Sanctuary of the Shadow
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
The instant New York Times bestseller
A Refinery29 Most Anticipated Book of 2024
"Ascher's latest is a fantasy romance that has everything nice—a hot love interest, a relatable main character, female friendship—and plenty of (consensual) spice." ―Booklist
Some follow their destiny.
Others fall for it.
For humans, Salizar’s is a place of mystery and wonder. For Harrow, it’s a place to hide from those who slaughtered her entire clan. A haven where she can disguise both her abilities and who she really is.
Until he arrives.
He has no recollection of who—or even what—he is. He only knows that he’s a monster, with wings and powerful abilities never seen before. But beneath the layers of rage and isolation, one glimpse into those inky black eyes reveals a soul that calls out to the loneliness in Harrow.
And so she chooses him.
She is drawn to the mystery of him, her unquenchable need for his kiss. And as powerful enemies align and conspire against them, Harrow knows their only hope is escape.
Now, with every secret she unlocks from his past, a shadow from her own whispers free—luring enemies who will stop at nothing to get their final revenge on Harrow. And she’s given them the perfect weapon…because her winged beast is not what he seems.
But maybe it’s time they finally learn—neither is she.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A woman with the gift of prophecy falls in love with a monster in this choppy romantic fantasy from Ascher (Beauty and the Demon). A fight between rulers leads Queen Furie to unleash her incorporeal wraiths to murder all the Seers in her sister Queen Darya's territory. Only one Seer child, Harrow, survives the slaughter, finding refuge in a circus run by ringmaster Salizar. When she grows up, she becomes a phony fortune teller for the circus, keeping her true clairvoyant abilities hidden. Then Salizar captures a mysterious winged creature, believing—but unable to prove—that he is one of Furie's wraiths imprisoned in a mortal form. Harrow is inexplicably drawn to the brooding figure, who adopts the name Raith and has no memories of anything before his capture. Harrow, who sneaks out to visit him every night, fiercely believes that Raith was not involved in the murder of her family and plans to help him escape. Though they do manage to flee the circus, they can't outrun Raith's mysterious past—or its potential to destroy their forbidden love. Ascher's worldbuilding is fascinating but the plot is rushed, with the romance far overshadowing all else and itself suffering from a lack of buildup and minimal character development. Given the current romantasy boom, readers will be better served elsewhere.
