Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed Shelter of the Most High (Cities of Refuge, Bk 2) on + 157 more book reviews
Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette is a novel not to be missed. It's difficult for my words to adequately reflect the magnificence of this story, and a 5-star rating falls far short. I found it entertaining, informative, and uplifting. It stands tall in the biblical fiction genre, but reads purely as exquisite historical fiction also.
When a writer describes a setting or scene, I usually feel one of two ways â either standing at the edge, looking on to what is happening, or being drawn in, practically breathing the same air as the characters. I can't explain how Cossette does it, but the second effect is what I felt on every page. Everything from Sicily to Kedesh of 1388 BC is vivid, and I have a much greater understanding of the depth of meaning in the term refuge.
Characters are so very rich and complex â¦
⦠the relationship between Sofea and Eitan: âI'd vowed from the beginning that I wanted nothing of Eitan's interest, but at this moment I wanted nothing more than to live at the center of it.â
⦠Moriyah, a devout woman who felt that Sofea and Prezi had been brought to their family in order to heal
⦠the strained relationship between Eitan and his stepfather, Darek
⦠Prezi, Sofea's cousin, once a follower who now found her voice: âGiven the choice between the gods our people venerated on that hill and the God who offers shelter for even the most undeserving, I know whom I choose.â
But what touched me the most was seeing Yahweh through the eyes of Sofea and Prezi, with their heritage of pagan gods and evil worship practices. I've always loved the revelation of God's character that the Old Testament gives us, and Cossette's narrative makes it fresh and new all over again. Yahweh, the God of refuge, shelter, protection ⦠the God who values all life.
It's hard to put this book down at any point, especially when the danger and action picks up in the second half, but Cossette still gives readers time to breathe. Shelter of the Most High is a story that lives on long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
When a writer describes a setting or scene, I usually feel one of two ways â either standing at the edge, looking on to what is happening, or being drawn in, practically breathing the same air as the characters. I can't explain how Cossette does it, but the second effect is what I felt on every page. Everything from Sicily to Kedesh of 1388 BC is vivid, and I have a much greater understanding of the depth of meaning in the term refuge.
Characters are so very rich and complex â¦
⦠the relationship between Sofea and Eitan: âI'd vowed from the beginning that I wanted nothing of Eitan's interest, but at this moment I wanted nothing more than to live at the center of it.â
⦠Moriyah, a devout woman who felt that Sofea and Prezi had been brought to their family in order to heal
⦠the strained relationship between Eitan and his stepfather, Darek
⦠Prezi, Sofea's cousin, once a follower who now found her voice: âGiven the choice between the gods our people venerated on that hill and the God who offers shelter for even the most undeserving, I know whom I choose.â
But what touched me the most was seeing Yahweh through the eyes of Sofea and Prezi, with their heritage of pagan gods and evil worship practices. I've always loved the revelation of God's character that the Old Testament gives us, and Cossette's narrative makes it fresh and new all over again. Yahweh, the God of refuge, shelter, protection ⦠the God who values all life.
It's hard to put this book down at any point, especially when the danger and action picks up in the second half, but Cossette still gives readers time to breathe. Shelter of the Most High is a story that lives on long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
