Review: An Unexpected Sanctuary by Cassie Decker

Title: An Unexpected Sanctuary

Author: Cassie Decker

Length: 33 Pages

Category: Holiday, Sci-Fi

At a Glance: A short but sweet dystopian set during Christmas with great characters.

Reviewed By: Jennifer

Blurb: An aggressive super-flu pandemic wipes out a majority of the population over the course of one Christmas holiday—and brings Tobin and Kyle together. For almost a year, they’ve been trekking across the country from Colorado toward a sanctuary in upstate New York. Kyle’s survival skills have kept them alive, and Tobin wants to repay the man he loves with a very special gift of his own making. He sneaks off in search of the last few pieces… only to get himself and Kyle kidnapped by a desperate stranger. With their journey to New York on hold—possibly indefinitely—they’ll need to accept that home isn’t always defined by a place as much as the person you’re with.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2017 Advent Calendar collection Stocking Stuffers.

Review: There’s something magical about reading a good Christmas story during the holiday season, even when the world that story is set in seems pretty grim. An Unexpected Sanctuary is set in the aftermath of a super-flu that wipes out most of the world. Of course, there are pockets of survivors. Some band together to help rebuild, others become scavengers. Then there are the smaller groups that are searching for a place to call home.

Tobin and Kyle are one of those groups, traveling to find a place with others who have survived. They’ve travelled for a year, and it’s near Christmastime again, the time the flu first hit. Tobin wants to give a useful gift to Kyle, for all his help, but when he does, he’s kidnapped. Afraid they will never reach their new home, Kyle regrets his decisions. But not all is what it seems with their kidnappers.

I enjoyed this story even though it was so short. There was just enough conflict to keep it interesting, and the characters were well developed for such a short amount of time. Most of the development happens before the story, but the author portrays it well through a few well-placed sentences about the characters previous lives. Even those who should be the enemies in the story are given enough background to make them not only intriguing but likeable.

If you enjoy dystopias, you are sure to enjoy this short story. It has enough conflict and heart to make it a satisfying read.

You can buy An Unexpected Sanctuary here:
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