I recall Asenath vaguely from Bible studies, but most of her story I learned then is now unclear. Anna Patricio brings her story to the forefront and she does it with sensibility and compassion. Kyia, who will become Asenath, is kidnapped from her fishing village when she is only nine and put into servitude. She's later rescued by Egyptian soldiers, and from there, she goes into training to be a priestess. Throughout the story, she meets Joseph when she is younger but then doesn't see him until years later when she has bloomed into a woman. They find love with one another but another is filled with hate and would see them apart. Joseph, yes the same one with the coat of many colors, Asenath and her trials and tribulations will keep the reader entranced. Patricio writes with authenticity and compassion, but isn't afraid to show the dark side of human nature. The historical details are mesmerizing and the masterful storytelling will captivate readers. I really loved it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I thought the author did a wonderful job of bringing to life a woman we know little about. It's really Asenath's journey and how it intersects with Joseph. I liked the way she portrayed Joseph. He was really just as I would have imagined him to be. The story is written in first person from Asenath's point of view. Although the first person POV is not my favorite, I really felt it worked for this story. As a reader, we were able to get a glimpse into the Egyptian culture and what they believed. I don't often read Biblical fiction but this is one I would definitely recommend. As the author points out in her note at the end of the book, little is know about Asenath so she was able to let her imagination run wild. I thought she came up with a very believable story and one I really enjoyed reading. A thank you goes to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy for my review.
