Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC. I waited for so long for this conclusion of the Stranje House Series, and it did not disappoint. This novel follows Sera who can see things that others cannot as she and her friends fight against Ghost and Napoleon. This book was so great. It has history, magic, and romance. If you enjoy these things then you must read this series.

I was so happy to receive an ARC for this book! I realized that it had been too long since I read the earlier books in the series, so I went back and re-read the first four books so I could be ready for the last one and I'm really glad I did! I would have had NO idea what was happening in this book if I hadn't (so take note if it's been a while since you've read the earlier books). I've really enjoyed this series. It gets a little silly and wildly farfetched, but if you've made it to book five, you're all in on the crazy premise anyway and it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the series as a whole. Suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride!

Sera's story was interesting. I wasn't sure it would be, since she seemed a little boring and such a timid little mouse in the other books, and it was fun and surprising to see that she is, in some ways, the most powerful of all the girls. I would have liked to have seen a little more development of her gift though. I also thought there was almost zero development in the relationship between Sera and her main love interest in this book (more of it seemed to happen in earlier books in the series). There wasn't much there in this book, IMO, and I thought she had much stronger chemistry with [redacted, no spoilers here!]. Those scenes were much more compelling to me.

I loved the brief portion of the book narrated by Ms. Stranje. I wish we could have seen more of that. She's amazing!! (tho I did have a moment where I wondered... just how old is this woman?? 35? 55? I don't think the author ever said)

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

"”What are you?"
His question stings. I've heard it too many times before, aimed at me like a ruthless spear.
An accusation.
A curse.
Only now, for the first time in my life, I know the
answer.
What am I?
"Loved."”

I’ve loved this series for years and I was ecstatic when Sanctuary for Seers released! This is the final book in The Stranje House series by @kathleen.baldwin.

This book brought the story to an end with a final battle between Napoleon and Ghost and the spies of Stranje House. I loved having a reunion of all the characters from the previous book as they worked to defeat Napoleon once and for all.

Sera Wyndham sees more than most people. She sees auras and forces of good and evil. Because of her ability, her family has abandoned her so the last thing she wants is for anyone to truly understand her gift. Quentin Chadwick loves Sera despite her secretive nature.

Things I loved
-Learning more about Sera and her gift!
-Quentin! He loves Sera so much and would do anything for her!
-Getting a better understanding of Ghost.
-The final battle and seeing everything wrap up.
-Emma Stranje POV! I was hoping we’d get to see things from her eyes and it was done so well!
-It was the perfect ending to this beautiful series!
-Everyone got their happy ending!

This book is everything I hoped for and more. I loved it! If you love regency, spies, action, and sweet romance then this is a series you cannot pass on!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

Overall, this was a good, fast action packed read. lol. Only thing I wasn't a fan of was the "love" connection between Sera and her chosen partner. I didn't feel any chemistry at all. <spoiler>Tbh, I think she had better chemistry with Ghost.</spoiler>

Though I am kind of bummed it's the end of the series. Surely there is more trouble these girls can help prevent?

I loved where this went! I’ve been waiting for this book for what seems forever and it delivered. I really enjoyed all the character development, especially with Emma. Sera’s story didn’t go quite where I thought it would and that made me love it all the more.

This book is the 5th book in the Stranje house series. I highly recommend reading the books in order. Each book is presented from one character's point of view in first person. This book is an exception because it is shown both from Sera’s point of view and Ms. Stranje’s.

I have loved the series and this book was a fantastic conclusion to the series! In each of the books you have an arc for that character that involves a love interest. Through the whole series there is an overarching arc concerning the war between England and Napoleon’s France.

Each of the girls has a gift that makes them an oddity within societies norms of the time. Their parents have disposed of them by giving them over to Ms. Stranje, who is training them to be spies in the war.

We pick up right after the end of the 4th book. Napoleon has captured the Prince Regent and has gotten away on his ship. The men are searching for the ship. The women are caring for Lady Daneska who was wounded. Most of the story is told from Sera’s point of view. She uses her keen observation skills and deduction abilities to locate the enemy. In order to confirm her suspicions, she makes a few foolish choices which leads her into a one-on-one confrontation with Ghost, whom she had shot and wounded in book 4.

A portion of the book is also told from Ms. Stranje’s point of view. She leads the charge to recover the Prince Regent.

<spoiler>Sera has the ability to understand people's emotions by seeing colors surrounding them in an aura. She also can see demons and sense angels. Her parents abused her as a child because they did not believe her, and they were attempting to beat the evil out of her. She ends up bonding emotionally with Ghost because his father had beaten him. Ghost asks her to banish the demons that plague him and with God's help she does so. Meanwhile, Emma and the gang find Napoleon's ship and retrieve the Prince Regent and capture Napoleon. </spoiler>

I love this series! I love the author's other series!

I received an advanced reader copy from netgalley and the publisher.

I was given this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for my honest review.

So this series has always been a favorite of mine. I love the historical-ish fiction story vibes it's always had. This one just didn't give that to me. It continues the story but it's been a bit since some of the other girls' stories that I don't entirely remember. So I feel like I was missing a little there as there's very little back tracking.

Of course each girl has her own little romance going but Sera's is very lackluster and tainted by other things going on in the plot I don't wish to give away but not loving the small love triangle.

Of course it's been a lot of build up to what her special little spy power is. It has a bit of a religious aspect attached to it which I didn't really think was needed. it just kind of changed the vibe for me.

We get a small snippet from Ms. Stranje's perspective but I honestly wish she'd gotten her own book. And she technically could've as we still have one rotten soul at large. It does kind of eat at me that this person doesn't really get their just desserts.

Overall it was good but I think it could've been a little more powerful ending with complete closure. So I give it 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Personally, I don’t think any of the books quite lives up to the first two books in the series. I definitely liked it, but it wasn’t my favorite. It was interesting because the romance happened much sooner in the book than I was expecting and then we don’t get much from Chadwick the rest of book. Ghost’s actions also didn’t feel very believable to me—he was more receptive to Sera than I felt he should’ve. I also wish we got to hear more about Sera’s gift! Overall, it was a good book and I’m sad that the series is over!

I'd like to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for allowing me a chance at reading the conclusion to this series.

So, finally - this is it. Sera's story. I've been really excited to read about her and how she'll wrap this all up. I know her power (?) / talent has been teased for a while, seeing it in full force made this take a step into the supernatural territory.

I liked the high stakes / political / action of this book out of all of them. I love that we finally got to see chapters from the view of Miss Stranje. I love that we also got to see romance between her and Capt. Grey. We also got to see how much she cares / dotes on her girls individually. (I want Ming Na to play her if they ever did a movie.)

But... if you told me that Sera had a romantic connection or felt like she was meant for her beau? No. I saw no chemistry what-so-ever between them. If anybody she radiated chemistry with it was (sadly) Ghost. He was almost like the yin to her yang. True, he was blinded by his demons and had so much to account for... but wow, their scenes together? That was some good writing. I felt that the beau she ended up with... didn't fully grasp her and the way he was written through the entire book was whiny and meddling. I wanted him to mature and grow up, but his maturity / growth / acceptance of who she was really happened in the very end and it just felt shoved in there because we had to have them end up together. :/

Anyway. I'd really recommend this series to teen girls because I loved them all and I felt the overall story told was fantastic and the romance was good. And while this series had a couple 3 out of 5 star reads, it rounds out to a solid 4 over all.

AMAZING!! I have loved this series since it started and I am dying for more!!! This series is one of those that just keep getting better and better and I could not put it down. With smart women who do what they like against society this series has become one of my favorites. Being in Seraphina's head with this one was perfect. And I can not wait for more.

This was absolutely spellbinding!! I didn't think I was going rmto love this at first but boy did it change my mind quickly. I absolutely loved this!
I just reviewed Sanctuary for Seers by Kathleen Baldwin. #SanctuaryforSeers #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

This was what I was hoping for from the fifth book on the Stranje House series. I loved the use of historical romance in this book. It had a great story going through it and I was enjoyed the time-period of this. The characters were what I’ve come to expect and it worked overall. It left me wanting to read more in this series.

I started this series four years ago and was so happy to be able to read the final book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Stars - This novel presents a very satisfactory ending to the Stranje house series. We finally get Sera’s story and a HEA for all of the ladies featured. It’s a quick read. Even though I think it’s billed as YA it didn’t feel immature to me.

Wishes - I wish the story reminded us more of what has already happened in the series. It’s been a while since we met the characters and I couldn’t always recall everyone’s “powers” and the stories behind their romantic interests. Even a character list would have been helpful.

An enjoyable read for me, but not sure it would mean anything to anyone who hasn’t read all of the previous books in the series.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. A suspenseful alternative history romance. Representations of women's friendships are fantastic and overall this is a wonderful read.

Sanctuary for Seers by Kathleen Baldwin delivers a thrilling and mature conclusion to the Stranje House series, blending alternate history with Jane Austen's high society. Set in a crumbling England during a war with French forces, the story follows Seraphina Wyndham, a seemingly shy and observant young woman with hidden gifts. As the fate of England hangs in the balance and a dangerous enemy known as Ghost threatens their existence, Sera must confront her own secrets and find the strength to save her country.

One of the notable aspects of this book is the maturity it brings to the series compared to its predecessors. The author delves deeper into the complexities of war and explores the fine line between good and evil. The portrayal of compassion for enemies adds a layer of depth to the story, challenging readers to question their own perspectives. The suspense throughout the narrative is well-crafted, keeping readers engaged and eager to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead.

The bonds of friendship between the characters shine in Sanctuary for Seers. The camaraderie and support among the girls at Stranje House create a sense of found family, adding warmth and depth to the narrative. It is also satisfying to see the girls from the previous books make appearances, allowing readers to reconnect with familiar characters and witness their growth.

The author's descriptive writing brings the characters to life, allowing readers to connect with them on a deeper level. However, one minor drawback is that while the girls display remarkable skills in breaking into the Iron Crown's stronghold, their insecurities and fears sometimes seem to hinder their personal growth, which can come across as somewhat inconsistent.

Although the book is fast-paced and thrilling, it would have benefited from a longer length to further explore Sera's relationship progression and witness her personal growth within the group. This would have added more depth to the story and allowed readers to fully appreciate the character's journey.

Overall, Sanctuary for Seers delivers a satisfying conclusion to the Stranje House series. Kathleen Baldwin's ability to blend historical elements with adventure and friendship creates an engaging and enjoyable read. Fans of the series will appreciate the maturity brought to this final installment and the strong character development. Sanctuary for Seers is a recommended read for those seeking a blend of historical fiction, suspense, and themes of friendship and personal growth.
4.6 rounded up to 5/5.

Thank you NetGalley and Ink Lion Books for the ARC!

My adventures with Ms. Stranje's pupils began back in 2016, It is with great pleasure that I share honest feedback on the final installment in the series. Sera has been endlessly fascinating to me throughout the series. Each of Stranje's students have one over arching trait that serves them throughout the series.

Georgie is innocence incarnate, sometimes boarding on naivety despite her incredible intellect. Lord Wyatt needs Georgie to remind him there is levity in this life. That the raw wounds of war are softened when you remember to live and love.

Tess is strength, she embodies this essence of survival, but also an aching desire to share and receive affection. Tess and Lord Ravencross' story is one the pulses with heat and causes your heart to beat savagely against your chest.

Lady Jane is logic. Her unerring ability to look past extraneous detail allows her to strategize up against Napoleon and his henchmen. Mr. Sinclair is the one person who cause Lady Jane to argue against her own logic.

Maya represents how one feels life instead of living it. Maya is the only girl who was completely open to the disruption love brings. It was Lord Kinsworth that dallied about waiting until Maya had confidence in herself.

And that leaves Sera. To me Sera embodies compassion. In four novels, Sera is the only one who can turn a villain into a redeemable character. I will endeavor to avoid spoilers, but this was the first of the novels to bring about an intoxicating duality to the series. Can one love an enemy? Ms. Stranje tries to teach the girls that hatred is not the opposite of love, no matter how often it is misinterpreted as such. We see pieces of this in "Exile for Dreamers".

What I love of Sera's story is that Baldwin has changed up her algorithm. Each of the stories before has a clear villain, a clear climax, and a pathway to romance. To be honest, I struggle so much with the regency novels for this reason. Well that and one more. The girls are 16, 17 years old and it's not a happy ending without a husband/suitor. Now remember, I said she changes the algorithm, Baldwin doesn't do away with it completely. However, in this latest novel, Baldwin brings a maturity to the series. It amazes me that each of these girls are so adamant around silly, trivial matters when they're actively engaging in stealth missions and plotting how to counterattack Napoleon. How is it that they think they can break into the Iron Crown's stronghold, but cannot overcome childish insecurities and fears? I digress.

"Sanctuary for Seers" outlines that even in war there is little between the lines of good and evil. Sometimes to win a war it means finding compassion for your enemy and accepting traitorous feelings without guilt or shame. This is the part of the novel that has Sera ensconced as one of my favorites.

Fun conclusion to a fascinating series! It was great to finally see inside of Sera's mind, to understand what she sees/feels and her motivations, while still incorporating all the other characters that we've come to know and love. The story comes to a satisfying conclusion, and I enjoyed reading it.

I do wish the book were a little bit longer -- a little more development of Sera's relationship with Quinton, a little more time/plot to watch her skills and contributions grow within the group, etc. Maybe I'm just sorry to see this series to come an end, but I would definitely have loved a few more chapters to flesh out a few things. Note that this book can NOT be read as a standalone novel; familiarity with the whole series is necessary to follow and enjoy this last installment.

This is a well written story with great characters. Kathleen Baldwin gave us a wonderful, imaginative story. For me this was ensy and thrilling read. I would encourage everyone to get this one especial if you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of magic. Give this one a chance, you will not regret it.

I’m so happy I got to revisit Stranje House in this final installment. There are some truly formidable foes in this series (Ghost, Lady Daneska, Napoleon), but they are nothing compared to the beautiful found family relationships. In addition to Sera’s story, we also get a number of chapters from Miss Emma Stranje’s POV. As I am certainly no longer a teen reader, I found the addition of older, mature Emma’s story a delight.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

This is the final book in the series and I have read all the other books. This is the best book of all. The characters are well drawn, especially Sera, who is feeling abandoned because her parents have gone to America without telling her, but also Maya, who is well described. A wonderful achievement on the author's part, this series. It is an alternative history involving Napoleon and I would recommend the book highly and the rest of the books in the series as well, to all who love historical fantasy.