Blog Tour: Review- Sanctuary by V.V. James

Author: V.V. James

Genre: Fantasy/thriller

Published by: Gollancz

Publication date: 08/08/19

Pages: 464

My rating: ★★★★★

I received a free review copy from Gollancz in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The small Connecticut town of Sanctuary is rocked by the death of its star quarterback.

Daniel’s death looked like an accident, but everyone knows his ex-girlfriend Harper is the daughter of a witch – and she was there when he died.

Then the rumours start. When Harper insists Dan was guilty of a terrible act, the town turns on her. So was his death an accident, revenge – or something even darker?

As accusations fly and secrets are revealed, paranoia grips the town, culminating in a trial that the whole world is watching …

Trigger Warning:

• Sexual assault
• Rape

 

This is going to be a short review because I can’t be trusted to not to spoil the entire book, it’s that good! Set in a small American town called Sanctuary, with a witch population of one. After a house party ends in a fire and death of quarter back, Daniel Whitman, what should be a simple case turns into a witch hunt when Harper Fenn, Daniel’s ex girlfriend and daughter of Sanctuary’s only witch is accused of his murder by witchcraft. As the story unravels, secrets are revealed, friendships are tested and no one is who they seem.

I can’t tell you how much I adored this book! Sanctuary will reel you in, refuse to let you go from the first page and will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last. I expected a witchy book, what I got was so much more. The book is told from multiple POVs, allowing the reader insight into the varying perspectives, details and secrets. People fear the unknown, what we don’t understand and this was captured brilliantly throughout. I mean, why come to a logical conclusion when you can blame witchcraft? It was interesting reading events as unfold, how quickly things escalated from witchcraft being tolerated, to being the source of fear and suspicion. I couldn’t get enough of it!

The plot and character development are well written. The plot is a combination of fast and slow paced, though there is always something happening and you’re never bored. It feels like you know everyone, and know nothing about them at the same time. Sanctuary is as captivating as it is unputdownable, I was so consumed by the need to know how it ends I hadn’t noticed I had read through the night. It’s a must read I can’t recommend it enough!

Buy from: Book Depository Watersones