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The World of Sanctum #1
Sanctum: Sands of Setesh
"There is no choosing between lesser evils. Both must fall to the sword."
In a world where mysticism collides with danger, Ser Isolde finds herself trapped in a strange land after the death of Reynard. With no way home, she embarks on a quest beneath the treacherous sands of Setesh, driven by duty and honor. However, Setesh is unlike her mystical realm of Avalon, and survival demands unlikely alliances.
Enter Orc Priest Tulok, bound by a sacred oath to serve the Radiant Lord. His to aid the foreign knight in completing her perilous quest. Yet, dangers in Setesh go beyond scorpions and blistering heat. As they traverse the unforgiving wilds, Ser Isolde and Tulok must bridge the gap between their worlds, embracing their differences to overcome the perils that lurk in every shadow.
But danger is not the only adversary they face. The enigmatic Divine of Sanctum also wander the lands, their motives shrouded in mystery. With their sights set on the knight and her orc companion, the stakes are higher than ever.
In a breathtaking tale of unlikely friendship and courage, Ser Isolde and Tulok must defy all odds, battling not only the treacherous world of Setesh but also the looming shadows of the Divine. Will they triumph and emerge victorious, or will the sands of fate bury them forever? Join them on this epic journey, where the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.
Welcome to Sanctum.
Winner of the Literary Titan Gold Award, Sands of Setesh is the beginning of a powerful new fantasy series perfect for fans of adventure and epic quests. Enter a world filled with myths and nightmares, humans and orcs, dwarf and fae, where cultures clash and apocalypse looms.
“Rivals anything I have read in all of 2020. Sands of Setesh will give fans of the fantasy genre a new way of looking at their favorite genre. This quest is one more about the characters and less about violence and bloodshed. ★★★★★” – Literary Titan
“Mind-blowing, post-apocalyptic fantasy. ★★★★★” – Presswire
“Fantasy must have! ★★★★★” – Emily Akay
"This book had me hooked right from the beginning. The writing and storylines are amazing. I can’t wait to see how it continues in the next volume. ★★★★★” – Amazon
"It’s one of those timeless fantasies, like Lord of The Rings, in which you simply want to lose yourself. ★★★★★” – Amazon
In a world where mysticism collides with danger, Ser Isolde finds herself trapped in a strange land after the death of Reynard. With no way home, she embarks on a quest beneath the treacherous sands of Setesh, driven by duty and honor. However, Setesh is unlike her mystical realm of Avalon, and survival demands unlikely alliances.
Enter Orc Priest Tulok, bound by a sacred oath to serve the Radiant Lord. His to aid the foreign knight in completing her perilous quest. Yet, dangers in Setesh go beyond scorpions and blistering heat. As they traverse the unforgiving wilds, Ser Isolde and Tulok must bridge the gap between their worlds, embracing their differences to overcome the perils that lurk in every shadow.
But danger is not the only adversary they face. The enigmatic Divine of Sanctum also wander the lands, their motives shrouded in mystery. With their sights set on the knight and her orc companion, the stakes are higher than ever.
In a breathtaking tale of unlikely friendship and courage, Ser Isolde and Tulok must defy all odds, battling not only the treacherous world of Setesh but also the looming shadows of the Divine. Will they triumph and emerge victorious, or will the sands of fate bury them forever? Join them on this epic journey, where the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.
Welcome to Sanctum.
Winner of the Literary Titan Gold Award, Sands of Setesh is the beginning of a powerful new fantasy series perfect for fans of adventure and epic quests. Enter a world filled with myths and nightmares, humans and orcs, dwarf and fae, where cultures clash and apocalypse looms.
“Rivals anything I have read in all of 2020. Sands of Setesh will give fans of the fantasy genre a new way of looking at their favorite genre. This quest is one more about the characters and less about violence and bloodshed. ★★★★★” – Literary Titan
“Mind-blowing, post-apocalyptic fantasy. ★★★★★” – Presswire
“Fantasy must have! ★★★★★” – Emily Akay
"This book had me hooked right from the beginning. The writing and storylines are amazing. I can’t wait to see how it continues in the next volume. ★★★★★” – Amazon
"It’s one of those timeless fantasies, like Lord of The Rings, in which you simply want to lose yourself. ★★★★★” – Amazon
- GenresFantasy
455 pages, Hardcover
First published August 29, 2020
21 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Kading
8 books9 followersAn Award-Winning Author -she is a poet, playwright, and a storyteller, whose love for writing began in 3rd grade when she won a district writing contest. Her love for fantastical forces motivates her to create stories of heroes, villains, gods and monsters that often have a foundation in Old World mythology and legends.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 5, 2021
This epic fantasy opens with Isolde, Knight Wanderer, falling to injury and the desert sun. She is saved by Tulok, an orc priest and healer. She sees flashes of her childhood as she regains consciousness and eventually meets her savior, and the questions begin. It is there that Isolde begins a tell the tale of the mission she was on. And so our story begins.
I quickly became invested in the story that Isolde began to unfold. The story is a quest that really focuses and relies on its characters. I love a character-driven fantasy. But this familiar fantasy was really special as it incorporated many unique elements, especially the new mythological deities and gods. And many big questions surrounding them and their relationship with humans and other races and species over time.
The characters truly are my favorite part of this story. They were all so realistic and relatable and it was easy and fast to care for and invest in them. I loved how well fleshed out the characters were; at every step, I completely understood why they did everything they did. I also LOVED having an independent and strong-willed female protagonist, and in general how this story switched up traditional, fantasy gender roles. Isolde was a complex, naive, and strong warrior and an overall great heroine. and Tulok was a much more soft-spoken, kind, cleric and priest.
The world-building of this story was in many ways familiar, with classic fantasy elements like orcs, dwarves, elves, etc. but brought a uniqueness to each of them. Orcs, instead of being barbaric, violent individuals, implemented a lot of logic and reason into decisions. Dwarves shaped sand instead of stone. These and many other world-building elements really brought a freshness and uniqueness to this story.
Overall this was a really fun fantasy read that was easily immersive and had characters that were easy to become emotionally invested in. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
I quickly became invested in the story that Isolde began to unfold. The story is a quest that really focuses and relies on its characters. I love a character-driven fantasy. But this familiar fantasy was really special as it incorporated many unique elements, especially the new mythological deities and gods. And many big questions surrounding them and their relationship with humans and other races and species over time.
The characters truly are my favorite part of this story. They were all so realistic and relatable and it was easy and fast to care for and invest in them. I loved how well fleshed out the characters were; at every step, I completely understood why they did everything they did. I also LOVED having an independent and strong-willed female protagonist, and in general how this story switched up traditional, fantasy gender roles. Isolde was a complex, naive, and strong warrior and an overall great heroine. and Tulok was a much more soft-spoken, kind, cleric and priest.
The world-building of this story was in many ways familiar, with classic fantasy elements like orcs, dwarves, elves, etc. but brought a uniqueness to each of them. Orcs, instead of being barbaric, violent individuals, implemented a lot of logic and reason into decisions. Dwarves shaped sand instead of stone. These and many other world-building elements really brought a freshness and uniqueness to this story.
Overall this was a really fun fantasy read that was easily immersive and had characters that were easy to become emotionally invested in. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
December 16, 2020
The Reaping. Right there, authors Kading and Fuentes had me. Where the Divine have had to scoop up a handful of survivors and transplant them to another place and time; another universe altogether. It’s a broad canvas for creativity and the world they’ve created is fresh, yet familiar. It’s full of traditional themes blended with uniquely fascinating elements to keep readers turning pages. Turning pages and re-reading passages. No, not because the writing is stilted or incomprehensible; just the opposite. Many of the scenes are so imaginatively woven I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t want to move on. I wanted to stand within the expansive imagery and gaze around in wonder….like I was standing within the landscape itself.
Isolde and Tulok. I loved the names of our main characters from the start. Like the entire book, the names the authors chose reflect traditional as well as magical fantasy (which I can only hope was their intent). Isolde is a strong female lead, full of naïve bravado and complex simplicity. She feels like a harmony-seeker to me, though she is a Knight. She experiences the new cultures around her with acceptance and respect, rather than trampling in, calling everyone Heathens, and forcing her culture upon the unsuspecting. I liked that a great deal. Everything about the story was a beautiful amalgamation of traditional and magical, right down to how the characters interacted with those they met.
Now, don’t get me wrong; there’s some serious heft to this book. Not just in its weight, though at 478 pages, it’s not for those readers who want to devour a story over a weekend. There’s substantial world-building, but it’s lush and sweeping and far from overwhelming. There are theologies, cultures, landscapes, and new species to discover and explore. The story takes its time. It never felt rushed, nor did it drag it’s lazy heels. It’s one of those timeless fantasies, like Lord of The Rings, in which you simply want to lose yourself. I certainly am hoping for a sequel….or better yet….a mini-series!
Isolde and Tulok. I loved the names of our main characters from the start. Like the entire book, the names the authors chose reflect traditional as well as magical fantasy (which I can only hope was their intent). Isolde is a strong female lead, full of naïve bravado and complex simplicity. She feels like a harmony-seeker to me, though she is a Knight. She experiences the new cultures around her with acceptance and respect, rather than trampling in, calling everyone Heathens, and forcing her culture upon the unsuspecting. I liked that a great deal. Everything about the story was a beautiful amalgamation of traditional and magical, right down to how the characters interacted with those they met.
Now, don’t get me wrong; there’s some serious heft to this book. Not just in its weight, though at 478 pages, it’s not for those readers who want to devour a story over a weekend. There’s substantial world-building, but it’s lush and sweeping and far from overwhelming. There are theologies, cultures, landscapes, and new species to discover and explore. The story takes its time. It never felt rushed, nor did it drag it’s lazy heels. It’s one of those timeless fantasies, like Lord of The Rings, in which you simply want to lose yourself. I certainly am hoping for a sequel….or better yet….a mini-series!
March 16, 2023
What can I say about Sands of Setesh (and not give too much away)? Lots of character building, it's one of the things I love to do. The setting is a new concept - think about what would happen if some crazy god decided to destroy the universe - and was almost successful - except for this little pocket of survivors hidden away in some area of the unknown. Now think about what would happen to all the deities of those civilizations over time. Would they maintain their names and positions? Or would they have to morph into something else? What about the people? What about different races (orcs, elves, gnomes, dwarves) what happened to their civilizations and deities when the universe suddenly comes to an abrupt almost-end and they are all forced to live together on one planet (essentially) - regardless of where they hailed from originally?
And what about the hold-outs that may not agree with the status-quo....
And what about the hold-outs that may not agree with the status-quo....
December 20, 2020
An Escape full of Wonder
This story came along my path in a time of need, much like I believe it will for others. I was introduced to the characters before I fully knew what I was getting myself into. Finishing the book a few moments ago and I sit here digesting everything I've read on my journey.
Through their ink I see the characters take form. Soon there will be faces for the readers to see if they have not started, or even if they have, their journey through the sands.
Maybe I'm biased, but this book stole my heart, it is the first one I took my time to read vs devouring it in hours because I did not want it to end. It is worth the read and I'm blessed for the opportunity to read it.
This story came along my path in a time of need, much like I believe it will for others. I was introduced to the characters before I fully knew what I was getting myself into. Finishing the book a few moments ago and I sit here digesting everything I've read on my journey.
Through their ink I see the characters take form. Soon there will be faces for the readers to see if they have not started, or even if they have, their journey through the sands.
Maybe I'm biased, but this book stole my heart, it is the first one I took my time to read vs devouring it in hours because I did not want it to end. It is worth the read and I'm blessed for the opportunity to read it.
October 1, 2020
I really enjoyed the Sands of Setesh; it was a really fun read. One of the most immersive books I have read in a while. You could feel the stress that the characters were under. Plus the amount of detail and knowledge put in the book is phenomenal (everyone forgets about the Brigandine). Characters were so in depth and had great personalities. Tulok is such a beast. Descriptions were very poetic without being over the top. Overall I give it five stars.
November 21, 2020
Isolde is on a mission, but injury and the desert sun leads her to Tulok, an orc priest. Other factions are against her from completing her quest.
The author has built an interesting world with all sorts of supernatural beings. It was a different kind of read, but very enjoyable. I would recommend it
The author has built an interesting world with all sorts of supernatural beings. It was a different kind of read, but very enjoyable. I would recommend it
December 21, 2020
Great world building and character development. It's always nice to see something unique.
March 5, 2021
I’m hooked!
This book had me hooked right from the beginning. The writing and storylines are amazing. I can’t wait to see how it continues in the next volume.
This book had me hooked right from the beginning. The writing and storylines are amazing. I can’t wait to see how it continues in the next volume.
March 30, 2021
We are proud to announce that SANCTUM: SANDS OF SETESH by C. S. Kading is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
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September 30, 2021Read This Book
Loved it! Character driven, new exciting world that I am falling in love with. Can not wait for the sequel!
Loved it! Character driven, new exciting world that I am falling in love with. Can not wait for the sequel!
February 7, 2021
Great world building
and characters. I like that it was left open for a sequel because I really want to know what the deal is up with the map, as well as more about Sanctum.
and characters. I like that it was left open for a sequel because I really want to know what the deal is up with the map, as well as more about Sanctum.
April 21, 2021
C.S. Kading and Tony Fuentes' debut novel, "Sanctum: Sands of Setesh", is excellent! The authors have created a compelling world filled with both familiar and unique elements, with deities that are mythologically familiar but new enough to intrigue, mixed with familiar fantasy natural elements, along with unique gods as well. Personally, I'm looking for the nearest memory well so I can convert to the Wandering Lord!
Their world contains some of the most believable, relatable, and understandable characters I've encountered: at no point did I question why characters were doing things, and while there are certain universal tropes to any stories, these felt natural and believable. Multiple times I kept reading because I was so intrigued by the characters and the story.
I admit, I'm a sucker for a strong-willed independent female protagonist. The authors do an excellent job of mixing this in a young woman, Isolde, who at the same time is innocent, complex, skilled, and has a (literal) god-given goal to create a strong heroine. Teaming Isolde with a male orc cleric of the Sun God creates a wonderful dichotomy of the typical male warrior and female priest in classical fantasy, in a page-turning adventure.
This was a great story, with elements of classic fantasy (orcs, dwarves, elves) but with an unusual twist of orcs who fight their violent nature with reason, beardless dwarves who shape sand instead of stone, and fae-touched humans. These elements felt fresh and new, and not simply word replacement "uniqueness" of many poor fantasy novels (i.e. replace "ring of power" with "stone of power".)
Looking forward to the next book in the saga!
Their world contains some of the most believable, relatable, and understandable characters I've encountered: at no point did I question why characters were doing things, and while there are certain universal tropes to any stories, these felt natural and believable. Multiple times I kept reading because I was so intrigued by the characters and the story.
I admit, I'm a sucker for a strong-willed independent female protagonist. The authors do an excellent job of mixing this in a young woman, Isolde, who at the same time is innocent, complex, skilled, and has a (literal) god-given goal to create a strong heroine. Teaming Isolde with a male orc cleric of the Sun God creates a wonderful dichotomy of the typical male warrior and female priest in classical fantasy, in a page-turning adventure.
This was a great story, with elements of classic fantasy (orcs, dwarves, elves) but with an unusual twist of orcs who fight their violent nature with reason, beardless dwarves who shape sand instead of stone, and fae-touched humans. These elements felt fresh and new, and not simply word replacement "uniqueness" of many poor fantasy novels (i.e. replace "ring of power" with "stone of power".)
Looking forward to the next book in the saga!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews