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  • Sanctum

  • Guards of the Shadowlands, Book 1
  • By: Sarah Fine
  • Narrated by: Amy McFadden
  • Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (60 ratings)
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Sanctum cover art

Sanctum

By: Sarah Fine
Narrated by: Amy McFadden
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Summary

A week ago, 17-year-old Lela Santos’ best friend, Nadia, killed herself. Today, thanks to a farewell ritual gone awry, Lela is standing in paradise, looking upon a vast gated city in the distance - hell. No one willingly walks through the Suicide Gates, into a place smothered in darkness and infested with depraved creatures. But Lela isn’t just anyone - she’s determined to save her best friend’s soul, even if it means sacrificing her eternal afterlife.

As Lela struggles to find Nadia, she’s captured by the Guards, enormous, not-quite-human creatures that patrol the dark city’s endless streets. Their all-too-human leader, Malachi, is unlike them in every way except one: his deadly efficiency. When he meets Lela, Malachi forms his own plan: Get her out of the city, even if it means she must leave Nadia behind. Malachi knows something Lela doesn’t - the dark city isn’t the worst place Lela could end up, and he will stop at nothing to keep her from that fate.

©2012 Sarah Fine (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Sanctum

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  • KW
  • 25-06-13

Welcome to Suicide City...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There’s a lot to like about Sanctum, not least of all the complex characters whose motivations we get to examine based on their passed experiences and how they cope with stress, abuse and the temptation of an 'easy' out. As main characters Lela and Malachi were so easy to relate to, and their chemistry simmers through the pages. This is also the first time I’ve read about a Latina heroine, not that her ethnicity makes a huge difference on plot and character within the story, but it made a change.I wasn’t a big fan of Nadia, as I couldn’t connect with her, but I did manage to feel compassion for her.

Sarah Fine does a wonderful job of explaining how severe depression can blind people like Nadia from the good things in their lives, so yes, I would definitely recommend this book to friends and actually have done so. One friend says she'd give it full stars, but the other wasn't as enamoured and said it was an ok read and would give it a three, personally I think my judgement's best ;)

In my opinion, the author’s background in psychology makes for some thought-provoking moments as the story progresses. Especially interesting is the conclusion to Lela’s quest to save Nadia, it’s a strong message to carry to anyone who has ever convinced themselves they are solely responsible for other peoples’ feelings and actions.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the fast pace that took me by the hand and rushed me around the hellish suicide gate and into a city of desolate souls who are preyed upon by monsters. The story is dark, gritty and compelling. I did have to push aside my scepticism about Lela’s physical strength and fighting abilities against some of her stronger opponents, to enjoy the scraps that she manages to get inot and out of in the city, but once I suspended my disbelief I couldn't stop listening.

Which character – as performed by Amy McFadden – was your favourite?

Amy McFadden’s done a great job on the narration and I enjoyed the various voices she used, but it was actually as the monsters I thought she excelled. There was just a wonderful creepy tone to the characters, which brought the whole setting to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It took a little over a day for me to listen to the whole story, because once I'd started I found myself pressing play at any spare moment I found.

Any additional comments?

The ending was a cliffhanger for the sequel, but just before that we get a very satisfying conclusion to the main part of the plot. So I'd suggest this book can even be read as a standalone. The sequel will pick up on a new story/mission that began at the end of Sanctum, and I’ll be keeping my eye out for that next instalment.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great teen story

i enjoyed it a lot, but why is it never creepy for an old guy to get with a teenager as ling as his body is young?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

interesting

interesting book
very slow at the start but as it went further I was hooked

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exquisite and Profound!

Deep, profound and very well-written. The story itself, is very familiar with other writers, such as Trish Marie Dawson. Worth a listen!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

love this story and already on the 2nd book.

can not wait to find out the true fates of the characters in this series. so vividly described the imagination can go wild.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Dark and very cool

What other book might you compare Sanctum to, and why?

I honestly haven't read one like this.

What does Amy McFadden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I love Amy Mc Faddens voices so creepy at times it can bring chills down my spine.

Any additional comments?

I got this book on a whim after reading some reviews its amazing! I wasn't sure on the heaven and hell thing but i thought give it a go the reviews seem cool. I love the fast paced start, its very dark and not what i expected at all. The main character is great i love her balls of steel. I cannot put it down. If you want to find a book with cool characters and storyline as well as being quite dark and dangerous this is the one for you. I cant wait to read the 2nd :D
5 stars +++++++ love it!

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