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The Awakened Duology #2
The Sanctuary
Zoey Valentine is finally safe. Tucked away miles underground in the fortified community of Sanctuary, she no longer has to worry about Awakened - flesh eating zombies - coming after her and her boyfriend, Ash.
But Sanctuary is different than she had imagined. She may be safe, but she feels trapped, buried in a hole in the ground, waiting for time to pass. Sekhmet, the evil corporation behind the Awakened, is still out there and nothing can stop the nightmares that plague Zoey every night. Sanctuary feels like a ticking time bomb and she's starting to feel suffocated.
Then suddenly, citizens of Sanctuary begin to go missing until their bodies turn up right on their doorstep, mutilated by Awakened. Each one is tagged with a note, a warning, signed by Razi Cylon, the leader of Sekhmet, who Zoey saw die months before.
Sanctuary is in a panic and while Zoey and her friends are ready to fight, the leaders are burying themselves further into hiding. Zoey is angry and helpless, until Razi Cylon threatens something really close to Zoey and all hell breaks loose.
Sekhmet has existed for far too long and Zoey is tired of running and hiding. Razi and the Awakened need to go down, even if she has to take them down one by one.
Join Zoey and Ash in the conclusion to The Awakened Duology! And now as an extra bonus - The Survivor, Liam's novella, is available to be read at the end of your copy of The Sanctuary!
But Sanctuary is different than she had imagined. She may be safe, but she feels trapped, buried in a hole in the ground, waiting for time to pass. Sekhmet, the evil corporation behind the Awakened, is still out there and nothing can stop the nightmares that plague Zoey every night. Sanctuary feels like a ticking time bomb and she's starting to feel suffocated.
Then suddenly, citizens of Sanctuary begin to go missing until their bodies turn up right on their doorstep, mutilated by Awakened. Each one is tagged with a note, a warning, signed by Razi Cylon, the leader of Sekhmet, who Zoey saw die months before.
Sanctuary is in a panic and while Zoey and her friends are ready to fight, the leaders are burying themselves further into hiding. Zoey is angry and helpless, until Razi Cylon threatens something really close to Zoey and all hell breaks loose.
Sekhmet has existed for far too long and Zoey is tired of running and hiding. Razi and the Awakened need to go down, even if she has to take them down one by one.
Join Zoey and Ash in the conclusion to The Awakened Duology! And now as an extra bonus - The Survivor, Liam's novella, is available to be read at the end of your copy of The Sanctuary!
- GenresZombiesYoung Adult
282 pages, Paperback
Published June 16, 2020
About the author
Sara Elizabeth Santana
10 books168 followersSara is a young adult and new adult fiction writer. She has worked as smoothie artist, Disneyland cast member, restaurant supervisor, photographer, nanny, pizza delivery driver, and barista but writing is what she loves most. She has an obsession with reading, baseball, cupcakes, tattoos, running and peach green iced teas. She runs her own nerd girl/book review blog, What A Nerd Girl Says. She lives in Southern California with her boyfriend and her two cats, Kaz and Kai.
Her debut novel, The Awakened, was released in December of 2015, and was her first successful NaNoWriMo novel. The sequel, The Sanctuary, was published January 2017. Both books were relaunched in June 2020. Her debut new adult romance, Benched, will be released in September of 2020.
She is currently working on a young adult fantasy called Legacy and the untitled sequel to Benched.
Her debut novel, The Awakened, was released in December of 2015, and was her first successful NaNoWriMo novel. The sequel, The Sanctuary, was published January 2017. Both books were relaunched in June 2020. Her debut new adult romance, Benched, will be released in September of 2020.
She is currently working on a young adult fantasy called Legacy and the untitled sequel to Benched.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 7, 2017
This was an enjoyable conclusion to an overall very good duology, what I did appreciate was that the main character had a very distinct personality and had a good sense of humor, and I was surprised at the self awareness of the book, it did poke fun and made fun if some clichés and tropes in the YA category of literature, and damn, this author does mean business, cause she doesn't fall into some well known cliches, cause like Dan Wells, she I not afraid to kill a major character off, overall The Awakened Duology was a very enjoyable duology, which I would highly recommend
Overall Rating:9.4/10
Overall Rating:9.4/10
January 20, 2017
An emotional read!
This book has it all , action, laughs, a serious set of the feels, a couple of legitimately scary moments. I love the way Sara wrapped this book up! The development of my favorite characters from Book 1 The Awakened mixed with vibrant new Characters really made for an intriguing read.
Zoey, Liam and Ash are just as lovable in this novel! I took so many emotional hits with all three of them in this book and I loved every single one of them. Sara made some brave decisions with this book, and I think it turned out perfect.
I'm sad that this is the end of the serious, but I am happy with how it ended.
This book has it all , action, laughs, a serious set of the feels, a couple of legitimately scary moments. I love the way Sara wrapped this book up! The development of my favorite characters from Book 1 The Awakened mixed with vibrant new Characters really made for an intriguing read.
Zoey, Liam and Ash are just as lovable in this novel! I took so many emotional hits with all three of them in this book and I loved every single one of them. Sara made some brave decisions with this book, and I think it turned out perfect.
I'm sad that this is the end of the serious, but I am happy with how it ended.
March 25, 2017
The Sanctuary by Sara Elizabeth Santana *4.75 Stars * 03/25/2017*
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I loved the first book Awakened and The Sanctuary was no different. It became a little predictable to me, nothing seems liked a surprise, maybe because it was exactly how I was expecting to be. If I were to write the sequel for Awakened I would have done nothing different. I really really liked the new characters Kaya and Astrid. I connected very easily with them. Zoey showed a little more of her vulnerable side this time, but that didn't take away her strongness, courage, determination and will to overcome her fears. Liam and Ash were incredible as always: what is not to like on those boys right? The pace is good, worked perfectly with the plot development. There are very sad parts, embrace yourself, not everything is kittens and rainbows on this series since loss is part of the story. But I wouldn't have done anything different. There are a few edition mistakes, but at the end, the plot and the characters won me over (well, they did since the first book !). I definitely recommend this series!
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I loved the first book Awakened and The Sanctuary was no different. It became a little predictable to me, nothing seems liked a surprise, maybe because it was exactly how I was expecting to be. If I were to write the sequel for Awakened I would have done nothing different. I really really liked the new characters Kaya and Astrid. I connected very easily with them. Zoey showed a little more of her vulnerable side this time, but that didn't take away her strongness, courage, determination and will to overcome her fears. Liam and Ash were incredible as always: what is not to like on those boys right? The pace is good, worked perfectly with the plot development. There are very sad parts, embrace yourself, not everything is kittens and rainbows on this series since loss is part of the story. But I wouldn't have done anything different. There are a few edition mistakes, but at the end, the plot and the characters won me over (well, they did since the first book !). I definitely recommend this series!
October 23, 2017
Deeply moved
Both books were amazing. I actually finished the 2nd book in 24hrs.
Kinda wish there was another sequel but I suppose these ended so well that to move forward may be a disaster, unless you were able to bring ASH back l, but I suppose not because of everything that happened. I did like the love conquers theme. Thank you so much :)
Both books were amazing. I actually finished the 2nd book in 24hrs.
Kinda wish there was another sequel but I suppose these ended so well that to move forward may be a disaster, unless you were able to bring ASH back l, but I suppose not because of everything that happened. I did like the love conquers theme. Thank you so much :)
February 7, 2017
While many people are known to write trilogy's, Santana does a great job in telling a great story with two books. This one is a bit slower paced than the first one, but there's plenty of character growth here, plot twists, and a great conclusion to the series.
May 25, 2017
Wow just wow .... what a gut wrenching .... heart breaking ending to this series ....
I will say though while this book broke my heart over sad over it was fantastic !!!
I will say though while this book broke my heart over sad over it was fantastic !!!
November 6, 2017
that ending......... :o
February 17, 2017
My reading experience of this book was mainly feeling agonised for the characters unknown future in the vast. All they have in mind is to survive while actually living at the same time and let me tell you, it can be very depressing to be in their position.
I love the characters development as the story progresses and how they slowly open up and eventually accept them for who they are. My personal favourite character development of all is Liam. How even through all his struggles and nightmares, he would still fight them off and keep up a brave facade, especially for Astrid.
I have to admit that in the beginning, it was a bit slow until it was leaning towards the climax which was when Ash was kidnapped and Zoey would do anything to get him back. From that moment forth, things began to get exciting and also a tad scary - knowing that the Awakened could be lurking around to ambush them at no moments notice.
I won't be going into too much detail but my heart breaks for Zoey. So very much. To see the love of her life turn into a monster while Zoey had to fight for her life as he took his very last breath. That moment right there, is truly a worthy scene from a movie.
All in all, I had a great time reading this duology and getting to know about the characters - all their ups and downs. This story holds so many potential for something bigger and greater and I look forward to read more amazing stories by this author.
I love the characters development as the story progresses and how they slowly open up and eventually accept them for who they are. My personal favourite character development of all is Liam. How even through all his struggles and nightmares, he would still fight them off and keep up a brave facade, especially for Astrid.
I have to admit that in the beginning, it was a bit slow until it was leaning towards the climax which was when Ash was kidnapped and Zoey would do anything to get him back. From that moment forth, things began to get exciting and also a tad scary - knowing that the Awakened could be lurking around to ambush them at no moments notice.
I won't be going into too much detail but my heart breaks for Zoey. So very much. To see the love of her life turn into a monster while Zoey had to fight for her life as he took his very last breath. That moment right there, is truly a worthy scene from a movie.
All in all, I had a great time reading this duology and getting to know about the characters - all their ups and downs. This story holds so many potential for something bigger and greater and I look forward to read more amazing stories by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2017
Wow! That's was.....not quite the ending I'd hoped for (no spoilers) but probably the one that made the most sense and the most "realistic" one within the book's reality. It's heart wrenching, and brutal, with addictive action and drama. Zoey is an amazing YA heroine-not overdone or cliché, but a fierce yet flawed woman whose love and loyalty were so strong that she never stopped fighting no matter what the odds. Such wonderful characters that develop and mature so much throughout the series. I will miss them! I'd love another book or at least novella....
As for the villain, I never fully understood her in this story but I don't think we were supposed to. She was brilliant yet evil, twisted by grief and narcissistic-just so far gone into madness that there was no empathy left, yet she was completely confident she was doing the right thing (which was terrifying!) I'll be thinking about this series and processing it for a long time...
Overall, the author did an amazing job! If you like zombie and Dystopian novels, don't miss this series. (These are NOT your stereotypical zombies!;) I'm not a huge zombie fan in general like many readers are, but I loved these books! I highly recommend this series.
As for the villain, I never fully understood her in this story but I don't think we were supposed to. She was brilliant yet evil, twisted by grief and narcissistic-just so far gone into madness that there was no empathy left, yet she was completely confident she was doing the right thing (which was terrifying!) I'll be thinking about this series and processing it for a long time...
Overall, the author did an amazing job! If you like zombie and Dystopian novels, don't miss this series. (These are NOT your stereotypical zombies!;) I'm not a huge zombie fan in general like many readers are, but I loved these books! I highly recommend this series.
April 6, 2017
3.75*
It's hard to talk about this one now without spoilering anything. I liked the first one better but not only because of this heart warming ending.
I appreciated the turn of events and liked how Z turned back to her original self, I've missed her and found her irritating in most of this book.
It was a good ending for this duology and of course a lot of things were left open, there could even be a spin off to this series!
[proper review to come]
It's hard to talk about this one now without spoilering anything. I liked the first one better but not only because of this heart warming ending.
I appreciated the turn of events and liked how Z turned back to her original self, I've missed her and found her irritating in most of this book.
It was a good ending for this duology and of course a lot of things were left open, there could even be a spin off to this series!
[proper review to come]
February 9, 2017
Wow!
Better than the first book! Action packed, and emotion wrenching. The growth of even the secondary characters was so well thought out. Twists abound, awesome read!
Better than the first book! Action packed, and emotion wrenching. The growth of even the secondary characters was so well thought out. Twists abound, awesome read!
February 18, 2017
Evil, EVIL Author
Ms. Santana. I hate you. I LITERALLY hate you!! How could you do that?! How?! Gah. My tears right now are all your fault.
On from my rant...The Sanctuary was fantastically written (until the end and even that was well done as much as I loathe to admit it.) Sometimes sequels can be dull and just more of the same but that was not the case here. We went from learning about life in the sanctuary, to outside, back to the depths of hell and then started all over again. And the ending...wow the ending. I hate you for that ending. It was beautiful and a stroke of generous but regardless, I still hate you. It should NOT have been that way. Ugh. But applause. I look forward to how you will break my heart next Ms. Santana. I definitely look forward to it.
Ms. Santana. I hate you. I LITERALLY hate you!! How could you do that?! How?! Gah. My tears right now are all your fault.
On from my rant...The Sanctuary was fantastically written (until the end and even that was well done as much as I loathe to admit it.) Sometimes sequels can be dull and just more of the same but that was not the case here. We went from learning about life in the sanctuary, to outside, back to the depths of hell and then started all over again. And the ending...wow the ending. I hate you for that ending. It was beautiful and a stroke of generous but regardless, I still hate you. It should NOT have been that way. Ugh. But applause. I look forward to how you will break my heart next Ms. Santana. I definitely look forward to it.
February 7, 2017
I feel in love with The Awakened and hoped The Sanctuary was just as good !
I wasn't disappointed as the story followed Zoey & Ash in the sanctuary and was introduced to some new characters and reacquainted with some olds ones to. I would highly recommend these two books 5*
I wasn't disappointed as the story followed Zoey & Ash in the sanctuary and was introduced to some new characters and reacquainted with some olds ones to. I would highly recommend these two books 5*
April 17, 2017
Heartbreaking!
It's hard to believe that there was only two books! So much happens and it felt like I had spent years with these characters. The ending was heartbreaking, but also a great way to bring it all to an end. I can't wait to read more from you!
It's hard to believe that there was only two books! So much happens and it felt like I had spent years with these characters. The ending was heartbreaking, but also a great way to bring it all to an end. I can't wait to read more from you!
April 19, 2017
The last couple of chapters were so hard to read. The ending was so heartbreaking and I don't know if I can forgive Sara for doing this to my heart. But honestly I loved this series.
April 20, 2017
Overall the conclusion story to The Awakened was enjoyable. I was disappointed in the multiple mistakes throughout. It just took me out of the story each time.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews