3.25 stars. Beyond a Darkened Shore was a slow start for me, but I ended up really enjoying it. I loved how the author blended together Norse and Celtic mythology and used those elements to not only shape the world, but also to define the two main characters, Ciara and Lief. Ciara is a Celtic princess who may or may not possess a little mind-control magic, and Lief is a Northman warrior who invades her kingdom. It was fun to watch the two of them clash and grow together, and I immensely enjoyed the journey they wind up going on, filled with kelpies, fae, and ancient gods.
Some scenes I thought were a little overwritten, and dragged on longer than necessary, but I only found myself skimming a few times. After three or four chapters, I found myself totally engrossed in the story. If you like fantasy, especially Norse and Celtic-inspired fantasy, with a hate-to-love romance, then I do seriously recommend picking up Beyond a Darkened Shore. While perhaps not on the level of Cassandra Clare or Holly Black, it's a worthwhile read.
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