Book Review: Counted With the Stars

I have always loved biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar, Lynn Austin, and Bodie and Brock Thoene are among my favorites. So when I was given this trilogy by an author unknown to me, I was excited, yet to be honest, somewhat hesitant. But now as I’m almost finished with the second book, I can’t stop and wish there were more than three!

Connilyn Cossette is an award-winning author who I have come to adore very quickly. “Counted With the Stars,” the first book in her “Out From Egypt” trilogy, quickly sucked me into young Kiya’s trials as an Egyptian girl who was recently sold into slavery by her father. The Hebrews have been slaves in Egypt for years, and as Kiya struggles with her new life, it’s nothing compared to the struggles she and all the Egyptians begin to experience when an unknown man named Mosheh presents a demand from Pharaoh to let the Hebrews leave Egypt.

From a locust infestation to rivers of blood to the killing of all the firstborn males, “Counted With the Stars” puts the reader in the midst of one of the most miraculous, amazing times in biblical history when Moses leads the people out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Cossette captures the fear, awe, and grace of Almighty God in a way that leaves the reader wanting more.

The series is written for adults, however, I would absolutely consider it appropriate for teens and possibly tweens. It is a big longer, with 352 pages, and there a few opportunities for discussion with younger, mature readers. For example, Shira, a young Hebrew girl Kiya befriends, was abused by an Egyptian overseer. The book doesn’t go into details, but the reader can assume she was raped by how she shrinks back from men. Overall, Connilyn Cossette has me completely hooked and I look forward to reading more from her!