Beneath a Crescent Shadow (Balkan Legends, 1)
In 1373 in Rivak, Serbia, young Konstantin arrives on horseback at his village only to find it devastated by fire. Although most houses and the inhabitants were saved, the fields and the entire harvest have burned. Following the recent death of his father and uncles in a battle against the Ottomans, Konstantin, at seventeen, has taken over as the župan (count) and a vassal of the Ottoman sultan. Konstantin’s duty of paying tribute to the Ottomans now seems impossible, and with very few guards, it is difficult to catch the unknown arsonists.
Help comes to Konstantin through a proposal from a wealthy merchant to marry his daughter, Suzana. Konstantin’s grandfather, the župan of another region, arranges the offer with a hidden personal agenda. Although initially unsure, Konstantin agrees when told that the bride comes with a dowry large enough to resolve his problems. Suzana and Konstantin strive to make their arranged marriage work. Still, harmful events unfold that threaten not only their marriage but also their family, lands, and independence from the Ottoman subjugation.
Sowards has penned this captivating first novel in what promises to be a thought-provoking series on the Balkan wars between the Serbs and the Ottomans. As the author’s note mentions, Sowards consulted over 60 books covering that period. Extensive research shows in the evocative descriptions of the land, its people, and its culture. These are interwoven seamlessly into the storyline. Interesting details abound, such as that arranged marriages were standard and Serbian girls could marry as young as twelve. In the plot, Turkish characters are skillfully included to show the various aspects of Ottoman rule. They add depth to the story.
The novel provides historical background on the conflict between the various ethnic groups in the former Yugoslavia. Highly recommended.
