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When Katya loses control of her powers, her village banishes her to the palace of the terrifying Prince Sasha in Kiev. Katya isn’t sure what to expect. Punishment for her mistake? Death as an unintentional criminal? Instead, she’s surprised to find that Prince Sasha is just like her. Except instead of having the power of winter like her, he can summon fire. And instead of punishment, Sasha offers Katya friendship and the chance to embrace her power rather than fear it.
His friendship comes with a price, though. Outside the walls of Kiev, the prince’s enemies are amassing. If he hopes to save his kingdom, he’ll need her help.
Through the White Wood, a companion novel to Beyond a Darkened Shore, is a Slavic-inspired fantasy that brings elemental powers and a wintry forest setting together in a way that feels reminiscent of Shadow and Bone but with its own unique flair. I enjoyed the lore sprinkled through the pages, from the myth of the firebird to Baba Yaga.
However, while these details did help to make the setting come alive, this isn’t a complex fantasy, and I couldn’t help feeling that the plot was a little lackluster. Overall, though, this book was a quick read and I enjoyed the story for the wintry setting.
Rated: Moderate, bordering on mild. There is no language. Violence includes a few gorier descriptions of deadly injuries, a massacre by fire, and a few magic deaths. A man undresses in front of others during a magical ceremony. Characters kiss.
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