Book Review - Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette

 Author Connilyn Cossette has crafted an entertaining and inspiring tale of life for one young Egyptian woman during the Biblical Exodus.  The main characters are multi-faceted, and the story deals often with themes of friendship and loyalty.  Kiya was used to a life of luxury, but she becomes a slave to a harsh woman.  Her fellow handmaiden, Shira, intrigues her with her faith and positive attitude, and Kiya finds herself drawn into Shira's stories of the Hebrew God.  Then strange plagues strike the land, and Kiya has to evaluate what she really believes, and whom she trusts.  Sin and forgiveness, guilt and reconciliation are all seamlessly worked into the story of Kiya and her family and friends.  The book seems authentic to life in that time period, and the author does a good job of explaining customs of both Hebrews and Egyptians without turning the book into a textbook lesson.  While the story does not contradict the Biblical account, she does enhance the details of the story in creative new ways that I really enjoyed.  This book is the first in a series, and I look forward to reading the next one.  I highly recommend this book, and I think that even readers who do not normally enjoy fiction based on the Old Testament would find this book deeply satisfying.

I received this book from the publisher, Bethany House, for the purpose of writing a review, but all opinions are my own.