Review: To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette

March 8, 2021

Title: To Dwell Among Cedars
Author: Connilyn Cossette
Publisher: Bethany House 
Pages: 364
ISBN: 9780764234347
Publication Date: December 1st, 2020

About the Book:
As they fight for the soul of Israel, will they find healing for their own?

Eight years ago, after the Philistines surrendered the stolen Ark of the Covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora and her brother left their Philistine homeland to follow it to the community of Kiryat-Yearim. Though they both were lovingly enfolded into a Levite family that guards the Ark, Eliora can't stop feeling like she doesn't belong.

Meanwhile, a faction of discontent Hebrews finds Kiryat-Yearim to be an unfit resting place and believes that the sacred vessel should be in the hands of the priests who mean to restore the Holy of Holies in a new location. Under the guise of gathering Hebrews to worship together for the festivals, Levite musician Ronen has been sent by his uncle to find where the Ark has been hidden and steal it back. But Ronen never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he's tasked to deceive.

Ronen's attempts to charm Eliora into revealing the location of the Ark lead them in unexpected directions, as they must battle betrayal and fear to help establish Israel's leadership for a better future.

My Thoughts:
Stunning! That was the word that came to mind as I closed this book upon finishing it. 
This is a book of, things are not what they appear to be. The ideas you have on certain backgrounds and and how you think this will play out prove to be wrong, in the best sense of the word. 

When we meet Eliora for the first time, she is a young girl, lost in a world without her mother and father, and only has the slave who has watched after since she was born to truly care for her. Eliora's main concern is her little brother. She is willing to do anything, even at her young age to keep him safe. With her young eyes, she witness things that could make an adult quake, but she persists in her determination to save her brother. With just a small bit of guidance into a land of unknown, Eliora's life takes the most dramatic and beautiful change. 

We see how these events have shaped Eliora and her life and she becomes a woman who just radiates her faith and love for those in her life. She is a sweet and innocent character, but also one of strong determination. He story is one that is an uplifting tale. 

Ronen's story is similar in a way to Eliora's but also completely different. It is a story that shows how you feel and how the ones you are with during your lowest time can shape you and mold you. 

Ronen is a strong man, educated in many ways, but also determined to do what he thinks is right, without truly looking into where decisions come from. But his story is one of love and compassion, even with the loss he carries. 

Eliora and Ronen's story is set during a time after a great many judges have helped Israel and now Samuel has made his appearance into this interesting time of Israel's history. This story really opened up a time I haven't read too much into, but really brought it to my attention to seek out and read more. 

I honestly can't wait for book two of this story. The ending of this book was an emotional punch to the gut and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

5 out of 5

About the Author:
Connilyn Cossette (www.connilyncossette.com) is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-plus years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas, their home.



Thank you to the author, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. 


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