Sanctum (Asylum, #2) in Crazy Challenge Connection

May 04, 2021 Jamie rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery-thriller, paranormal-spn

I don't get the cover or any horror factor from this. Mildy psychologically creepy at best. More a mystery than anything. I felt that the writing style improved since the last book but the story just didn't deliver. I wanted darker, more mysterious, more ghosty vibes And it missed. Enough where I even wondered why I bothered. The "romance" was barely commented on but supposedly there. And little character growth. But this story did move a bit faster which is why I finished it. Barely 3 stars, me ...more

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Aug 08, 2018 BookishStitcher rated it really liked it

This was a fun, creepy, and quick read. Sanctum is the second novel in a YA series called Asylum, it follows a group of friends who seek to uncover dark secrets from the past. Each of the novels in this series contain eerie pictures to help carry the plot along. I particularly love books that have this format because I'm a very visual person. I'm excited to read the third one, but will be waiting until October/Halloween time because this book series is perfect for that. ...more

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Nov 21, 2015 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, mental-illness, supernatural, young-adult, ghost

It was interesting but not as good as the first book in the series.

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Mar 27, 2014 Mary-Megan added it · review of another edition

Sanctum is the sequel to the creepy novel Asylum. This novel continues the creepiness and successfully puts all of the pieces together.

Dan, Abby, and Jordan cannot forget the horrors they experienced in Brookline. If their memories weren’t bad enough, now they’re getting creepy photos in the mail and mysterious messages from Felix who the ultimate victim of the Brookline experience. Determined to put an end to the madness, the three head back to the New Hampshire College to find answers. There t Sanctum is the sequel to the creepy novel Asylum. This novel continues the creepiness and successfully puts all of the pieces together.

Dan, Abby, and Jordan cannot forget the horrors they experienced in Brookline. If their memories weren’t bad enough, now they’re getting creepy photos in the mail and mysterious messages from Felix who the ultimate victim of the Brookline experience. Determined to put an end to the madness, the three head back to the New Hampshire College to find answers. There the hallucinations increase, but the clues to the truth start piling up. Unfortunately, so do the threats against them, especially Dan who is linked to the horrible warden responsible for the terrible history of Brookline. Now even the college students who are hosting these visitors can’t be trusted and a mysterious cult appears with plans to do away with Dan. If they can survive the weekend, they just might be able to find the answers to all of their problems and how the threats today connect to the past.

This novel, like the first, sucks you into the story. Something is definitely amok around these kids and the novel does a great job building the mystery, suspense, and creep factor. It is a steady stream of twists and turns that keeps the story going. At first all of the references to the circus seemed a bit disjointed - I didn’t know where it was going - but then it all fit together flawlessly. Once again the novel is littered with photographs. These aren’t as eerie as the first novel, but their mere presence enhances the reading experience. When I picked up the novel I was worried about not remembering enough about the first novel for this one to make sense. However, the novel gives enough background to keep the reader informed in case it has been months since they read the first one. I don’t think, though, that the novel would have enough impact if you read it without the Asylum experience.

This is the perfect companion to Asylum. It wraps up the mystery and stops the terror of the past. It seems as if this is the end of the series (not a trilogy) but if the author gets creative, I’m sure there’s enough intrigue to whip up a third. Anyone who enjoys creepy novels that are more psychological than blood and guts should definitely pick up these two books. ...more

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Nov 19, 2016 Jessie the Bibliophile ♥ rated it it was ok

Shelves: mystery, contemporary, horror, audiobook, 2016, library, read-in-english

I'm not really buying this... Everything just plays out too perfectly, there's no real mystery that keeps you hooked cause every clue leads to the next way too quickly. Everything is very rushed and doesn't allow any suspense to build. Also I'm missing any convincing explanations, more than just being told "Oh, this is how it is!"... ...more

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May 25, 2018 Lori Henrich rated it liked it

I am not a super big fan of this series but it is interesting. The only reason I keep reading them is because I have them on my bookshelf (actual bookshelf). I need the room for more books and I can't just pull a book of my shelf and at least try to read it. I am invested enough in the story to see how it plays out. But I wouldn't go out of my way to read them. If you are a fan of the genre then I am sure you will enjoy reading the stories and viewing the pictures. ...more

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Sep 10, 2014 Mary Bronson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women-fiction, fantasy, favorites, young-adult, own, paranormal

Wow, I thought this was a great book. i really enjoyed reading it. Once I got started I could not put it down I had to keep on reading and see what happens next. I love the photos that were used in the book. I thought it was a great sequel. Plus it had enough creepy to creep you out but not super scary. I wonder if she is going to continue with another book or just stop.

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Sep 06, 2014 Barbara ★ rated it liked it

Shelves: zz-cover-black, young-adult, horror, paranormal-ghosts, x-set-in-usa-new-hampshire, read-2015

I liked this as well as the first but felt the pictures detracted from the story rather than added to it. I think it had the same creep factor and had quite a few surprises. I enjoyed the ending and will definitely be picking up Catacomb. ...more

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