Sanctified: The Legacy Chapters Book 3

by V. Romas Burton

All Ida Shabawn ever wanted was a place to belong. After being sent to the Fortress, she thought she found a place to call home. But once her friends start being sent on secret missions, Ida finds herself, once again, alone.

However, after the Battle of Edo, Ida is sent on her own covert mission to the place she was meant to go all Vlacklear Academy.

But things are not as they seem at the prestigious school. With the academy's strange rules, horrific Assemblies and adamant suitors, Ida isn't sure she will be able to complete her mission alive.

Genres: Fantasy

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

V. Romas Burton grew up bouncing up and down the East Coast where she wrote her first story about magical ponies at age seven. Years later, after studying government and earning an M.A. in Theological Studies, V. Romas Burton realized something even bigger was calling out to her--stories that contained great adventures and encouraging messages. When she's not writing, she's taking care of her three rambunctious sons. You can find future updates and news on her website: www.vromasburton.com

Reviews

[V. Romas Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all of the books of The Legacy Chapters, Sanctified was the hardest to write. Yet, after reading this whole series from start to finish it's my favorite because the end finally begins.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been waiting for these two characters to have their moment to shine since book one in the series, and I love them even more after reading Sanctified. There were so many suspenseful moments in this one, and I need to know what happens next!

[Brittany Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This continuation of the Legacy Chapters series was so good! I loved getting to know Ida and really enjoyed how the story came together at the end. Now I just need that final book because I'm so invested I need to know what happens!!

[Crystal Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

again V. Romas Burton has delivered a beautiful story of faith, romance and magic. this story is about Ida and Jacques, their love story is a slow burn that really started in fortified. this book also includes continuing stories of Rae and Ben, and my favorites Devora and Matthias...... our favorite twins are also back for some extra fun.

I have said it before and I will say it again this author's heart jump through the pages and her faith is such a vital part of her life that you can see it on the page as well. but what I love is the author doesn't have to tell you what her faith is she lets you ask the questions yourself. Like C.S. Lewis before her she doesn't have to hand hold you through the characters need for GOD.

the story is a mix of cinderella, ruth and mythology. I love the sweeping scope of this book. the romance was also well done...... I fell in love with the characters and I found the chemistry on mark.

I placed this book in time out 1 year for 6 charges ........ be sure to check out my post on instagram for those charges

[S.H. Dontell · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS third book, I am absolutely pacing the floor waiting for book 4! While this book was less filled with intense action sequences, it still holds its own among the others, with intrigue and spying and some beautiful growth moments for all the relationships! Plus, Sir Jacques is there. And I love Sir Jacques.
The romance was adorable, the characters excellent, and the CLIFFHANGER. I cannot wait for the next installment!

[Riley Perrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! I saw myself so much in Ida, and kept feeling called out, but I loved how her courage grew throughout the story. This book reminded me so much that we have a voice and choice to use it. I cannot wait for the last installment of the Legacy Chapters!

[Jacklyn Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHHHH!! So good!!
Ida and Jacques are so cute! I was practically jumping for joy when I found out that these two were the main couple! I also was so happy to see Rae and Ben together and how much they are working well together! I wish we got more of Debora and Matthias because seriously they deserve nothing but the best!
But WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!? Why did you do this to me! I have to wait a YEAR for the next one!!! I’m sad but very excited to read book 4 next year!!!

[Amaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN!!!!!
While the previous 2 books focused more on the war with Kadesh, Sanctified is focused more on the politics and secrets of Tenton. I love getting to know more about the charecters through the multiple POVs!!!! I really like the Cinderella vibes! Also the cover is Beautiful!!!

[Stephany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three of The Legacy Chapters is swoony and beautiful. Ida Shabawn has always been the quiet, scared one so no one is more surprised than her when she’s given a secret mission by the Warden.

Sanctified is an interesting combination of an adventure and academy story. Ida’s mission? Enrolling in Vlacklear Academy where she was supposed to be all along. While she’s in school, our other friends are trying to understand the properties of imperial opal.

Of course the series isn’t finished yet and Burton leaves us on a doozy of a cliffhanger!

But she doesn’t skimp on the romance. We see more of Ben and Rae (my personal favorite couple) and we get a brief scene (finally) with Devora and Matthias.

Ida and Jacques are the sweetest, even when life and circumstances do get in their way (warning you may get frustrated as the reader knowing the truth when the characters don’t) If you don’t have a book boyfriend, Jacques would make a great one, but I warn you he only has eyes for Ida.

If you have read my reviews before. You know I enjoy character growth and this book doesn’t disappoint. Ida must find the strength that Tunri created her with. It’s not about finding the strength in herself, but in trusting in who Tunri created her to be and in trusting that He has a plan.

Sanctified is loosely based on the story of Ruth and is an excellent third book in the series. We learn a little more about who is orchestrating things and we are getting closer to the answers Devora seeks.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Althea Damgaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has that fantasy boarding school vibe mixed with spy intrigue. The setting with characters sent there to dig up information while being proper students adds to the tension of simply being young people who still have to maintain good grades, deal with the social norms of school, and that one student they just can't avoid.

A lot is going on in this book, let alone the series per the proper backstory drops to keep everything tied together for the reader. Despite reading out of order and knowing I’ve read spoilers, I want to read the first two books to get the full details of what came before. Each book will have its own feel because of the settings. Book 3, Sanctified, is mostly exclusive to Vlacklear Academy though we get to follow the others through their related missions. Some fun twists were included that I did not expect, but I nailed a few things correctly.

There is a quite a cliffhanger for book 4. Overall book 3’s various subplots were tied up satisfactorily and there was the proper character growth for Ida, who was a major player for this part of the series.

This series is worth the read through. Of course, Sanctified’s cliffhanger is making me want book 4 sooner than later. Thankfully, I can go back and read the first two and other things while waiting.

[Jennifer Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Legacy Chapters is one of the best fantasy series I’ve read in a while.

I read a lot of books, so I don’t know what I was expecting when I opened the first page of this Legacy Chapters series, but what I’ve discovered is a complex, lush, beautifully flushed out fantasy world with characters I think about long after finishing each book, too many twists to count, emotional depth, and heart wrenching choices.

I loved the Cinderella elements in this one. I laughed out loud when I realized the twist on the fairy godmother. I always liked Ida, and I’m glad that we got a much closer look at her. She’s not your typical strong female character that we’ve seen in a lot of books and movies from the last decade. She deals openly with anxiety and rejection and fear. She was a beautiful Cinderella character.

I can’t wait to see more people discover this gorgeous fantasy series. Fans of The Lunar Chronicles will feel right at home (just back in time a couple hundred years😂).

[Azalea Dabill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complex tale of intrigue between kingdoms, courts, and lost hearts.

I admire how the author combined multiple fairytale retelling threads, while Ida, at the center of the intricate dance of hearts striving for power, learns to overcome fear.
Fear of not fitting in at Vlacklear Academy, fear that she is not enough to complete the task the Warden of the Fortress charged her with, fear she is unworthy of the one she loves, fear of those who hunt her through the halls, and fear of the future where her kingdom hangs in the balance.

Ida’s growth through themes of loss and love, war and desire for peace, reflect our struggle between light and darkness. As third in a four book series, it ended on a cliffhanger, and left me wanting to know the end of the story. I am excited to see how this new author grows.

Sanctified holds promise of greater books to come.

[Heather Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the Legacy Chapters books!
Ida is such a sweet, easy to love character! She is likable and realistic, and her struggles felt relatable. I enjoyed watching her confidence bloom throughout the story.

The academy setting is a fresh and unique change after the focus on war in the first two books (and I adore books with school settings, so that's probably one of the reasons I liked it so much!).

And sweet Jacques! I could not get enough of their scenes together.

I think the only thing I didn't like about this book is that I thought it was a trilogy, so when I got to the last page and saw the story wasn't finished, I was so bummed! But that just means I get one more book to enjoy down the road. :)

Highly recommend this one!

[Melissa Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and can't wait to read Unified. I enjoyed Sanctified, but not as much as the previous two. I struggle with the "You are enough" culture - and in a book with nods to Christianity, I didn't expect that. Maybe a "you don't have to be anything more than who you are to trust in me or to have my help" from Tunri would've made it more comfortable for me.

Regardless, it was a good story. Ida & Jacques are delightful. I enjoyed seeing snippets of Rae & One Shot and Devora & Matthias. Matthias's curse was a surprise...but I am wondering if it's truly a curse and not a gift from Tunri. (Without spoiling, the type of curse he has is mentioned elsewhere as a gift of Tunri's.)

Thanks, Ms. Burton, for weaving a beautiful story!

[Dawnell Towning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sanctified will keep your heart pounding from cover to cover. Burton continues to surprise her readers until the very last sentence.

We are taken to Vlackear Academy, where each of our heroes was intended from the beginning; but nothing is as it seems.

At the Fortress, Ida knew her enemies, but in the realm of politics, everyone has a hidden agenda. The question is: can Ida fulfill her mission before the headmistress and fellow students find out why she’s really there?

And just when you think you know what’s going to happen, Burton throws another plot twist at you. Don’t go far. The story continues …

[Reading in the Heartland (Michaela) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this no spice Christian fantasy with romance series. This is book 3 of the saga and we now have three romances in progress with all POVs. I am loving watching them all progress from different areas of this country. There is such a tangled web that has its tendrils in so many different facets of this story. It has been fascinating to try to pick things apart myself, and be right about some things, and have my mind completely blown by others. This book is filled with faith, romance, found family, family, war, good versus evil, political intrigue, and more. I am blazing my way through this series and I both can’t wait to start the last book and I’m also super sad to be leaving this world. The last 10% of this book was some of the best of the book as it completely blew my mind over and over. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 2.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Tabitha Caplinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Sanctified, the third installment of the Legacy Chapters Series, plot lines seamlessly converge through moments of mystery, adventure, and sweet romance. Burton brilliantly weaves together a beautiful story of family, identity, and hope with characters who exemplify wisdom, inner strength, and meekness that is anything but weakness.

[Briana Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing continuation!! After major separations of characters over the last two books, *most* are back together by the end of this book, and I am here for it!! Jacques was one of my favorite side characters from book one, and I was happy to see him get his HEA. I can't wait for the fourth and final book!!!

[Ashley Schaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the school setting and all of the intrigue the plot had to offer! The romance was one of my favorites, and I adored seeing the past couples show up! The stakes have raised even further and I'll be counting down until the finale reveals all!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Burton takes us on an unforgettable journey. This book is packed with twists, turns, and all the swooning! She's a master of weaving storylines together, deepening characters, and connecting plot points from previous books. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

[Alyssa Feliciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my FAV book of the series so far! I love how we dive into all the characters more and see softer sides of each of them. I even started to like Tristan...although im still not sure about him.

I love Matthias and Devora but honestly think Jaques and Ida have my heart ❤️

at least for now!