Reviews with content warning for Violence - Sanctuary

This book was so incredible! Mendoza and Sher's world building is incredible. When Vali was describing trekking through the desert, I felt like I was right there with her. I found myself reaching for my water over and over. It had the level of cringe that naturally comes with a young adult book, but that could be overlooked by how entrancing the story was. Would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the U.S's history with immigration, but doesn't want to start with heavy non-fiction.

Content Warnings

meb1073's review

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This storyline basically followed the concept of Trump reaching levels of full on dictatorship. I didn't find this dystopian world totally unbelievable (except they'd probably use phones rather than an actual microchip). In fact, it was neat how they took this concept and made it into something creative. It reminded me a lot of how people own fake IDs and the like. I also enjoyed the diversity of characters and how that was used-especially because I enjoy Hispanic culture.
My real issue with the plot was that at times it was unrealistic...not because of the premise, but the way that the main character was able to survive. One example was when she

received $10,000 from Sister Lottie for the coyote...

. I hate to say it, but why would she give so much to a total stranger? Especially with everyone else there at that. Maybe if the mother was close friends with her, but still. Even in general, while there are a lot of undocumented immigrants, it seemed unrealistic that there would be SO many living just in their town...I mean her best friend, the store owner, the soccer coach, and them? That's a big group of people. I feel like it would've been more interesting had it been more rare or secretive.
The plot at times was corny, if not predictable. The

deaths of many of the characters

was predictable, maybe because of the scenario but also it just seemed set up to happen. The

love story with Malakas and Val

was an example of this. It took place over MAYBE a week or two, and honestly if I was starving and that close to death I wouldn't even be thinking of that. Maybe when they got to their destination, but not still travelling.
I think this book was great, but it had a lot more potential to be greater.

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caitlink's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I was so happy that Vali and her brother finally got to California. I was just wondering throughout the book will at least they make? And they did.

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funkylitchick's review

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challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

mirareadsbooksforfun's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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happilyeveralli's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I can't describe how much I love subtle dystopias. Sure, the Hunger Games is an almost-masterpiece, but sometimes I just want a dystopia that feels so much like our world that it makes you shake in your boots. That's what Sanctuary is. It feels like a nightmare—far from our world, but sadly not unreachable. Listening to the book also gave it another layer of emotion. I cried and laughed with the characters; felt their joy and pain. It's very likely and basically impossible that I'll ever experience anything like the main characters, but I could only hope that in their world, they end up just fine.

Content Warnings

margaridapd's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

abookandaspotoftea's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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