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Sanctuary #5.5
Fated in Darkness
The world of Arkaria is a dangerous place, filled with dragons, titans, goblins and other dangers. Those who live in this world are faced with two choices: live an ordinary life or become an adventurer and seek the extraordinary.
In the underground city of Saekaj Sovar, a tyrant sits up the throne. For too long, he has ruled the fates of the dark elven people without mercy or challenge.
Until now.
Terian Lepos, J'anda Aimant and Aisling Nightwind are veterans of the guild Sanctuary who find themselves trapped in darkness of Saekaj, with danger and betrayal lurking around every corner. When the three of them find themselves pitted against forces trying to steer the course of Saekaj Sovar, who will end up triumphant?
And who will end up dead?
In the underground city of Saekaj Sovar, a tyrant sits up the throne. For too long, he has ruled the fates of the dark elven people without mercy or challenge.
Until now.
Terian Lepos, J'anda Aimant and Aisling Nightwind are veterans of the guild Sanctuary who find themselves trapped in darkness of Saekaj, with danger and betrayal lurking around every corner. When the three of them find themselves pitted against forces trying to steer the course of Saekaj Sovar, who will end up triumphant?
And who will end up dead?
409 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2015
248 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Crane
176 books1,168 followersRobert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 2, 2023
This was a nice break from the main story. It was interesting to find out the backgrounds of Terian , Aisling and J’anda. It was also good to find out what happened with the dark elves after the death of the sovereign. Lighter reading than some of the other books.
June 10, 2025
This was a great volume that overcomes one of the primary limitations of the main Sanctuary series: that it is told from very limited viewpoints. Here, events that occurred outside of the reader's points of view during Master are unfolded in wonderful detail.
Like much of the main Sanctuary series, the characters are a wonderful mix of witty and conflicted, all the more so since the main characters of this book are the 'darker' members of the Sanctuary ensemble. I enjoyed the reveals of the backstory and motivations of these characters. Sometimes it felt as if too much detail was being given, but eventually the necessity of every word became clear as the plot of the story unfloded further.
The main setting - Saekaj Sovar - was very different from the rest of Arkaria revealed in the other books and it was good to see that Crane had given quite a bit of thought to how an underground society might truly live. I, personally, would have liked a bit more detail in this regard, but I can see where that would have been too much for others.
Overall, I found this a very entertaining read, however it is not where I would recommend anyone begin if they are not already familiar with the Sanctuary series. If you haven't already, read at least up to Master first before tackling this volume as that will provide a much better context for you as the reader.
Like much of the main Sanctuary series, the characters are a wonderful mix of witty and conflicted, all the more so since the main characters of this book are the 'darker' members of the Sanctuary ensemble. I enjoyed the reveals of the backstory and motivations of these characters. Sometimes it felt as if too much detail was being given, but eventually the necessity of every word became clear as the plot of the story unfloded further.
The main setting - Saekaj Sovar - was very different from the rest of Arkaria revealed in the other books and it was good to see that Crane had given quite a bit of thought to how an underground society might truly live. I, personally, would have liked a bit more detail in this regard, but I can see where that would have been too much for others.
Overall, I found this a very entertaining read, however it is not where I would recommend anyone begin if they are not already familiar with the Sanctuary series. If you haven't already, read at least up to Master first before tackling this volume as that will provide a much better context for you as the reader.
November 13, 2017
Great side story
Really good story. This book covers the war to save Terian, Aislin & J'anda's home lands. There is a conclusion to Aislin's back story & a start to another chapter of her life. J'anda is coming to the end of his life and he wants peace. Terian wants the peoples united and he goes through a metamorphosis during the prices to achieve this. Great big read and well written. I spotted maybe two editing errors, which is good going for a 7hr book.
Really good story. This book covers the war to save Terian, Aislin & J'anda's home lands. There is a conclusion to Aislin's back story & a start to another chapter of her life. J'anda is coming to the end of his life and he wants peace. Terian wants the peoples united and he goes through a metamorphosis during the prices to achieve this. Great big read and well written. I spotted maybe two editing errors, which is good going for a 7hr book.
October 9, 2017
Nice read
I usually don't read books that skip between characters but since the outcome was already told in another book, it was an interesting read. I did enjoy the book but took off a star since some trails were left dead ended. Such as what happened to Kaylee's father, is he dead as implied?
I usually don't read books that skip between characters but since the outcome was already told in another book, it was an interesting read. I did enjoy the book but took off a star since some trails were left dead ended. Such as what happened to Kaylee's father, is he dead as implied?
October 21, 2019
Science fiction/fantasy
Finally Terian, Aishling and J'anda shine in this book about the dark elf kingdom with plenty of surprises and lots of answers. The plot is excellent and again it was a book I couldn't put down. Don't ignore these side books because they are central to the theme of the whole story.
Finally Terian, Aishling and J'anda shine in this book about the dark elf kingdom with plenty of surprises and lots of answers. The plot is excellent and again it was a book I couldn't put down. Don't ignore these side books because they are central to the theme of the whole story.
September 26, 2025
4.25 stars another journey complete.
Another amazing journey in this series. People need to read this series. I think it is slept on with these other big authors. I have fallen in love with the world building and the banter of the characters. The inner battles with in each character has grown the story line even more.
Another amazing journey in this series. People need to read this series. I think it is slept on with these other big authors. I have fallen in love with the world building and the banter of the characters. The inner battles with in each character has grown the story line even more.
November 13, 2017
All the darkness is lit!
I like this book just as much as all the other I've read earlier, that fact that it relates background on three of the most enigmatic characters makes it a must for Sanctuary fans.
I like this book just as much as all the other I've read earlier, that fact that it relates background on three of the most enigmatic characters makes it a must for Sanctuary fans.
March 17, 2018
Terian!
Of all the books in the Sanctuary Series, this one has become my favorite and I have enjoyed them all. The decisions that each of these leading characters made true to each of them without being overly predictable.
Of all the books in the Sanctuary Series, this one has become my favorite and I have enjoyed them all. The decisions that each of these leading characters made true to each of them without being overly predictable.
December 25, 2022
Loved it
This book gives everything about what happens to Terian, Ja'Anda and Asling that does not go with the main story line so to speak, but is important non the less, and would be too much filler for book 6. It is a must read for any fan of the Sanctuary series.
This book gives everything about what happens to Terian, Ja'Anda and Asling that does not go with the main story line so to speak, but is important non the less, and would be too much filler for book 6. It is a must read for any fan of the Sanctuary series.
August 1, 2024
It was such an awesome adventure to discover what actually happened to Terian. The path he walked to bring his kingdom together was a far stretch in hope. Truly enjoyed J'anda come to victory moment and Aisling regard for justice. These three make a wonderful team.
September 24, 2018
Excellent expansion of the other side of the table. Was captivated by the stories.
November 4, 2019
J
Hhhhhh h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h he. H hg great book really recommend
Hhhhhh h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h he. H hg great book really recommend
August 23, 2020
Great back story about the characters in this series. I loved that it explains why some characters are defined by their stories.
November 8, 2022
I enjoy the way the author takes us on a deeper dive into the side stories of this world.
May 6, 2023
Well done
Well this was a surprise, good story from start to finish. Like the ending better than some. Also learned some life's lessons
Well this was a surprise, good story from start to finish. Like the ending better than some. Also learned some life's lessons
April 5, 2016
When I started this book I thought it was going to be like the last two I read, no it wasn't. It read in the same style the main novels do which was a nice come back to. The main character in this book is Terian once again which I didn't mind. Having read 'Thy Fathers Shadow' t was really i teresting to continue his story. We already know that he ends up leading the people of Saekaj and Sovar. This book puts in place the when, where and how it all took place. The initial shock for him was finding his father still alive then realising he was also one of Malpravus's 'dead' army. Then his wife Kahlee finds him which he did not expect having been sent away in exile. His most staunch supporter in the rest of the book is Kahlee with minor roles played by Curation and Cattrine. J'anda and Aisling have ongoing roles throughout the book. As you may expect the three main characters have stories that intertwine and then come together with a few of the 'extras'. This is when the story srarts to reach its climax and whilst you know what the end result is going to be it still throws in a few suprises along the way. I learnt WHO Terian is, something which I think Alaric and Curatio were both aware of, Terian just had to find the right path to take him there. J'anda ends up leading the enchanters guild which is where he should have been all along and Aisling, Well Aisling, somewhere in the depths of this series of stories I suspected something might happen. In this book there is nothing written that indicates that still it will be. Terian gives her a home where she can be Aisling or Yalina (her birth name) free to not worry about her secrets. She helped hi now he was prepared to support her even after what she had tried to do to Cyrus. The epilogue brings to us the next part of her story. the next secret she wants to keep which results in all those who know having to keep the secret too. Terian doesn't want it to be that way so I hope now we see how that story unfolds and whether to truth is ever told. I enjoyed this book much more than the other side books and feel it could be up there as volume six. It is dotted with Sanctuary members, it has characters from other prior books all in the mix and reads in the same ways colume one to five have. I think therefore that it is probably the snippet ways the other two side books were written that I did not settle with. This book definately deserved its five star rating. Robert has developed an awesome storyline, the plot meandered along beautifully, the characters were all interesting and well developed and they needed to be in their particular roles for the story to have worked.
December 23, 2016
I Hate Loose Ends
Call it my manic desire for Prussian-esq order (if you knew me as the Frenchman I am you'd get the irony) of course I never get it but, one can hope. As a reader I often wonder how much of the good back story was scraped by the editor in order to lower the cost of the paperback in order for larger margins. Now thanks to Kindle and other forms of electronic delivery we get the FULL tangential back story. As a Sanctuary fan read it... if your new to Mr. Crane start with Book 1 and work your way through all his collections you will so thank me later.
Call it my manic desire for Prussian-esq order (if you knew me as the Frenchman I am you'd get the irony) of course I never get it but, one can hope. As a reader I often wonder how much of the good back story was scraped by the editor in order to lower the cost of the paperback in order for larger margins. Now thanks to Kindle and other forms of electronic delivery we get the FULL tangential back story. As a Sanctuary fan read it... if your new to Mr. Crane start with Book 1 and work your way through all his collections you will so thank me later.
December 21, 2015
Having started this just as the release for Warlord came around I was eager to see where the stories would go. Terian, Janda and Aisling did not disappoint. It was great to read a little in to their histories and their adventures away from Sanctuary in the presence of the Sovereign.
Terian has always been the character I loved to hate. I wanted to punch him in the face but go for a beer with him afterwards. My view on him has changed a little during reading this book. I look forward to encountering him again in the future.
I've always looked at Janda like the cool grandad of the group. You know when you would go to your grandparents as kids and get a nice pound coin or a fiver to walk out with from your grandad, this is what Janda means to me! Throughout the series I've wanted to take him home and keep him as hes so cool yet clearly ageing. Let's hope he sticks around for a while yet!!
Aisling, oh Aisling. Always came across as a bit of a slut (yet in a totally innocent way). She was the girl, who, although would annoy the crap out of me I still wanted to see her bed Cyrus and be happy. She came across as the girl with the big heart who had maybe lost her way. I still feel the same about Aisling, I love her to death but jesus can she irritate me!!
Can't wait to plough through Warlord but I am taking a small break from Arkaria to catch up with the 'Girl out of the Box' series
Terian has always been the character I loved to hate. I wanted to punch him in the face but go for a beer with him afterwards. My view on him has changed a little during reading this book. I look forward to encountering him again in the future.
I've always looked at Janda like the cool grandad of the group. You know when you would go to your grandparents as kids and get a nice pound coin or a fiver to walk out with from your grandad, this is what Janda means to me! Throughout the series I've wanted to take him home and keep him as hes so cool yet clearly ageing. Let's hope he sticks around for a while yet!!
Aisling, oh Aisling. Always came across as a bit of a slut (yet in a totally innocent way). She was the girl, who, although would annoy the crap out of me I still wanted to see her bed Cyrus and be happy. She came across as the girl with the big heart who had maybe lost her way. I still feel the same about Aisling, I love her to death but jesus can she irritate me!!
Can't wait to plough through Warlord but I am taking a small break from Arkaria to catch up with the 'Girl out of the Box' series
November 5, 2015
Some authors seem to be able to produce books at an alarming rate. Now, you might think that would mean that the quality of said books would suffer. But that is not the case with Mr Crane.
Now. In Master, we had an ending that left us hanging. If you are looking for the answer to that particular issue, this is not the book you're looking for. But. Do NOT move along. This .5 volume contains a lot of information. A lot.
Politics, intrigue, espionage, treachery. All here in abundance. But not just chucked into a melting pot and left to bubble. Oh no. Intricately woven; teasing, tantalising and complex interpersonal relationships and maneuverings.
An absolute must read in my opinion, if you (like me) are a fan of this series.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Now. In Master, we had an ending that left us hanging. If you are looking for the answer to that particular issue, this is not the book you're looking for. But. Do NOT move along. This .5 volume contains a lot of information. A lot.
Politics, intrigue, espionage, treachery. All here in abundance. But not just chucked into a melting pot and left to bubble. Oh no. Intricately woven; teasing, tantalising and complex interpersonal relationships and maneuverings.
An absolute must read in my opinion, if you (like me) are a fan of this series.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
November 7, 2015
First half of the book took a little perseverance but the second half was fantastic.
I love the Sanctuary series, the spin off books to support the main series ensure that the complex plot and favourite characters get as much attention as the main theme and I look forward to seeing how it all comes together in the next instalment.
I love the Sanctuary series, the spin off books to support the main series ensure that the complex plot and favourite characters get as much attention as the main theme and I look forward to seeing how it all comes together in the next instalment.
October 16, 2016
Excellent.
This is an excellent story in conjunction with the sanctuary series as it gets in depth with main characters that the main story does not. Really a must read if you are currently reading Santuary. I did wait until i finished the main 8 books which is fine, but probably would have been better to read them in order.
This is an excellent story in conjunction with the sanctuary series as it gets in depth with main characters that the main story does not. Really a must read if you are currently reading Santuary. I did wait until i finished the main 8 books which is fine, but probably would have been better to read them in order.
October 27, 2015
Loved it...
This whole series is fun. I love the chemistry between the characters. I quickly fell in love with the bad boy and have truly enjoyed his voyage of redemption. My favorite blue lady continues her adventure and I am grateful that her back story has come to light.
This whole series is fun. I love the chemistry between the characters. I quickly fell in love with the bad boy and have truly enjoyed his voyage of redemption. My favorite blue lady continues her adventure and I am grateful that her back story has come to light.
November 21, 2016
Fantastic read!!!
As always, excellent story!!! I somehow got through the whole series before realizing i missed this book. So glad i went back to read this as it answered some questions that i had been wondering about. So excited to see how things play out in the new series!
As always, excellent story!!! I somehow got through the whole series before realizing i missed this book. So glad i went back to read this as it answered some questions that i had been wondering about. So excited to see how things play out in the new series!
October 5, 2015
Headlines/deadlines
Filing in the blanks, but a complete story on its own , what all those dark elves did and are doing ! And so, back to the future!
Filing in the blanks, but a complete story on its own , what all those dark elves did and are doing ! And so, back to the future!
October 18, 2015
absolutely loved seeing how events went down with the dark elves and the ending left me shocked and wanting more like always
November 26, 2015
Nice to see how things worked out for our heros. Looking forward to Warlord
December 16, 2015
Another great read in the sanctuary series. I will be following this one til the end.
February 10, 2016
Fantastic side story, but a must read.
November 8, 2016
Extremely well written .
December 10, 2016
Still a fan
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews