I enjoyed the start of this book. It drew me into the story well and I wanted to find out more about Asmodeus and Lily and how they were connected. Unfortunately the story began to lose me as it unfolded. Some of the sex references and spice felt really forced and unnatural- they didn't add to the plot of the story for me and I found them a little frustrating. I also found some of the choices of the characters very questionable and they didnt make much sense to me. I didn't finish the book and stopped at about 60% of the way through.

I am absolutely speechless after finishing this book. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would in a heart beat. This honestly has been one of my favorite reads ever and I will never stop recommending it!

The way you set everything up was absolutely perfection. The wording building, backstory, events happening was all written in a way that I felt like I was a part of it. It wasn't like the information was just all given at once. It was laid out in a way that as you read it was all explained so beautifully and I understood it all. I really connect with all of the characters. Lily was of course my favorite. She is the bravest and most loving FMC. Then you have the men. Asmodeus and Michael both had a lot they had to overcome and learn during this journey and man did they! Honorable mention Slade because he is the best and always puts a smile on my face. I loved reading how the characters all grew and had so many breakthroughs that they didn't think they would ever have. I loved how detailed all of the connections between the characters were. You know when someone was even in the slightest warming up to another and it was honestly so sweet to read those small moments.

You absolutely out did yourself with this one. Can't wait to read what else you do! Thank you so much Net Galley and Luna Kayne for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team! ❤️

SANCTUM is the first instalment in Luna Kayne’s contemporary, adult, PRIMORDIAL LANDS erotic, mythological, urban paranormal fantasy menage romance series. This is twenty-six year old, Lily, archdemon Asmodeus aka Jett, and archangel Michael.

Told from three first person perspectives (Lily, Asmodeus and Michael) SANCTUM focuses on twenty-six year old Lily, a young woman whose parents were murdered twenty years earlier, a young woman who is much than she could have ever imagined. At six years of age, Lily’s spirit left the human world in the wake of her parent’s death, and she found herself under the protection of the Prince of Demons, Asmodeus aka Jett. Upon returning to the Earth realm, Lily would grow up in the foster care system, meeting her best friend and mentor Finley along the way. Fast forward to present day, a field party ends with the arrival of hellhounds and demons, with only Finley and Lily surviving to see another day. Calling out for help, Lily invokes the name of Jett, the man who saved her years before, one of the men with whom Lily will fall in love. As Jett (Asmodeus), Lily, Finley, and Asmodeus’ demon friends Ragnar, Slade and Bowie go in search of the truth, the Archangel Michael comes into play, as he becomes part of Lily’s entourage, taking hold in her heart.

The world building focuses on the uniting of the three worlds: Celestial Lands, The Underworld and Earth; the preparations for war, and the discovery of the living heart of God. Metaphors, teachings, preachings and Christian spirituality all wrapped up in a story of power and control, life and death, and the ultimate hunger for domination.

There is a large ensemble cast of otherworldly and celestial secondary and supporting characters: Soul hunters, hellhounds, The Fates aka Moirai, Synergies, Underworld demons Ragnar, Slade, Bowie: Death; Archangel Gabriel, Archangel Uriel; Lily’s best friend and guide Finley-not every one will survive.

SANCTUM is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and anarchy, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is detailed, enchanting and complex; the romances are seductive and fated; the characters are determined, desperate, dynamic and powerful. SANCTUM ends on a happily ever after-for now.


THE READING CAFÉ: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/sanctum-primordial-lands-1-by-luna-kayne-a-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7267457977


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/225035291


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GOOLGE PLAY (Sandy Sch) posted

I wanted to love this so much. I’m not really sure why I didn’t. The characters OK the story was good. I just couldn’t get into it. It honestly felt like a chore I had to do. So DNF it. I definitely think other people would like this. It’s just not for me.

3.75/5

thank you to netgalley and luna kayne for setting me up with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

this book was a why choose romantasy between our fmc character lily, an archangel, and an archdemon. the author uses biblical and greek mythos as a basis for the storyline but also adds in her own twists which i whole heartedly enjoyed. i really love anything having to do with mythology, and then when you throw some spicy romance in there, it makes for a thoroughly entertaining journey.

this was a super unique take on angels vs. demons and i felt like the plot line was nothing like i have ever read before. the stakes were very high and you could feel the intensity amongst the characters as they realize how dire the situation they find themselves in actually is. they were continually challenged and tested in order to get where they needed to be to fulfill the prophecy and i loved that there was always a lot of action. while i found some parts quite predictable, there were a few unexpected reveals that made it hard for me to put this book down. all i can hope for is to read a book that keeps me engaged, and outside of some initial (read: boring, slow) world building in the first 30% or so, this book definitely did that for me.

the chemistry between our thruple was evident, but personally i don’t love insta-love and that is definitely how the vibes came across (though i understand the part it played in this book specifically and why it was needed after having full context). i was looking for a bit more tension/jealousy between michael and asmodeus, but they pretty much folded right away and accepted both of their connection to lily which felt pretty unrealistic considering they are mortal enemies. while i loooove a why choose, i definitely like it when there is a bit of back and forth fighting over who deserves to claim her before they are completely accepting of their circumstances. it kind of felt like a missed opportunity to really highlight how powerful they truly are, but instead their power was only ever spoken of instead of showcased. who doesn’t love to fantasize about two legendary creatures with limitless power fighting over you?! womp womp.

found family is one of my favourite tropes, and i felt like the interactions amongst the cast felt believable and earnest. i’m hoping in the next book we get to dive a little bit deeper into the back stories of bowie, hecate, slade, and ragnar as we really have only broke the surface with them. from what i can tell already, their backgrounds seem super compelling and full of pain and trauma, but im also wondering how close to the actual mythology the author will/has written the characters. i will have to do some research just for my own sake!

in all, while i thought this book could have been shortened, i definitely had a good time. definitely recommend to anyone looking for a different take on gods and monsters and angels vs demons.

I absolutely loved this book. I didn't want to put it down! I like that at the end of the book, it wasn't left on a cliff hanger but all answers were not given. This was a different take on Angels, Demons, Heaven, and Hell than I had read in quite a while but I really enjoyed reading it. I am hoping that Luna continues this series so we see what happens next with Lily, Asmodeus, and Michael. Also - I loved the side characters and would happily read their stories as well!

While I enjoyed what I did read of this (DNF at 30%), too many aspects of the storytelling felt undercooked.

Overall, the premise is very intriguing, the character dynamics start out strong (but then become inconsistent and convenient), and Jett's a very fun and sensual MMC with a Booktok-worthy mouth. Early on, I absolutely loved the interiority of the characters and highlighted a number of passages that were thought-provoking and character defining.

Additionally, I also loved the tone that the story started out on, which shifted and became a bit confused later. I'm all for books that dual-wield contrasting tones/genres -- horror alongside heart/humor, innocent alongside depraved, or even just grumpy/sunshine. But the story never seemed to know itself well enough to artfully strike that kind of balance consistently. When it did nail it... it was very fun and kept the pages turning. These big hulking demon men dealing in the land of mortals was a lot of fun.

Finally, the romance aspect was also a bit undercooked, lacking necessary tension. Had it delved further into Jett and Lily's time together before the were physically together, that might have built more effectively.

Looking forward to seeing how this author evolves with future releases.

Thank you to Luna Kayne and NetGalley for the ARC of Sanctum! I was so excited to dive into this story—the blurb promised an epic tale filled with angels, demons, and a mortal caught in the chaos. While the concept had incredible potential, the execution didn’t quite deliver the experience I was hoping for.

What Worked:
The premise was fascinating—Lily, a mortal destined to unite the Celestial Lands and the Underworld, is thrust into the middle of a brewing war between realms. The idea of a mortal being the key to saving (or dooming) both Heaven and Hell is a compelling setup, and the tension between her two protectors—an archangel and an archdemon—added an intriguing "enemies-to-reluctant-allies" dynamic. There were moments of chemistry and tension that stood out, particularly between Lily and Asmodeus (Jett), the broody and mysterious archdemon.

The tropes and themes were also enjoyable:

😇 Angel vs. Demon dynamic
🔥 Why Choose romance
⚔️ Prophecy and war threatening the balance between realms
🌌 Epic battles between Heaven, Hell, and Earth
😳 Spice amid chaos
These elements, paired with the dark, suspenseful atmosphere, provided a solid foundation and made for an interesting setup.

What Didn’t Work:
While the concept was fantastic, the execution felt overwhelming. The story tried to cram so much into a single book—world-building, plot twists, and nonstop action—that it became hard to keep track of everything. It felt like an entire series' worth of events compressed into one story, leaving little room for character development or emotional depth.

Lily’s character arc was especially disappointing. She started off as a fiery, confident woman, but quickly became meek and unsure, afraid of her power and her role in the prophecy. This shift felt inconsistent and frustrating, as her "chosen one" narrative had so much potential but lacked the depth and growth to make her journey compelling.

The romantic relationships also felt rushed. I was rooting for Lily to choose Jett (Asmodeus), who had a stronger connection and backstory, but Michael (the archangel) didn’t receive the same buildup or emotional weight. The "why choose" dynamic felt unbalanced and lacked the tension needed to make it believable. Finn and the other demons added some fun moments, but they didn’t get enough backstory to feel fully fleshed out, leaving the supporting cast underdeveloped.

Final Thoughts:
Sanctum is a book with incredible ambition and creativity. The idea of a mortal navigating alliances with an archangel and an archdemon to prevent a war between Heaven and Hell is unique and exciting. The story had all the ingredients for an epic dark fantasy, but the heavy world-building, overwhelming pacing, and lack of character depth kept it from reaching its full potential.

Fans of fast-paced urban fantasy with lots of twists, spice, and action might still enjoy this one. For me, I needed more time to feel the relationships, stakes, and character growth. Three stars for the epic concept, dark atmosphere, and glimpses of chemistry—but ultimately, this one didn’t quite work for me overall.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

2/5⭐

Nope!

You could think - angels, demons, underworld, Why choose are going to be a blast of a book.... Well, no.

What went wrong? Everything if you ask me.
No world building.
Poorly described characters. - I had no interest in them
No tension and build up in relationships
What is going on in general ???
Plot holes.
The book is not showing you but is telling you

The whole execution was really what ruined the book according to me.

Definitely there are people liking it but this is not me. The second star is for the idea in general.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A story about a girl who finds her way to the Underworld and creates a bond with a demon and an archangel.

The MFM portion of this was amazing, but I felt at times the overall plot was a little chaotic and slow. I feel like there were just so many pieces to the story and not enough information about each piece, which made it confusing for me.

I am a huge fan of Greek mythology and Greek gods, so I did love that aspect of the story. Going to the Celestial lands and the relations between Lilith, Samael, Death, Hecate, etc. But I wish there was more of that.

Overall this was an enjoyable story.

Sanctum
I am so happy to have been accepted to read this eArc in exchange for an honest review
Publish date- 4th Feb
Rating 4stars

You know what, it took me a few days to read this.. For me it's a relatively big book
BUT There was never a dull moment and it kept me engaged throughout. I forgot to write down notes for this review because I just didn't want to put the book down.

This is a why-choose with a fair amount of spice, which was just amazing btw (chapter 44&45) DAMN!
I've not read a why choose in a fantasy romance book before so this was a first, I do feel as though Michael didn't get as much of a connection then Asmodeus did and I would of liked more from them because the whole way through I was just rooting for Asmodeus rather than them both

I do feel like Lily had great character development in the end when she finally accepted who she was, the plot was gripping, with secret after secret.

Yes I will be buying the physical copy and desperately waiting for book 2

Perfect for those that do love spice in their romantasy! As Well as plot……..also a WHY CHOOSE with an archdemon and archangel!
Found family
Prophecy
Secrets

Thank you NetGalley and Luna Kayne for this ARC read. I must say I did end up enjoying this book. It was a little slow for me in the beginning so it did take me a bit to keep picking it back up, but I’m really glad I did. The key component and plot was the prophecy and if the main character would fulfill it and I found that intriguing. It had just the right amount of spice for me. And I always enjoy a good why choose. I’m interested to see what else Luna Kayne will come out with in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.



This book follows Lily, a mortal whose parents were killed and during the traumatic experience, finds herself in the demon world where she meets arch demon Asmodeous. Once she has grown up, she finds herself in the conflict of the celestial where she must figure out how she is included in a prophecy between heaven and hell.

Honestly, this book has all the religious/biblical references, lore and interesting plot devices to make an excellent book. There is much intrigue into looking at our fc Lilly and her connection between celestial and mortal and every detail through these biblical references is clearly researched and intertwined with so much thought, however the pacing put me off. It felt too fast and too much more times. I think this book with so much intricate information would have worked as a duology just to keep things stretched out more evenly so these details don’t go amiss and can be digested much easier.

The idea of a why choose with an arch demon and archangel is a perfect romance plot. I loved the polar opposite as there are many why choose books out there but with already established friend groups so this was immediately up my street. I liked them but I just didn’t love it as much as I thought I would - trust me I wanted to.

I craved much more conflict and depth between the mc’s who have a past with turmoil as they navigate this new and unexpected relationship with the fc. But Asmodeus and Michael, despite their celestial natures to be enemies, care for Lily and want to protect her together and I am rooting for them. They become much more selfless, just wanting her to be happy over their own desires and needs which proved their development.

I think this book was decent. Like I mentioned, it is extremely interesting because of the reference that have been weaved in alongside the romance, but it can just get a little lost. I liked our characters and would have loved to see much more depth and angst within the relationship dynamic. If there is a second book or another in the same world, I will be popping in to see what happens to these characters.

This book was a bit hard for me to read. I would read a bit, then go on to another book, then come back. I was always invested enough in the story to come back and eventually finish, but I wasn't compelled to finish without some 'lighter' books between reading sessions for this book. I felt like I was reading a book I would have to take a test from when completed and never really felt prepared.

I will say I'm usually not a fantasy reader so that may be why my interest was not the best. Some of the book made sense to me and other parts seemed like...well it might be on the perceived test I felt was coming. I know others who will LOVE this book and some who will DNF. I was almost ambivalent. I didn't hate it, but it was just something to read.

I really liked the concept of this book!
It’s very different to what I’ve read before in the fantasy genre I don’t think I’ve read anything about ‘Asmodeus’ before

I really liked lily as a character and also Asmodeus tbh although at points I wanted to give his head a shake lol.

An overall great story very interesting and well written

4 stars from me

Arc by Netgalley

I LOOOVE this book. I love a “why choose” romance. The relationships between Michael, Asmodeous and Lily are absolutely insane and definitely riveting from the beginning of the book bc since when do Archangels and archdemons work together and develop friendships? The Cameos from : Death, War, Gabriel, Uriel, hectate, God and Lilith make this book everything. The banter between death and lily is actually comical. I can’t wait to see how the last 4% of this book to pan out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Luna Kayne for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I sped through the first 100 or so pages. I was hooked, the story was fast paced and picking up in all the right places. We follow our main character Lily, who lost both of her parents at age six. From the moment she watches her parents tragically die, she's attached to a demon who attaches to her in return and ultimately bonds himself to her as she grows older. As the story progresses, we fall into a "why choose?" sort of plot, in a celestial world where angels and demons fall into the mortal world and Lily is navigating her own adventure of choosing between good or evil - or both - while fulfilling her own prophecy amongst archdemons and archangels.

I'll admit, I almost DNF'd at the very beginning when I realized this demon was going from wanting to protect her as a six year old to wanting to get her in the sheets as she grows into her teen and adult years. Not my thing, but I set it aside to give the plot a chance. The plot is racing and I'm following along okay, and then the plot is lost beyond me.

While I loved the characters and mythological/biblical references, there was very little description of these characters and the world they're developing in. This story had so much potential and fell very flat for me. Though I had the room to imagine these characters in my own mind, I would've loved more descriptions of them to really solidify their presence in the book. (If you enjoy the show Lucifer, those characters are kind of what I based the book characters on in my head.) It was hard to keep up with the ever evolving plot as the physical settings seemingly changed in and out so quickly that it felt like I was reading a story that had a preface that I wasn't aware of. Lily became very surface level amongst the other characters. Asmodeus was a beautiful character from the start but the sudden introduction of Michael really started to drive the story into a hole of confusion for me. I think I just expected...more?

This story seemed to be perfect as a YA novel if you take out the smutty scenes. If you love smut, the scenes in this book are very simple. Quick and somewhat sexy, but miss the mark for me. It would've been great even without the smut and with more world building and character building. I feel like there was an attempt to pack an entire series into one book and the plot began to unravel itself in so many directions that it was hard to keep focus.

Overall I was rooting for Lily to only choose Jett (Asmodeus) instead of both him and Michael as Michael didn't have the same build up that Jett did. Finn was a fun character along with the demons, but there just wasn't enough backstory for any of them to really make a connection.

The writing felt a bit juvenile which is totally fine and easy to read but if this novel was meant to be made into a series, I feel like there's a good bit of discrepancies that need addressing and hopefully those will play out in the books to come. There is so much room for more - more world building, character development, plot sorting and connection for the reader. I finished the book feeling a bit overwhelmed, but overall I didn't think it was necessarily 'bad', just okay. I can't explain it, but it reminded me of Lucifer meets Twilight in a way? Asmodeus calling Lily his "little lamb" a thousand times over gave me a creepy vibe in the way that if he hadn't been watching her since the age of six and then banging her any chance he could, maybe I could've bypassed that. Lily was also such a strong character at the beginning and then reverted to being timid as she's learning more about her past. (I get it, but I wanted her to have that same strength and confidence throughout the book.)

Interested to see other readers' opinions on this story!

Thank you to Kayne Publishing and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. The premise was tempting enough to get through but I'm not sure where the plot was going whatsoever. It felt like sheer chaos that I was supposed to accept because it was a fantasy. I'm not completely sure what the author was trying to get at with the angels and demons other than the imagery and the ... aesthetic? I'm not completely sure. I really, really, really tried to be fully engaged in this but all I can say is that I tried my best and maybe this book will find its right audience.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book. I'm sad to say that I had to DNF it at about 65%. The book was too detailed and still it did not answer the simplest plot questions.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you to net galley and Luna for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a why choose with a mortal girl, angels and demons.

Overall this was a great read. I loved all the lore behind the main plot and found it to be a highly interesting concept. The world building is great and I was left with really vivid imagery of the world in which this story takes place. There was also plenty spice to enjoy. I also enjoyed that it was multi pov for all of the perspectives.

Only downsides for me were that I found myself skim reading in parts as it felt a little repetitive, and I was personally left wanting more from the relationship with Asmodeus. I felt like the relationship with Michael was really amped up in comparison.