Book Review: Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher

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.

GENRE: Spicy Fantasy Romance

PURCHASE LINK: Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paranormal & fantasy romance author Aurora Ascher loves misunderstood mythical monsters, redeemable anti-heroes, and epic happily-ever-afters.

A woman of many creative pursuits, Aurora is also a professional musician and visual artist. She currently resides in Montreal with her trusty espresso machine and her endlessly patient husband, whom she sometimes doesn't see for hours until she emerges from her writing cave like a bear in springtime.

Review

The Amazon subtitle of this book is "a gripping and epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance" so I'd like to start my review by reminding everyone of that, since I certainly did not expect that from the cover. It's also spicy, which I'm sure a lot of enemies-to-lovers readers love!

That said, while I'm not the biggest enemies-to-lovers romance fan, I don't hate it either or anything. But this one just felt too rushed, with a jarring difference in the prose between the spicy scenes and everything else. It also felt a bit weird when it started, like I wasn't reading the first few chapters of a brand-new book/series. I've had my fair share of too much exposition on the world and lore (particularly in prologues) but this one went in the opposite direction: there was a lack of it that I couldn't help noticing. Maybe it could've benefited from having a prologue. Or even just a bit more about Salizar's circus, which was supposed to be the primary setting (even if, I know, this is a romance).

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Hi! I'm Marie, a Filipino SFFH author and book reviewer currently based in the UK. I’m the co-author of The Prophecies of Ragnarok, a Norse myth new adult urban fantasy trilogy, and I also have several short stories published in anthologies and literary journals.

You can find more info about me and my books, and also subscribe to my newsletter for more content, here. And if you like what I do, please also consider supporting me on Ko-fi! 🩷 https://ko-fi.com/mariesinadjan

If you fancy a short read, I have a cozy reimagining of the Norse myths about Hel, but it's just under 70 pages and can be read in one sitting. ✨ Plus there's a swag kit coming soon! Includes a "membership card," a bookmark, a sticker, an origami dog, and an exclusive 500-word story 🫶🏼

All things end, and all must die.

But death is not always the end.

When Geiravor Lokisdottir was stripped of her name and cast out of Asgard, torn from her family and the life she had known, she thought she’d lost it all. But in the shadows of Niflheim she discovers the path to her destiny, and what it truly means to be queen.

This is a prequel short story to THE PROPHECIES OF RAGNAROK trilogy by Meri Benson and Marie Sinadjan, and a retelling of the myths involving Hel, the Norse goddess of death and the queen of the underworld.