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A review by roseofphantom
Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Thank you to my workplace and Aurora Ascher for providing me with a free ARC!
I don't think I've ever been more conflicted about my feelings about a book in my life. I felt there were several issues with the writing.... But I also had so so much fun reading this.
This book is not a literary masterpiece. I'm not sure, but I believe this may be the first traditionally published book Ascher has written, and it reads like a first book. That is okay because she has a lot of promise in her writing.
I think the worldbuilding could use a bit of work and Ascher feels like she does a lot of "telling vs showing". Many of characters felt very flat and the story was very fast paced; the issues seemed like they were solved a little too quickly.
However, I am really enjoying the concept and while I think the world needs more work I liked what I read of it. I would like to see more depth in the romance but what is there is a solid start. In a world of constant romantasy series, it is nice to read one contained romance story, with previous books starring other characters in the world. The spice was sizzling and Raith is a huge sweetheart. There is so so much promise in this world and even though I think the book could use some work I really did have a lot of fun reading this and am interested in knowing what else Ascher conjures up!
I don't think I've ever been more conflicted about my feelings about a book in my life. I felt there were several issues with the writing.... But I also had so so much fun reading this.
This book is not a literary masterpiece. I'm not sure, but I believe this may be the first traditionally published book Ascher has written, and it reads like a first book. That is okay because she has a lot of promise in her writing.
I think the worldbuilding could use a bit of work and Ascher feels like she does a lot of "telling vs showing". Many of characters felt very flat and the story was very fast paced; the issues seemed like they were solved a little too quickly.
However, I am really enjoying the concept and while I think the world needs more work I liked what I read of it. I would like to see more depth in the romance but what is there is a solid start. In a world of constant romantasy series, it is nice to read one contained romance story, with previous books starring other characters in the world. The spice was sizzling and Raith is a huge sweetheart. There is so so much promise in this world and even though I think the book could use some work I really did have a lot of fun reading this and am interested in knowing what else Ascher conjures up!