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Nicole Emerald Book Reviews McCurdy's Reviews > Beyond the Sea
Beyond the Sea
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Emerald book reviews
Beyond the Sea by LH Cosway
‘“Tell me what you’ve been through,” I whispered so quietly it was almost lost on the wind.
Noah took several steps until he stood directly before me. Reaching out, he caught my chin, his thumb brushing the underside of my jaw. “Why? Do you want to kneel down and say a prayer for me, Estella?”’
There is nothing more powerful, profound or magical than a book that can lure you in, wrap you up in secrets and mysteries, mesmerise you with stunning and insightful dialogue, caress and unnerve you with every emotion known to man, or provoke and entice you like the unknown elements introduced in this epic saga from author LH Cosway.
The whole story, the plot and the complex and utterly fascinating characters are as tumultuous, unpredictable and dangerous as the ocean, by which Ard na Mara house is built. An old victorian building, that holds more memories, ghosts and temptations within its decrepit walls than most people would be comfortable with.
LH Cosway has managed to build this beautifully intricate, finely tuned and imaginative story around Ard na Mara. Almost as if the house itself is a living, breathing entity and in a way it is.
“Beyond the Sea” embodies literally every aspect of what I look for in a great book. It is shrouded in mystery and imbued with supernatural elements, as well as having implemented the intricacies of religion, elevating it all into an exceptionally well written, exhilarating romance. It’s a truly sensational gothic love story. It’s dark and emotive, marred in shadows and heartbreak but contrasted beautifully with these great comedic moments. Morbidly and absurdly funny in moments, while sensual, weighty and daring in others yet shocking and slightly chilling when the past resurfaces. There is so much to see, feel and experience.
‘A shudder went through his entire body as I whispered against his mouth, “If I pit my demons against yours, will they obliterate each other so we can both finally be free?”’
Told entirely from our heroine’s point of view, I never once felt like we missed out not having Noah’s voice present. I’m a big, big fan of dual points of view but in this instance I truly believe it worked best told from Estella’s. She was the devil’s advocate a lot of the time. Sitting between good and evil. Unsure of her place in life, lonely, sad and slightly desperate for not only love but understanding and acceptance in her young life. She was an amazingly realistic yet multifaceted protagonist. Estella was a conglomeration of bewitching yet innocent, closed off from the world, yet full of insight. She was neglected and somber, yet harboured immense inner strength and compassion. The connection she and Noah shared flared off the page, sizzling and crackling like a live wire whenever they shared a scene together. Those little touches, glances and unspoken words, were full of so much subliminal meaning and longing, that you can’t help but wish and pray for them both to get their happy-ever-after.
Noah, our troubled, brooding and enigmatic hero was simply delectable. He was as layered and complicated as Estella, just a little more jaded and damaged, and even though we see everything through Estella’s eyes, I found that we still got to delve down deep into Noah’s character. How he views the world, how he thinks and feels and reacts. When he’s around Estella he’s beautiful and deep. Arresting and dynamic. Together they were as different as night and day, dark and light and that made them such an enticing couple to fall in love with. From beginning to end they both managed to capture my attention and hold my heart in their hands, as they traversed the complications and astonishingly difficult terrains that they found themselves on.
“Beyond the Sea” is a heartrending, magnificently crafted, intoxicating, gothic romance, one that is full of twists and turns, thrills and revelations, innocence and love. It’s also utterly unique, written with flair, style and an exquisite amount of suspense and emotion and as of right now, Beyond the Sea has claimed a top spot in my ‘best of 2020’ list.
Beyond the Sea by LH Cosway
‘“Tell me what you’ve been through,” I whispered so quietly it was almost lost on the wind.
Noah took several steps until he stood directly before me. Reaching out, he caught my chin, his thumb brushing the underside of my jaw. “Why? Do you want to kneel down and say a prayer for me, Estella?”’
There is nothing more powerful, profound or magical than a book that can lure you in, wrap you up in secrets and mysteries, mesmerise you with stunning and insightful dialogue, caress and unnerve you with every emotion known to man, or provoke and entice you like the unknown elements introduced in this epic saga from author LH Cosway.
The whole story, the plot and the complex and utterly fascinating characters are as tumultuous, unpredictable and dangerous as the ocean, by which Ard na Mara house is built. An old victorian building, that holds more memories, ghosts and temptations within its decrepit walls than most people would be comfortable with.
LH Cosway has managed to build this beautifully intricate, finely tuned and imaginative story around Ard na Mara. Almost as if the house itself is a living, breathing entity and in a way it is.
“Beyond the Sea” embodies literally every aspect of what I look for in a great book. It is shrouded in mystery and imbued with supernatural elements, as well as having implemented the intricacies of religion, elevating it all into an exceptionally well written, exhilarating romance. It’s a truly sensational gothic love story. It’s dark and emotive, marred in shadows and heartbreak but contrasted beautifully with these great comedic moments. Morbidly and absurdly funny in moments, while sensual, weighty and daring in others yet shocking and slightly chilling when the past resurfaces. There is so much to see, feel and experience.
‘A shudder went through his entire body as I whispered against his mouth, “If I pit my demons against yours, will they obliterate each other so we can both finally be free?”’
Told entirely from our heroine’s point of view, I never once felt like we missed out not having Noah’s voice present. I’m a big, big fan of dual points of view but in this instance I truly believe it worked best told from Estella’s. She was the devil’s advocate a lot of the time. Sitting between good and evil. Unsure of her place in life, lonely, sad and slightly desperate for not only love but understanding and acceptance in her young life. She was an amazingly realistic yet multifaceted protagonist. Estella was a conglomeration of bewitching yet innocent, closed off from the world, yet full of insight. She was neglected and somber, yet harboured immense inner strength and compassion. The connection she and Noah shared flared off the page, sizzling and crackling like a live wire whenever they shared a scene together. Those little touches, glances and unspoken words, were full of so much subliminal meaning and longing, that you can’t help but wish and pray for them both to get their happy-ever-after.
Noah, our troubled, brooding and enigmatic hero was simply delectable. He was as layered and complicated as Estella, just a little more jaded and damaged, and even though we see everything through Estella’s eyes, I found that we still got to delve down deep into Noah’s character. How he views the world, how he thinks and feels and reacts. When he’s around Estella he’s beautiful and deep. Arresting and dynamic. Together they were as different as night and day, dark and light and that made them such an enticing couple to fall in love with. From beginning to end they both managed to capture my attention and hold my heart in their hands, as they traversed the complications and astonishingly difficult terrains that they found themselves on.
“Beyond the Sea” is a heartrending, magnificently crafted, intoxicating, gothic romance, one that is full of twists and turns, thrills and revelations, innocence and love. It’s also utterly unique, written with flair, style and an exquisite amount of suspense and emotion and as of right now, Beyond the Sea has claimed a top spot in my ‘best of 2020’ list.
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