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Sanctus (Sancti Trilogy 1) [Paperback]

Simon Toyne (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (238 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Release Date: 24 Nov 2011 | Series: Sancti Trilogy 1

The bestselling thriller debut of 2011 – the apocalyptic conspiracy thriller that has set the world alight…

REVELATION OR DEVASTATION?

The certainties of the modern world are about to be blown apart by a three thousand year-old conspiracy nurtured by blood and lies …

A man throws himself to his death from the oldest inhabited place on the face of the earth, a mountainous citadel in the historic Turkish city of Ruin. This is no ordinary suicide but a symbolic act. And thanks to the media, it is witnessed by the entire world.

But few understand it. For charity worker Kathryn Mann and a handful of others in the know, it is what they have been waiting for. The cowled and secretive fanatics that live in the Citadel suspect it could mean the end of everything they have built – and they will kill, torture and break every law to stop that. For Liv Adamsen, New York crime reporter, it begins the next stage of a journey into the heart of her own identity.

And at that journey's end lies a discovery that will change EVERYTHING …

SANCTUS is an apocalyptic conspiracy thriller like no other – it re-sets the bar for excitement and fascination, and marks the debut of a major talent in Simon Toyne.

Frequently Bought Together

Sanctus (Sancti Trilogy 1) + The Key (Sancti Trilogy 2) + The Tower (Sancti Trilogy 3)
Price For All Three: £16.80

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Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Harper (24 Nov 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007391587
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007391585
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 3.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (238 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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› Visit Amazon's Simon Toyne Page
Simon Toyne
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Review

'A fast moving, thoroughly enjoyable, adventure – plenty of action, plenty of intrigue and a wonderfully imaginative reinterpretation of a slice of religious history. The sort of novel to devour in one sitting’ KATE MOSSE

‘A cool, confident debut … A talented new writer who instinctively grasps the broad rules of superior action thrillers and adapts them with pace, grace, humour and a keen eye for cinematic effect’ DAILY TELEGRAPH

‘In this thriller Toyne creates an intriguing and engaging centrepiece in The Citadel … Relentless pace … An exciting and interesting read. I look forward to returning to Ruin, where there are plenty of stories waiting to be told’ THE SUN

‘High concept, debut conspiracy thrillers don’t come with higher expectations than this. Hard to think of it as a debut, better to think of it as the beginning of a massive new adventure, and a so-long to Dan Brown’ MIRROR

About the Author

Simon Toyne graduated from Goldsmiths College in London with a degree in English and Drama then worked in television for almost twenty years before becoming a novelist. SANCTUS is his first book and also the first volume of the Ruin trilogy. You can find out more at www.simontoyne.net

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 81 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Book of the year! 21 Jun 2011
By Christopher
Format:Hardcover
A perfect Dan Brown style holiday book. But don't be put off by the genré if it's not for you. it's got something for everyone (even good writing): I enjoyed the medieval and pre-medieval religious angles but it also has technology, forensics, puzzles, action, adventure, the odd home made bomb, love (and even skips the inevitably crass sex scenes that always seem to bruise good books.)

Very very ingenious from start to finish. Believable and ingenious make the story work. I had to ration myself so that the book didn't run out too quickly. This is not my favorite genre by any account, yet it hooked me from the start. It's not just a gripping (you won't find me writing 'unputdownable') tale but is well written too: I'm a sucker for bruised orange skylines and clouds described as white beasts, weighed down by their own leaden hearts. It's an easy read too, there is always something happening, and despite the many characters, you are never left wondering who any one is. Get it, you won't be disappointed (but you might ignore your family for a while).
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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars An easy but intriguing read.. 26 May 2011
By Lili76
Format:Hardcover
I am NOT a fan of Dan Brown but do love ancient history, am interested in religion and culture and enjoy a good mystery. This book combines them all. The writer has done a good job of setting the scene and providing the background information without drowning the reader in too much detail.
I enjoyed the twists and turns and the fast pace of plot although I found the ending rather abrupt but this was maybe because i was really getting into the story and didn't want it to end so soon!! I look forward to the next book.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read 30 Aug 2012
By Gem1D
Format:Kindle Edition
Excellent read with overlapping story lines which keep you gripped. Just bought 'The Key', the second book in the trilogy.
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30 of 35 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A page-turning thriller! 25 Feb 2011
By Nigel Seel VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Sanctus is the story of a remnant population of a once powerful Semitic sect whose beliefs centre on the Book of Genesis. The sect lives autonomously within the secular city of Ruin on a mountain in Turkey (with similar status to that of Vatican City in Rome). The sect enjoys miraculous benefits, such as the longevity of the lives of its brotherhood, and is a centre of pilgrimage. The source of these miraculous powers is a well guarded sacrament, known only to the monkish elite in the monastery.

In the opening chapters we meet Brother Samuel, a newly inducted member of the elite who has responded adversely to contact with the sacrament. Samuel has fled the confines of the monastery by the only means possible: climbing the face of the mountain.

The background of the sect and the peculiar nature of the sacrament are revealed through pacey and unrelenting action sequences which make for an excellent read. A rich tapestry of characters, with well-shrouded relationships to the sect, adds to the excitement. The novel is somewhat let down by sketchy characterisation: in particular a failure to create a strong emotional connection with the main character, Liv, in her quest. Had Liv been more fully developed this would have been a truly nail-biting novel.

I was somewhat deflated by its ending; perhaps this is because a sequel is in train and continuing plot-strands had to be maintained. Without revealing too much, I can say that this novel is thoroughly positioned within the time-honoured tradition of misogyny proving to be a driving source in literature.
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44 of 52 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written religious thriller. (Spoiler-free review) 26 Feb 2011
By Discerning TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Sanctus is a thoughtfully constructed novel incorporating a blend of ancient ritualistic and contemporary life. It is particularly well-written with the occasional subtle dash of humour and contains the necessary literary elements to generate an absorbing story. It delves into a fundamental Christian belief and creates a twist to the tale, which will be familiar territory to some. An impressive debut novel that is the first in a forthcoming Sanctus trilogy. The theme does lend itself to a trilogy even though I am bored with the sequel bandwagon and the author has the skill to write successful solus novels. Suitable for non-squeamish teenagers (murders and gory descriptions) to adults. I have the paperback edition and it is larger than the average paperback with a decent font size.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping from first page to the last 3 May 2011
By Christine Drew
Format:Hardcover
This really was the best book I've read in years. I was gripped throughout and couldn't put it down.
Can't wait for the next installment.
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30 of 36 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Sanctus: Simon Toyne 31 Mar 2011
By J. Clark VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
This novel had me riveted from the first page. The plot is very well crafted and so well woven it could be made into a suit! Despite its title, the story is not over weighted with religion. I found it difficult to lay it down, I normally read before retiring for the night and a book of this size would normally take at least a week, I read this in three sessions. Dan Brown, watch your back!
Without writing anything to spoil it, I was a little disappointed with the end, but then it's probably the first of a series (hopefully) and the 'end' in that case, justifies the means!
This is a thoroughly good read. Please, hurry with the sequel(s)......
JC
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Sanctions 13 Feb 2013
By William and Fiona Graham
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
By Simon Toyne

This was a real page turner I could not put it down.

A great book to get lost in will on a long journey you won't be sorry that you picked it.

All the best my friends William
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars good story
I think I read something like this before,however a good story the cover is very good.,would reccormend this book to read
Published 1 hour ago by P. Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book - very Dan Brown!
I thought this book was very well written. Can be thought provoking. Fast moving.

If you like the Dan Brown books you will love this!
Published 4 hours ago by Jennifer J Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly brilliant.
I purchased this solely due to it being on offer, and then forgot about it for some time. Then with an impending long coach journey coming up, I decided to give it a go and boy... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Jon Cowling
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow Burner
A convoluted story at times, with a lot of characters. However, it is a good read and becomes more tense as the story unfolds. Recommended
Published 5 days ago by Adrian Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put the dam ting down and I have SO many other priorities!
Brilliant work. Thoroughly credible and enjoyable read.that I would rate on a par with my favourites like Dean Koontz. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Tony
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to read the next book!
Everyone loves a secret and the Citadel in the old town of Ruin in Turkey has a big secret. So big it has kept it for thousands of years because if this got out............ Read more
Published 6 days ago by Munchy
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling and surprising
Well written, in the style of Dan Brown, races towards the secret of the Sacrament kept in the ancient Citadel.
Published 6 days ago by MR M R DEAN
5.0 out of 5 stars Could Not Put It Down
A new star is born
Fantastic read
Dan Brown watch out
Instantly bought the other books in the series and they do not dissapoint
Published 7 days ago by Stephen Arnott
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!
First novel in a trilogy and what a find. This book is a real page-turner and I look forward to reading the sequels
Published 7 days ago by Jane Austen
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Story
I never guessed the ending! A pretty decent Religious conspiracy tale with plenty to keep you reading to the end.
Published 7 days ago by Pat.W
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