Until the Mountains Fall is the third book in the Cities of Refuge series. You could read this story first without being confused, but it is best if read as the third book in the series as Cossette ties up a few things from the beginning of this series.Rivkah is the main character. She has recently lost her husband to a tragic accident, and her father wants her to fulfill the Leverite marriage to Malakhi. Rivkah is independent, and strong willed. She works as a scribe for her father who is priest. Rivkah doesn't want a loveless marriage, and decides to run away. She hatches a plan with her friend Nessa to leave their quiet town of Kedesh and go to a Canaanite festival in the nearby town of Laish. This begins an adventure of serious consequences that Rivkah and Nessa may never be able to return from.
Malakhi is a handsome young man who has the eye of many young Jewish girls. Yet, he only has eyes for Rivkah. While he was the young he played many tricks on Rivkah to capture her attention and maybe receive a smile from his friend. All of these tricks come back to haunt him as a young man who is willing to fulfill the Leverite marriage to Rivkah. He suffers quietly as Rivkah tries to get Malakhi to divorce her because she is an awful cook, or destroys his clothing. Malakhi's patience is proven time and again. Once Rivkah disappears, Malakhi trains to be a warrior like his father. This ultimately brings about the reconciliation of Rivkah and Malakhi after many years of pain and heartache.
I loved this story and was pleasantly surprised to have a new spin on the parable of the Prodigal Son. The unfailing love of family overflows from this story. Cossette's research, relatable characters and insight into life during the Old Testament will draw the reader into the story. I couldn't put the book down.
My thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the complimentary e-book in exchange for my review.
