Book Review: Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette

About the Book:

Recently widowed, Rivkah refuses to submit to the Torah law compelling her to marry her husband's brother and instead flees Kedesh, hoping to use her talents as a scribe to support herself. Without the protections of her father, Kedesh's head priest, and the safety of the city of refuge, Rivkah soon discovers that the cost of recklessness is her own freedom.

Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but he never imagined his older brother's death would mean wedding her himself. After her disappearance, he throws himself into the ongoing fight against the Canaanites instead of dwelling on all he has lost. But with impending war looming over Israel, Rivkah's father comes to Malakhi with an impossible request.

As the enemies that Rivkah and Malakhi face from without and within Israel grow more threatening each day, is it too late for the restoration their wounded souls seek?

My Thoughts:

Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette is one of the best books I've read this year. The author combined a captivating plot, steady romantic tension, and deep character development to create a tale that made me laugh, cry, and stay up way too late.

Despite her immaturity and poor choices, Rivkah is my favorite character in this novel. I liked her even when she was making her mistakes as the prodigal daughter of a priest. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Rivkah and Malakhi grow individually and together. Many difficulties, some self-inflicted, trouble their lives and relationship. Brokenness, consequences, and scars made their journeys realistic. However, like the other novels in the series, Until the Mountains Fall presents a theme of something beautiful rising out of tragedy.

Until the Mountains Fall is the third installment in Connilyn Cossette's Cities of Refuge series. I think the novel could be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading the series in order to get the vibrant, full experience. Until the Mountains Fall is tied with A Light on the Hill for my favorite book by Connilyn Cossette. Five stars!

Read an excerpt from Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection:I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."