I really wanted to like this book, but it just wasn't for me. The world and plot were interesting, but just didn't seem to flow right. Everything moved a little too fast, especially the romance. Overall it was an interesting story, but it just fell a little flat for me at this time. Maybe for a younger audience.

I wanted to love this book, but it just fell flat for me. I did not feel like the main characters had enough chemistry. And, the male main character was almost too inhuman to fully understand the depths of human emotion. I feel like that could’ve been played up more in a story with longer length and different pacing. The physical book is gorgeous. And this will definitely be a writer to watch.

I am a big romantasy reader and i did like the book overall. I wish there was a more indepth explanation and world building but it was enjoyable overall.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Sanctuary of the Shadow has the bones to be a good story. However, it falls flat for me in a lot of different aspects within the story.

I was excited about this one because it’s a Circus story and I love those. While the Circus theme is one of the large themes for this story it isn’t as prevalent as I thought it would be.

My biggest issue with this whole book was the characters all had no depth to them. Our main characters Harrow and Raith had almost no connection that I could understand as the reader. They had no spark no development of any sort of relationship and then all of a sudden the female main character is convinced she loves him and then they bone for 5 days straight. Like make it make sense.
No chemistry? Non stop romp fest between two characters that have no connection.

The second issue I have is how even when the female main character(FMC) is mad at her friend she just immediately says no it’s okay and just stops being mad? That’s not realistic. The FMC is very juvenile in my eyes and has no real adult grasp on any situation.

Overall, the story has promise but there’s a lot of work needed for the characters.

If:
Instant love and Surprise pregnancy are your jam this is the book for you.

However, if it’s not and you’re looking for something with well rounded characters and strong connections between them with a good story line then this probably won’t be the book for you.

Obsessed with this book. It has such an interesting story line and plot which just keeps you on your toes the whole time. Very fast paced but in the absolute best way. Never knew exactly what was going to happen next but when the next thing did happen. Oh it was amazing.

I was super excited for this one and ended up being a bit disappointed with the execution. I honestly felt like it could have been half as long because it just didn't seem like anything really happened? Or more like I was told everything instead of getting to experience it myself. It all felt overly wordy. Then we're hit with a romance out of nowhere.

I think I'm mostly just confused and not sure how to properly rate and review this one.

I couldn't put this book down. It was so good, and so different from everything that's out there now. I loved the depth and character development. This book had a little bit of everything, Romance, battles, laughs. Such a great book very well plotted

The book was…. Not great. The most frustrating part is that the premise was great, but it failed to come together in a story that worked. Unfortunately I do not think this is an author I will be adding to my shelves anytime soon……..

I really wanted to love this one but I did not. I hate leaving lower star ratings. But the writing fell short for me, as did the writing. I'm not exactly sure what it was. I would have given it 1 star if I had DNF'd it like I had wanted too but I did finish it. And so I gave it two because the storyline itself was good.

This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed this romantasy! I thought it was well written and a page turner for sure! I loved the characters and the story!! I can’t wait to read more from Aurora!

This was an okay read. Interesting plot and there were moments I could really get into it but the one thing I’m mostly disappointed in was how there were only brief moments where you were around the circus. Judging from the cover I thought the setting of being at or in the circus would be more main focus but it ended up not being that way. The romance was pretty good as well as the fantasy aspect. I didn’t love it but I also didn’t hate it, very neutral rating. The cover and sprayed edges of the book was very appealing though!

This was a miss for me - it had a really cool premise and the cover is gorgeous but I was sad to find almost everything under developed. Where is the magical circus? Barely any time is spent with that element. The world building was a little intriguing but overall, felt rather dry instead of being rich. The romance between the MCs also felt rather insta-lovey but while the lead up to the spicy scenes were lacking, the spicy scenes themselves were an improvement in terms of the writing. All in all, it had potential and has a few elements that are good but overall, execution just wasn't there for me.

Thanks to Red Tower books, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was okay. It took me quite a while to get through it; meaning I wasn’t immediately hooked. The world building could have been better. Also, the spicy scenes seemed to erupt out of nowhere. Overall, the story and writing were a bit poor for my tastes.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this title!

I wanted to love this book so much... but I just couldn't. The characters were great, but I felt as if there was a large build up for such a let down ending. It wasn't terrible. Some parts were interesting, but there were some lines that felt like an ick to me and it just turned me off from the entire book. I wish I could recommend this book, but I almost DNF'ed it.

This novel was one of my favorite reads. I loved the circus setting. I truly felt for the MCs and their struggles. It was a journey trying to guess what was going to happen with all the back and forth between the MCs. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens!

There is a misconception of this book being solely about a circus, leading some to being frustrated according to Goodreads. While the book does involve a circus, it is so much more. It begins with a circus. The circus is home. The circus introduces danger, safety (yes, I realize that's a contradiction), adventure, love, family, etc. I can't recommend this book enough. Harrow and Raith are the perfect balance of light and darkness. That is all that I will say about that for fear of spoiling the story because I just want to nerd out about 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."

I really enjoyed this book, the story and character development engaged the reader quickly. The inner thoughts and experiences of both of the main characters aided in understanding the events throughout the book. There was limited world building with the focus more on the characters. I struggled between wanting to understanding more about the Queens’ war and more detail around their world and appreciating the author’s focus on the relationships. I did feel there was a bit of room for more information or world building and I hope further understanding will come from Malaikah’s book/story. Overall, I enjoyed the friends to lovers to enemies to lovers storyline and the different elementals we were introduced to throughout made the story more intriguing. I enjoyed the spice as well, it added to the story and did not take away from the plot. There is no cliffhanger and the story somewhat wraps up knowing there will be more to tell around other characters and hopefully appearances from the two main characters of this book in future stories.

This one fell a little flat for me. Unfortunately will not continue with the series.

It had great promise but went downhill fast. I felt like nothing was really fleshed out and the characters never clicked with me.

I wanted to love this book so badly. The idea was so cool and promising, and while it did have some engaging moments, the book ultimately fell flat for me. So much potential and I will read the author again gut this one was a push through to finish.

DNF @37%

I really liked the idea of this - the dark circus setting is particular was a selling point - however everything about it ended up being disappointing.

The book is marketed with the circus at the forefront but we only spend 25% of the book there. This would have been fine if the marketing didn’t set our expectations to involve a circus.

Aside from the disappointment of the setting, the romance just wasn’t enough to save the book. His fascination with her came out of no where and made no sense. Their first kiss was the same - way too quick and didn’t make sense with the plot.

There was nothing redeeming enough about this book for me to finish reading it and after hearing about the end…I’m really glad I didn’t waste my time.