Monday, October 8, 2018

Review: Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette



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The daughter of a pagan high priest, Sofea finds solace from her troubles in the freedom of the ocean. But when marauders attack her village on the island of Sicily, she and her cousin are taken across the sea to the shores of Canaan.

Eitan has lived in Kedesh, a City of Refuge, for the last eleven years, haunted by a tragedy in his childhood and chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawing her into the danger of his past.

As threats from outside the walls loom and traitors are uncovered within, Sofea and Eitan are plunged into the midst of a murder plot. Will they break free from the shackles of the past in time to uncover the betrayal and save their lives and the lives of those they love?

My Thoughts:

Author Cossette has done it again; she has blown me away with her meticulous research and dramatic storytelling. If you are looking for Biblical fiction that will take you to the time of the Israelites as they begin to settle down and take over the land God has given them, look no further than this series, Cities of Refuge.

Shelter of the Most High is the second in this series and continues the story of Moriyah and Darek’s family. Eleven years have passed and they have made their home and family in the refuge city of Kadesh. Eitan has grown up and is a gifted blacksmith making weapons for the Israelites to use. We also get to meet the children of the growing family of Moriyah and Darek. As in the first book, this book deals with the protection that a manslayer may have within the city walls of the refuge cities that have been set aside for just that purpose. Not only do we dive deeper into that topic, but we also get to learn a little bit more about the Nazarites, what made them such and the purpose of their vows.

An aspect that I really like about this series is that is does not focus so much on true historical figures but on fictional ones and what it might be like to live under the Law of God in the land of Israel. In this story we actually get to meet a foreigner, two actually who have taken refuge in this city with God’s people. Sofea and her cousin were taken violently from their home on the island of Sicily and eventually found their way to Moriyah’s family. I really liked the light that that family showed to these two young girls in their fear, grief, and that spoke through even the language barriers they had. I think author Cossette did a really great job of showing the very different cultures, religious customs, and even violent home life these girls once lived with and the comparisons with a home full of love and who worshiped the one true God.

The love story was a nice slow one and a major theme throughout the book was self-sacrifice for family and those we love. I cannot say enough about these stories as all of them have stuck with me and have found their way to my keeper/favorite shelf. This was another unique Biblical fiction story that showed what being a light in a world can do for those seeking refuge and finding it in the Most High.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own. 




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