3.5. Such a great start but by the end I was skimming. A lot of God and christian references. Love was sweet. got slower for me later.

I loved this book it was a delightful tale with wonderful characters and settings. I received a review copy from NetGalley but the views and opinions expressed herein are my own.

I tried really hard to get through the beginning of this book but foreknowledge gained from the previous story and how all the characters relate to each other plus all the historical information piled on top left me feeling like I was wading through the book instead of enjoying the story. The parts of the story that drifted through were interesting but I was unable to continue as the history of all the past conflicts and people lost me. If you have read the prequel, you will probably have a better understanding of this story.

This book was incredible. I am always fascinated by the information that this author gives us through the books. The battles! The royalty! The situations that are just unimaginable in our 21st Century are just beautiful! I loved the story and all the historical gems! Such a wonderful book! Enjoy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for this story! All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This book was well written and intriguing.
This isn’t my usual genre but I really enjoyed it. Not a time period that I know much about, but it was fascinating to learn.
It was action packed and heavier than my usual “fluff”, but not overwhelming or boring.
This is a book my dad (or any man) would love.

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.

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.

This book has so much promise, but just wasn't for me. I did not read the first book, and maybe that would have drawn me in faster but it felt very slow. I think I could revisit it later after book one, as the writing was very well done. It just didn't get my heartrate going as much as I like my fantasy to.

This was a very well written book. Lots of history was researched. The author did a great job with showing the history she researched. The plot arc was very well done. The story was great paced. I loved the main characters. Overall I would say this is a 5 star book. I would recommend to all readers.

I did not realize this was a second book in a series when I requested it. It was beautifully written, but should (probably) be read in order.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Enjoyed this book. I may have enjoyed the first one more, but still it was a good read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I thought this book was great. I loved that we got to see how the story continued from the previous books. I also loved the amount of research that went into this story. I loved how the author showed us some of the darker side of what happened at this time but still doing it in a way that we weren’t horrified by it. I liked how this story made me want to keep reading. I also loved the romance between Helena and Ivan and how their romance seems impossible. I liked seeing them find a way to eventually be together. I really enjoy this author’s books and look forward to reading more.

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.

The Balkans, 1383
Serbians vs Greeks battlefield
Ivan is a warrior who although young fights and kills with the best . However there are too many Greek soldiers and he is taken as a prisoner of war .

Helena is a midwife turned nurse . She nurses Ivan back to life and while doing so falls in love .

The author knows how to write a great battle and a great love story. I liked that it wasn’t immediately that they fell in love but more of a gradual love, I honestly dislike when you know what’s going to happen in the first chapter and this book was awesome because I couldn’t tell.

There is blood and violence , deception and intrigue , loyalties stretched and betrayed , cockiness versus not sure who and when to trust. All of this is in this fabulous war time love story .

I enjoyed reading this book . I loved that Helena fought for Ivan and then he fought for her . There were many times I thought the story could be over right then but it continued to finish the entire story of this battle between the Serbians and Greeks. Did it need to be as long ? Not quite sure but I do know the length added to the love and suspense in the novel.

The love that was built between the two even thought many would assume were enemies was beautifully written . That even though there was a war going on they could return to each other was important and then not clear if that would continue and that was heart wrenching .

Beautifully written love story . Thank you to netfalley for a copy in exchange for an unbiased review .

I have been loving this series. The story line is engaging, the characters are fully fleshed out and the historical aspects of the story are spot-on. Any time I read this author's work, I want to go and learn more about the time period she writes about. I can't wait until the next book comes out!

The 2nd book in a series. Probably could be read stand alone but I recommend reading the prequel and book 1 first. This historical fiction story mainly focuses on Ivan who was taken as a prisoner of war and Helena the nurse who treats his injuries. They fall in love and many things keep them apart. There is a war going on throughout the series and it’s a really great story. Excited for the next book when it’s available.

Gripping, immersive, intriguing, full of history, and so much more, "Beyond the Crescent Sky" is a historical fiction novel that is simply impossible to put down.

This is the second book in A. L. Soward's "The Balkan Legends" series, and I can't wait to read the next book! Her writing style is breathtaking and powerful, with incredibly world-building and storytelling that pulls me in to the novel from the very first page. I found myself turning the pages into the early hours of the morning as I wanted to know what was going to happen next, and after that, and after that, etc.

Ivan and Helena come from opposing sides during the wars going on. However, when circumstances throw them together (Ivan is injured and Helena helps to nurse him back to health), their relationship continues to deepen and deepen the more time they spend together and get to know one another. I do not want to say too much about the plot due to spoilers, but, I will say, this novel has so much in it: cultures, poignant messages, forbidden romance, rich history that had me fully immersed in the world of the book, heartbreaking moments, heartwarming moments, and so, so much more.

I highly recommend this book!

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

This is one of those stories that will stay with me forever. This was heartbreakingly beautiful. After I finished this book I just had to sit and process all the things I was feeling. Seriously it was quite the emotional roller coaster.
I don’t know if there are two people more suited for each other than Ivan and Helena. Ivan finds himself wounded and a prisoner after a battle between the Serbs and the Greeks. Helena is the healer in charge of his care. It is important for Ivan to heal and get better so they can exchange him for their own prisoners, that means he has to stay with the Greeks through the whole winter.
I wish all FMC could be written like Helena. She is kind, compassionate, strong and nurturing. She stands up for what she believes in and truly cares for people.
I do feel like there are some heavier and more emotional parts of this book that are talked about with the most respect while still letting the reader know of the challenges the characters are facing.
If you are looking for a historical fiction book with all the emotions this is seriously such an incredible story.

4.25 ⭐

The work A.L. Sowards puts into her historical fiction books is not easily missed. The attention to detail and historical accuracy is commendable.

She does a fantastic job of balancing the war and battle scenes with the tender and heartwarming moments.

She gives you an accurate picture of what the time period was like and doesn't sugarcoat the hardships people went through.

I enjoyed the first book but the characters in this second book really captured me. I loved the relationship progression between Helena and Ivan. It felt realistic yet swoony and it sucked me in.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction who like a side of closed-door romance.

I switched between reading my arc and listening to the audiobook and personally preferred reading it over listening.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
⚔️ Historical Fiction
⚔️ Strategizing and War
⚔️ Enemy Sides to Lovers
⚔️ Forbidden Romance
⚔️ Midwifery / Healer
⚔️ The Balkans, 1300's
⚔️ Battle Scenes
⚔️ Historical Detail
⚔️ Betrayal
⚔️ Closed Door Romance

Content warnings: miscarriage, stillbirth, prisoner beating, descriptive battle scenes

Thank you A.L. Sowards for sending me an ARC to review!

I read this book a week ago and I'm still thinking about it. A.L. Sowards has a real talent for writing gripping stories heavily based in real life but still allowing for hope and romance to shine through. So many hard moments were described in this book, but what I found most interesting were the sacrifices made by Ivan and Helena.

Some notable themes that I loved were midwife practices, the conflict between the Greeks, Turks, and Serbs, and life amidst each of those peoples. The forbidden romance, courage, and suspense made every minute of listening incredible!

Thank you to the author and the publisher for the complimentary copy of the audiobook. A review was not required.

I read this book not realizing it was a trilogy! I am so excited to dive back into this world and continue to get to know the characters. Beyond the Crescent Sky is a wild ride into a world and time period not often explored. So much happens with the storyline, you think one thing will happen and then it's a curveball. The writing is wonderful, there is quite a bit of gore in description of battles.

Be ready to be transported to the turbulent 14th-century Balkans, where the threat of the Ottoman Empire is a constant worry. This gripping historical romance weaves themes of loyalty, love, and survival against the backdrop of war and shifting alliances.

The story begins with a conflict between the Serbs and Greeks, leading to Ivan's capture. His capture by the Greeks sets the stage for an emotional and forbidden romance with Helena, a Greek midwife, who is tasked with caring for her enemy.

Ivan and Helena are wonderfully strong characters. Ivan cares deeply for his people and never stops trying to escape to get back to them. Helena is devoted to saving lives, but aiding a man who's an enemy to her people tests her values and loyalties. As she spends time with Ivan she comes to see that the Serbs are good people. I loved watching her feelings for Ivan evolve from mistrust to mutual respect, and ultimately, to love.

Ivan and Helena's story put me through an emotional rollercoaster and I was never sure how their story would end. Every time something good happened and I got my hopes up, shortly afterward they were dashed. It was like an emotional game of Chutes and Ladders yet I couldn't put it down!

History was never a favorite subject in school, but it might've been if the history books had been written like this! I'm learning so much about the Balkan wars from reading this series because A.L. Sowards' is extremely thorough in her research. I appreciated the glossary of terms and the list of characters the author included at the front of the book; it's very helpful and easy to refer to while reading. I can not recommend this series enough. It's simply amazing and I can't wait for the next book.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content: mild romance; mild religion; mild+ violence (war-type that is a little descriptive, but not gory)