Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Sanctuary (Roman's Chronicles #1) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 6, 2025

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels
1. Magic Bites

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

It’s not easy serving Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death…especially during the holidays; and especially when you’re out of eggnog and one of your pesky, freeloading mythic creatures has eaten your last cookie.

Roman would like nothing more than to be left alone, but when a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and begs for sanctuary, Roman takes him in. Now elite mercenaries are camped out on his property, combat mages are dousing the house with fire, and strange priests are unleashing arcane magic. They thought Roman was easy pickings, just a hermit in the woods, but they chose the wrong dark priest to annoy. For while Roman might be patient, he is the Black Volhv, filled with the love of his terrible god. For his adversaries, it's a fight to the death, but for him, it's just another day in the neighborhood.

Thoughts on Sanctuary: The Black Volhv has always been one of my favorites of the individuals Kate can call upon when things turn south. For all he serves the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death, Roman's just this weirdly upbeat guy. Or maybe he just jokes through his pain. Whichever, I like him. I mean, his utter delight at being asked to officiate Kate and Curran's wedding was great, not to mention how he completely took charge of the wedding details.

But the wedding was in the past. This is about Roman trying to avoid family and holiday good cheer thanks to things. THINGS, guys. THINGS. Yeah, Roman has some baggage. It's not his fault. He didn't ask for it. But he has it. And he kind of needs to deal with it.

So. Roman's holiday brooding is interrupted by a boy asking for sanctuary. Which is odd in itself because folks don't usually show up at the Black Volhv's door looking for a safe harbor. Roman being Roman, he takes the kid in. Honestly, once you know about his menagerie of strays, it's not a shock. Plus, Roman is a good guy. He might serve a dark god, but darkness serves a purpose and Roman is good at what he does.

Anywho. A kid asks for sanctuary, Roman obliges, those after the kid show up, and Roman defends his territory. On the plus side, his defenses are top shelf and he gives the mercenaries every chance to disengage and look for easier prey before calling them up. On the downside, whoever wants the boy might be a new player (or an old one awakened, who knows, really?!?!) and they wield significant magic. Which Roman isn't pleased about.

A whole lot of magic, plenty of critters, some one on one time with a god or two, and a brooding Black Volhv who needs to deal with his past so he can be the best dark priest he can be. *thumbs up*