I've gotten interested in historical fiction, but I've stuck to mostly one period while reading. I have watched a few TV shows that are historical fiction not in the same period. So that encouraged me to branch out and try reading about the Ottoman Empire and The Balkans as this book is set in 1373. I did struggle in the beginning with the language because there's so much I don't know or understand about what things are called. The clothes they wore. Their armor. It's an entire language on its own. I've learned much about Regency England through many many books, so I tried to give myself grace with all the new to me terms.

One thing I have no issues getting hooked into is arranged marriages or marriages of convenience. Konstantin needs to marry for money. He needs the dowry that a wife can bring to him to protect his lands and his people. Suzana doesn't necessarily need to marry, but she wants to get out of her father's household. At the same time, her relationship with her father hasn't set her up for much knowledge about how a healthy relationship should be between a husband and wife. Her father is a wealthy merchant, so providing a dowry for her isn't difficult. But Suzana has a secret that might keep away prospective husbands.

Suzana is a timid mouse. She's not been treated well and finds it hard to trust Konstantin. Konstantin can't figure out why she is so scared of him. But they haven't even returned to Konstantin's home before Suzana is attacked. Konstantin is being attacked on all sides. Someone is out to get him. That much is obvious.

Favorite quotes:
-...tragedy does not make happiness impossible.

-"As much as I want to, I can't take away your fear. You have to ask God if He can take it from you or help you bear it."

-Sometimes life was like that. Compromise. Balancing different wants and needs into something that would work, even if it wasn't perfect for anyone.

-"Death is not better than hardship."

-"Hope doesn't have to be practical in order to be real, in order to be just. The timing is not right, not now. Maybe not for years. But that doesn't mean we stop dreaming of it."

-"You do not have to be invincible to have my love. And you don't have to be without sin to have God's forgiveness."

-"I know what it is to be haunted by the past, but, Kostya, the past doesn't have to hold hostage your future."

I ended up really enjoying Beneath a Crescent Shadow. The Christian elements were so enjoyable. I love seeing characters that are real and that struggle. And I love it when books don't shy away from the hard questions or the difficult subjects. Sometimes we just don't have all the answers. Beneath a Crescent Shadow was so much better than I was expecting it to be. I loved the characters, main and secondary. And I can't wait to see what happens with Ivan's story next. Beneath a Crescent Shadow gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Beneath a Crescent Shadow? What did you think? Let me know!

4.5 ⭐️

I have to confess I picked this up on a wild whim. It’s been many moons since I read anything related to the Ottomen Empire (hellooooooo, high school history textbook), and it’s frankly never compelled me like other historical eras did. But Sowards took an unfamiliar era, region, and history (seriously, I’ve never heard of a fictional book set in this time period) and danced it into life. I was gripped!

Konstantin and Suzana were precious. A marriage of convenience/arranged marriage results in love and I’m here for it. Also, K is such a gentleman. Asking his wife if he can kiss her—gets me every time. 🫠

It’s culturally rich and evocative even if the unfamiliarity was hard to grasp at times. There’s a hair-raising mystery about multiple assassination attempts & betrayal all nestled in the middle of a story with characters you can root for.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I enjoyed this book more than I had originally thought. It looked good, but I ended up loving it! It sucks you in from the first page and it is non stop until the end! Loved it!

Wow! What an amazing story! This book will transport you to the Balkans, 1373; the tumultuous period following a devastating battle, which left young Konstantin to rule as a vassal to the Ottoman sultan. Amid the burdens of leadership, financial ruin, and persistent threats from enemies, he agrees to an arranged marriage to Suzana, the daughter of a wealthy merchant.

To me, Suzana and Konstantin's marriage was the heart of the story and everything else revolved around them. I loved that even though it was an arranged marriage that happened quickly, both of them were determined to make it work. Konstantin is the ultimate hero! Although he became Zupan many years before he was ready, he does his best to care for his people. He's so gentle with Suzana, knowing she's keeping things from him but showing patience and kindness until she's ready to tell him of her past traumas.

I can never find the right words to describe A.L. Soward's books, but I love how her in-depth research and attention to historical detail is able to transport me back in time and I learn things I didn't know before. I appreciate that she includes a map and glossary to help with unfamiliar words. I can't wait for the next book in this series! I recommend reading the prequel After the Crescent Strike which gives Konstantin's backstory of how he became the Zupan.

I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Konstantin is struggling to keep his people safe and fed, In order to save his lands, he is betrothed to Suzana, daughter of a wealthy merchant,

Set in the Balkins in 1373, it is the height of the Ottoman Empire. This story is enthralling, There are moments of romance, of loss, of triumph, and of betrayal. There is healing and hurting.

This is so well written, there were twists and turns that I didn't see coming and the ending was bittersweet but perfectly set this up as a series, with storylines of the Main characters wrapping up beautifully as well. The ending is very balanced storytelling, A.L. Sowards does a magnificent job with the story as well as with the historical aspects of this time period, It was a time period unfamiliar to me, but it came alive for me with the conflict and the battles, I don't think I truly understood the Ottoman empire and find this book to be eye opening and captivating.

If you love history from any time period, this magnificent story will draw you in, The relationships are well written and the realism will satisfy.

Beneath a Crescent Shadow has become my latest "I couldn’t put this book down" read. Once you dive in, it’s nearly impossible to stop. The story combines themes of war, love, forgiveness, loyalty, and honor, all set against a rich historical backdrop.

A.L. Sowards, the author, is known for her deep and accurate historical research and her ability to craft captivating historical fiction. In recent years, Sowards has explored periods of history that were unfamiliar to me.

Set in the Balkans in 1373, the novel follows Konstantin, a vassal to the Ottoman Sultan, who has conquered Serbia with his powerful army. As a young Zupan, Konstantin inherits a struggling Zupa and aims for financial stability. His grandfather arranges a marriage to Suzana, who brings a significant dowry but also carries the scars of a trauma-filled childhood.

I especially loved the development of Konstantin and Suzana's relationship. Suzana battled with trust issues stemming from her history of abuse, especially from her father. Konstantin was a supportive husband and gradually guided her out of the shadows of her past. Her path to healing was the favorite part of the story for me. The writing flows so smoothly that the shifts in POV feel seamless. There is also a good twist in the story that you won't see coming.

Amid battle scenes, relationship struggles, and community conflicts, a tender romance grows. I look forward to reading the second book, as Beneath a Crescent Shadow has made a lasting impression on me. This story will stay with me for a long time.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. This is set in a time period I know nothing about so I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it, but it was amazing.
I loved that it had so much historical information and an added romance. I will say there was a lot of fighting and some sad parts, but it was tastefully written.
I loved the main characters and watching their relationship grow.
I was happy that the author added a Glossary with the definitions of certain words used otherwise it could have been difficult to know what was being talked about.
This is a book I’m pretty sure my dad would be happy to read as well. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Rounded up to 4.5 ⭐️s.

“After the Crescent Strike" serves as the prequel to
"Beneath a Crescent Shadow" in The Balkan Legends series, delivering the trademark appeal of Soward's writing. It beautifully sets the stage for the second story, where we delve into the aftermath of a devastating battle during the Ottoman oppression.
Young Konstantin, now Serbian Lord after losing his father, uncle, and much of their army, faces unanticipated challenges like war, bankruptcy, famine, and crime. Alongside his new wife Suzana, they navigate a fragile relationship while contending with the demands of a conquering Ottoman sultan.

This book is incredibly powerful and moving, with themes of hope, love, and second chances throughout.

Every character, good or bad, is intricately developed, adding depth to the narrative. I really admire how Sowards skillfully integrates even the side characters into the story, making them essential to the plot.
While there are gut-wrenching scenes that are difficult to swallow, and some miscommunication, these complexities are part of historical fiction, and Amanda skillfully does justice to these situations. Despite the challenges, there are heartwarming moments of bravery, friendship, and dedication that are sure to make you smile.

This book is absolutely for you if you enjoy:
Strong FMCs
Dual POV
Respect, love, and care of animals
Chapter titles
Friendship
Love

I loved this book! It is clear that the author thoroughly researched this book through the rich historical details. I'm not super familiar with this period in history and it is such a different world than we live in, it almost reads like a fantasy book. Beneath a Crescent Shadow has it all- action, found family, romance, and betrayal. I'd highly recommend this one!

Spice: closed door (implied intimacy between a married couple)
CW: rape, war related violence, kidnapping, pregnancy loss

Superbly written story set in the Balkans in 1373, a time period I knew nothing about. I absolutely was glued to every page, loved it! I can't wait for the next book in this series. The author places you right in every scene, so vividly that you can imagine what it could have been like.

We encounter the realities of war, the ruthlessness of the time, famine, arson, and betrayal, and yet there are wonderful times of friendship, love, family and the growing faith that sustains them. I enjoyed the personal development of the characters and was rooting for good outcomes for all of them despite the odds.

After a terrible battle took the lives of young Konstantin's father, uncle, and most of their Serb army, he is left with the choice to rebel and die or serve as a vassal of the Ottoman sultan. Suzana is the daughter of a prosperous merchant who will bring much needed funds to Konstantin and his people. Can this arranged marriage offer them both hope and love amidst the dangers and trials?

"You do not have to be invincible to have my love. And you do not have to be without sin to have God's forgiveness."

Beneath a Crescent shadow is a wonderful mix of historical fiction with a beautiful thread of faith, hardship and joy, uncertainty, and purpose, healing and romance. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read a copy of this amazing story. All opinions are my own.

BOOK REVIEW - Beneath a Crescent Shadow - A L Sowards - 4/5 Stars

THE STORY
One of the great benefits of starting this blog was being able to discover new-to-me authors, AL Sowards is one of them and I've enjoyed reading the first in her new series. It's been a while since I've read such a heavy historical novel, one with more emphasis on history than romance but it's been nice for a change. And the detail in this story, wow! What a completely different time to live, so foreign to our lives. The story was good overall, a bit slow in patches and the Serbian setting and language took a little getting used to but I was drawn in from the start. Konstantin and Suzana were such wonderful characters, I was so rooting for them the whole time!

THE ROMANCE
The romance in this story was beautiful, so much more than swoony moments (don't worry they were there too) but really showed what love is and how deep and lasting it can be when rooted in God.

THE TRUTHS
This story didn't shy away from how harsh life can be and how sometimes there's no decision that can avoid pain. We cannot always avoid pain but we can choose how we get through it to the other side. We can choose bitterness and despair or we can choose faith and hope in God. To trust that He is always with us and will guide us through the pain with strength, hope and love. Because He will if we let Him.

This was such a great continuation to the Pre-quel. I loved seeing how Suzana's and Kastintin's relationship developed. The story was filled with love, heartache, plenty of adventure. I read this story into the wee hours because I just couldn't put it down.

This book is phenomenal! Every time I picked up "Beneath a Crescent Shadow", I was whisked back in time, and was on the edge of my seat as I could not put this book down!

A.L. Soward's writing is visceral and detailed, and her storytelling is spectacular. Her world-building is completely immersive, and I can only begin to imagine how much research went into the book, as I truly felt completely surround by the world of the novel from the first page to the last. Each and every moment jumps right off of the page, and the author seamlessly weaves together so much history, romance, adventure, intrigue, and so, so much more. I found myself turning the pages into the very early hours of the morning to see what was going to happen next, and next after that, and next after that.

(Possible Spoilers):
Konstantin and Suzana truly bring out the best in one another. They help one another to heal, help one another to grow, and they support each other in such a beautiful way. Their romance is woven throughout everything going on around them, from battles (both internal and external), family, mystery, questions of whom can and can't be trusted, hope, and much more.

If you enjoy Historical Fiction, I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading the next books in the series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC of this book, and to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a physical ARC as well! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Ottoman Empire is not a timeframe in history I am drawn to by any means but somehow I stumbled on A.L. Sowards and became a huge fan. She is a masterful storyteller who creates the most beautiful, strong characters. Her stories have well researched historical information wrapped in Intrigue, betrayal, forgiveness, reconciliation and just that right amount of romance. This book is no exception. I immediately fell in love with Suzanna and Konstantin’s story and I’d love to read more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishers for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

Dear Mrs. Sowards,

I am so completely enthralled by this book and your writing, that I don’t feel I have adequate words to express my feelings. It is beautiful, it is gut wrenching, it is deep, it is written remarkably well. I am in awe of your writing, completely amazed at this story you created.

To say I adored both Konstantin and Suzana would be an understatement. They are both so good, rising above their circumstances to be the best people they can. I loved how Konstantin showed gentle love to Suzana, and helped her find her confidence. I loved how Suzana pushed Konstantin to trust her more, and helped him in his duties as Zupan. Their love story is so tender and sweet and I was hooked from the ver beginning.

The amount of intrigue and mystery you wove into this story kept me on my toes throughout the entire book! I did not expect what came next any time something happened. It was a wild ride that I would absolutely ride again because it was so good!

I loved the lineup of side characters, and the epilogue was so sweet. And the masterful way you weave history into a story always astounds me. Every single time I read one of your books, I come away feeling like I just learned something new, while simultaneously being entertained. I appreciate your talent and your hard work, and that you apply both so diligently to write such stellar books.

I’ve been a fan for awhile now, but if I wasn’t already, this book would land your name on my favorites list immediately. It’s so good! Just so good. Count me in for reading every single thing you write. I want it all!

Yours,
Jessica

Wow! What an exciting adventure! I seriously could not put it down. Did I understand everything that was going on or some of the language? No, but it didn't stop me from fully enjoying this story. Among the intrigue and battles was a very sweet marriage of convenience and elements of Christian views. It was the whole package!
CW: battle scenes (not too gory in my opinion), physical abuse, rape (past event), miscarriage, implied intimacy between married couple, kissing only

I knew this was going to be an amazing story before I even started. I was immediately pulled into the story. Sowards masters historical fiction and this time period was one I wasn’t too familiar with. I was fascinated by the culture and traditions. I’m very grateful to the author for her research.

I read the prequel to this book (After the Crescent Strike), and I was excited to read Konstantin’s continued story. He is a good man. But not perfect, as he tries to rules his Zupan. I instantly loved and appreciated Suzana. She had a terror of a past (and father) but I loved her journey of strength and how she overcomes her hard past. The development of their relationship was done well.

There are surprising twists on every page and the action of battles (and other part pounding moments) with every turn of the page. I couldn’t get enough. I am looking forward to the next book!

I received a hardcover copy from the publisher and a Netgalley approval. All views and opinions are my own.

I thought this book was really good. I liked the characters and how the author told the story. I loved learning about the history of this time, especially since I don’t know that much about this time. I also liked seeing the characters struggle as they are seeking freedom from the Turks. I also liked the romance between Konstantin and Suzana. I liked seeing their relationship grow as the experienced hard things together. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series as they come out.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

So @a.l.sowards newest story owned me. It’s incredibly researched and the plight of the Serbs and the reality of that time was heart wrenching.

Konstantin accepts an arranged marriage to help his cause. And hello. He’s exactly like those romanticized thoughts I’ve always clung to. And his strengths and failings leapt off the page creating the best kind of medieval hero.

Suzana is his betrothed and is barely surviving a life of horrible experiences. DM me or read the blurb for specifics. Everything is handled so well by the author and Suzana’s resilience was remarkable.

The only way to describe this story is epically stunning. My takeaways:
⚔️circumstances do not determine happiness
⚔️ kindness is always the answer
⚔️ good and evil exist so choose wisely
⚔️ doing hard things can lead to grace and strength
⚔️ sometimes the most important battles are won within
⚔️ Konstantin is a swoony kind of man

This is the start of a series and I am all in. All in. Fully. When a marriage of convenience gets a chance to be something more, will Suzana’s heart stay safe? Can Konstantin protect everything he loves and not let his discouragement chafe?

Konstantin and Suzan are both young with many burdens yet they must make an arranged marriage work not only for their people but for their own happiness.

Beneath a Cresecent Shadow is set in a fascinating historical period -- Turkish ocupied Serbia in the late 1300's and the setting is the star of this novel. One of my favorite aspects of historical fiction is learning about a place or time period and Beneath a Crescent Shadow had me looking up facts and information during and after reading.

The book was interesting and the mystery compelling. Both Konstantin and Suzana were honorable and likeable characters who were easy to cheer for. While the research and writing were quite good, the novel bogged down in the middle when our main characters were separated by circumstance. We also lost sight of the mystery and spent a lot of time in the characters' heads as they castigated themselves. The last third picked for a rousing conclusion.

An enjoyable read and an ideal choice for readers of inspirational historical fiction with a strong helping of romance. 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an advance reader copy of this novel.