Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Entangled: Red Tower Books (2024), 400 pages
Description
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.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I enjoyed this one! The book started rather slow for me but after a few chapters things picked up. I liked Harrow and Raith. Their instant connection felt very real and I couldn’t wait to see how things would develop. This book was a bit spicer than I expected, which wasn’t a bad thing, just
Harrow has spent the last 50 years telling fortunes with the traveling circus, keeping the fact that she is the world’s last Seer a secret. When she sees Raith, she is drawn to him and knows that they need to leave the circus to keep him safe. Raith has no memories of his past but he feels the connection to Harrow and wants to keep her safe. There were a few twists and turns that I could guess pretty early on but that didn’t impact my enjoyment.
I thought that the chemistry between Harrow and Raith was well done. They both felt a connection to each other and I thought that it felt very real. They both go through a lot in this book and I liked that we get quite a bit of excitement before the story wraps up. I thought it was interesting to learn more about each character’s past as we worked our way through this story.
I would recommend this book to others. It wasn’t a perfect story but I found it to be a lot of fun in the end. I liked a few of the secondary characters quite a bit and hope we see more of them in future installments in this series.
I received a review copy of this book from Red Tower Books.
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unexpected. Overall, I found this to be an entertaining read.Harrow has spent the last 50 years telling fortunes with the traveling circus, keeping the fact that she is the world’s last Seer a secret. When she sees Raith, she is drawn to him and knows that they need to leave the circus to keep him safe. Raith has no memories of his past but he feels the connection to Harrow and wants to keep her safe. There were a few twists and turns that I could guess pretty early on but that didn’t impact my enjoyment.
I thought that the chemistry between Harrow and Raith was well done. They both felt a connection to each other and I thought that it felt very real. They both go through a lot in this book and I liked that we get quite a bit of excitement before the story wraps up. I thought it was interesting to learn more about each character’s past as we worked our way through this story.
I would recommend this book to others. It wasn’t a perfect story but I found it to be a lot of fun in the end. I liked a few of the secondary characters quite a bit and hope we see more of them in future installments in this series.
I received a review copy of this book from Red Tower Books.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
Sanctuary of the Shadow is the first book in a planned trilogy by Aurora Ascher, a ‘romantasy’ featuring love and magic.
Harrow is the last of her kind, an Elemental seer whose source of power is The Water. She has spent her life in hiding, pretending to be human, afforded the protection of the
I won’t reveal why Harrow and Raith should in fact stay far away from each other, but there is a good reason, just not one either remember. Yet the two are drawn to one other, also it turns out for a good reason. I’m not that keen on the insta-love situation generally but at least it makes sense within the context of the story. It does cause some pacing issues though, especially as they tumble into bed before they’ve had much of a conversation.
There are some really promising elements to this story with the magical world Ascher has created which includes warring sister queens, magic welders, and animal hybrids. Harrow was just ten when her clan was massacred by one of Queen Furie’s legendary assassins, ephemeral creatures made of shadows and fire, her escape from their fate inexplicable. In Harrow’s present, the queens, of whom there are five each representing an Element, have all but withdrawn from the world, the population of their elemental subjects having been devastated as a result of their infighting. Often despised by humans, the circus offers stateless Elementals safety and security. I thought it was a shame that more was not made of the circus spectacle, we get a glimpse of the performances of Harrow’s best friend, Malaikah, a black panther Hybrid who performs on the high wire, but not much else.
While I was interested in elements of Ascher’s imagined world, and some of her characters, unfortunately I was disappointed by the execution of the novel. Even though Sanctuary of the Shadow is 400 pages long, it feels like the editing process was too brutal, stunting both the worldbuilding and the romance. The writing is also disappointing. Despite the explicit sex scenes there is a lack of maturity, and little finesse or lyricism.
While Sanctuary of the Shadow didn’t enchant me in the way I hoped, there is potential here I hope it might be better realised in the second book since the basics of the worldbuilding has been established and the focus will be on another couple.
Harrow is the last of her kind, an Elemental seer whose source of power is The Water. She has spent her life in hiding, pretending to be human, afforded the protection of the
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Enchanter Salizar and his traveling ‘Incredible Elemental Circus’. When dreams of fire and shadows begin to disturb Harrow’s sleep they lead her to the circus’s newest attraction, a dangerous creature thought to be a myth. Raith has no memory of who he is, not his name or his purpose, but Harrow is certain he is her destiny, and she will risk everything to set him free.I won’t reveal why Harrow and Raith should in fact stay far away from each other, but there is a good reason, just not one either remember. Yet the two are drawn to one other, also it turns out for a good reason. I’m not that keen on the insta-love situation generally but at least it makes sense within the context of the story. It does cause some pacing issues though, especially as they tumble into bed before they’ve had much of a conversation.
There are some really promising elements to this story with the magical world Ascher has created which includes warring sister queens, magic welders, and animal hybrids. Harrow was just ten when her clan was massacred by one of Queen Furie’s legendary assassins, ephemeral creatures made of shadows and fire, her escape from their fate inexplicable. In Harrow’s present, the queens, of whom there are five each representing an Element, have all but withdrawn from the world, the population of their elemental subjects having been devastated as a result of their infighting. Often despised by humans, the circus offers stateless Elementals safety and security. I thought it was a shame that more was not made of the circus spectacle, we get a glimpse of the performances of Harrow’s best friend, Malaikah, a black panther Hybrid who performs on the high wire, but not much else.
While I was interested in elements of Ascher’s imagined world, and some of her characters, unfortunately I was disappointed by the execution of the novel. Even though Sanctuary of the Shadow is 400 pages long, it feels like the editing process was too brutal, stunting both the worldbuilding and the romance. The writing is also disappointing. Despite the explicit sex scenes there is a lack of maturity, and little finesse or lyricism.
While Sanctuary of the Shadow didn’t enchant me in the way I hoped, there is potential here I hope it might be better realised in the second book since the basics of the worldbuilding has been established and the focus will be on another couple.
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LibraryThing member RyanTice
This book is fantasy first, romance second. While the overall plot was somewhat predictable it was entertaining. I felt that sometimes the writing was really excellent and other times it was awful, especially when it came to some dialogue in the second half of the book. This is the first in a
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series but I’m not sure I have interest in the next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member Corinne-pixel
DNF 31% but please give this book a go if you think you might like it. The premise was very interesting and I didn't dislike the characters, but this just isn't what I am looking for right now. To the reviewer who said this book is 'fantasy first, romance second' are you sure we are reading the
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same book? It focuses very, very heavily on the relationship between Harrow and Raith (which i thought was a bit rushed, but that's sorta beside the point). If you are looking for a romantasy with a morally gray monster love interest, you might really like this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member sennebec
One of the more interesting tales of forgiving someone who you should hate until the end of the world. A wraith, forced to do an evil queen's bidding and the last surviving seer. He has no memory, she only wants to survive, but fate has other plans. Read the book to learn what they are. Plenty of
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action and steam ensue. Show Less
Language
Physical description
400 p.; 9 inches
ISBN
1649374119 / 9781649374110
Local notes
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.
First printing with black suns on yellow sprayed page edges.
First printing with black suns on yellow sprayed page edges.