amazes me with how she can take a character who is close to a well-known Biblical hero, and make a plausible, could have been, within the confines of what Scripture actually says, novel!! Asenath, daughter of the priest of On and Egyptian wife of Joseph is just another perfect example.

Many Christians, like me, might want to say, how could a faithful man of God like Joseph be married to a pagan wife? God does not give us all the details. Where Scripture speaks, Andrews holds true. But where it doesn’t, she uses well-researched ancient history, customs of the time, and her fertile imagination to come up with a novel so intricate in detail I’m in awe!

I would suggest this book for both men and women. Politics are a huge part, as are shrewdness, scheming, emotions, faith that both wavers and grows, and suspense. And add ancient history in to boot!!

Poor Joseph. Torn between his love for his God, his first love, and now Asenath, plus managing an unstable, divided kingdom. Then throw his ugly past with his brothers into the mix. Andrews many times is wise enough to make Joseph’s path very difficult, and what a relief to see him portrayed as less than perfect.

As for Asenath? I had no idea what to expect, but I was thrilled with the way Andrews drew her and developed her character. And how I hurt for the underlying choice that she had to make over and over again- her father (“He’s a Hyksos,” he whispered. “Never forget that.”) or her stranger- husband, worshipper of a different God! (“Trusting Elohim is always a choice between doubt that sends us spiraling or faith that reveals an awe-inspiring aspect of God.”)

So much to love in this story!! Andrews throws in great curveballs you’ll never see coming and makes the resolutions believable! And, of course, you’ll love Jandayi!

Extra points for the glossary at the beginning, where I can easily flip back without being tempted to read the end of the story. Also points from me for a map and a list of characters!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“I think facing my past is the path for you and me to have a future.”

“we keep moving forward and leave the hearts of men to the One who created them.”

“Only Elohim can change a heart, love, and He never forces His will over ours.”

“Ahira, there are too many what ifs to consider in a day. If we feared every what if, we’d have a life of if onlys.”

“Anger is a weak weapon, Joseph.” “Forgiveness is an archer’s bow with unlimited arrows. They can pierce even the hardest heart.”

“...you and I rest in calm assurance that Elohim meets us in our pain.”

My thoughts: IN FEAST AND FAMINE is the lastest book by fan-favorite Mesu Andrews. Judging by the title you would guess it would be about Joseph and you would be correct. Mesu Andrews takes us down roads untraveled when we read the story of Joseph in the Bible and I can't imagine the research she put into this book. If you love biblical fiction you will definitely want to read IN FEAST AND FAMINE. You won't be able to put it down. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

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 is forced 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?

Mesu Andrews is a wonderful author who likes to write about little known women in the Bible. Even though it is fiction, she does a huge amount of research to find out as much as she can about the characters and culture of the people in her books. This is the second in a series called The Egyptian Chronicles, the first in the series was about Potiphar's Wife, and several of the characters in that book were carried over into this book. When I read the first one for my church book club, I was intrigued and had to read the second one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance. Anyone interested in stories based on the Bible will like this.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is my first Mesu Andrews and I look forward to hearing from you. The book follows an arranged marriage but from the bible that will make you go read the bible again. The book follows Asenath who is a child who has not had a mother since she was murdered and thus she is raised by her father to be a priestess. She is then given to Joseph the dreamer. It is a story that will give a different perspective on the story of Joseph . I enjoyed it and though it was the second book I enjoyed reading it. I recommend reading it.

I couldn’t wait for the rest of Joseph’s story in this second book of The Egyptian Chronicles series. Once again, Mesu Andrews has outdone herself with the research and depth in this biblical fiction story. The history of Egypt and their culture was very interesting. I appreciated the glossary and character names listed in the front of the book which helped. It was great to be reunited with previous characters but some of the new characters caused a lot of trouble for Joseph. Throughout the book, good lessons of faith were learned. It was encouraging to read about God’s faithfulness to Joseph while in Egypt.

What a revivating story. I love how Mesu Andrews takes history and biblical truths and weaves them into a fiction story. So much to learn in the story of Joseph. Mesu gives you in her story the truth of Scripture to make you think. How would Joseph react to seeing his brothers? How long did it take him to forgive give them? What role did his wife play in the real story? The truth though, how our mighty God wants us to forgive, how he can change the heart of a priestess towards him, and his unconditional love for us all all showed strongly in this story.

This book picks up the story of Joseph where Potiphar's Wife left off, and tells about Joseph and his wife Asenath, given to him by pharaoh. I like this book even better than Potiphar's Wife. It followed Asenath from a priestess of Isis to a believer in Yahweh, and the struggles of loving Joseph but having to unentangle herself from a manipulative father. Very enjoyable story about Joseph and how he kept his faith in the one true God strong in the middle of a polytheistic Egyptian culture, and how Asenath helps him at a critical time to put his family back together in the middle of it all.