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Sanctum (Guards of the Shadowlands, #1)

Sarah Fine

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Jul 18, 2013 Jasprit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, read-in-2013, ya, out-2012, kindle, fantasy

4.5 stars

Sanctum was a thrilling I want to gobble you up in one sitting type of book. But lo and behold the time I decided to pick it up, it was as if the world was conspiring against me. It took me five days to finish this book, and by the end of these five days my nails were ruggedly bitten.

Sarah Fine gave us a world full of despair, a world where no one wants to go to by choice, but this is what our MC Lela decides to do. Her best friend Nadia who meant the world to her has taken her life, Le 4.5 stars

Sanctum was a thrilling I want to gobble you up in one sitting type of book. But lo and behold the time I decided to pick it up, it was as if the world was conspiring against me. It took me five days to finish this book, and by the end of these five days my nails were ruggedly bitten.

Sarah Fine gave us a world full of despair, a world where no one wants to go to by choice, but this is what our MC Lela decides to do. Her best friend Nadia who meant the world to her has taken her life, Lela is really distraught about it. Nadia was there for Lela when she needed her the most, without her, she never would have become who she is today. It also doesn’t help that Lela keeps having visions of Nadia; all she wants to do is get her back any way possible. But she didn’t believe that she actually could.

Lela was such a head strong girl; I liked her strong will and determination to do anything to get Nadia back. The world she found herself in, I know for a fact that I would never survive, but many a times with her back against the wall Lela came out fighting. Malachi, where do I even start with this fine specimen? I remember a lot of my blogging friends were really enthusiastic about his character and it really is easy to see why. He was also such a tough individual, but I think what makes me melt even over guys is when they show their soft vulnerable side. Many times we were given insights into this other side of Malachi and at times it really broke my heart. Malachi certainly left a lasting impression with me, that I’m sure my blogging friends who have seemed to already have claimed him will have a fight on their hands.

Sanctum is another book this year which truly surprised me, it’s not a book which I would have immediately picked up but I’m so glad that I finally did. Sarah Fine has created a gem of a read, with pulsating scenes, a beautiful romance and difficult decisions for characters to make. In a way it’s good that I waited a while to pick up Sanctum as I only have to wait two months before I can get my hands on Fractured.
...more

11 likes · Like · see review

May 07, 2013 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next

It took me almost a month to read Sanctum, I drove my blogger bestie to distraction because of it but sometimes a book comes along that is...Magic and you're so caught up in it's world that you never want to say goodbye. My last experience of this was reading Harry Potter so Sanctum was a very special book indeed.

It had everything I could possibly want in YA. Strong, sassy, confident heroine who's likeable, NOT perfect, willing to sacrifice her happines Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next

It took me almost a month to read Sanctum, I drove my blogger bestie to distraction because of it but sometimes a book comes along that is...Magic and you're so caught up in it's world that you never want to say goodbye. My last experience of this was reading Harry Potter so Sanctum was a very special book indeed.

It had everything I could possibly want in YA. Strong, sassy, confident heroine who's likeable, NOT perfect, willing to sacrifice her happiness for her FRIENDS rather than a man, a hero who's honourable, kind, not abusive, not manipulative, who has standards and values, and a story of hope, love and courage. The FEELS! It's taken me almost a month even sit down and *think* about writing this and heads up I will not do it justice. YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!

Lela has had a tough life, she's dealt with things no child should ever have to deal with and to protect herself she's crafted a hardened mental shell to shield herself from trusting anybody with her heart and body. When Lela meets Nadia - seemingly perfect, peppy, high-school queen bee and saves her life, Lela is the one who ends up being saved. For the first time in her life she has a friend who cares for her, wants to protect her and pulls her into the land of the living. When tragedy strikes and Nadia kills herself Lela is left bereft. Why would this girl who has everything going for her, friends, family, college want to take her life? Sinking into depression, Lela seeks answers no-one can provide. On the day she finally lets go of her friends ghost Lela's own life ends by accident and the place she's only seen in her nightmares becomes a frightening reality. Can Lela pass through the Suicide Gates, find her friend in Hell and escape allowing them both the peace and happiness they crave or will her ultimate sacrifice be in vain?

This is a story of hope in a place where hope goes to die. Sarah Fine uses her experience as a Child Psychologist to craft a stunning, balanced, realistic portrayal of characters who believe that life is a gift they aren't worthy of accepting. The level of emotion and depth of feeling is seriously impressive and Fine handles the subject matter with a sensitivity that is superb.

The plot is highly original, captivating and beautifully written. From page one this unique story grips you and immerses you in this fight for love, freedom and optimism in a prison of darkness.

The world building is phenomenal- rare is it to truly be able to suspend disbelief and lose yourself in a paranormal world that is so frighteningly real you can almost smell the fear, desperation and despair.

The characters are unforgettable. Lela is bad ass. Unlike so many YA heroines who spend precious time twirling their hair and wringing their hands over a boy, Lela's only thought is to save her friend and she'll do anything to ensure her success. Selfless and devoted, Lela is a character you care for so deeply you don't question the fact that she gave up her chance of heaven to save her friend her love for Nadia is so deeply engrained in her being. Lela's past is heartbreaking and its lasting effects on her are difficult to experience as she's forced to confront the darkest corners of her memories but she handles it with such grace and bravery it is truly admirable. her journey through the suicide gates is unforgettable.

Of course there's a boy! And what a boy! Can I get a hallelujah that there's an author out here who doesn't believe for a man to be sexy he has to be obsessive and controlling? Malachi is the human leader of the Guard, a group of soldiers who patrol the Shadowlands. Forced to pay off his debt for taking his life by acting as protector of this hellish wasteland, Malachi recognises a kindred spirit in Lela and doesn't hesitate to offer his help and guidance. If you look up swoon in the dictionary - Malachi will be there under examples. Quiet, thoughtful, steadfast, he is the definition of boy-every-girl-wants-to-meet-and-mothers-want-their-daughters-to-marry. His past is utterly heartbreaking as he confides in Lela as to his origins, if there was ever a soul worthy of eternity outside the gates of hell, Malachi is truly it.

Together the combination of Malachi's strength and quiet confidence and Lela's courage and relentless spirit makes for an enthralling adventure that you don't want to end!

The secondary characters of Ana, Nadia and Raphael are brilliantly drawn and instead of skimming over their passages I was fully invested in their stories too.

Sanctum is a rare book - a diamond in a mine of mediocrity. I ordered my dad to read it, my big sister, my book club, I'm on a one-woman mission to get everyone aboard the Sanctum train because trust me it's worth it. From start to finish I was hooked into this story filled with action, passion, love, boatloads of sexual tension and above all friendship, something used as a hook and bait in many other books only to be cast aside for romance. Swoon-worthy, emotional, captivating, there aren't enough fangirling adjectives in the dictionary to convince you so I'll end on the same note I started - YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! Got it? ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 18, 2015 Glass marked it as to-read

Apr 23, 2013 Pili marked it as to-read

Shelves: diversify-your-shelves, alyssa-recommends

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