Is Sanctum A Standalone Novel Or Part Of A Series?

Oh, 'Sanctum' is part of a trilogy, and honestly, skipping the first book would be like eating cake without frosting—still good, but missing the best part. Madeleine Roux’s 'Asylum' series is this perfect blend of YA horror and historical mystery, with 'Sanctum' diving deeper into the creepy Brookline asylum lore. The photos and documents scattered throughout add such a cool, immersive touch. I remember loaning my copy to a friend who then binge-read the whole series in two days. That’s how gripping it is!

Sanctum is actually the second book in the 'Asylum' series by Madeleine Roux, and it builds beautifully on the eerie, psychological horror foundation laid by the first book. I stumbled upon this series after craving something with a mix of boarding school mystery and supernatural dread, and wow, did it deliver. The way Roux weaves together old asylum records, photographs, and a creeping sense of unease makes it feel like you’re uncovering secrets alongside the characters. While 'Sanctum' could technically be read alone, you’d miss so much of the character development and underlying tension that starts in the first book, 'Asylum'. The series has this addictive quality—like peeling back layers of a nightmare. I blasted through it in a weekend, and the ending left me itching for the next installment.

What I love about 'Sanctum' specifically is how it ramps up the stakes. The protagonist, Dan, returns to Brookline’s twisted history, and the line between reality and hallucination gets blurrier. There’s a particular scene involving a hidden room that still gives me chills. Roux has a knack for making the past feel alive and dangerous. If you’re into stories where the setting feels like a character itself—think 'Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children' but darker—this series is a must. Just don’t read it alone at night!