A review by rivulet027
Sanctuary by Andi C. Buchanan

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I love how communication and found family is at the heart of this book. Morgan lives in a large old manor with her girlfriend and their found family, which include multiple ghosts. There are a lot of characters in this book, living together and attempting to respect each other’s needs and quirks. All the characters in this book are neurodivergent and have varying disabilities. Morgan occasionally finds it difficult to be verbal, she sometimes uses BSL, text, and a text to voice app. The book spends a lot of time on the groups coping mechanisms and how they all work together and how living communally helps all of them. It also goes in depth into their financial issues and how they make things work.

The antagonist makes his way into the house near the beginning of the book, but the conflict and danger he brings gets brought up gradually. The book never loses its cozy feel. The main battle lasts several chapters and the stakes are dire: more than one of the characters is in danger of dying. Despite this the narrator takes the time to go over how each member of the family would be worse off if they didn’t have this house to live in. 

I liked how the last several chapters spent time with how the group is not only repairing the house, but healing themselves and each other. I’m not a fan of horror, but I love found family so I’m glad that I got to read this book. 

I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. 
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