This is the second novel in Connilyn Cossette’s Cities of Refuge series. While it is a standalone novel, the backstory will make more sense if you read A Light on the Hill first.
After Sofea and Prezi’s families are murdered in a pirate raid, they are taken from their home on Sicily to Israel. A series of events leads them to Israel, to the city of Kadesh, one of the ancient Hebrew Cities of Refuge. Here they are taken in by Moriyah, who runs the inn (and who was the main character in A Light on the Hill).
The opening chapters are full of action, but it felt like the story took a long time to get going. I think this is because it takes several chapters before Sofea and Prezi reach Kadesh, and before we meet the hero of the story (I initially thought the hero was one of the pirates, but I was wrong).
Etian is Moriyah’s adopted son, and the reason he and Moriyah have both been banished to Kadesh. As Sofea learns the local language and settles in Kadesh, she and Etian fall for each other … but Sofea is a child of the sea and Etian can’t leave the city to take her to the sea. The result is I found the second half of the book wasn’t as strong, as it focused on a suspense thread at the expense of the characters.
There is also (unsurprisingly) a strong faith thread in Shelter of the Most High, as both Sofea and Prezi learn about the Yahweh, the Hebrew One God, and the way he cares for his people. Recommended for Biblical fiction fans.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
About Connilyn Cossette
Connilyn Cossette is the Christy Award Nominated and CBA-Bestselling author of the Out from Egypt Series from Bethany House Publishers. There’s not much she enjoys more than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible, discovering new gems of grace that point to Jesus, and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience.
Find Connilyn Cossette online at:
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About Shelter of the Most High
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?
Find Shelter of the Most High online at:
Amazon US | Amazon AU | ChristianBook | Koorong
