Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette

Shelter of the Most High (Cities of Refuge, #2)

by Connilyn Cossette

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?

Reviewed by phyllish on

5 of 5 stars

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Finding true refuge

Snatched away from her island home by pirates along with her cousin, Sofea knew she could never go back. When they were picked up on the beach of Canaan by warriors she could not understand, she fully expected the worst.

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the sense of what it would be like to be completely immersed in a culture where I couldn’t speak the language or be understood, and where the culture was a mystery to me. The way the author helped me experience Sofea’s confusion was remarkable. I really liked her character, the strength and fierce determination she showed despite circumstances that appeared to be dire.

Eitan was so interesting! He apparently was introduced in A Light on the Hill along with his mother, Moriyah. (I really need to read that book!) Now, as a man of twenty years, he is struggling with a desire to be able to fight for Yahweh along with his mother’s husband, and yet he can’t leave Kedesh.

Oh, speaking of Kedesh! I have a completely new understanding of the Cities of Refuge that were set up in Israel now. Not that I’d given them much thought, but now I have a sense that though they were a place of refuge, they were also a prison of sorts. The very fact that by simply stepping outside the walls, the Avenger of Blood could take your life would be quite confining!

I can’t believe I have not read any of this author’s books before and plan to remedy that. Starting with book 1 of this series. That said, I didn’t feel like I was lost as I read this one, it really could stand alone. I want to read the first so I can know everything that has happened already!


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

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  • 22 November, 2018: Reviewed