Hello world! Have you read A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette? Because if you haven’t, you probably should. Or you could just continue to live in blissful ignorance of the pure genius this book is. Your choice.
BUT – before you make that decision, allow me to at least *try* and convince you of why you really, really, really need to read this book. Stat.
I discovered Connilyn Cossette after I had finished reading Mesu Andrew‘s books: The Pharoah’s Daughter and Miriam. I was on an Egyptian-Exodus-Moses-Biblical-fiction kick, so I didn’t hesitate to rush up to the checkout when I came across Cossette’s debut novel, Counted with the Stars
A Light on the Hill had been in my TBR for a while. Cossette is one of those auto-buy authors for me, so I’m always pre-ordering her stuff the second I hear its coming. That’s probably why when I received this in the mail that I was so surprised – I’d almost forgotten that I’d ordered it!
Before I get too deep in this review (because lets be honest, it’s going to get deep!!!), let me share with you the summary for this book:
Seven years ago, Moriyah was taken captive in Jericho and branded with the mark of the Canaanite gods. Now the Israelites are experiencing peace in their new land, but Moriyah has yet to find her own peace. Because of the shameful mark on her face, she hides behind her veil at all times and the disdain of the townspeople keeps her from socializing. And marriage prospects were out of the question . . . until now.
Her father has found someone to marry her, and she hopes to use her love of cooking to impress the man and his motherless sons. But when things go horribly wrong, Moriyah is forced to flee. Seeking safety at one of the newly-established Levitical cities of refuge, she is wildly unprepared for the dangers she will face, and the enemies–and unexpected allies–she will encounter on her way.
Y’all, that summary does NOT do this book justice. At all. Whatsoever. Period.
“Horribly wrong???”
That’s the biggest understatement of the century. More like morally wrong. Dangerously wrong. FATALLY WRONG.
The stakes in this novel are higher than the walls that surround Moriyah’s city of refuge.
I would strongly encourage that before you jump into this book, that you read all of Cossette’s other books. Her Out From Egypt series is more like a prequel series. Think Star Wars, but better. Read her books in the order of publication – you’ll thank me later.
Now to the review:
Although I tried to enjoy this read, Cossette has done it again. Somehow managing to make two hundred pages of words seem like two. I sat down to read “just a little bit,” and a half hour later I was half way done with the book. Don’t get me wrong – I try to enjoy myself. To take my time. To savor every word. But the energy in her writing is undeniable.
I felt love, remorse, fear, and joy while reading this book. For an author to elicit in roughly twenty pages such a myriad of emotional responses in the reader is a remarkable feat and says something about the book itself.
Connilyn Cossette is building an empire with her books. It’s a thrilling saga, each book entwined with another, all building on top of each other. Like Twilight or the Hunger Games – but so, so much more. It’s a passionate narrative, driven by God, and filled with themes like: redemption, overcoming fear and anxiety, trusting on the Lord, building up and tearing down walls in our hearts, faith, and justice.
So much faith content. So much good storytelling. This book gets a 10/10 for me, and I don’t say that lightly. I strongly suggest you check out all of her work, and follow her as she continues to publish hit after hit.
The sequel to this book and the second in the City of Refuge series, Shelter of the Most High, will be released on October 2, 2018.
This book is so good, that I don’t even feel like putting in my usual “plugs” at the end of this post. I’m still so. incredibly. in. awe. However, necessity tells me that I have to, for posterity’s sake at least. Guys, I would love it if you would subscribe to my mailing list on this site. Don’t forget to subscribe to me on YouTube where I post weekly, and follow me on Instagram where I post daily for all the fun bookish news.
I’m Jenna Van Mourik, an inspired writer and inspirational fiction reader. Stay tuned for more in Christian fiction and Christian living! Until next time,