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Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher Series: Elemental Emergence #1
Published by Entangled: Red Tower Books on January 9, 2024
Genres: Fantasy Romance, New Adult, Young Adult
Pages: 379
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
Purchase Links: Amazon*Libro*Kobo*Chirp
Goodreads
LIMITED FIRST PRINT RUN―featuring spray-painted and stenciled edges, as well as gorgeously detailed endpapers. This breathtaking first edition is only available for a limited time and while supplies last.
Enter at your own risk―and discover the greatest show unearthed in this explosive, darkly imaginative debut fantasy…
For humans, the circus is a place filled with wonder and amazement. For Harrow, though, 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 whispers free as well―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 is book one in the Elemental Emergence series by Aurora Ascher.
I saw the pretty stenciled edges and read the synopsis then immediately pre-ordered. I also read one really good review that made me think this is an amazing book, but I should have read more reviews. The book was just ok. Nothing special!
It’s instalove with very little world building. The relationship between Raith and Harrow has very little chemistry.
Raith wakes up in the desert and doesn’t know who he is. He’s sold to the Circles and imprisoned. Harrow stumbles upon him and is determined to save him. Raith said maybe 40 words at most and then they are on the run and spending a steamy week together, before things take a turn. This isn’t a romance, it’s more erotica, but not marked as such. The reason I say erotica is because of the nature of the romance. The two leads do not talk to each other. They feel a primal, inexplicable attraction and then proceed to have a lot of sex.
Both characters read as teenagers, but they are much much older. Harrow is about 60 years old and Raith is older, but I never figured out how much.
The world building was not flushed out or explained well. We have the war of the Queens, the magic system, the underground, the circus, and Mal’s past and inevitable future. All needed more explaining.
As for the novel I expected more circus time since it was marketed that way, but we spend 5 chapters there and that’s it.
Sanctuary of Shadow wasn’t what I was expecting. I was looking forward to the circus, magic, and a deeper romance, but in the end it was weak and meh read for me. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.
Rated: 2.5 Stars
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Beautiful cover on this one! So sorry it didn’t work out. But thanks for sharing your thoughts!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/08/30/l-l-l-little-reviews-65-august-2024/
I agree the cover and special edge painting caught my eye. I had read a really good review for this novel, but it didn’t turn out to as exciting as I expected. The story was just ok. Had some good concepts and magical stuff, but needed more backstory flushing out. Thanks for visiting!
Under-developed writing in a fantasy would be a letdown. Has a basically good story that needs fleshing out.
Yes, it needed more flushing out. Thanks for visiting!
Well that is truly disappointing. Sorry it was such a let down.
It wasn’t all bad, just wasn’t what I was expecting. I like more world building explanation’s along with my character development’s. Not all can be winners. Thanks for visiting!