Sanctuary of the Shadow

By: Jamie Steinberg

Harrow was just a child when her mother and all the Seers in her entire clan were murdered by a wraith. Since that time, she’s traveled as a fortune teller in Salizar’s circus of mystery and wonder in order to hide her true identity as an “Elemental” (those with special abilities and unique appearances). She is content with this life but knows sometime soon her real origins will need to be revealed. That is when Raith arrives. Harrow is drawn to the creature who has no recollection of whom or what he is – determined to protect him at all costs. Sanctuary of the Shadow is an odd mixture of fantasy and romance – one of which becomes far more of a turn off than a turn on.

A winged beast has been captured and dragged against his will to serve in Salizar’s circus. Salizar has beaten and prodded him – as encouragement to partake in a sideshow act. Harrow is somehow drawn to this wounded being, visiting him against all warnings to bring him food and offer company. The creature has chosen to go by the moniker “Raith” after Salizar deemed him a wraith (a diagnosis Harrow disagrees with), but this label was misspelled by one of Salizar’s lackies. All Harrow knows is that behind his dark black eyes there is a soul that holds a connection that she cannot explain. With a deadline looming for Raith to perform in front of a crowd, Harrow knows there is only one thing to do – escape. Here is where things get interesting…and VERY graphic.

Sure, Harrow and Raith share an unidentifiable bond, but once they have freed themselves from Salizar’s tyranny they find themselves now romantically drawn to one another. Author Aurora Ascher goes into great and lude details of their sex life. Yes, Harrow and Raith have intercourse…a lot. While I’m no prude, there are very graphic details of their experiences that I didn’t find a proper fit for a young-adult novel. And they are stuck in a hotel room together for a week’s time so there is a lot of focus put on their time together under the covers. Additionally, the story moves along at a far too quick of a pace. I know that Harrow and Raith have this odd but deep bond, but from the moment Raith’s life on the run begins he’s immediately tangled up in the sheets with Harrow.

Sanctuary of the Shadow is a sci-fi fantasy tale that is too muddled to enjoy. Yes, you will invest in both Harrow and Raith discovering their mysterious backstories, but their hookups just get far too graphic for young adult readers. Additionally, the timetable for the entire tale feels far too fast for the reader. I understand that Raith has made powerful enemies in his mysterious past, but things go from fast to furious in a matter of days – romantically and otherwise – making it uncomfortable and far too forced for readers.