Name: Sanctuary of the Shadow
ISBN: 9781649373113

Aurora Ascher

Sanctuary of the Shadow

Just a piece of the text that really stuck out to me because I think it’s a thought that could be applied to many tragedies and injustices we see today. What are the people around us really capable of? But most of all, what are we capable of doing when we feel cornered or under attack? 

Lauren Lipford

What atrocities were his new captors capable of in the name of their fear and greed? And perhaps worse... what atrocities was he capable of inflicting upon them in retaliation?

But if it's truly love, you're also willing to make sacrifices, even if those sacrifices aren't what you want. You put their needs before your own. And there's also trust. No matter what, you trust the other person to be on your side, to never betray you, and you offer them the same. It's a beautiful, wonderful feeling.

Many people have said this book and the plot is “immature”, and I think for a lot of reasons it’s because of a lack of perspective. First, I will say that Harrow is supposed to be 50 years old, but I will also say since she is an Elemental or a being with power that’s different from humans the aging process (much like the rate of reproduction) is different for them. Therefore, it would be likely that for her 50 years could be akin to being an 18 year old or 20 year old who still doesn’t understand much about life and life’s meanings. My other valid point of view is that none of us truly understand the deep meaning or purpose of our lives as existential thought explores. We’re human beings, and regardless of our age, we will make mistakes that other people might believe makes us children or immature simply because we have complicated emotions, including emotions from past traumas that none of us truly know the extent of or can reverse to make us all powerful, knowing beings. The best we can do is to know we make mistakes and be accepting of ourselves, so we can learn from those things and do better. With that said, the romance in this book happens very quickly, but it also provides for many twists and turns throughout. I wish more time was spent on developing the characters and their romance along with the overall plot. Ultimately, there’s a message of compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance that is central to this book, and it’s a message we could all learn to implement more in our lives before judging a book by its cover.

fris🐝

The marketing for this book pulled me in, but everything else pulled me out. Loved the cover, end pages, sprayed edges, and gold foiling on the hardcover. Not a fan of the plot, the writing style, characterization, or tropes.

If I could describe this book in one word, it would be juvenile. The writing felt bare, simple, and the dialogue rote. The characters (for being long lived) felt childish and under developed. The MMC particularly was almost childlike because of his amnesia and gave a little ick to all the spicy scenes (for me). The romance was insta-love.

I was looking forward to the promised premise of being at a circus, but that was just in the beginning and more background than a lush, imaginative setting. Also, the elemental magic wasn't that creative and her seer abilities functioned more as a plot moving device than anything else. Lots of telling instead of showing. 

I was excited to read this book, but was left feeling disappointed and a little bewildered. 

Sephirra

The marketing for this book pulled me in, but everything else pulled me out. Loved the cover, end pages, sprayed edges, and gold foiling on the hardcover. Not a fan of the plot, the writing style, characterization, or tropes.

If I could describe this book in one word, it would be juvenile. The writing felt bare, simple, and the dialogue rote. The characters (for being long lived) felt childish and under developed. The MMC particularly was almost childlike because of his amnesia and gave a little ick to all the spicy scenes (for me). The romance was insta-love.

I was looking forward to the promised premise of being at a circus, but that was just in the beginning and more background than a lush, imaginative setting. Also, the elemental magic wasn't that creative and her seer abilities functioned more as a plot moving device than anything else. Lots of telling instead of showing. 

I was excited to read this book, but was left feeling disappointed and a little bewildered. 

Enter the circus at your own risk . . . and discover the greatest show on earth in this explosive and darkly magical fantasy novel For humans, the circus is a place filled with wonder and amazement. For Harrow, it's a place to hide from those who slaughtered her entire clan. Disguising her abilities as part of her act has kept her true identity safe for years. Until he arrives. A strange new attraction with no name, no memory of who – or even what – he is, let alone an explanation for his odd yet deadly powers. But beneath the layers of anger and isolation, one glimpse into his inky eyes reveals a soul that calls out to the loneliness in her own. And so, she chooses him. Harrow is drawn to the darkness, to her insatiable need to soothe the beast who threatens their very existence. But with every secret she unlocks from his past, another from hers is revealed – luring enemies who will stop at nothing to get their final revenge on Harrow. And she's afraid she's given them the perfect weapon against her because he's not what he seems. But maybe it's time they finally learn neither is she...

Sanctuary of the Shadow

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