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arockinsamsara's review
5.0
This is an insightful and emotional novel, unlike almost anything else I have read. It’s a haunted house story, sure, but that’s incidental, in some ways. Because it is actually a story about family—more specifically, it’s a story about queer, neurodivergent, found family, and that story is about which ghosts you escape, which you conquer, and which you invite in.
The range of characters in this novel is broader and more diverse than most novels, but it never feels performative. I have been part of queer friend groups and communities that mirror the one at the heart of this story, communities which have an entire spectrum of gender identities and presentations, sexualities, ages, races, physical dis/ability, and neuro-normativity/divergency. Sure, I haven’t been in a group of ten such folks living full-time together in a pseudo-commune, but I have been close enough. This family felt real. it felt complicated, and damaged, and optimistic, and most of all genuine. It never felt like diversity just for the sake of it.
What is most compelling to me, and this is what may make-or-break you on the story, and it was something I didn’t quite sync up with myself until I was about halfway through, is that the plot of this story is somewhat secondary. There is a plot, there. Action, reaction/conflict, resolution, congratulations. But as far as conventional plotting goes, the pacing is a little off, and if you are approaching this with a prioritization of conventional plotting you will probably want the first half to be condensed by about two-thirds, and you might say the climactic scenes actually seemed to last pages longer than they needed to. If conventional literary plotting is all you care about, sure, say what you want. Because this novel is actually giving you an experience. The entire novel is told from a single point-of-view, and it is a look into the life and mind of a neurodivergent person in a way that I haven’t seen in print before. The competing mental and emotional processes that race before and behind every decision, the unruly impulses of stimming and isolation, reading this novel is an experience. It isn’t just moving from point A to point B, but it is offering a portrait of a life from the inside out. A life that is still regularly dismissed by normative society, one that exists in overlapping marginalized identities and yet still finds empathy and kindness as their guiding principals instead of anger or resentment.
In the end, I really, really enjoyed this novel. The plot moved along and around the inner experiences of the primary character, which forced me to experience the narrative in a way outside of how I normally experience narrative. On top of that it had a diverse and inclusive cast, one that was proudly other, refusing to let normative society dictate the conditions of their happiness, and it has a novel and interesting take on ghosts, and ghost-human relationships/responsibilities, one that is different than I have seen before.
I will say that from a conventional literary point of view there are places to nitpick the novel. The plotting seems out of balance, and sometimes it seems like there are too many characters, an information overload. Plus, the way the major conflict emerges and is dealt with seems almost rushed, an afterthought. So, if you find yourself bound by normative presuppositions of how speculative fiction should “work,” and your enjoyment of a novel hinges on that kind of normative/expected literary experience, then parts of this novel may fall flat for you. That’s okay, it takes all kinds. But if you are interested in the idea of experience-as-narrative, and you’re interested in what it may be like to see the world through the eyes of a neurodivergent queer person who happens to not only be able to see ghosts but also lives in a house that serves as a sanctuary for ghosts, a sanctuary for those most forgotten and most discarded, then you will find a world of riches in this novel.
I want to thank NetGalley and Robot Dinosaur Press, who provided a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The range of characters in this novel is broader and more diverse than most novels, but it never feels performative. I have been part of queer friend groups and communities that mirror the one at the heart of this story, communities which have an entire spectrum of gender identities and presentations, sexualities, ages, races, physical dis/ability, and neuro-normativity/divergency. Sure, I haven’t been in a group of ten such folks living full-time together in a pseudo-commune, but I have been close enough. This family felt real. it felt complicated, and damaged, and optimistic, and most of all genuine. It never felt like diversity just for the sake of it.
What is most compelling to me, and this is what may make-or-break you on the story, and it was something I didn’t quite sync up with myself until I was about halfway through, is that the plot of this story is somewhat secondary. There is a plot, there. Action, reaction/conflict, resolution, congratulations. But as far as conventional plotting goes, the pacing is a little off, and if you are approaching this with a prioritization of conventional plotting you will probably want the first half to be condensed by about two-thirds, and you might say the climactic scenes actually seemed to last pages longer than they needed to. If conventional literary plotting is all you care about, sure, say what you want. Because this novel is actually giving you an experience. The entire novel is told from a single point-of-view, and it is a look into the life and mind of a neurodivergent person in a way that I haven’t seen in print before. The competing mental and emotional processes that race before and behind every decision, the unruly impulses of stimming and isolation, reading this novel is an experience. It isn’t just moving from point A to point B, but it is offering a portrait of a life from the inside out. A life that is still regularly dismissed by normative society, one that exists in overlapping marginalized identities and yet still finds empathy and kindness as their guiding principals instead of anger or resentment.
In the end, I really, really enjoyed this novel. The plot moved along and around the inner experiences of the primary character, which forced me to experience the narrative in a way outside of how I normally experience narrative. On top of that it had a diverse and inclusive cast, one that was proudly other, refusing to let normative society dictate the conditions of their happiness, and it has a novel and interesting take on ghosts, and ghost-human relationships/responsibilities, one that is different than I have seen before.
I will say that from a conventional literary point of view there are places to nitpick the novel. The plotting seems out of balance, and sometimes it seems like there are too many characters, an information overload. Plus, the way the major conflict emerges and is dealt with seems almost rushed, an afterthought. So, if you find yourself bound by normative presuppositions of how speculative fiction should “work,” and your enjoyment of a novel hinges on that kind of normative/expected literary experience, then parts of this novel may fall flat for you. That’s okay, it takes all kinds. But if you are interested in the idea of experience-as-narrative, and you’re interested in what it may be like to see the world through the eyes of a neurodivergent queer person who happens to not only be able to see ghosts but also lives in a house that serves as a sanctuary for ghosts, a sanctuary for those most forgotten and most discarded, then you will find a world of riches in this novel.
I want to thank NetGalley and Robot Dinosaur Press, who provided a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.
bathamster's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ducky7's review
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Although I think the climax of the story wasn't very strong I appreciated the book.
I think it could be stronger in some areas still.
I saw some people say the plot starts late but it doesn't. The build is slow though I think it's fitting
I think it could be stronger in some areas still.
I saw some people say the plot starts late but it doesn't. The build is slow though I think it's fitting
beefgameplays's review against another edition
the premise sounded so exciting to me but it is FAR too slow paced for me to enjoy. the story seems to be ignoring all of the most intriguing things, preferring to dive deep into every single thought and experience Morgan has.
claudiearseneault's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
barefootmegz's review
4.0
The trick to enjoying Sanctuary, is expecting the right thing - and I guess I was lucky, because my expectations were spot-on. Sanctuary is the story of a bunch of misfits - both corporeal and slightly less-so - creating a safe space in a less-than-safe world.
The novel is character-driven, not plot-driven. There are many characters, and if you want to get deep into their heads without using your own imagination, you will be disappointed. Personally, I have discovered a little niche of books that explore a group of characters who exist in a similar setting, often a household situation-ship, and I enjoy it tremendously.
Sanctuary offers suggestion, not fully-formed answers. For example, we never learn exactly what Araminta experienced in her younger life, but we know enough to guess. I believe that when the reader is allowed to fill gaps in a character’s story, it allows the reader more opportunity to see parts of themselves in the character.
Frankly, a group of adults with ADHD and other diverse factors, making a home for themselves in a huge old house, would already attract me into reading it. I AM HERE FOR IT! The paranormal angle was fun, and I loved reading about the different ghosts, as well as their histories. That definitely held my attention, and I suspect Buchanan had great fun writing it.
There has been criticism about the plot being slow, or starting too late, but like I said, I did not see this as a plot-driven novel at all. I don’t know if that was intentional on the author’s side, but it is how I feel about the novel, and I’m sticking to it.
My biggest criticisms are:
The fight scene is confusing and messy, but not in a good way;
The final chapter is very preachy/didactic.
Oh, and Isobel’s interspersed narrative? I am so intrigued, and I want to read those insets again! I have no idea what it all means, but I’m happy to use my imagination.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The novel is character-driven, not plot-driven. There are many characters, and if you want to get deep into their heads without using your own imagination, you will be disappointed. Personally, I have discovered a little niche of books that explore a group of characters who exist in a similar setting, often a household situation-ship, and I enjoy it tremendously.
Sanctuary offers suggestion, not fully-formed answers. For example, we never learn exactly what Araminta experienced in her younger life, but we know enough to guess. I believe that when the reader is allowed to fill gaps in a character’s story, it allows the reader more opportunity to see parts of themselves in the character.
Frankly, a group of adults with ADHD and other diverse factors, making a home for themselves in a huge old house, would already attract me into reading it. I AM HERE FOR IT! The paranormal angle was fun, and I loved reading about the different ghosts, as well as their histories. That definitely held my attention, and I suspect Buchanan had great fun writing it.
There has been criticism about the plot being slow, or starting too late, but like I said, I did not see this as a plot-driven novel at all. I don’t know if that was intentional on the author’s side, but it is how I feel about the novel, and I’m sticking to it.
My biggest criticisms are:
The fight scene is confusing and messy, but not in a good way;
The final chapter is very preachy/didactic.
Oh, and Isobel’s interspersed narrative? I am so intrigued, and I want to read those insets again! I have no idea what it all means, but I’m happy to use my imagination.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
bmccabe088's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
hualianr's review
4.0
One thing about me is that I am an absolute sucker for the found family trope, and despite this being established from the beginning, it was still such a joy to read about the relationships the residents of Casswell Park shared.
Each character in this book was well fleshed out, and we got a vast amount of representation including; an entire cast of neurodivergent characters, transgender and nonbinary characters, disabled characters, lesbian characters, queer characters, Black characters, and a South Asian character. The shared experiences that these characters had made for a loving and understanding environment, with each character having a clear understanding of the boundaries and needs of the others. This isn't to say that the group was completely perfect - arguments were had as in any family, but they worked through those easily.
As for the plot, it was an interesting one. Casswell Park is not only home to our cast of humans, but to a cast of various ghosts too. These ghosts - unlike how they're usually portrayed - aren't tethered to where their death occurred but can move from location to location, choosing to tether themself to a building should they wish. When an old man arrives with a collection of glass bottles and the information that they contain ghosts within them, the residents of Casswell Park devise a plan to free them from their confinement - slowly so as not to overwhelm the current ghostly residents of their home. What ensues after this is a mixture of spooky happenings and some bad decision-making.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. The strongest point of this book from me was definitely the characters - they're well written and feel incredibly real, and at times are very relatable. The plot was interesting and moved at a good pace, and I especially loved the chapters where we followed Isobel, as the insight they gave to the story was a nice touch, and they helped set the plot up pretty well. My only criticism would be that but other than that, everything was great!
[ARC provided by NetGalley.]
Each character in this book was well fleshed out, and we got a vast amount of representation including; an entire cast of neurodivergent characters, transgender and nonbinary characters, disabled characters, lesbian characters, queer characters, Black characters, and a South Asian character. The shared experiences that these characters had made for a loving and understanding environment, with each character having a clear understanding of the boundaries and needs of the others. This isn't to say that the group was completely perfect - arguments were had as in any family, but they worked through those easily.
As for the plot, it was an interesting one. Casswell Park is not only home to our cast of humans, but to a cast of various ghosts too. These ghosts - unlike how they're usually portrayed - aren't tethered to where their death occurred but can move from location to location, choosing to tether themself to a building should they wish. When an old man arrives with a collection of glass bottles and the information that they contain ghosts within them, the residents of Casswell Park devise a plan to free them from their confinement - slowly so as not to overwhelm the current ghostly residents of their home. What ensues after this is a mixture of spooky happenings and some bad decision-making.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. The strongest point of this book from me was definitely the characters - they're well written and feel incredibly real, and at times are very relatable. The plot was interesting and moved at a good pace, and I especially loved the chapters where we followed Isobel, as the insight they gave to the story was a nice touch, and they helped set the plot up pretty well. My only criticism would be that
Spoiler
the fight at the end of the novel felt a little long and at times I struggled to visualise it[ARC provided by NetGalley.]
blandrea_reads's review
DNF
There was so much that attracted me to this book, but it never quite hooked.
There was a a hugely diverse cast, complicated and quirky individuals and thr promise of s good mystery but it didn't hit for me now.
I am a mood reader and this may not have been the right time. I do intend to retry when I am in the mood for a super natural mystery.
There was so much that attracted me to this book, but it never quite hooked.
There was a a hugely diverse cast, complicated and quirky individuals and thr promise of s good mystery but it didn't hit for me now.
I am a mood reader and this may not have been the right time. I do intend to retry when I am in the mood for a super natural mystery.
ryttu3k's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5