A review by bardo
Sanctuary by Abby Sher, Paola Mendoza

5.0

Immigrants are destroying the United States and there must be strong action to stop it. These immigrant criminals bring violence, danger, disease, and death wherever they go; set on destroying order and authority. This is the rhetoric Vali has been hearing her whole life, as an illegal immigrant. California has succeeded and declared itself an immigrant safe zone, can Vali make it there before she is capture? Sanctuary is a raw and honest depiction of the immigrant experience and the human urge to be safe. Mendoza and Sher perfectly render the dangerous journey an immigrant must travel to safety. Vali is a relatable character who wants to keep her mother and younger brother safe even when the government wants to destroy them. She is a force to be reckoned with but has to find her strength continually throughout the journey. Her unwavering love for her brother with pull at readers heartstrings and ache for the two children. Mendoza and Sher do not shy away from the current rhetoric of how immigrants are seen in the US, using this real life issue to fuel the near-future plot of Sanctuary. Right from the first page, the fast paced plot and heart pounding writing will leave readers breathless and tears in their eyes.

An advanced readers copy was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review