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Savage Sanctuary

3.04 of 5 stars 3.04 · rating details · 77 ratings · 16 reviews

Sexy bad boy shapeshifter Michael O'Dare grew up on the streets. When government soldiers finally captured and imprisoned him, he became a lab rat and a collared slave, never again allowed to be human. His escape allowed him to return to human form and head for freedom in the Western Territories.

Robert Hamilton-Scott had lived by the code "You're careful, or you're caught"...more

Kindle Edition, 85 pages

Published June 21st 2010 by Carina Press (first published May 26th 2010)

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Jun 22, 2010 Kassa rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to read Savage Sanctuary as one of the new m/m offerings from Carina Press. Unfortunately I found it totally boring, stereotypical, not all that sexy or erotic despite the whopping 5 sex scenes in a 70 page novella. It has a lot of classic mistakes such as lengthy, repetitive descriptions with dense, flat prose about characters containing little to no depth or interest. There are several good ideas presented but none are developed very well and the story repeatedly tells the reader ever...more I wanted to read Savage Sanctuary as one of the new m/m offerings from Carina Press. Unfortunately I found it totally boring, stereotypical, not all that sexy or erotic despite the whopping 5 sex scenes in a 70 page novella. It has a lot of classic mistakes such as lengthy, repetitive descriptions with dense, flat prose about characters containing little to no depth or interest. There are several good ideas presented but none are developed very well and the story repeatedly tells the reader everything going on. I struggled to finish this and this likely should have been a DNF because I lost interest after almost 20 pages of internal musing and one piece of dialogue early on.

The story is nominally about shape shifters that are being hunted by the government for horrible lab tests. This theme is not especially new or different but it remains an interesting theme if given a fresh life. Here unfortunately the world building surrounding the shifters, the government agencies, and the new world order wanting to use shifters as soldiers never really materializes. There are hints and comments offered here and there but the story refuses to give much time and weight to these matters. Instead they end up as vague outlines used to give a loose setting to two characters more concerned with sex than the world they live in.

This isn’t necessarily bad either if you’re not looking for an intricate, complex plot but more so want something sexy with a hint of shifter. The shifter mechanics are somewhat of a cop out here – the shifter thinks of the body they want, their human body disappears and magically the animal body appears in its place. It’s frustrating that a complex, fascinating process is reduced to something of a non-event but not one that ruins the book. It, like the world building, is just ignored for the most part and accepted as a part of the unimportant background.

What unfortunately does kill the book for me is the writing. The set up initially is interesting with quick paced dialogue and a sense of danger. The sexy half naked dripping wet man brought in during the dead of night and tight laced, controlled Robert can’t resist. Sounds hot but unfortunately after that beginning, the story grinds to a halt. Instead Robert and Michael spend page after page (close to 20 pages) staring at each other while they internally muse about how the other looks like an angel and how much they want to tap that ass. Some of this is fine and shows how hot both men are but when they’re standing in a room together, staring at each other with no dialogue, it gets a little weird. I soon got bored with the repetitive descriptions used over and over as they have the first sexual encounter barely saying a word to each other (one piece of dialogue there).

The descriptions are used frequently and often. Michael is described as a gang member so much I wanted to scream and tell the book to shut up. Yes I know he’s a gang member. Is he anything else? We know he’s a gang member when it’s mentioned three times in the beginning, why does it continue to be constantly mentioned. Furthermore Michael is actually incredibly polite, well mannered, and well adjusted. He even very politely asks Robert for sex to re-affirm his humanity but wants Robert’s permission and kindly will wait until Robert is comfortable. Although Michael is described as a gang member and half feral shifter from being in the labs for a year, he actually acts like a normal, intelligent, polite, and kind man. He’s nowhere near the savage, feral, raw, dangerous creature that he’s continually described as. In fact I’m not sure why the labs are considered such horrible, evil things considering how normal most of the people coming out of them seem to be.

Another issue I had with the book are the sex scenes. There are a lot, five within the space of a short novella and these include anything from a blowjob to anal sex. These scenes don’t progress the plot, what little there actually is of a plot, or the characters. Instead they seem to be added strictly for erotic pleasure. While I enjoy hot man on man sex as much, if not more, than the next person, these scenes felt superfluous and boring. They also perpetuate that great sex heals all. The two men fall in love instantly due to sex and then proceed to have it, a lot. These scenes take over the book where it’d be better served giving more weight to the plot, the characterizations, the world building. Instead of weak outlines as a vehicle for erotica, this could have been a solid paranormal with great sex.

Unfortunately Savage Sanctuary never delivers as an interesting, plot driven story. It’s mostly empty erotica with some shifter thrown in for flavor. That’s not bad if you’re looking for it, but the mundane, dense prose killed any excitement this could have had for me. It felt like slogging painfully through a forest in search of the great idea hidden within. But since opinions are always highly personal, perhaps others won’t feel the same way. Check it out for yourself.
(less)

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Sep 16, 2010 Lucy rated it 4 of 5 stars

In a time when shifers are hunted down by the government and placed in labs for experimentation, there is an underground dedicated to helping those shifters escape, or remain free. Robert is on the periphery of this rebellion. He is a Centered shifter, one who embraces the calling of the animal and shifting, but does not fight alongside the rebels. His house is a stop in the network of the underground, and a gangster shifter named Michael is brought to him, fresh from a year in the labs.

The wil...more

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Oct 08, 2010 Leontine rated it 2 of 5 stars

SAVAGE SANCTUARY by Jacqueline Barbary is my first read from this author and it was an enjoyable one but with flaws. I don’t know if the author is going for more stories set in this world but I sincerely hope so because the battle between the government creating shape shifters and the Rebellion counter-acting them holds enough intrigue for me to hope for a more thorough exploration of this set-up. The three things that really stood out in this novella was the fiery combustion between the two men...more SAVAGE SANCTUARY by Jacqueline Barbary is my first read from this author and it was an enjoyable one but with flaws. I don’t know if the author is going for more stories set in this world but I sincerely hope so because the battle between the government creating shape shifters and the Rebellion counter-acting them holds enough intrigue for me to hope for a more thorough exploration of this set-up. The three things that really stood out in this novella was the fiery combustion between the two men, which ignited quick and fiery. The plot, which contained enough intriguing facts to keep my attention and the character development of Robert that held an interesting twist.

One of the elements that really underwhelmed me though was the characterization of Michael. He endured gruesome and debasing testing in a government facility, he is a gangster by origin, and he supposed to be feral, savage and dangerous. I expected a mountain lion, growling and roaring, but by his actual description and behavior I got a kitty-cat instead. From the moment Michael opened his eyes he never lashed out, there were never big trust issues that gave struggles between him and Robert or a danger emanating from him that instantly put me on edge. Michael fell quite easily for Robert and albeit at first it was very sexual driven, emotions were eventually a part of the interaction.

Robert Hamilton-Scott was every bit a caring beta man who had to discover his own strength and potential. His character growth is what I enjoyed from the start. His family history and his way of life is very much a part of who he is. He was so single minded on what he was taught that he actually forgot to explore his own self. To see him come in to his own contained a promise of what this author can do within the range of a novella and I look forward to more of this in her storytelling.

Something that was rather confusing was the working of the shape shifting itself. Those with the ability to shape shift physically leave their human body behind to take an animal form. Every time such a shape shift was described I crunched my brain where their human bodies would go. If the body ceases to exist, how does it get to be claimed later again? Does the physical body completely disappear? And if so, where does it remain? Many questions that didn’t get much answer within the story and it just didn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense to me which threw me out of the story.

The voice of Jacqueline Barbery is easy to absorb and many pages were devoted to the simmering attraction between Michael and Robert. The romance contained a quick pace where the feelings, the pull of the sexual attraction, created some erotic charged moments. The plot fueled the story with some risky moments that made both men realize they had something more going on besides that chemistry. All in all Michael and Robert fit together, they draw out the best in each other and give challenge where it is needed. The story heads towards a tension filled ending where I found my interest piqued for where this battle is going. I think this story arc can deliver some wonderful novellas with hopefully some overall stronger characterization and world building.

While I’m not wow-ed by Jacqueline Barbary’s SAVAGE SANCTUARY it did contain enough promise with its sensuality and premise of the Government versus Rebellion that I’m interested in future stories set in this world.(less)

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Apr 06, 2011 Jody rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is a very quick paranormal read that focuses on the world of shifters, those protecting them, and those who experimented on them and hunt them still. This particular book is of the m/m genre and focuses on Robert Hamilton-Scott who has opened up his home as a sanctuary for those shifters hiding from the government. He's a part of the resistance, a quiet part though since he's a shifter himself. He dyes his hair since shifters have very distinctive hair coloring and keeps to himself out of f...more This is a very quick paranormal read that focuses on the world of shifters, those protecting them, and those who experimented on them and hunt them still. This particular book is of the m/m genre and focuses on Robert Hamilton-Scott who has opened up his home as a sanctuary for those shifters hiding from the government. He's a part of the resistance, a quiet part though since he's a shifter himself. He dyes his hair since shifters have very distinctive hair coloring and keeps to himself out of fear of being discovered. It's a quiet life until the day the resistance brings Michael O'Dare to recover at Robert's mansion. He was experimented on by the government and forced to shift which has now left him more animal-like than human. Robert sees the man inside though and helps him learn to be Centered like him so he regains his humanity. There's still many obstacles to overcome in their relationship with many dangerous moments when the resistance goes against the government to free more shifters and hidden truths come out in the open.

Since this story was so short the emotional connection between Michael and Robert felt a bit rushed and a tad superficial at first. It had the feel of love-at-first-sight which makes you question the longevity of their relationship, but the two of them go through so many life-threatening and highly emotional incidents that their bond does become a bit more believable. And they both bring very unique qualities, unique life views, to their relationship that again made their bond realistic. Michael clearly was the more experienced of the two, but he never made Robert feel naive nor did he act overtly dominant in their sexual relationship. The sexual interludes between the two were nicely written and did not take over the story. I liked seeing them as a couple, but wish more time could have been invested in developing their relationship.

Another casualty due to the shortness of the story was the world-building. I'm definitely intrigued by these shifters, but I wanted to have a clearer image of the shifter's lives and the government's reasons for harming them. It's a world that is interesting with a lot of possibilities that I'd like to see the author expand upon.

This story wasn't perfect, but it's a good start that if the author continues to write about will definitely have me as a reader. This book would have gotten a higher rating from me had things been expanded upon, but the shortness of it made me feel cheated. I wanted to know more and feel more invested in this couple's relationship but the shortness of the story didn't allow for that. Given a longer book length I feel this author can create a very good book since this story was a nice start.(less)

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Oct 05, 2010 Serena Yates rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

Unfortunately, for me, this book failed to deliver on its promise. It was okay as a story (if somewhat slow, longwinded and very repetitive in the beginning), but the world building was almost coincidental and didn't add the flavor and extra excitement it could have.

Michael is a clearly wounded character, mistreated in reseach laboratories after a youth spent as a gang member. In my personal opinion, his change into a tame, well adapted and considerate lover/human is unexplained and much too fas...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Lis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-books, m-m-paranormal-romance

Review for Rarely Dusty Books

Savage Sanctuary by Jacqueline Barbary has been in my possession for a while, so when I looked it up on GoodReads to see when I read it, I was surprised to notice how many negative reviews it got, because I remember I quite enjoyed this read. So I found the copy and re-read it, slightly faster this time, and with a more critical eye and I still enjoyed the story. Michael can hide out with me any time!

Savage Sanctuary only counts 85 pages and this not a whole lot f...more Review for Rarely Dusty Books

Savage Sanctuary by Jacqueline Barbary has been in my possession for a while, so when I looked it up on GoodReads to see when I read it, I was surprised to notice how many negative reviews it got, because I remember I quite enjoyed this read. So I found the copy and re-read it, slightly faster this time, and with a more critical eye and I still enjoyed the story. Michael can hide out with me any time!

Savage Sanctuary only counts 85 pages and this not a whole lot for a budding romance, a past revealed, a feral wolf on the run from experimenting bad bad bad humans, world building and a siege. All in all I don't think this author did a bad job. Yes, I would have loved more background and more world building, because earth turned topsy turvy with humans who do a Hitler on shapeshifters. I would also have loved to see more character building and background.

Our main protagonists...well what can I say about them. The first thing that pops in my mind is: 'Mmmmm, instant attractions', because Michael and Robert are so different from each other it would be like comparing the sun to the moon. Michael is a feral shifter whereas Robert is a “centered” one. Wild vs. tame and throughout the story you get to see how Robert responds to Michael feral side and dayammm that is hot!

What did bother me about Micheal’s character is how easily he is tamed. When he's brought to Robert's farm, Robert receives warnings about how dangerous and feral Michael is. Yet, you don't really get to see Micheal’s feral side. He is a different person than the one we glimpse from his past or the person Robert is warned about.

Robert, on the contrary, is much more reserved and quiet. He has his life and his routines and the only walk on the wild side he takes is when he helps escaped shifters like Michael. He has a past though and it is about the catch up with him!

I can't really say that there is character depth in this story. Like I said, 85 pages doesn't leave a lot of room for character depth and therefore Michael and Robert play out the roles they are meant to. It left me very curious to see what how their life would be after everything quiets down. There is a glimpse at the end of the book, but it's only that, a glimpse. It left me wondering if Michael would regains some of that wild side or if he gets bored or if he keeps on stirring the much quieter and reserved Robert.

Though there is a real ending, I would love to see this story continued.

The story is told from Robert's point of view if the occasional “omniscient” interjection. It's this latter that bothered me a bit because it sped the story up while I would have liked more details or would have liked Robert's thoughts. On the other side it makes for a different kind of story that fit the harsh world that surrounds the characters.

All in all Savage Sanctuary makes for a short, but interesting read about two characters trying to make it in a harsh world where it is hard to trust someone. It has it faults, but it is definitely worth reading. (less)

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Apr 13, 2012 Lillian Francis rated it 2 of 5 stars

2.5 stars.
I could just ignore the insta-love, assuming that it was part and parcel of the genre - although i'm not afraid to admit I know nothing about shape shifters - but there was no mention of soulmates or bonding, so maybe it was just insta love.
But Michael recovered too quickly from being imprisoned, both physically and mentally.
And I had problems with some of the sex scenes considering one of the characters was a virgin .
Not a book to encourage me to read more of the genre.

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Jul 22, 2010 Dana rated it 2 of 5 stars

Okay I have to admit I picked this book on cover alone and sadly the book didn't live up to the cover. I like to read novellas in one sitting but found the writer's style made it difficult to do. She fell into the trap of too much description and not enough action. Don't tell me how the characters feel...show me. I think the story is a good start and I did like the concept I just wish it had been better executed.

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Sep 24, 2010 Lexi Ander rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-shifters

This is a very good story about transformation of the spirit. The back drop is of a society at war over basic rights of shifters even as the government run experiments on shifters that often times result in death. But the real story is not about the war or the Resistance. It's about loosing oneself and finding oneself and coming to a middle ground between the two. Balance.

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Jun 04, 2010 Epeeblade rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, e-book, read_in_2010

For a shorter work, the author packs a lot. She has a way with words, using language to convey the passion that blooms between the two shapeshifters.

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Jun 27, 2010 Claire Robyns rated it 3 of 5 stars

My first foray into m/m. Quality of book was excellent, but this is maybe not my fav genre.

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Sep 08, 2011 Tina Vanbrackle rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really liked this story however did not like the writing style.If that makes sense.

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May 10, 2012 Lakeisha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-fantasy, m-m-romance, paranormal, shifters, short-read

2.5 stars

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Feb 06, 2011 Maya rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m-general, ebook

More of a 3.5

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Jul 07, 2011 J.P. Barnaby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, bdsm

I was pleasantly surprised by this book because I'm not generally a Harlequin or paranormal fan.

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May 13, 2013 Eepa (Eija) marked it as to-read

Shelves: owned-mm, paranormal, shifters

May 08, 2013 Anya marked it as to-read

May 07, 2013 Ashlee added it · review of another edition

May 06, 2013 Gerald Sessions rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 12, 2013 Marla Jo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 30, 2013 Stephen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mar 09, 2013 Donna Burks rated it 3 of 5 stars

Feb 14, 2013 Seiryn Rynthryx rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jan 31, 2013 Latetocomics added it

Shelves: audio

Jan 25, 2013 Cecilia Rodriguez marked it as to-read

Dec 28, 2012 Shannon marked it as maybe

Dec 20, 2012 Lindsay marked it as to-read

Dec 14, 2012 Brian Michaelsen is currently reading it

Dec 05, 2012 Pat rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nov 28, 2012 A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) marked it as to-read

Shelves: paranormal, romance

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