Debut in Magic Slays, then stealing spotlight and maybe will snatch Andrea from Raphael in Gunmetal Magic (also shout his favorite Gandalf lines), then become a wedding planner extraordinaire in Magic Binds, our favorite Black Volvh Roman Grigorinovic Tihomirov finally debuted in his own story. Happen 1 or 2 years after Magic Triumphs, we finally get a glimpse of what Roman do in his times serving his Dark God, Chernobog.

I really enjoy reading Sanctuary although Roman is grumpier than usual, but there's a reason behind that. The story start with Roman give sanctuary to a little boy that got hunted by mercenaries and unknown enemy. The identity of the enemy still a mystery, tho. Roman did what Roman do and I really like the magic battle that ensues. Very different from Kate of course. Roman's magic more like long range magic based on his Slavic deity. Near the end of story, Roman will meet his potential romantic interest, a Vasilisa . Apparently, Roman know her back then and the Valisila (named Andora) was an unwilling victim of Roman's magic going awry when Roman is in his 12-ish. I like that IA didn't sugarcoated that what Roman did was bullying even Roman had his reason and in the end Roman apologized properly to Andora. But, the romance is more like a hint and maybe will explored more in the next Roman's novella. Yep, IA already confirmed that Roman will get another story to be told.

One of the highlight of this novella is Evdokia. OMG, she's a hoot, lol. She's such a concern mother that currently nagging Roman to married and make babies, with some commentary that make laughing so hard (low sperm count? Maybe Roman have low testosterone and must get tested? LOLOLOL). The Baba Yaga sure enjoying herself in order to get Roman walk the altar. There's also some explanation about Roman's deceased brother and how Roman got chosen as Chernobog's volvh. 

My one (and only) complaint just this book is short, lel. But, for a novella, Sanctuary pack quite a punch because there's a long essay from Mod R (if you a visitor of IA's blog, you will know her) about Vasilisa, Baba Yaga and stock characters in Slavic Myth. Sanctuary is filled with many Slavic creatures, especially in Roman's nechist that consist of so many creatures with names that hard to pronounce. We also got glimpse into Chernobog's realms, Nav and some of meaningful discussion about what the characters perceive as evil and good. 

A good novella that reveal that our favorite black Volvh have some depths and also a difficult past that shape him as a character that we know and loved. Looking forward to more Roman's story!!