Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette {Book Review}

Title: Shelter of the Most High

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Series: Cities of Refuge #2

Age: Adult

Genres: Biblical Fiction

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

Publisher: Bethany House Publishing

Source: Paperback

Purchase: Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle | Audible | B&N | ChristianBook | LifeWay

Synopsis:

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 Rating: 

Wow...this was a great and emotional followup to the first book in the series! Connilyn's writing is magnificent. She puts a lot of research into creating these stories and it grips you into the story. Once again, I felt as if I was standing next to the characters watching everything play out. Flawless writing. This was the sequel to A Light on the Hill which follows precious Eitan eleven years after the events of the book.

Eitan has grown up to become a very bright, fit and hardworking young man. At the age of 20 he still knows the value of working hard. I loved how he still had his moments of playfulness. I loved his boldness and how he didn't allow things to scare him. With 11 years between now and his past you could see that he still had things he struggled with, but he also still had a lot of guilt in his actions that affected Moriyah. His love for her is still as profound as ever. I enjoyed the hardships he had with Darek because it made for some emotional joy at the end. Eitan was adorable in the first book and he was handsome in this book. He grew into a well-mannered young man and valued the importance of both God and family. I loved him!

Sofea is a sixteen year daughter of a pagan high priest. Her mother was the favored one of her fathers wives. She grew up in a hostile environment of cruelty and murder. Her views on life were very different and highly misconstrued. I enjoyed seeing her growth in her beliefs and way of life. I loved how brave she was and how hard she pushed forward despite the odds. She was working her faith without even knowing or understanding it. I loved her willingness to try even if for the wrong reasons at times. She had such a pure heart. I loved it.

The romance between Eitan and Sofea was instant, but neither acknowledged it because there was much between them -- especially language barrier. I loved seeing them grow closer as Eitan taught her Hebrew. I loved how bold Eitan was with her. The flirts between them were just too adorable. They did have struggles, especially with Eitan's past creeping up, but I loved how much Sofea cared for him.

Prezi, Sofea's cousin, was a broken girl. Considering how things went for them she was broken beyond repair to most, however, her time in Kedesh allowed her to find peace and joy again. I loved her willingness and understanding of God to follow Him. Most would not have believed, but she was willing to change it all for Him. She found peace in God and He gave her renewed strength. I loved Prezi's faith.

Moriyah is still my favorite character ever! She has always been a strong character for me, but seeing her fulfill the role of a mother with six children was amazing. She had such amazing faith. She may be a fictional character, but she inspires me to move deeper with my faith because she had some true saving faith.

Darek is shown more in the light of a father in this book and I love it. The tension between him and Eitan was intense. He loved Eitan like his own son, but of course Eitan believed otherwise. I love how much Darek loved and cared for Eitan. Never once did he abandon him. Great example of a father!

Baz was still funny as ever, maybe even more in the sequel. Tal was awesome too! Nadir was a terrible person. When he was first introduced in the story he seemed a bit fishy, but I was even more surprised with all the information about him that was revealed. I could not believe that Raviv was still on his revenge binge. He irritates me, however, I do hope that after Darek did what he did, that they might be able to reconcile down the line.

I am excited about the third book which follows little Malakhi, Moriyah's son and Eitan's brother and little Rivkah, Tal's sister. I can't wait to see Moriyah and her family again!

Go grab a copy!

Blessings,