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Jenna Van Mourik

Shield of the Mighty by Connilyn Cossette (Book Review)


 I was reminded by Zevi and Yochana's achingly beautiful journey that when we set the Lord before us and rely on Him rather than ourselves, we will not be shaken!


It's that time of year again... The time where a new Connilyn Cossette book comes out, and I spend weeks telling everyone just how good it is. How much I loved it. How much it shaped me and changed a part of who I am! Shield of the Mighty, Connilyn Cossette's latest book and the second in The King's Men series, is no exception.


After being introduced to this cast of characters in book one, I was immediately in love with the entire group and couldn't wait to read each one's journey after Avidan and Keziah's in Voice of the Ancient. Zevi, our hero with a wounded heart, was easy for me to like. I enjoyed reading from his perspective; he's clearly always felt the burden of leadership in the past and present and takes on a great deal of responsibility for those around him, while sometimes avoiding confronting his own problems. Yochana is a strong woman with scars of her own, and though the story initially finds her at the mercy of other characters, she holds her own by the end and does so remarkably well. Both characters felt initially very self-reliant and sometimes even to a fault, but by the end, both learned that they had to rely on God first. His ways truly are best! Of course, it is a Connilyn Cossette book, so there were plenty of jaw-dropping twists and breath-taking turns that happened along the way. (I brought this book to work with me so that I could read during my breaks, and my boss will attest that sighs were sighed and tears were shed - LOL.)


I wasn't expecting this book to change me so much as I read it. Don't get me wrong, I knew it would be good, but I didn't realize how soul-deep the words would hit. The situations these characters find themselves in are intense, and what I love so much about reading Biblical fiction and historical fiction is that it reminds me that life—though it looks different—really is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. People throughout history still struggle with the same emotions: fear, hurt, struggle to trust, anxiety, grief, etc. When the Bible was written, it didn't just apply at that time; the word of God remains sharp as a sword even today. So, during and after my reading of this book, I found myself quoting scripture referenced in this story. I was reminded by Zevi and Yochana's achingly beautiful journey that when we set the Lord before us and rely on Him rather than ourselves, we will not be shaken! This was truly a story of restoration and transformation—my favorite kind!


"I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." — Psalm 16:8 ESV

One more thing: Like most of Connilyn Cossette's books, this story contains references to previous novels and characters from other stories. Mainly, Shield of the Mighty (The King's Men #1), and both To Dwell Among Cedars and Between the Wild Branches (The Covenant House Duology #1 and #2). While you could read The King's Men series on it's own, I think it's much more fun if you read The Covenant House Duology first. Readers, do with that information what you will!


Grab your copy of Shield of the Mighty TODAY, and enjoy it! I know you will. :)


*I was provided a copy by the publisher. All opinions are my own.



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