This audiobook starts off Roman's adventures, or as he would put it, "just another day in Nav," or the Slavic pagan underworld. His daily life becomes entangled with his patron dark god's marital strife. As the story progresses, we learn about how Roman deals with disruptions to his routine when a boy who has more connections to Roman's religion than appears at first glance asks for sanctuary, or protection, from pursuit by a rival religious faction Roman has never met before. We are introduced to several new characters, mysterious foes, and a menagerie of both mythical and mundane creatures! These glimpses into mythology personified and applied to daily live give the world a down-to-earth feel, even when the action picks up. Themes in this book include how humans personify, interact, and humanize their religious traditions and deities, as well as redemption and responsibility. As such, this novella is a good tie-in to the Kate Daniels world without overwhelming new readers with the layered lore and larger cast of characters from the main series.

The pacing of both the story and narration is well-done, balancing fight scenes with treks through tranquil winter scenery and some angsty internal battles that take place there. The fight scenes are the most vivid to imagine and easier to remember several days after finishing the novella, as the more dialogue-heavy Nav scenes were more difficult for me to visualize. I would still recommend this title in audiobook form. The narrator is adept at a range of voices that sound believable and bring each character's personalities to life. However, the low pitch of his voice sometimes muddled some words, requiring a rewind. Included in this audiobook include a short story (or vignette) continuing a new character's tale and a highly enjoyable, well-narrated reading of an essay from the authors about stock characters in Slavic mythology and folklore (also freely available on their blog).

I was so happy to be back in this world - I loved learning more about Roman, and hope Ilona Andrews continues this series (and maybe we can get a Kate and/or Curran cameo at some point?!). If you like Ilona Andrews, and especially like their Kate Daniels series, you should definitely check this out.

This book was so beautifully complex I needed a much longer book.

The storytelling was **CHEFS KISS** delicious and the prose were perfect. I haven't read the series Roman hails from but I have hunted down the box set and will be fully emerged in it soon.

This is book 1 into a new series and I need it all.

4.5 stars

As a member of the BDH(Book Devouring Horde) I tend to be biased about anything by Ilona Andrews. That being said. Sanctuary is a wintery breath of evil air. It gave us a deeper look at Roman and why he is who he is. We get a chance to see his companions, and see his compassion for those that stumble into his orbit. The book has the amazing writing we expect from Ilona Andrews and the lovely world building that makes us swoon. I want to Roll around in Chris Brinkleys' voice like I would with a fuzzy blanket. He is the perfect narrator for Roman. He just brings the world to life. .

Thanks to net galley for granting my wish for the audiobook version of this book. My opinion of the book and the content of this review are my own.
I had missed the serial, so was eagerly waiting to read this. It did not disappoint.
Sanctuary is a different perspective on the KA world - it’s focus is on Slavic folklore, which was interesting and entertaining. It keeps Roman’s snark and, if anything, increases his appeal. A hero with Eeyore slippers battling mercenaries, magi, and weird priests.. - what’s not to love!?!
Only my 2nd audiobook, so I’m not an expert critic, but Chris Brinkley’s narration was compelling and easy to listen to.
Another 5 stars from House Andrews.

An absolute delight of a book. I wasn't sure if we would ever get a book/books about Roman, and here it is, and it is just as wonderful as every other Ilona Andrews title. Despite it's length, it packs on hell of a story, introducing a host of new characters I just want to know even more about, while also reintroducing Roman's family (who always make me laugh). I can't wait to get more books in this series, because it was an excellent start.

The audio narration/production was fantastic, and having listened to it a few times now, a great audio experience.

I was so excited to get a audio copy of Sanctuary from Netgalley (in exchange for my honest review). I really enjoy novellas that flesh out the side characters of my favorite series. This added nothing to the character of Roman for me and the storyline itself was so boring.

The narrator was fine, but this definitely wasn't the lively voice I expected for Roman. Very alpha masculine, more Curran.

Sanctuary is an exiting stroll through folklore and legends within the Kate Daniels world. I absolutely love learning more about what it means to be the black volhv and to serve Chernobog. In this short encounter we learn a lot about Roman and his moral compass as he protects a young boy requesting sanctuary.

It’s not a good day to stop by his house actually. He only gets a few days off a year and he is angry with his God because he has been set to task to bring a gift to his Gods wife to end an argument. So when a bunch of mercenaries show up to reign terror in his home. Well let’s just say they don’t know what real terror means but they are about to find out. No one messes with dark priest who serves the God of destruction, darkness and death… Looks like they picked the wrong house in this neck of the woods tonight.

And to think all Roman really wanted was eggnog and cookies but sadly his dark creatures beat him to it. So instead Roman will save a child, drag a tree, guide a new young priest towards the path of understanding what it means to serve a God or Goddess.

Thru this Roman learns a valuable lesson at last. Makes amends for a past wrong and aids a stranger with his own boon hmmm…. such a complicated dark priest who doesn’t seem to be all that evil to me. However, Roman is a fierce and terrible force to be reckoned with if you choose to be an enemy. The audiobook is flawlessly executed and truly brings the characters to life!

This review is for the audio book. A great story, very well developed world building. Roman and his god are well fleshed out and interesting. I felt that the narrator was a little flat and the story could have been enhanced with a different narrator, but overall very enjoyable.

Interested in learning more about Roman and what being a volhv is about? Want a novella where the good guy/servant of a dark god battles the bad guys while wearing Eeyore slippers? Like snark? If so, you'll enjoy this one. Make sure to read the short story that follows it, Kind Regards, which wraps up the current story neatly.

Are all the loose ends tied? No. This is book 1 in the series. However, most of them are, so you should feel comfortable reading this as a standalone while waiting for the next one to come out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ilona Andrews for the ARC!

Edited post - I was able to listen to an ARC of the audiobook as well. I am picky when it comes to audiobooks. Listen to the first 15 minutes. If you like the narrator, you'll be fine. If you don't, then stick to a hard copy or ebook. Pros - differentiated between characters, pacing generally matched the pace of the story, and the hard words were pronounced as easily as the easy ones. Cons - sometimes paused in unexpected places. Mod R's narration of her essay was fantastic, so make sure you stick around to hear that part.

NetGalley Review

Star Rating: ★★★☆☆

This was an interesting read (listen). I had no idea what I was getting into with this one. I was getting ready to leave on vacation, needed something quick, click on one of my tags, saw the cover and that was that. You see enough with Greek and Roman gods so it's neat to see a completely different pantheon. The book wasn't one of my most favorite reads seems things rushed. It had a hook right in the beginning, slowed down a bit (which I like the slow learning parts of a book), then it really started to pick up and then seemed to just end. Lot's of things left unanswered. I know it is book 1 in a series, but still for some reason the ending just doesn't sit well with me. Just seems like somethings off. Overall I liked the book and will most likely continue the series when able.

Like always read (listen to) it and decide for yourself!

When a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and requests sanctuary, Roman takes him in despite knowing he was bringing trouble to his door. As the Black Volvh to Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death, Roman was looking forward to his three days off drinking egg nog and cookies. Now he has mercenaries surrounding his home and combat mages dousing his house with fire.

Roman is a character in the Kate Daniel’s universe and if you’re a fan of that series, like I am, you are saying to yourself “FINALLY” Roman gets his own story! Roman is a particular favorite because despite his serving Chernobog, he is a man who acts with kindness and has always stood at Kate and Curran’s side in a crisis. In fact, they asked the Black Volvh to marry them! In this book more of Roman’s back story was revealed. How he was called to his position from a small child, how that calling affected his family, and how it shaped him into the man he is today. All while kicking mercenary butt and teaching this young man Finn how to survive his own call of duty. It was a special tale, and it is not down being told. Yay!

Chris Brinkley does a solid job as narrator on this novel. I’ll admit that I had a bit of a stumble when I first heard his voice because I’m a big fan of Penny Reid’s Winston Series and he voices all of those Winston brothers. However, this is not a rom-com and Chris Brinkley lived up to the character he was voicing. His slight southern dialect fits the location for the Kate Daniel’s universe, which is in the Atlanta area, and as far as I know (because I’m not Russian) he did a great job with the pronunciation of all of the characters from that countries mythology. Honestly, anyone could voice an Ilona Andrews novel and I’d fall in line and learn to love it, I like them that much.

In an author’s note at the end is a woman’s voice with what sounds like a Russian accent describing Ilona Andrews use of mythology in their stories. This was an interesting addendum to an already great story and provided more insight into this author duo that I love so much.

I previously read this as a serial on the Ilona Andrews blog. It was a pleasure to enjoy this ARC as an audiobook - especially to hear correct pronunciations of the creatures names! Roman might serve a dark god, but he's not a bad guy. Stereotypes, sibling/family relationships and Russian folklore make for a great story. Highly recommend this and all of the related Kate Daniels books.

I adore every single work from Ilona Andrews and Sanctuary is no different. I love the backstory it gave on Roman and his complicated family, beyond the never married parents but also his relationship with his brother. Roman has been a favorite character of mine since we met him in Magic Slays and I'm so glad we get to read about him!

I love a folklore centered story. This novella delivered. Slavic folklore is at the center of this glimpse into Roman’s, the Black Volhv, history. With some sprinkles of Christmas thrown in, we get loads of creepy, sometimes cute creatures. I have not read the rest of this series - I think I would love it. I just don’t have the attention span for a series that long. Even without all of the extra information of the series, I had no issues understanding and following this story. Roman is exactly the kind of MC I want to read about. His witty sarcasm had me smirking, and his intelligence and moral compass had me quickly invested in him. Ilona Andrews feels like an author I’d really enjoy.

The narration of this book was very enjoyable. Chris Brinkley expertly differentiated between characters and had me immersed in the storyline almost instantly. It was a really great listen.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ilona Andrews, and Dreamscape Media for a chance to listen to this audiobook ARC.

This novella is for everyone who clamored to know more about Roman (pronounced Ro-MAHN). If you haven't read the Kate Daniels series I recommend you stop reading reviews now and go read them first, because otherwise it may spoil your enjoyment later.

Roman is the pragmatic black volhv. After all, *someone* has to do it. And because he was chosen (but that doesn't stop him complaining that he never gets any nice invites to weddings and suchlike).

So, one day he's busy in the service of his dark god when an unexpected request leads him through some epic battlles (my imagination was working overtime to fill in the accompanying pictures) and, of course, because it's the middle of winter, towards unexpected company.

I was thrilled to get approved for the early audiobook release, narrated by Chris Brinkley, because not only did I get to enjoy Roman's story, I also got the bonus of an excellent narrator. (Which meant I didn't have to try to figure out how to pronounce all the Russian words.)

Make sure you catch the epilogue, which wraps it up nicely, as well as the bonus article at the end if you want to know more about the folklore.

🎧 Sanctuary- Roman's Chronicles Book#1 / World of Kate Daniels #15.5

✍️ By Ilona Andrews- auto-buy author for me

🗣️ Narrator: Chris Brinkley did all the characters. The narrator's voice fit the characters with standouts from Roman, Finn, and Rodion.The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together well. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story . The narrator paused and announced new chapters which helped me follow along.

🏃🏾‍♀️Run Time: 4:27

🗓️ Publication Date: 7-30-24  | Read: 7-30-24  

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/ NYLA for this ALC ❤️! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Sci-fi, Paranormal , Adult Fic

Tropes:
❤️novella
❤️magic
❤️mythology / Slavic Neo Paganism
❤️supernatural creatures
❤️family drama

Summary 💭: Roman is the Black Volhv, the dark priest who serves Chernobog- God of Destruction, Darkness, and Death. From December 23 through December 25 he wants to be left alone on his property in the woods of Atlanta. When Roman finds a young boy beaten and wounded wanting sanctuary, he is forced to confront the past that broke his family.


Hero: Roman(34) lives as a hermit. Has magical staff Klyuv with Trigger- Roman's pet

Hero: Finn(14) chosen to be Morena (Chernobog's wife) new priest. He doesn't want to be evil and had a dream telling him to seek out Roman.

Side cast: Andora- Finn's sister who has her own magic and went to school with Roman as a child; Roman's parents - Grigorii and Evdokia; Dabrowski- a Druid who lives by Roman; Rodion- Roman's brother


My Thoughts: Roman was a morally gray character but was willing to protect Finn. He held a lot of self blame for his brother, and becoming estranged from his family. I loved Andora calling out Roman for his bad behavior, and waiting to get her vengeance.

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄

🌶️: Spice n/a
🎧:Narration  4/5
😭: Emotion 3/5
❤️: Couple n/a
⭐️: Rating 4/5 *

I have not read any books by this author and didn’t realize this book was kind of a novella after others with similar characters.
Took me awhile to figure out who’s who, who’s human who’s not and by the time I was starting to get the hang of it the book ended. While I like books about mythology and this had promise, I can’t say that I enjoyed it.
The main narrator (Chris), has an amazing voice and was the only reason I kept going with this book. I didn’t like the second narrator that showed up after the book ended and dumped way too much information.

This was so much fun. Roman is taking a break from the holidays when he decides to give a stranger help and shelter. The world is intriguing and there is a lot of action, but what makes this so enjoyable is Roman and his intelligence and sarcasm. The narrator really sounds like I imagine Roman.
This is a short story and I hope to read some more of the stories in this world. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.

Roman serves Chernobog *the* God of Destruction, Darkness, and Death as a Volhv Dark Wizard and it's a full time job. But the holidays are the one time Roman gets a break, until this year when a wounded stranger appears and asks for sanctuary. As much as Roman does not want to get involved he really has no choice and with disgruntled aggravation he steps up to the plate to defeat the mercenaries out to get this wounded boy in Roman's care. Readers were first introduced in the Kate Daniels series but that should not be a hindrance to enjoying this novella. This is the perfect introduction to Roman's history as a Volhv as he battles unknown enemies and tries to figure out who he's giving aid. Narrator Chris Brinkley smooth narration brings added depth to this intriguing and subtly grim but still heartfelt tale.