• Sanctus

  • A Novel
  • By: Simon Toyne
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (315 ratings)

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Sanctus  By  cover art

Sanctus

By: Simon Toyne
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Publisher's summary

One man’s sacrifice shocks the world....

One woman’s courage threatens a conspiracy as old as humankind.

And some will do anything—anything—to keep their secrets in the dark.

A man climbs a cliff face in the oldest inhabited place on earth, a mountain known as the Citadel, a Vatican-like city-state that towers above the city of Ruin in modern-day Turkey. But this is no ordinary ascent. It is a dangerous, symbolic act. And thanks to the media, it is an event witnessed by the entire world.

Few people understand its consequence. But for foundation worker Kathryn Mann and a handful of others, it’s evidence that a revolution is at hand. For the Sancti, the cowled and secretive monks who live inside the Citadel, it could mean the end of everything they have built. They will stop at nothing to keep what is theirs, and they will break every law in every country and even kill to hold it fast. For American reporter Liv Adamsen, it spurs the memory of the beloved brother she lost years before, setting her on a journey across the world and into the heart of her own identity.

There, she will make a discovery so shocking that it will change everything.

©2011 Simon Toyne (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

What listeners say about Sanctus

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    108
  • 4 Stars
    124
  • 3 Stars
    62
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    11
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    162
  • 4 Stars
    90
  • 3 Stars
    31
  • 2 Stars
    1
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    4
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    97
  • 4 Stars
    108
  • 3 Stars
    58
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    11

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Intrigue, Drama. Suspense, Mystery and more...

From the very first sentance spoken, you can not prevent yourself from being taken back to an ancient world by the talents of of Simon Vance's narration...he was like a "one man performance" who's wide range of "character voices" let you forget it was all one narrator and gave such an "added value" to the book...this only helps to let the story line take you into a world what seemed like hundreds of years ago while the story would keep bringing me back to the present day, I found this such a bonus of Simon Toyne to be able to transcend the centuries continually through the book with such a smooth transition each time...as I could feel the dampness of the Citadel walls and the smells which would accompany it, I could also see every visual and snipit of a present day drama in a far away land...all "said and read", this was probably the best "read-listen" to date for me...needless to say I searched for more from this team and found none...just another strong example of, "enjoy the journey" through your read...and savour each chapter...

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, I wouldn't recommend the book but I'll bet that it would make an exciting movie.

Would you ever listen to anything by Simon Toyne again?

No, the research was sloppy and the story didn't warrant the time spent listening. Several facts about Turkey, where the majority of the action takes place were downright wrong. Mr. Toyne should have gone to Turkey and spent some time in there before writing about it.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is a great narrator. He is able to play several characters very convincingly. As a matter of fact, at one point I checked the website to see if there were more than one narrator.

Could you see Sanctus being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, it would be a successful movie.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant writer - fun, interesting, page turner

Would you listen to Sanctus again? Why?

Not in the near future. I was completely engaged throughout the narration and remember the story in detail so hearing it again now would be pointless. BUT - I must state that I Ioved the story. I found that the short chapter format helped to ratchet up the tension. I would have preferred more depth to the main characters and I feel that some of the best liked characters are cut out of the story too early. But there is so much to this plot that even these few shortcomings do not detract from the ebb and flow of a superb start to a trilogy. After hearing book one, I listened to book 2 the next day and pre-ordered book 3.

What did you like best about this story?

It gives a lot of room for thought about fundamental theological rhetoric but it does so through action and adventure. I had time to enjoy the action even while pondering the mysteries of the universe.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Actually I like Simon Vance the best when he was telling the story and not doing any of the characters. He is very, very good at telling a story. I felt like he had too many angry, raspy character voices that all sounded too similar. I also felt like the voices for Gabriel and Liv were not great.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Liv discovers the identity of the Sacrament. It was also a moment that was too short and underdeveloped. I don't know what is in book 3 but there is hardly any material presented here about the Sacrament and the time of origin. I feel that this topic should have been presented with much more background.

Any additional comments?

A good fun read for me. Made me a fan of Simon Toyne.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good them, but lost in the conflict

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The theme of the book was great; really interesting perspective. Unfortunately it was lost with all the different factions competing for control; names were confusing, it was so hard to tell who was who and it severly detracted from the story. I nearly abandoned the book midway through for this reason

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Eliminate or at least cut down from the shoot em up parts.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have not listened

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Possibly

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting slow at first but picks up

What did you love best about Sanctus?

The story line was unusal for me, liked the characters The historic background was very informative for me I had never heard of Ruin

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course the girl but I liked Gab as a strong silent type Liked all of them

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

I must admit he has a talent and it shows, I would gladly listen to him again

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Maybe not extreme, but I was not surpised that man could be so cruel,women have always been a problem if they are powerful, man really doesn't cope well in this case it was extreme results

Any additional comments?

Great story and I am listening to the Key now.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Better than I expected

This one sat for awhile after I bought it. Once I started it, I was caught up in the story. I enjoyed it quite a bit but there were some parts that left me wondering how the author would deal with wrapping things up. Apparently, that is for the rest of the series. I've read reviews of the next installments and I'm not sure if I will pursue them or not - but there are loose ends that I'd like to explore so I might. That is not intended to detract from this 1st installment at all - it was a good ride.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting twist

Would you consider the audio edition of Sanctus to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the mystery of the story and the characters.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I adore Simon Vance's voice and picked the book for this reason.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of My Favorites

I've read this series so many times and still adore it. I've never heard the audiobook version before, and boy, Simon Vance sure did a fantastic job! I'll definitely be listening to this multiple times. I highly recommend this book and the series as a whole.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Sanctus, not so much...

Uneven read at best. At the end I found myself indifferent. There are better options to indulge in.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Seriously??

Because I can't give away the ending, all I will say is I listened 11 hours for that resolution, or sort of resolution. I will listen to anything narrated by Simon Vance, which is the only think that kept me from a one star. I will not be listening to the rest of the series, even though the ending is a setup for the next book. Can it get any weirder.

That is, I know this is a alternate religious/political reality but that doesn't make sloppy details acceptable. For instance, Liv explains her last name based on Nordic surname nomenclature, but she gives the pattern for men not women. And ultrasounds were certainly around when she was born. And when is the last time you saw a cigarette ashtray in the arm of an airplane seat.

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