The Last Refuge

by Christina Bacilieri

Magic will transform you. Power could destroy you. Actions will define you.

Kiera Vandyer told herself she’d only agreed to this scheme for the money, that nothing else had drawn her to this venture, but you can’t lie to the truest parts of yourself. For sixteen years, she’s hidden her burning curiosity for magic, knowing that one misstep would mean certain death at the hands of Atterah’s merciless leaders: the all-powerful Ruling Board.

Just when Kiera is on the cusp of securing a stable future for herself and her mother, a cruel twist of fate forces her to commit the worst possible infraction. She trespasses over the border into Etabon, the last refuge for magic on Atterah. Once within, her rare form makes her a target for the warden of the site. To escape the warden and conceal her crime from the Ruling Board, Kiera must use her strange new powers to battle for her freedom… or die trying.

The Last Refuge is the enthralling first novel in the Stealing Sanctuary series, weaving together the destinies of two dreamers caught up in a dark curse that spans generations. Enter a world of gripping adventure where love burns slowly, family is chosen, and hope is a dangerous yet beautiful dream.

"Bacilieri presents a coming-of-age YA fantasy series starter about the transformative power of love... A suspenseful adventure that will engage readers to the final page." -Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Young Adult, Magic, Adventure, Young Adult Fantasy

312 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

About the author

Christina Bacilieri is the author of the young adult fantasy The Last Refuge, the debut novel in her Stealing Sanctuary series. She’s a fan of all things magic and grew up on a steady diet of fantasy novels and pasta supplied by her loving grandmother. Her childhood favorites include A Wrinkle in Time and The Chronicles of Narnia.

A graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, she’s used her BBA in Marketing as a business relationship consultant and project manager.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her wandering through nature or taking in art at her favorite museums. She and her husband share their home in Texas with two snuggly pups and an abundance of books.

Reviews

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of The Hunger Games will love this YA fantasy with dystopian vibes! Prepare yourself for a compelling and rich writing combined with a high stakes plot!

Kiera is a very bright young woman who is dedicated to her mother and their simple life. She often dreams of a better life, but these dreams got put on hold when she embarks on a adventure to visit the magical city of Etabond, disguised as a simple traveler. Suddenly this adventure turns out to be nothing but a trick, as she is forced to take a deal with the evil and corrupt wizard Hallowfeld in exchange for her life. I absolutely love shape shifters so imagine my surprise when Kiera is able to shift herself into a magical and powerful lynx! 😍 be prepared for tons of action, as Kiera has to fight for her life in various tournaments with all types of magical creatures!

The author completely immersed us in a rich and magical world. Everything is so beautifully written, that it made the images appear vivid in my mind! the characters are all incredibly well done and so creative! I love all the mystical powers, it reminded me of Wheel of Time 🔥 perfect for those looking for action packed fantasy!

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review

[Heathers_readss · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start with the cover is stunning and so intriguing! I kept seeing this book pop up all over my bookstagram feed so of course I had to request I read it due to FOMO!

A wonderfully magical YA Fantasy novel set in a dystopian world where magic is controlled by the board and an evil dictator who orchestrates battles between magic users to channel power.

Our FMC Keira finds herself transformed into a powerful shifter and has to fight for her survival.
There is lots of magical elements with a touch of scientific vibes. There are different creatures and magical beings and I would love to see more background on the different species.

There is a lot of focus on close friendships and potential for a romance plot there so I’d be interested to see where that goes.

The book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger and I would definitely be excited to read the next book. I am hoping to see more world building and character development / more background on the additional side characters in book 2.

Thank you to Crescent Ink Publishing, Christina Bacillieri and NetGalley for the EARC

Publish date: Available now

[(old.enough.for.fairytales) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The golden age of dystopian YA fiction really helped me get back into ready, so finding a new dystopian book always feels a bit nostalgic for me. So I was super excited to get my hands on this book! Not only is the cover gorgeous and the map stunning, but the book is just such a fun read. And def feels timely with the recent release of the new Hunger Games movie! I feel like I’m re-entering my dystopian era and this book has been such a great reintroduction. The world building is top tier 🙌

Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Daisy Booktok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! I enjoyed how unique it is. Kiera and Attalin have my heart. Hallowfeld: I despise you!

This is a YA fantasy read. I do recommend it! Embark yourself in a journey of discovery, friendship, courage, and magic!

[Zubs Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like:

🫀Slow-burning romance
🌶A touch of spice
✨️Magical fantasy
🔪A badass female MC

Then you NEED to read The Last Refuge!

If you liked Divergent and enjoy books with Sci Fi you will love this one.

The Last Refuge is the enthralling first novel in the Stealing Sanctuary series, weaving together the destinies of two dreamers caught up in a dark curse that spans generations. Enter a world of gripping adventure where love burns slowly, family is chosen, and hope is a dangerous yet beautiful dream.

The world building is so insane I cannot belive its a debut. The romance build up maybe a little slow but the action certainly isn't and I was fully immersed in the story. I actually appreciated the focus on the story itself because it allowed me to really follow the storyline more in depth.

Brilliant debut! Add immediately!

[Lynette (Storyhooked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The YA dystopian era is here and it didn’t come to play 👏

I think this is a fantastic debut novel, I’m honestly surprised this was a debut!! Fantasy, dystopian, sci-fi, crystal magic system, and shifter magic?? Literally something for everyone.

Kiera’s character arc + development is what carried me through the story. YA action packed but somehow also a slow burn! If you grew up on hunger games this one is absolutely for you 🤌

While love triangles can be tough to write sometimes I think the slow burn of this one made sense. It does lean towards sapphic style which isn’t my usual go-to/fave. However I also think with the open end to the next book honestly anything could happen!

[Ve (ve_xo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forget how much I enjoy dystopian reads when I dive into them! This is perfect for readers obsessed with Hunger Games with a mix of fantasy. How gorgeous is the cover?!

Humble Kiera is used to caring for her mother and herself. They live a quiet life but destiny takes a turn and puts Kiera in a predicament where she has no other option than to make a deal with the evil wizard. I loved seeing Kiera’s growth, not only in her character but dealing with the situation around her especially the government and their intense controlling ways.

Definitely looking forward to learning more, especially when shifters were mentioned! I’m a sucker for those.
Huge thanks to the author for sending me a gorgeous copy, I can’t wait to read more by this author.

All opinions are my own.

[Danielle S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

-✨Book Review✨-

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲 by: Christina Bacilieri
Pub. Date: November 14, 2023


Rating: ☆ ☆
Spiciness: 0/10🌶️
Reminded me of: A world like 1984, where big brother is always watching, but with one little magical pocket. 👀🪄

✵

𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢: Kiera Vandyer has been raised in Atterah, a world where even discussing magic at the dinner table is punishable by death. Yet, she’s agreed to a little scheme that brings her close to the borders of the only place in their world where magic still abides, Etabon.

When she trespassed that border, the rare form she takes catches the eye of the warden of the site. In order to garner her freedom she must strike a deal with this warden. Fight and win, or die trying.

✵

𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜: Oh man, I wanted so badly for this book to be good! Was that 70-80% because the cover is way pretty?? Ok, I can admit that. 😅😂 But I was also drawn in by the unique premise.

In the end though, the execution just wasn’t there for me. So, I’ll keep this brief.

Things I liked:

♥ The plot - this is honestly what carried me through until the end. I love the idea of combining dystopian & fantasy. And new secrets kept appearing just when I wanted to give up on this book.

♥ Magical creatures - it was neat to see a more diverse set of magical creatures.

♥ Characters - the host of characters chosen for this book was very nice.


Things I didn’t like:

︾ Dialogue - it felt a bit disjointed, at times, and unnatural.

︾ Character relationships - these felt rushed and 2-dimensional. I would have liked to know them better.

︾ Flow of the book - I wish it had more depth and richness. The author has some amazingly unique ideas in here! They just don’t feel in full bloom for me. And the pacing for the book felt off. I kept being like, “woah! How did we get here all the sudden?” The skeleton of the story is beautiful, but it just doesn’t flow quite right for me.


✵

𝚁𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗: This book wasn’t my jam. I honestly struggled to get through it. And that’s ok. So, I personally wouldn’t recommend it. 💕

✵
✵

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first like 45 percent of book was engaging and entertaining. But after that I slowly lost my interest. The plot lacked flow and any real direction. The world building was splotchy , sometimes good and sometimes rushed. This book needed more tension, the author focused more on telling us bad guy was evil than showing us why he is evil. I think if we had more of villian in this book , it would have increased the tension . I will end with my favorite thing was the magic , I love the idea of it.

[Mariè · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't believe this is a debut novel ngl!
First chapter was super interesting and it only gets better as you go, the setting was so cool!! We have drones and lasers and all kinds of dystopian futuristic things while having this grim dark mysterious super interesting magic system, We're following kiera, as she takes a few classmates attempting to get into a city where magic is still used and guarded, then the story takes a different lane and keeps on getting better and more and more enjoyable as you go.
We meet a few more characters and develop a sort of found family type of friendship and OH MY GOD the friendship/romance was so so good!!! It got me so excited and giddy, i did not expect to get so attached to the relationship but oh well..what's one more fictional relationship to ship.
The creativity in this one is evident and i love that, i mean you can tell so easily the author is passionate about this book;
I'd recomend this to anyone tbh, especially someone younger or to people getting into fantasy as this is awesome for beginners.
Super excited to see where this goes

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love dystopian books, so this book already had a plus before I even started. Another plus for the cover. I mean: I'm obsessed?! It's stunning, and it fits so well with the book! The story itself was very immersive, and once I had grown accustomed to the style I flew through it. It was enjoyable! The world-building was exquisite, and I can recommend it alone for that. All in all, this is a book that I can heartily recommend!

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review.

[Jess Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an intriguing premise! A dystopian, futuristic world in which magic has been restricted to one isolated region in order to exert control over its people.

Things I liked:
-The world building and magic system were so unique and drew me right in. A super cool meld of sci-fi and fantasy.
-The different magic forms for folks "human" under usual circumstances. What a beautiful metaphor for who we all might be underneath if we allow ourselves the freedom to look closely.
-This book did one of my favorite things a fantasy can do - immerse the reader in a world just different enough from our own to disarm them, then use that world as a social commentary on our reality. The allegory regarding power, political corruption, poverty, environmentalism and extractive economies was spot-on.
-A thread throughout the book of the magic of nature and its inherent wisdom

Things I didn't love:
-The writing style in the book just wasn’t for me. I felt that the character building needed a more natural evolution to make it believable.
-The pacing, with time jumps, felt too rushed as well, though I loved the chapter headings.

Overall a truly unique work! A huge, genuine thanks to Netgalley and the author for entrusting me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

With hints of Hunger Games, 1984, Shadow and Bone, and other YA and adult fantasy novels, as well as unique, dystopian elements all her own, Christine Bacilieri has created a magical, world where Big Brother is watching, magic is flowing, and you will feel a part of the adventure from the moment you open the first page.


I can’t believe this is the author’s first novel. Sometimes, you watch an author grow into their work. The story is solid, and the writing could use some editing. This author knocked the whole thing out of the park first go round! This is one of those instances where I could have sat down and read an entire series if it existed. It was also another one of those books where I felt like it would be easier to highlight the passages I didn’t want to keep up with. The prose was so beautiful ad poignant in places, as well as being emotional and romantic in the simplest of ways. You don’t see much, but you see the emotional growth and connection of a budding young romance, and it’s so beautiful. In YA Romance, in my opinion, less is always more. They’re still kids, let them be kids. And I don’t think I’ve misinterpreted the LGBTQ relationships in the book, but if I have – well this is what fandoms are built on, and that just means the author will have teen fans scouring the internet for theories, fanfictions, memes, and more! The magical system, the creatures, the ships, the villains. Oh me, oh my!

Speaking of which, this is the exact kind of world that entire fandoms can be built on, and I look forward to seeing it thrive. The world is absolutely ripe for the picking. A strong magical system, a horrible villain, a collection of strong female characters leading the resistance. This is a perfect book for the times. One of the things I adore about fantasy and science fiction is how much social commentary is just naturally entrenched in the genres. Sure, you’ll get some in a mystery novel or even a women’s fiction or romance novel here and there, but it’s almost a given in a fantasy or sci-fi novel. Half the fun is trying to figure out what exactly the book is trying to comment on specifically. And, I think this one has a lot to say. It would also say it all well in a television series or a film series. Of course, we book people would always say that the books were better because they never quite capture the beauty of the original texts, but we’d flock to the movie theater or the apps either way. The imagery fueled by the descriptions is stunning, so if done even remotely well it could be amazing. I hope Netflix or Amazon gets on that right now!

Fantasy lovers – both young and old – will love this story. I think it has the potential and strength to forge a new fandom with new ships, eager fans, and lucrative film deals for the author. Of course,e that could be my loyal fan flag flying. But, this debut author has a new fan in me! If you loved the Hunger Games, 1984, or other dystopian or magical fantasy tales, grab this one up today! Written for young adults, so probably better for teens.

Content Warning: Violence, Torture, Death/Near Death, Government Spying/Control Techniques, Climate Disaster/End of the World setting, Magic/Religious Ideology, Fear Elements, Animal Violence, Cruelty to and from Leadership, Single Parents, Racism, Bigotry

[Pine Reads Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We do our best to make peace, but some fights are worth having.”

Kiera Vandyer has always felt a dangerous desire for magic, but she knows she must stay under the radar to survive the Ruling Board’s all encompassing rule. When Kiera joins her classmates on a scheme that should be the solution to all of her and her mother’s problems, she commits the worst crime imaginable: crossing the border to Etabon, the last refuge for magic in Atterah. In order to conceal her misstep, and her all the more impressive connections to magic, Kiera must escape the warden and hide her crime from the Ruling Board.

Despite an intriguing storyline and a wonderfully refreshing magic system I was left wanting more. Though there were quite a few aspects that I liked, there were some glaring problems that I couldn’t ignore. The pacing and world building were my main gripes. With Bacilieri’s inclusion of time jumps some aspects felt too rushed while others were perfectly paced. Some interactions with major characters felt unnecessary and I think the writing style was a major contributor towards this sentiment. Something about the writing style was not for me. I felt a bit indifferent towards Kiera and the only character I was invested in was Attalin. It seems that a bit more character development could make the evolution of the story more effective. My final issue was with the portrayal of the villain. Though we are repeatedly told he is evil, we don’t get the thought process to explain his actions or treatment of others nearly enough to my liking. In contrast, some of the things I thought Bacilieri did incredibly well were creating meaningful metaphors regarding humanity, beauty, wisdom and power. The whole book has this social commentary that easily parallels reality in a way that doesn’t take away from the fantastical setting, which I think is a really well done aspect of the book.

Pine Reads Review would like to thank SparkPoint Studio & SparkPress for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri

This is a great read and a fantastic book. It’s well written and a very easy read. The plotting is very good and it’s very descriptive writing too. It’s a fantastic story, a true product of the author’s imagination which they have used to the full and it shows. Kiera and her mum don’t have much but with her plans she thinks she could solve all their problems, everything just has to go right and her mum would know nothing about today. She meets with the others, including Cassidy who she doesn’t trust, and gives them the clothes to change into and finds a rock to mark their expensive shoes. There is a festival at Etabon, they just want a look and return on the train only Cassidy has different ideas for Kiera but Kiera pulls her through the barrier with her. That means they have caused an infraction so they see the warden on site. What will their fate be? I loved it and I’m now looking forward to the next book in the series.

Blurb :

Magic will transform you. Power could destroy you. Actions will define you.

Kiera Vandyer told herself she’d only agreed to this scheme for the money, that nothing else had drawn her to this venture, but you can’t lie to the truest parts of yourself. For sixteen years, she’s hidden her burning curiosity for magic, knowing that one misstep would mean certain death at the hands of Atterah’s merciless leaders: the all-powerful Ruling Board.

Just when Kiera is on the cusp of securing a stable future for herself and her mother, a cruel twist of fate forces her to commit the worst possible infraction. She trespasses over the border into Etabon, the last refuge for magic on Atterah. Once within, her rare form makes her a target for the warden of the site. To escape the warden and conceal her crime from the Ruling Board, Kiera must use her strange new powers to battle for her freedom… or die trying.

The Last Refuge is the enthralling first novel in the Stealing Sanctuary series, weaving together the destinies of two dreamers caught up in a dark curse that spans generations. Enter a world of gripping adventure where love burns slowly, family is chosen, and hope is a dangerous yet beautiful dream.

[Kayla Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: A Spellbinding Debut: "The Last Refuge" Transcends Expectations

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Christina Bacilieri's "The Last Refuge" is a spellbinding journey into a world where magic, power, and destiny collide. With a solid 5-star rating, this novel lives up to the hype and leaves readers hungry for more. The story revolves around Kiera Vandyer, a character whose complexity and depth instantly drew me in. Bacilieri skillfully navigates Kiera's internal struggles and the external challenges she faces in a society ruled by the formidable Ruling Board. The narrative is richly layered with intrigue, suspense, and a touch of forbidden magic that keeps you hooked from the very first page.

Bacilieri's world-building is nothing short of remarkable. "The Last Refuge" introduces us to Etabon, the last haven for magic in the world of Atterah. The vivid descriptions bring this mystical refuge to life, and as Kiera ventures into its depths, readers are treated to a visual feast of enchanting landscapes and magical phenomena.

The author's prose is eloquent and evocative, painting scenes that linger in the imagination. The pacing is well-crafted, allowing the plot to unfold at a perfect tempo, keeping readers engaged without overwhelming them. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, adding depth to the characters and enhancing the overall immersive experience.

"The Last Refuge" is not just a tale of magic; it's a narrative that explores themes of identity, choice, and the consequences of defying societal norms. Kiera's journey becomes a metaphor for self-discovery and the pursuit of freedom, making it a story that resonates on multiple levels.

This novel is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts and anyone seeking a captivating escape into a world where hope is both dangerous and beautiful. Christina Bacilieri has truly crafted a gem that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this enthralling series.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world of Atterah is fueled by magic, yet no one is allowed to practice magic except within the borders of Etabon.  Etabon is ruled over by a vicious and powerful warden, Hallowfeld, who uses the magic chaos created by violent fights between magic beings to fuel Atterah.  Kiera knows that entering Etabon could ruin her chances at a further education, but when several school mates ask for her help to sneak into a festival there, she can't resist the payment.  However, when one of the school mates pushes Kiera over the border, her magic activates and Kiera becomes a rare shifter.  Her form quickly catches Hallowfeld's attention and Kiera becomes bound to Hallowfeld and Etabon. 

The Last Refuge is a Young Adult dystopian fantasy steeped in magic.  I was immediately hooked by  the idea of banned magic in a world that seems to need magic to survive.  Kiera's character drew me in since she wanted so much to acknowledge her magic, but also wanted to live a quiet life with her mother. In Etabon, I enjoyed Kiera and Attalin's relationship, level of trust and bond that they quickly formed.  Hallowfeld's use of fear to control  the magic of Etabon with violence instead of compassion creates a powerful and dangerous adversary.  Etabon itself was a carefully crafted world that welcomed magic while pitting magical creatures against one another at the same time. While the fights that Kiera had to endure were entertaining and showed off the powers of the different creatures in Etabon, my favorite parts of the story were when Kiera  and Attalin had time to explore Etabon and find out the origin of the curse that is allowing Hallowfeld to thrive and control the flow of magic. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

[Luzanne Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri is a striking and unflinching YA fantasy debut that grabs you from the first page and never lets go. Set in a world where magic is outlawed and brutally punished, this story follows Kiera Vandyer—a young girl just trying to survive in a world built to break her.

Kiera is fierce and resourceful, but she’s not fearless. Her desire for a better life for her and her mother leads her to a job that goes disastrously wrong. A single misstep sends her over the border into Etabon, the last place in Atterah where magic still thrives—and where her rare magical form becomes both her salvation and her curse.

What follows is a journey of discovery, survival, and rebellion. Kiera doesn’t just uncover magic—she uncovers parts of herself that have long been buried under fear and obligation. And as her powers grow, so does the threat against her.

Bacilieri’s writing is fluid and immersive, building a bleak yet vividly imagined world where rules are absolute and compassion is scarce. The Ruling Board is a terrifying presence in the background, always looming, always watching. The tension is palpable, the atmosphere gripping.

One of the strongest elements is the emotional realism. Kiera’s decisions aren’t always perfect—sometimes they’re desperate, reckless, or full of fear—and that makes her deeply relatable. She isn’t a chosen one with a golden destiny. She’s a girl who makes choices, stumbles, gets up, and fights harder.

The supporting cast is compelling, especially the slowly developing relationships Kiera builds with other refugees. The romantic subplot is beautifully restrained, taking its time to develop without ever overshadowing the central conflict.

The themes of found family, identity, and defiance in the face of oppression are powerful and resonant. There’s a generational weight to the curse referenced in the series title, and it adds mythic depth to the narrative.

The Last Refuge balances fast-paced action with thoughtful character development and sets the stage for a larger conflict that promises even more danger—and hope—in future installments.

Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy who love emotionally grounded stories with rich worldbuilding and morally complex characters. A stunning start to what promises to be a brilliant series.

[Anca Antoci · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Loved
In “The Last Refuge,” you get sucked into a world with a creepy dictatorship and a tightly controlled magic system. Keira, the hero of the story, goes through a mind-blowing transformation and becomes a powerful shifter, getting caught up in a fight for her life. Bacilieri does an amazing job blending magic and science, and throws in a bunch of awesome creatures that make the story way more exciting. The exploration of close friendships and budding romance intrigues, leaving readers eager for more. Keira’s journey of self-growth, set against a backdrop of political turmoil and personal challenges, is a captivating and relatable tale. The narrative is rich with intrigue, suspense, and forbidden magic, keeping readers hooked until the last page.

What Didn’t Resonate With Me
Although the first half of the book is captivating due to its intricately woven narrative, the second half of the book falls short in maintaining the same level of momentum and tension that propels the story forward. On top of that, sometimes it feels like the pacing is too fast and the time jumps make the story hard to follow. While the character development shows promise, it would be more believable if it had a more natural progression.

Themes and Tropes
Bacilieri explores themes of power, political corruption, poverty, and environmentalism, offering readers insightful allegories relevant to our world today. Incorporating found family dynamics, magical creatures, and a slow-burn romance add depth to the story, appealing to fans of YA dystopian fiction.

Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiera Vandyer will do anything to help her mother, including going along with reckless plans her peers come up with. She sneaks into Etabon in hopes of opening the door for a better future for her and her mom. However, she finds herself in more danger than she could have imagined. She also discovers that she has the ability to shift into a lynx, and this just adds more of a target on her back. With her freedom in question, she won't go down without a fight. Throw in a slow burn romance and Kiera has her hands full.

THE LAST REFUGE is a young adult dystopian novel that's full of action and magic. I love how she can shift into a lynx. We see a bit of character development in this first novel, but I have a feeling there's a lot more to expect. Kiera is an intriguing character that has a lot more growing to do. This first book ends on a cliff hanger and has me wanting more. I'm also hoping to see more romance in this magical fantasy world that Christina Bacilieri created.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of magic, dystopian novels, action, slow burn romance, and shifters. It's a coming of age novel that gives me Hunger Games vibes and it's an easy read to devour quickly.

[Stina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. In a dystopian world strictly controlled by the board, the only place loathsome magic can can be found is a tightly controlled area. Magic is mined by being channeled through battles of magic users, controlled by an evil dictator. Through a surprising turn of events, Keira is thrust through the arch and find herself a powerful shifter fighting for her life.

Love the creativity, the world seems really interesting. I would have loved a little more world building, and a little more character development but overall a fun and interesting story. It definitely had a bit of a 1984 vibe going, and then it gets super magical. So it's a little bit of something for everyone. It also really focuses on building friendships and finding your place in the world.

When I picked this up it's because I saw a review saying that it was a sapphic slow burn romance. To me, I think it is not clear yet. I think we would have to wait for the next book to know. But I do think it's about a very deep connection and friendship (that I hope turns to romantic love eventually)

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut by Christina. A real joy to read, think The Hunger Games with a little bit of Caraval but with shape shifters! Kiera becomes a Lynx, a celebrity in her own right. She finds herself in a land where she is pitted against other creatures to the death, various rounds, less and less contestants each time until there can only be one winner.

I like Keira and Attalin, their friendship speaks in volumes, I love Jax and Gabby too. I like the idea of animal shifters, bit like going to a masquerade party, a disguise to shield who you are from others. Hallowfeld is one of those characters that come across nice as pie until you are of no use to him then he turns. Shallow but powerful in Etabon.

I love the map at the start, it starts the adventure for me. I like how each character is a different form, a mermaid, a fox, a Lynx, an elk for example. Each powerful in their own way and mixing with faeries and orcs when competing in the dome. I will be keeping an eye out for more from Christina and I look forward to the next book in the series!

[Marie Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really creative idea for a world and I loved the depth to the storybuilding and the history revealed throughout the story. The ending was a little jarring but I'm really excited to see where Bacilieri takes this in the next book. It feels like The Hunger Games combined with Onward: a high tech sci-fantasy with a world that requires magic to survive, but that magic has been locked into only a small portion of the planet and is closely guarded and controlled.

Kiera is surviving in a dystopian environment but would love to be able to do more. She's given an opportunity to make some quick cash that will change her life, but instead of the easy payday she was hoping for, she is thrown right into life-threatening danger. I really loved the magic system and am excited to learn more about it while Kiera works on undoing the wrongs done in the past. The only thing that really bugged me is the hint of a future love triangle, which is one of my least favorite YA tropes, but hopefully I'm just reading things wrong. Hopefully book 2 is coming soon!

[Ashley Fetterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a dystopian world, magic is kept to one city that requires permission to enter. A girl finds herself being transformed and stuck in a bargain that threatens her world and her life.

I adored this so much and soared through reading it. The magic was just wonderful and I loved how it was tied to the Earth and it's functioning. The dystopia feel to the world that is magic and also science. There is a bit of a sapphic-leaning relationship between the main and side characters. It wasn't over the top, but it was very prevalent in the story's development. I loved seeing all the different types of magical beings and creatures, as well as the different types of magic.

I'm interested to see what happens more with this, as it left off on a bit of a cliffhanger. I'd like to see more interaction with the newer characters that came in later.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eGalley.

[John Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a most interesting premise, that those few who possess magic can, by using it particularly under extreme stress, generate more. When Kiera and some classmates attempt to sneak into Etabon, which is the sole place where magic can be experienced, she's betrayed by one of the others and shape shifts into a lynx. As a result, she soon finds herself under a constraint that forces her to fight in the arena, each time against a more dangerous opponent.
As time goes on, she makes friends with a mermaid shifter and a benevolent witch, fights some really nasty critters, and discovers just how evil Hallowfeld, the person running Etabon truly is. The story ends with her realizing that fleeing from the magical place to find members of a resistance group is her only viable option and this decision leaves readers ready for what comes next quite well. With plenty of action, particularly the battles in the arena, and a good supporting cast, this is well worth reading.

[Dwayne Mathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing opening book to a new fantasy series that I know will become another firm favourite for me. Throughout the first book, the character development is so on point that I felt I knew each of the main characters very well and even some of the side characters. Throughout the story there is great world-building with a few twists along the way and a good few reveals before the end that leads into the series as a whole and definitely makes you want to have the next book right now.

I would say this book and potentially the series will suit fans of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games and although the book has a similar feel to this style it stands out on its own strengths.

I look forward to seeing how Kiera develops as a character as well as her magical abilities. Also, I look forward to seeing where the bond with her new friends goes as there was some interesting progression throughout.

[nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘢, 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨.”

first thing first the COVER. multiple chef’s kisses. i truly need to get me a physical copy because i love it.

the story itself felt caraval meets hunger games?
it was giving both, but with more magic and i am HERE for it. a place where you walk through the border, and connect to your true magic???? you turn into a magical being???? i’m going. i’m on the first train there. byeeeee 👋🏼✨

i think the author did a great job of mixing the dystopian world vibes with the magic that existed as well. it didn’t lessen either thing and was woven together really well!

i’m deeeefinitely getting sapphic vibes between kiera and attalin but we shall seeeeee. the intro to a third person just has potentially blown it out of the water. love triangles be like that 🤣

hurry up book twoooooo- i need to find out all the things about the alliance

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of the Stealing Sanctuary Series.

Oh my goodness... what a book!

It's kind of a mash up between dystopian society meets fantasy and oh boy, does it work!

We follow Kiera (curious of magic) as she accidently breaks the law and stumbles into the mysterious land of Etabon. To save herself and her future, she has to play a series of dangerous events!

Kiera is an incredibly fierce character and loyal, too. As a YA novel, it is absolutely brilliant to showcase a strong female lead as she becomes a role model to the reader.

The world that Christina creates is detailed and very, very different. Etabon is just magical and fantastical with a massive dollop of danger - it draws you in and to a degree, I'd love to visit!

An incredible start to Christina's brand new YA Fantasy Series! I can't wait to for Book 2!

Highly recommend!

[Pandora Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, magical adventure! The Last Refuge is set in a dystopian world where the government is overbearing, surveillance robots are always around, and magic - even the mention of it - has been outlawed. The only chance a citizen will have to glimpse magical creatures or powers is by visiting the sanctuary land of Etabon.

At 16 years old, Kiera lives a different life from some of her more affluent classmates. When given the opportunity to change her family’s circumstances, she has to decide just how far she will go. What unfolds is an adventure filled with shapeshifters, magic, found family, and danger. You’ll be rooting for good to prevail through the magic that only the bonds of love and friendship can provide us.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this blind and it didn't disappoint. The magical system, world-building, Dystopian plot, and the interesting cast of magical creatures we were introduced to throughout the story was captivating. I love a good found family plot as well and loved that it was included. The storybook world was very different from our own but provided real-world teachable moments related to government power, corruption, how people create/reinforce social class hierarchy, and how people from all of those classes can work together to fight the corruption and steer their world towards a better future for everyone.

As a debut novel, this author has made a mark and I look forward to reading subsequent books in the series.