Beyond the Crescent SkySeries: Balkan Legends #2
Author: A.L. Sowards
Genres: World History, Historical Romance
Pages: 357
Published: January 7 2025
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Source: NetGalley
The Balkans, 1383
A sudden conflict between Serbs and Greeks has forced Ivan to join his brother and fight with the Serbian army. On the battlefield, Ivan is wounded and captured by the hostile Greeks, and he soon becomes a hostage to be used as a pawn in a deadly bid for power.
Helena, a Greek midwife, is tasked to care for Ivan, a request that will not only test her healing abilities but also her loyalty. Though war has made her reluctant patient an enemy, she can't help but forge a connection with him, yet falling in love with him could turn her world upside down and brand her a traitor.
As the Ottoman Empire extends its grip into the Balkans, events beyond their control force Ivan and Helena to choose between loyalty to their families and people or following the longings of their hearts.
Content Rating: Moderate. Mild crude humor. Some substance use. Mild kissing. Brief (nonsexual) nudity. Non-graphic sexual references. Moderate violence or horror. Includes themes of Christianity, miscarriage, domestic abuse, death and war, betrayal, death of children.
A Captivating Look at Love During Medieval War
A.L. Sowards has once again written a rich and provocative historical novel set in the Balkans during the 14th century.
Helena is a healer. Ivan is a prisoner of war. They have to navigate through different languages, cultures, and customs. Their relationship is slow to grow and encounters many stumbling blocks, including war and political maneuvering. Just when you think they might finally make it together, the plot takes multiple twists.
This is truly a relatable story, covering love, fear, grief, despair, courage and cowardice, loyalty, politic survival. By the time I finished, I felt like my emotions had been sent through a wringer.
What did I think?
There are many and varied characters in this story, and they captivated me from the very beginning. Sowards ingeniously develops their character arcs, portraying their growth amidst the turmoil of war.
The plot was intricate, engaging, and intense (it’s war, after all). It is obvious this book was well researched. The narrative delves into the challenges faced by individuals caught in the crossfire of larger political machinations, highlighting themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit. It kept me reading late into the night, several days in a row.
One caution: While the level of violence is appropriate for the time period and authentic to medieval warfare, it is nonetheless, disturbing at times. It does no include a lot of blood and gore, but more than once, I involuntarily gasped or had to pause to catch my breath at the turn of events. (That’s how invested I was in these characters.)
A.L. Sowards has a gift for making history come alive. I really loved this story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
I give this book 5 STARS and recommend it to older readers (18+?) who enjoy historical accuracy and a story that really hits you in the feels.
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