Review of A Divine Romance by Ifueko Ogbomo

Meet My Friend, Ifueko!

Attribution: Studio 24

Like many of my author friends, I’ve only met Ifueko through emails, private messaging, and video. Our love for God, His Word, and our passion for storytelling quickly knit our hearts together.

When I discovered she was ALSO writing about Joseph’s biblical wife, Asenath, I was even more excited to read her debut novel. Ifueko’s, A Divine Romance, tells Joseph and Asenath’s story in a different era of Egypt’s history than my book, In Feast or Famine. Her characters are the same, yet different, and her own poetic flare makes A Divine Romance a must read!

Book Description

Considered a gift from the sun god due to her arresting eyes, Asenath was veiled in childhood and destined to marry Egyptian royalty. The 17-year-old is resigned to a loveless future in the royal harem, when Pharaoh’s shocking declaration forces her to marry the new vizier of Egypt—a mystical foreigner with powers of divination.

Known as Zaphnath-Paaneah, her husband turns out to be handsome, charming, and possibly insane since he worships an invisible god and expects her—the daughter of a high priest—to do the same. Facing a fate seemingly worse than that she grew up dreading, she desperately searches for a way out of the arranged marriage. The secrets she uncovers usher her into a world of intrigue and treachery that questions all her beliefs about men, gods, and love. Will theirs be the most monumental mismatch made in Egyptian history, or will her daring demand for a sign from his god make all her childhood fantasies come true?

Combining original poetry with well-researched history, A Divine Romance is an Own Voices retelling of a beloved Biblical tale that takes readers on a riveting journey through Ancient Egypt and introduces them to a fresh, poetic voice in Christian fiction.

My Review

:-):-):-):-) ½ (4 1/2 Smiles)

Because I’ve researched extensively for my own books on Egypt, I feared knowledge might sap my enjoyment while reading. However, the writing was so well done. I immediately cared deeply not only for Asenath but also for Joseph and many supporting characters. The immersive world building captured me in this beautifully written novel.

Asenath’s journey to faith was real, fraught with relatable doubt, and believable. Ifueko offered well-thought-out and plausible fictional circumstances to explain the Bible’s strange/unlikely Truths. It’s not easy to make a believable story about a slave rising to such power! In only a couple of places did I find myself thinking, “I’m not sure about that.” But, overall, her interpretation of Joseph’s rise to power, marriage, and reunion with his brothers (Genesis 41ff) was convincing.

Though we know how the Bible ends Joseph’s story, I was captivated to the end of this tender tale. Magnificent. Satisfying. Ifueko’s mastery of story concepts felt more like a well-seasoned author than a debut novelist. I look forward to reading more and have added her to my must-read author list!

Author Bio

Although multilingual, Ifueko thinks, writes, and dreams in her first language: English. The last of three children born to a military father and a globetrotting, fashion-designer mother, Ifueko has visited four continents and known many “homes,” but she currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Proudly neurodivergent and INFJ on the Myers-Briggs scale, she enjoys creative expression, the arts, African fashion, gluten-free dining, and exotic destinations, but nothing beats a quiet day flying through the pages of a Christian romance (while snacking on plantain chips).

Whether through stories, sonnets, or songs, Ifueko’s lifelong mission is “to inspire, with words.” A lover of inspirational stories and storytelling, Ifueko is herself inspired by her love for the greatest storyteller of all time: Jesus Christ.