πŸ’Ž "Jewel of the Nile" (2021) πŸ’Ž - Book Review

 



 

MY REVIEW 

 

Paperback: 432 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (June 1, 2021) 

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1496428765

ISBN-13: 978-1496428769

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information


Whispered secrets about her parents’ past take on new urgency for Chariline as she pays one last visit to the land of her forefathers, the ancient kingdom of Cush.

Raised as an orphan by her aunt, Chariline has only been told a few pieces of her parents’ tragic love story. Her beautiful dark skin is proof that her father was Cushite, but she knows nothing else. While visiting her grandfather before his retirement as the Roman official in the queen’s court, Chariline overhears that her father is still alive, and discovering his identity becomes her obsession. Both her grandfather and the queen have reasons for keeping this secret, however, and forbid her quest. So when her only clues lead to Rome, Chariline sneaks on the ship of a merchant trusted by friends.

Theo is shocked to discover a stowaway on board his vessel and determines to be rid of her as soon as possible. But drawn in by Chariline’s story, he feels honor-bound to see her safely to shore, especially when it appears someone may be willing to kill for the truth she seeks.”

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Tyndale House as well as NetGalley for providing an review copy through the author’s launch team. A positive review was not required or requested, all words are my own.


[My GORGEOUS "thank you for being on the launch team" physical copy]

While I’ve been reading Historical Fiction for a few years, Biblical Fiction is definitely new territory for me. It wasn’t until last February (2020), that I read my FIRST biblical fiction story.

 

Background –> my mother has enjoyed movies like The Ten Commandments, The Story of Ruth, etc. Yet, those movies never interested me. Not that I wasn’t into learning more about the stories – watching movies wasn’t for me.

 

The first book I read –> Tessa Afshar’s Daughter of Rome.

 

Jewel of the Nile is a standalone read, but in a surprise twist; Priscilla and Aquila are not only mentioned, but have a prominent part in this book as well. Theo is also mentioned in both Daughter of Rome as well as Thief of Corinth. They’re not required to read before this one, but they make excellent companion stories to complete the background for Jewel of the Nile.

 

Theo, Priscilla, and Aquila are not the only ones in this book. Jewel of the Nile is about Chariline’s search for a father she long believed was dead. The characters are all well balanced, well-written, and are people the reader can easily invest their emotions in. This is told from Theo and Chariline’s point of view.

 

In addition to Chariline, there is the mysterious Natemahar who she has known she was seven. But, who is he other than the Queen’s trusted treasurer? Does he know something about Chariline’s father?


 Who is the couple in the prologue that we meet 25 years before this story begins?

 

Afshar’s writing is so vivid and descriptive it almost transports one back into those times. The short chapters, action, and engaging story help the story flow right along and doesn’t linger in one place at all; thus making it a very easy read and extremely hard to put down.

 

Right off this was gripping, mysterious, and riveting. It captured my attention and didn’t let go. Very seldom do I read a book in one whole day (24-hour period). It usually takes 1-2 days. This one? I read this in less than 12 hours. It was THAT good!

 

The prologue sets an interesting stage of an illegal marriage between the daughter of a Roman, Gemina, and an unknown male.

 

Chariline has been raised by her mother’s sister, since her mother died in childbirth. Her mother’s parents haven’t wanted anything to do with her until she was 12. And, she’s never been allowed to speak of her father. Even her name is spoken with wincing and disgust. The origins of it unknown.

 

But, Chariline soon learns her father is really alive at the palace. Even her friend Natemahar warns her against the search, even telling her she is never to go to the palace.

 

She isn’t one to stay away though and wants to meet her father. She is eventually given a chest of her mothers with letters from a friend. That leads Chariline to travel to the palace and gets the wrong idea of who her father is.

 

She then decides to travel to Rome to find her mother’s friend who she hopes can lead her to the identity of her father.

 

It isn’t long until the relationship between Theo and Chariline blossoms as he allows her to travel to Rome with certain conditions, which she agrees to. When she falls ill, he is the one to care for her.

 

She apparently wins over Sophocles, one of the men on his ship. It is clear that Theo has claimed Chariline in his heart and will do what he can to keep her safe. And, she is drawn to him as well.  

 

When they arrive in Rome, a stalker almost attacks her, but it is Theo who saves her.

 

It was such a delight to see Priscilla and Aquila (along with Ferox their dog) again. They are who Theo and Chariline stay with in Rome.

 

As the Theo helps Chariline look for her mother’s friend, the two bond in friendship, but for Theo it is more. Chariline’s search reveals far more than she realizes and she is in far more danger than she knows when someone goes to extreme lengths to silence her.

 

While I was reading, I couldn’t help but think it had to deal with her father. Since I don’t want to spoil this – I won’t.

 

Jewel of the Nile was definitely mesmerizing. Afshar not only writes a beautiful love story, a rich family saga, but a mystery as well.

 

She drew the mystery of the stalker to almost the end with a few surprises along the way. To say this was a delight to read is an understatement! It was a joy and privilege to read. And, it is definitely HIGH on the “books to re-read (when you have the time)” pile.

 

Fans of the author and genre shouldn’t hesitate to pick this one up!  I have Afshar’s Pearl in the Sand on my TBR list and definitely want to read it. After reading Daughter of Rome and Jewel of the Nile, I wouldn’t hesitate to read the author’s other books as well, or any future ones.   

 

As a reminder, this is not only distributed by a Christian/faith-based publisher (Tyndale House), but this story is BIBLICAL FICTION. Many of the ideas expressed and standards presented will be from that time and setting. These will seem seem outdated by modern standards and views. Some readers might even find the content offensive given what Biblical times were like.

 

This book also has major religious themes, references, and mentions that are integral to the plot. Anyone who is not a fan of Biblical fiction or bible stories should pass this one up.

 

 

 

RATING:

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 


Tessa Afshar is a bestselling author of historical and biblical fiction. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she was elected as the co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship. She worked in ministry for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker. Visit her online at: https://tessaafshar.com.

 

 

You can also find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessaAfshar

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessaafshar

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tessaafshar


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