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rinku's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-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
3.0
Sanctuary was such a different book than I expected it to be. Being tagged as a dystopia, I thought it would be more like a classical YA dystopia. Instead, it was a much more contemporary book talking about the struggles of so-called illegal immigrants. In this aspect, the book was good, but the writing itself was lacking at some points, so I couldn’t give more than three stars.
The general dystopian setting had so much potential, but this potential was barely used. Vali, her mother, and her brother live in a future America where so-called illegal immigrants like themselves are being persecuted. This setting was so creepy since it was not too unrealistic, just like the escalation of the situation which forces Vali and her family to flee. While trying to escape, their mom gets caught by the deportation unit and Vali and her brother are on their own.
Around 80% of the novel thus just consists of them fleeing from their home and trying to find their way to California. Most of this was just so depressing, hopeless, and probably depicted the struggles of immigrants quite well. Besides this, Vali’s feelings are portrayed so well. Some parts were a bit over the top with the bad guys and also Vali fell in love with Malakas way too fast . At least, they arrive at their destination in the end. It would’ve been so depressing if they died while trying . I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing itself. At many points throughout the novel, there’s just too much telling, like about Vali’s past or the ending. Additionally, there were not many descriptions, so it wasn’t very vivid.
Like I’ve said, I see what kind of story Sanctuary was trying to tell and I appreciate the authentic insight into the topic. Nevertheless, if the storytelling had been better, I would’ve given a better rating as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, and Deportation
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Slavery
zoethebookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
theoceanrose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Grief
savannahtrice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
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
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent
mirareadsbooksforfun's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
dtvanderwoude's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
I'm a teacher, and I was looking for a novel to teach to my 12th graders involving immigration. When a co-worker suggested Sanctuary, it seemed perfect.
This is a beautiful story about the struggles many immigrants face today, exaggerated, but not by much.
This broke my heart on so many levels. The fact that this is so close to reality. The loss they go through, the need for survival.
I can't wait to read it with my students, I feel like it opened my eyes to SO much.
This is a beautiful story about the struggles many immigrants face today, exaggerated, but not by much.
This broke my heart on so many levels. The fact that this is so close to reality. The loss they go through, the need for survival.
I can't wait to read it with my students, I feel like it opened my eyes to SO much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Xenophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Trafficking, Grief, and Abandonment
reads_cats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, and War
katto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
happilyeveralli's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Trafficking
abookandaspotoftea's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Sexual violence, Blood, Trafficking, and Death of parent