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Sanctuary
A near future dystopian where a young girl and her brother must escape a xenophobic government to find sanctuary.
It's 2032, and in this near-future America, all citizens are chipped and everyone is tracked--from buses to grocery stores. It's almost impossible to survive as an undocumented immigrant, but that's exactly what sixteen-year-old Vali is doing. She and her family have carved out a stable, happy life in small-town Vermont, but when Vali's mother's counterfeit chip starts malfunctioning and the Deportation Forces raid their town, they are forced to flee.
Now on the run, Vali and her family are desperately trying to make it to her tía Luna's in California, a sanctuary state that is currently being walled off from the rest of the country. But when Vali's mother is detained before their journey even really begins, Vali must carry on with her younger brother across the country to make it to safety before it's too late.
It's 2032, and in this near-future America, all citizens are chipped and everyone is tracked--from buses to grocery stores. It's almost impossible to survive as an undocumented immigrant, but that's exactly what sixteen-year-old Vali is doing. She and her family have carved out a stable, happy life in small-town Vermont, but when Vali's mother's counterfeit chip starts malfunctioning and the Deportation Forces raid their town, they are forced to flee.
Now on the run, Vali and her family are desperately trying to make it to her tía Luna's in California, a sanctuary state that is currently being walled off from the rest of the country. But when Vali's mother is detained before their journey even really begins, Vali must carry on with her younger brother across the country to make it to safety before it's too late.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 669 reviews
August 9, 2020
This book is gut wrenching. It is a terrifying near future dystopian novel set in 2032 where a wall has been put up between the US and Mexico. The US government has a leader set on eliminating all undocumented immigrants. Going so far as throwing people in concentration camps, separating families, and murdering people. Our main character Vali is undocumented as well as her parents, and when her and Ernie, her eight year old brother, are separated from them, they have to journey across the country by foot in the hopes for sanctuary. Everyone has an ID chip implanted in their wrists and Vali's fake one won't last her much longer. I felt for Vali and her brother deeply. I was so invested in what was happening to them and I was rooting so hard for them the entire book. The scariest part about this book is how possible this reality truly feels. This could really happen if the country continues to go in the direction that it is. It is such an important novel that sheds light on the terror that undocumented immigrants must feel in our society. I grew very attached to Vali because she amazed me with her strength. I admired how she would do absolutely anything for her brother. She reminded me a bit of one of my favorite characters, Katniss Everdeen, because of that quality of fierce love for her sibling. I definitely think this book should be picked up when it comes out September 1st! While it isn't necessarily an "enjoyable" read since it is such a heartbreaking story, it is undeniably a page turner. It didn't end up giving me that full five star feeling, but it was still a great book!
September 5, 2021
Habe es eben beendet und bin ein bisschen überfordert, ein bisschen verloren, ein bisschen verzweifelt. Rezension folgt, ich muss nur… ich weiß nicht. Durchatmen. Nachdenken. Zurechtkommen.
_
4 Sterne | Pluspunkte: Erschreckend, packend, im Gedächtnis bleibend | Minuspunkte: Etwas unausgereifter Schreibstil | TW: Rassismus, Tod, sexuelle Übergriffe
Im Jahr 2032 werden alle Bürger*innen der USA durch einen ID-Chip dokumentiert – zumindest die, die legal im Land leben. Vali und ihre Mutter gehören nicht dazu. Der Hass gegen Undokumentierte wächst immer weiter, der Präsident beginnt eine Hetzjagd, und sie müssen fliehen. Als die Familie getrennt wird, muss Vali mit ihrem kleinen Bruder allein weiter, obwohl sie nicht weiß, wie.
Auch wenn es erst ein paar Tage her ist, dass ich „Sanctuary“ beendet habe, weiß ich schon, dass mir dieses Buch noch eine ganze Weile nachhängen wird. Den Minuspunkt bezüglich des Schreibstils werde ich auch nicht weiter ausführen. Es gibt so viel Wichtigeres zu sagen. Dabei kann ich euch gar nicht vernünftig erklären, wie ich mich während des Lesens und vor allem nach dem Abschluss dieser Geschichte gefühlt habe. Wie der Anriss des Inhalts schon verdeutlicht, handelt es sich bei „Sanctuary“ um eine Near-Feature-Dystopie – und die Bezeichnung trifft es wirklich, denn so vieles von dem, was über die Seiten hinweg erzählt wird, fühlt sich erschreckend real, nah und möglich an. Einiges davon ist es sogar.
Das Buch lebt von den Emotionen, die es vermittelt. Unglaube, Wut, Angst, Trauer, Verzweiflung und noch so viel mehr haben mich über die Seiten hinweg immer wieder für sich eingenommen. Ich war hin- und hergerissen zwischen dem Wunsch, dass nichts davon jemals in Wirklichkeit passieren würde und dem Wissen, dass so vieles davon schon längst geschieht. Es passiert, während ich lese. Während ich diese Zeilen tippe. Während ich mir ein neues Buch aussuche. Denn das ist die Wahrheit: Für mich war es „nur“ eine Geschichte, die von der nächsten abgelöst wird – aber für viele andere ist es Realität. Und das macht dieses Buch so bedeutsam, so erschreckend und prägend.
Eine klare Empfehlung trotz kleinerer Schwächen, weil es sich für alles andere lohnt. Vor allem für das eigene Bewusstsein.
_
4 Sterne | Pluspunkte: Erschreckend, packend, im Gedächtnis bleibend | Minuspunkte: Etwas unausgereifter Schreibstil | TW: Rassismus, Tod, sexuelle Übergriffe
Im Jahr 2032 werden alle Bürger*innen der USA durch einen ID-Chip dokumentiert – zumindest die, die legal im Land leben. Vali und ihre Mutter gehören nicht dazu. Der Hass gegen Undokumentierte wächst immer weiter, der Präsident beginnt eine Hetzjagd, und sie müssen fliehen. Als die Familie getrennt wird, muss Vali mit ihrem kleinen Bruder allein weiter, obwohl sie nicht weiß, wie.
Auch wenn es erst ein paar Tage her ist, dass ich „Sanctuary“ beendet habe, weiß ich schon, dass mir dieses Buch noch eine ganze Weile nachhängen wird. Den Minuspunkt bezüglich des Schreibstils werde ich auch nicht weiter ausführen. Es gibt so viel Wichtigeres zu sagen. Dabei kann ich euch gar nicht vernünftig erklären, wie ich mich während des Lesens und vor allem nach dem Abschluss dieser Geschichte gefühlt habe. Wie der Anriss des Inhalts schon verdeutlicht, handelt es sich bei „Sanctuary“ um eine Near-Feature-Dystopie – und die Bezeichnung trifft es wirklich, denn so vieles von dem, was über die Seiten hinweg erzählt wird, fühlt sich erschreckend real, nah und möglich an. Einiges davon ist es sogar.
Das Buch lebt von den Emotionen, die es vermittelt. Unglaube, Wut, Angst, Trauer, Verzweiflung und noch so viel mehr haben mich über die Seiten hinweg immer wieder für sich eingenommen. Ich war hin- und hergerissen zwischen dem Wunsch, dass nichts davon jemals in Wirklichkeit passieren würde und dem Wissen, dass so vieles davon schon längst geschieht. Es passiert, während ich lese. Während ich diese Zeilen tippe. Während ich mir ein neues Buch aussuche. Denn das ist die Wahrheit: Für mich war es „nur“ eine Geschichte, die von der nächsten abgelöst wird – aber für viele andere ist es Realität. Und das macht dieses Buch so bedeutsam, so erschreckend und prägend.
Eine klare Empfehlung trotz kleinerer Schwächen, weil es sich für alles andere lohnt. Vor allem für das eigene Bewusstsein.
April 3, 2023
yeah. this would be much more enjoyable to read if it was truly a dystopian novel. but it's 2032, not far off, and the terrors experienced by vali and her family are way too real. many of these horrors are already taking place in our country, and those that aren't yet are painfully believable.
a huge wall on the southern border of the US, constant threat of deportation for immigrants, displacement and separation of families, a surveillance state, public schools with gun-wielding teachers, ID chips to distinguish the documented from the undocumented, concentration camps, violent raids, drones that scoop up sanctuary-seekers, water scarcity and climate disasters.
this isn't a future i want. and i'm not even sure if a book like this can help us to avoid it. vali's ending is hopeful, and her story is impactful, but god it's disturbing.
sanctuary goes beyond any fun escapist dystopian adventures i've read before. this is story is real, and it knows it is.
a huge wall on the southern border of the US, constant threat of deportation for immigrants, displacement and separation of families, a surveillance state, public schools with gun-wielding teachers, ID chips to distinguish the documented from the undocumented, concentration camps, violent raids, drones that scoop up sanctuary-seekers, water scarcity and climate disasters.
this isn't a future i want. and i'm not even sure if a book like this can help us to avoid it. vali's ending is hopeful, and her story is impactful, but god it's disturbing.
The sky was made of a billion eyes, the earth was simmering with hate.
sanctuary goes beyond any fun escapist dystopian adventures i've read before. this is story is real, and it knows it is.
September 1, 2020
I wondered what he was thinking or feeling or wishing he’d said to his family the last time he saw them. The last time he’d probably ever see them.
Sanctuary is a YA dystopian novel set in the not so distant future of 2032. The “Great American Wall” has been built between Mexico and California, citizens are CHIPPED as proof of residency, undocumented immigrants are treated HORRIBLY (I mean, I realize this isn’t far off from the deplorable treatment people receive in 2020, but it’s another level in this world) and censorship is on a level that doesn’t feel so unbelievable considering the current climate of this country.
Vali is a 16 year old girl who has already lived a stress inducing and tragic life as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. Her family fled when she was young from a war torn and dangerous Columbia, and has been stress clenching their teeth in a xenophobic run country ever since. Vali is now on the run with her American born younger brother, to cross country from Maine back to California to try to reach sanctuary there. I don’t want to say too much about the plot, because as hard as it is to read you kind of need to read it unfold naturally, so you feel Vali’s pain and desperation as it stacks up.
She is a strong character. Stronger than many that I’ve ever read, and it really puts into deeper perspective what children of immigrants or undocumented immigrants in this country feel and fear. Just imagine, for a second, your home where you were born is essentially a ticking time bomb. Any day you could wake up and be shot because it’s war torn. The only other option is to live in a country where you are treated like a criminal or a vicious animal for no other reason than the color of your skin or where you were originally born. It’s just, heartbreaking. It’s sick that this book doesn’t even feel impossible. I wish it felt like it was so unreal, but this book and it’s messages hit hard because Vali’s fears and desperation for safety and security don’t feel unreal.
All in all this is a great read. Do I think that it’s one that will be impactful and affect people who read it enough that they need to discuss afterward, yes. It is not light reading, but as heavy as it is there is a bit of hope by the end. Feels a bit like a cautionary tale. Like if we don’t wake up in this country, we could be here, and it’s not ok.
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC provided by PenguinTeen through NetGalley
Sanctuary is a YA dystopian novel set in the not so distant future of 2032. The “Great American Wall” has been built between Mexico and California, citizens are CHIPPED as proof of residency, undocumented immigrants are treated HORRIBLY (I mean, I realize this isn’t far off from the deplorable treatment people receive in 2020, but it’s another level in this world) and censorship is on a level that doesn’t feel so unbelievable considering the current climate of this country.
Vali is a 16 year old girl who has already lived a stress inducing and tragic life as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. Her family fled when she was young from a war torn and dangerous Columbia, and has been stress clenching their teeth in a xenophobic run country ever since. Vali is now on the run with her American born younger brother, to cross country from Maine back to California to try to reach sanctuary there. I don’t want to say too much about the plot, because as hard as it is to read you kind of need to read it unfold naturally, so you feel Vali’s pain and desperation as it stacks up.
She is a strong character. Stronger than many that I’ve ever read, and it really puts into deeper perspective what children of immigrants or undocumented immigrants in this country feel and fear. Just imagine, for a second, your home where you were born is essentially a ticking time bomb. Any day you could wake up and be shot because it’s war torn. The only other option is to live in a country where you are treated like a criminal or a vicious animal for no other reason than the color of your skin or where you were originally born. It’s just, heartbreaking. It’s sick that this book doesn’t even feel impossible. I wish it felt like it was so unreal, but this book and it’s messages hit hard because Vali’s fears and desperation for safety and security don’t feel unreal.
All in all this is a great read. Do I think that it’s one that will be impactful and affect people who read it enough that they need to discuss afterward, yes. It is not light reading, but as heavy as it is there is a bit of hope by the end. Feels a bit like a cautionary tale. Like if we don’t wake up in this country, we could be here, and it’s not ok.
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC provided by PenguinTeen through NetGalley
September 29, 2020
TW: Gun violence, physical violence, attempted rape
In the spring of 2018, the Trump administration led a relentless pursuit of detainment, deportations and continued family separations.
The worst part of this book is the fact that many of the events that happen in this book could have been stolen right from U.S. news headlines. No matter how bleak, how violent, how utterly inhumane this story could get, reality always one-upped it.
This is a very powerful, important story about undocumented immigrant Valeria and her fight for survival. Her story will resonate, especially in times like these where immigrants are seen as vermin, as thieves of resources that belong only to certain people. Throughout her fight for survival, Vali sees families being torn apart, the death of innocence and the absolute disregard for human rights. Through no fault of their own, they have become the prey.
Personally, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wish I had (I mean, is it even meant to be enjoyed? It's more of a wake up call if you ask me). I definitely see its importance and significance, but there was a lack of connection between the characters & I that I couldn't quite grow into which hindered my complete immersion into this story. I also felt like most of the characters (really everyone except Vali) were underdeveloped and just used as tools for Vali's own journey.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is willing to learn more about the struggles, prejudices & injustices immigrants face day in and day out.
In the spring of 2018, the Trump administration led a relentless pursuit of detainment, deportations and continued family separations.
The worst part of this book is the fact that many of the events that happen in this book could have been stolen right from U.S. news headlines. No matter how bleak, how violent, how utterly inhumane this story could get, reality always one-upped it.
This is a very powerful, important story about undocumented immigrant Valeria and her fight for survival. Her story will resonate, especially in times like these where immigrants are seen as vermin, as thieves of resources that belong only to certain people. Throughout her fight for survival, Vali sees families being torn apart, the death of innocence and the absolute disregard for human rights. Through no fault of their own, they have become the prey.
Personally, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wish I had (I mean, is it even meant to be enjoyed? It's more of a wake up call if you ask me). I definitely see its importance and significance, but there was a lack of connection between the characters & I that I couldn't quite grow into which hindered my complete immersion into this story. I also felt like most of the characters (really everyone except Vali) were underdeveloped and just used as tools for Vali's own journey.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is willing to learn more about the struggles, prejudices & injustices immigrants face day in and day out.
August 13, 2021
"Zu gehen ist ein bisschen, wie zu sterben. Anzukommen heißt, nie anzukommen". - Gebet der Migranten [S. 99]
Das Autorinnen-Duo Paola Mendoza und Abby Sher haben mit "Sanctuary" ein "Was wäre wenn" -Szenario erschaffen, was durchaus denkbar wäre: Im Jahr 2032 hat die US-Regierung den Plan, eine Mauer an der Grenze zu Mexico zu bauen, in die Tat umgesetzt und macht mit Hilfe von ID-Chips gnadenlos Jagd auf illegale Einwanderer.
Dabei setzen sich die beiden Autorinnen gezielt mit den furchtbaren Erfahrungen von flüchtenden Menschen auseinander, wobei sie die Grenze zwischen Fiktion und Realität stark verschwimmen lassen. Das hat bei mir dafür gesorgt, dass sich das Buch mehr und mehr zu einem "Page-Turner" entwickelt hat, auch wenn mir das Erzähltempo ab und an zu hoch war und das Buch erzählerische Lücken aufweist. Ich glaube, dass Vorkenntnisse zur amerikanischen Migrationspolitik u.a. hilfreich wären, um diese Lücken zu füllen; ich wusste zum Beispiel gar nicht, dass es einen Güterzug gibt, der "La Bestia" genannt wird und mit dessen Hilfe Migranten versuchen, Mexico in Richtung USA zu durchqueren.. Aber sei's drum, die Emotionen kamen jedenfalls bei mir an. Vali ist eine starke Protagonistin die ihr Möglichstes tut, um sich und ihren Lieben ein sicheres Leben zu ermöglichen. Ihren Weg zu verfolgen, ist eine gleichermaßen schmerzhafte wie wichtige Erfahrung, von der ich froh bin, sie gemacht zu haben. Auf der Welt herrscht ein Ungleichgewicht und das Wissen darum, wird hoffentlich dafür sorgen, dass die Dinge irgendwann einmal besser werden. Weswegen es umso wichtiger ist, dass solche Themen im Bereich Jugendbuch angesprochen werden. Apropos, das Buch wird als Dystopie beworben, ist aber bei genauerer Betrachtung keine, was von Abby Sher im Nachwort auch genauer erklärt wird. Wer eine Geschichte wie Panem und Co erwartet wird am Ende sicherlich enttäuscht sein...
Das Autorinnen-Duo Paola Mendoza und Abby Sher haben mit "Sanctuary" ein "Was wäre wenn" -Szenario erschaffen, was durchaus denkbar wäre: Im Jahr 2032 hat die US-Regierung den Plan, eine Mauer an der Grenze zu Mexico zu bauen, in die Tat umgesetzt und macht mit Hilfe von ID-Chips gnadenlos Jagd auf illegale Einwanderer.
Dabei setzen sich die beiden Autorinnen gezielt mit den furchtbaren Erfahrungen von flüchtenden Menschen auseinander, wobei sie die Grenze zwischen Fiktion und Realität stark verschwimmen lassen. Das hat bei mir dafür gesorgt, dass sich das Buch mehr und mehr zu einem "Page-Turner" entwickelt hat, auch wenn mir das Erzähltempo ab und an zu hoch war und das Buch erzählerische Lücken aufweist. Ich glaube, dass Vorkenntnisse zur amerikanischen Migrationspolitik u.a. hilfreich wären, um diese Lücken zu füllen; ich wusste zum Beispiel gar nicht, dass es einen Güterzug gibt, der "La Bestia" genannt wird und mit dessen Hilfe Migranten versuchen, Mexico in Richtung USA zu durchqueren.. Aber sei's drum, die Emotionen kamen jedenfalls bei mir an. Vali ist eine starke Protagonistin die ihr Möglichstes tut, um sich und ihren Lieben ein sicheres Leben zu ermöglichen. Ihren Weg zu verfolgen, ist eine gleichermaßen schmerzhafte wie wichtige Erfahrung, von der ich froh bin, sie gemacht zu haben. Auf der Welt herrscht ein Ungleichgewicht und das Wissen darum, wird hoffentlich dafür sorgen, dass die Dinge irgendwann einmal besser werden. Weswegen es umso wichtiger ist, dass solche Themen im Bereich Jugendbuch angesprochen werden. Apropos, das Buch wird als Dystopie beworben, ist aber bei genauerer Betrachtung keine, was von Abby Sher im Nachwort auch genauer erklärt wird. Wer eine Geschichte wie Panem und Co erwartet wird am Ende sicherlich enttäuscht sein...
March 4, 2021
This is probably one of the hardest books I listened to in a long time. Ripped my heart to shreds. It's one of the books that gave me goosebumps, and just the possibility of it all gave me shivers. It was all too close to comfort.
Important read!!
Important read!!
September 11, 2020
What if the American President was in his third term, there was a giant wall and land mines at the U.S. Mexico border, everyone had chips in their wrist to track their identity, and undocumented immigrants were being viciously hunted down by militant government forces? Oh and California is seceding to offer sanctuary...this is the near future dystopian world woven in YA novel Sanctuary. It's brutal and horrifying.
The main character is Vali, a teen girl from Colombia who is living as an undocumented immigrant with her mother and her younger brother (born in the U.S.). Vali and her mom have fake chips, but they know they won't work forever. When California secedes and the government clamps down harder than ever, they must go on the run and take a perilous journey in hopes of getting to California.
I'm not kidding when I say this book is brutal, though mirroring the real life experiences of many undocumented immigrants fleeing to America today. Without specific spoilers but including things that take place as part of the plot, people are taken away, brutalized, die, and experience extreme conditions including heat and lack of food or water. Part of the journey involves paying thousands of dollars for passage with a coyote (person who secretly transports people across borders) where things go wrong. There is threat of sexual violence to the MC, off-page sexual violence toward other women, the death of children, and more.
This book can be difficult to read due to the content and doesn't offer a neatly wrapped up ending either. Rather it seems intended to raise awareness and push people to think about where things could go and what it might require to bring any kind of change. And for that, I think it's a very effective and powerful (if terrifying) story that feels reminiscent to 1984 in tone. The book suffers a bit from a relatively straightforward plot that never really surprised me, and because this isn't contemporary fiction I would have liked to see more intrigue and understanding of what's happening in the wider world. Instead this is a more narrow story that focuses on the experience of one family, and perhaps that's exactly what it intended to do. I would definitely still recommend this. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The main character is Vali, a teen girl from Colombia who is living as an undocumented immigrant with her mother and her younger brother (born in the U.S.). Vali and her mom have fake chips, but they know they won't work forever. When California secedes and the government clamps down harder than ever, they must go on the run and take a perilous journey in hopes of getting to California.
I'm not kidding when I say this book is brutal, though mirroring the real life experiences of many undocumented immigrants fleeing to America today. Without specific spoilers but including things that take place as part of the plot, people are taken away, brutalized, die, and experience extreme conditions including heat and lack of food or water. Part of the journey involves paying thousands of dollars for passage with a coyote (person who secretly transports people across borders) where things go wrong. There is threat of sexual violence to the MC, off-page sexual violence toward other women, the death of children, and more.
This book can be difficult to read due to the content and doesn't offer a neatly wrapped up ending either. Rather it seems intended to raise awareness and push people to think about where things could go and what it might require to bring any kind of change. And for that, I think it's a very effective and powerful (if terrifying) story that feels reminiscent to 1984 in tone. The book suffers a bit from a relatively straightforward plot that never really surprised me, and because this isn't contemporary fiction I would have liked to see more intrigue and understanding of what's happening in the wider world. Instead this is a more narrow story that focuses on the experience of one family, and perhaps that's exactly what it intended to do. I would definitely still recommend this. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 23, 2021
Im Jahr 2032 werden illegale Einwanderer in den USA sehr streng verfolgt. Plötzlich ruft der Präsident den nationalen Notstand aus und die Deportationseinheit beginnt, überall "Illegale" aufzuspüren und mitzunehmen - man weiß nicht, wohin. Vali kam vor zehn Jahren mit ihrer Familie in die USA, ihre Mutter und sie selbst haben falsche ID-Chips, ihr kleiner Bruder Ernie wurde aber im Land geboren und hat daher sogar einen richtigen ID-Chip. Leider können die falschen Chips auch versagen und sie müssen fliehen.
Vali war schon ihr ganzes Leben lang vorsichtig, um nicht erwischt zu werden, aber als die Lage sich zuspitzt, reicht das nicht mehr. Auf ihrer Suche nach einem sicheren Ort begegnet sie vielen Menschen, deren Schicksal ihr am Herzen liegt, aber sie kann nicht jedem helfen und muss eher zusehen, dass sie sich selbst und ihren Bruder in Sicherheit bringt. Ernie fand ich dabei schon oft etwas nervig, weil er es eigentlich ist, der immer für zusätzliche Probleme sorgt, aber er ist ja auch nur ein Kind. Valis Umgang mit ihrem launischen Bruder war nicht perfekt, aber gerade dadurch sehr überzeugend.
Die erste Hälfte des Buches hat teilweise schon ein beinahe gemütliches Tempo, sodass ich trotz des ernsten Themas nicht zu viel erwartet habe. Die Stimmung wird aber zunehmend düsterer, als die Flucht immer länger und komplizierter wird und Vali immer mehr Krisen bewältigen muss. Man kann richtig spüren, wie bedrohlich die Situation ist, die Angst, Verzweiflung und Hoffnungslosigkeit ist allgegenwertig. Im Kontrast dazu sieht man die amerikanischen Bürger, die ganz normal weiterleben, während um sie herum Leben zerstört werden.
Abby Sher meint im Nachwort, dass dies keine Dystopie sei, denn beim Schreiben hätten sie zwar eine düstere und grausame Zukunft malen wollen, aber die Realität war schon so schlimm, dass ihre Visionen das nicht steigern konnten. Meiner Meinung nach fühlt es sich aber schon trotzdem wie eine Dystopie an, auch wenn die Schritte Richtung düsterer Zukunft letztendlich nicht so groß waren wie ursprünglich geplant.
Fazit
In "Sanctuary" bekommt man während Valis spannender Flucht einen guten Eindruck davon, wie sich undokumentierte Einwanderer in einem Land fühlen, das sie nicht haben will und wie sich die Lage noch entwickeln könnte, wenn es so weitergeht.
Vali war schon ihr ganzes Leben lang vorsichtig, um nicht erwischt zu werden, aber als die Lage sich zuspitzt, reicht das nicht mehr. Auf ihrer Suche nach einem sicheren Ort begegnet sie vielen Menschen, deren Schicksal ihr am Herzen liegt, aber sie kann nicht jedem helfen und muss eher zusehen, dass sie sich selbst und ihren Bruder in Sicherheit bringt. Ernie fand ich dabei schon oft etwas nervig, weil er es eigentlich ist, der immer für zusätzliche Probleme sorgt, aber er ist ja auch nur ein Kind. Valis Umgang mit ihrem launischen Bruder war nicht perfekt, aber gerade dadurch sehr überzeugend.
Die erste Hälfte des Buches hat teilweise schon ein beinahe gemütliches Tempo, sodass ich trotz des ernsten Themas nicht zu viel erwartet habe. Die Stimmung wird aber zunehmend düsterer, als die Flucht immer länger und komplizierter wird und Vali immer mehr Krisen bewältigen muss. Man kann richtig spüren, wie bedrohlich die Situation ist, die Angst, Verzweiflung und Hoffnungslosigkeit ist allgegenwertig. Im Kontrast dazu sieht man die amerikanischen Bürger, die ganz normal weiterleben, während um sie herum Leben zerstört werden.
Abby Sher meint im Nachwort, dass dies keine Dystopie sei, denn beim Schreiben hätten sie zwar eine düstere und grausame Zukunft malen wollen, aber die Realität war schon so schlimm, dass ihre Visionen das nicht steigern konnten. Meiner Meinung nach fühlt es sich aber schon trotzdem wie eine Dystopie an, auch wenn die Schritte Richtung düsterer Zukunft letztendlich nicht so groß waren wie ursprünglich geplant.
Fazit
In "Sanctuary" bekommt man während Valis spannender Flucht einen guten Eindruck davon, wie sich undokumentierte Einwanderer in einem Land fühlen, das sie nicht haben will und wie sich die Lage noch entwickeln könnte, wenn es so weitergeht.
August 31, 2020
Thank you PenguinTeen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sanctuary was absolutely heart breaking to read. Set in 2032, which isn’t so far in the future we see a United States that I would never want to live in. The President has made a Great American Wall between Mexico and the United States and treats undocumented immigrants horribly. California decides to become their own country and be a safe haven for undocumented immigrants. The President immediately starts putting up another wall between California and the other states.
This book follows Vali, who is originally from Columbia but her family moved to the United States to have a better life. It is just her mother and younger brother now, and they live in Vermont and are scared every day that the DF or the Deportation Force is going to find them. Every citizen of the United States has a chip in their wrist that lets everyone know they are a citizen and not an undocumented immigrant. Vali and her mother have fake chips in their arms, but her little brother Ernie does have a real one because he was born in the US. The President announces that an upgrade to the chips will be happening, and it will let everyone know who has fake chips and they will be deported. Vali and her family are on the run to California, to the now safe haven country.
Sanctuary was really hard to read at times because I was completely invested with the characters. The journey from Vermont to California was so terrifying and horrible, I cried reading about what they had to go through. The scariest thing about this book was how realistic it is, 2032 is not far off in the future and so many things that happened in this book are sadly happening now. It just feels like this book is a look into the future if we do not change things. A scary future where the government controls every single thing in your life, and illegals have to go to labor camps to pay off their debt to America, which what even? This book made me feel every emotion and I do hope there is a sequel because I would like to know what Vali plans to do and some things were left open ended. All in all, this was a spectacular look into a dystopian future that I would never ever want. It is a real life look at how undocumented immigrants are treated now, and how that needs to change.
Sanctuary was absolutely heart breaking to read. Set in 2032, which isn’t so far in the future we see a United States that I would never want to live in. The President has made a Great American Wall between Mexico and the United States and treats undocumented immigrants horribly. California decides to become their own country and be a safe haven for undocumented immigrants. The President immediately starts putting up another wall between California and the other states.
This book follows Vali, who is originally from Columbia but her family moved to the United States to have a better life. It is just her mother and younger brother now, and they live in Vermont and are scared every day that the DF or the Deportation Force is going to find them. Every citizen of the United States has a chip in their wrist that lets everyone know they are a citizen and not an undocumented immigrant. Vali and her mother have fake chips in their arms, but her little brother Ernie does have a real one because he was born in the US. The President announces that an upgrade to the chips will be happening, and it will let everyone know who has fake chips and they will be deported. Vali and her family are on the run to California, to the now safe haven country.
Sanctuary was really hard to read at times because I was completely invested with the characters. The journey from Vermont to California was so terrifying and horrible, I cried reading about what they had to go through. The scariest thing about this book was how realistic it is, 2032 is not far off in the future and so many things that happened in this book are sadly happening now. It just feels like this book is a look into the future if we do not change things. A scary future where the government controls every single thing in your life, and illegals have to go to labor camps to pay off their debt to America, which what even? This book made me feel every emotion and I do hope there is a sequel because I would like to know what Vali plans to do and some things were left open ended. All in all, this was a spectacular look into a dystopian future that I would never ever want. It is a real life look at how undocumented immigrants are treated now, and how that needs to change.
August 30, 2021
Angesprochen vom Klappentext und dem Cover, habe ich dieses Buch genommen und ohne große Erwartungen mit dem Lesen begonnen. Aber auf das, was mich erwartete, war ich nicht vorbereitet.
Die Geschichte ist in ständigem Wechsel zwischen brutaler Realität und der Unschuld der Erzählerin Vali und ihrem kleinen Bruder. Es hat mich vom ersten Satz an (nachfünfzehn Schritten war sie tot) in den Bann gezogen. Es war beängstigend und erdrückend und keine leichte Lektüre. Ich hatte dauernd Gänsehaut beim Lesen und ein mulmiges Gefühl war mein ständiger Begleiter. Trotzdem las ich immer weiter und weiter um zu sehen ob Vali und ihr Bruder es schaffen und wie es schlussendlich für die Zwei ausgehen würde.
Unglaublich beeindruckendes und starkes Buch, das ich jedem nur ans Herzen legen kann.
Die Geschichte ist in ständigem Wechsel zwischen brutaler Realität und der Unschuld der Erzählerin Vali und ihrem kleinen Bruder. Es hat mich vom ersten Satz an (nachfünfzehn Schritten war sie tot) in den Bann gezogen. Es war beängstigend und erdrückend und keine leichte Lektüre. Ich hatte dauernd Gänsehaut beim Lesen und ein mulmiges Gefühl war mein ständiger Begleiter. Trotzdem las ich immer weiter und weiter um zu sehen ob Vali und ihr Bruder es schaffen und wie es schlussendlich für die Zwei ausgehen würde.
Unglaublich beeindruckendes und starkes Buch, das ich jedem nur ans Herzen legen kann.
August 28, 2022
This book is… not written for undocumented people. As an undocumented person reading this, I just feel worse about my life lol.
Anyways, I think this is a good book for people who aren’t undocumented to read and maybe reflect on how their silence and inaction can lead to this kind of future. But I would not recommend this book to an undocumented person. It is bleak and traumatizing as hell.
Anyways, I think this is a good book for people who aren’t undocumented to read and maybe reflect on how their silence and inaction can lead to this kind of future. But I would not recommend this book to an undocumented person. It is bleak and traumatizing as hell.
October 23, 2020
Sanctuary in a dystopia book written in the 2032 but having the same issues that here in the states are having on immigration. I enjoyed the characters and the dynamic of the story. I felt that this could be our future if things don't change with policies on immigration. The book kind of left off that I wonder if there would be another book after this.
August 12, 2021
Erschreckend detailgetreu zeigt dieses Buch uns eine mögliche Zukunft voraus, die es um jeden Preis zu verhindern gilt!
„Sanctuary - Flucht in die Freiheit“ ist eine Dystopie, die gar nicht soweit in der Zukunft spielt - 2032“ Der US Präsident ist in seiner dritten Amtszeit Er hat eine große Mauer zwischen der USA und Mexico errichten lassen und möchte um jeden Preis verhindern, dass Ausländer ins Land kommen. Als er schließlich auch mit der Deportation von Immigranten beginnt, die bereits viele Jahre im Land leben, wird es eng für die Familie der 16-jährigen Vali. Jeder Bürger hat einen eingepflanzten ID-Chip, mit dem die Regierung sie im Blick behalten kann. Vali und ihre Mutter haben sich vor vielen Jahren illegal einen solchen Chip implantieren lassen. Doch als die Regierung nun einen Weg findet diese Chips ausfindig zu machen, beginnt eine Flucht durch viele Staaten. Ihr Ziel ist Kalifornien. Der Staat ist seit Kurzem unabhängig und bietet Flüchtlingen Zuflucht.
Die detaillierten Fluchtbeschreibungen von Vali und ihrer Familie haben mich absolut schockiert zurückgelassen. Es war absolut
herzzereißend zu lesen und sehr erschreckend. Das Buch ist wirklich keine einfache Kost, aber ich denke doch so unglaublich wichtig. Triggerwarnungen für physische Gewalt, Waffengewalt und versuchte Vergewaltigung möchte ich an dieser Stelle gerne aussprechen.
Das wirklich Erschreckende ist, dass diese Dinge in der letzten US-Regierung hätten stattfinden können, da unter Präsident Trump bereits Deportationen stattfanden und Familien auseinandergerissen wurden. Außerdem wurde mit dem Bau der Mauer zu Mexico begonnen. Da kann man sich doch auf erschreckende Art und Weise gleich ganz leicht in die Ereignisse dieses Buchs hineinversetzen!
„Sanctuary - Flucht in die Freiheit“ ist eine Dystopie, die gar nicht soweit in der Zukunft spielt - 2032“ Der US Präsident ist in seiner dritten Amtszeit Er hat eine große Mauer zwischen der USA und Mexico errichten lassen und möchte um jeden Preis verhindern, dass Ausländer ins Land kommen. Als er schließlich auch mit der Deportation von Immigranten beginnt, die bereits viele Jahre im Land leben, wird es eng für die Familie der 16-jährigen Vali. Jeder Bürger hat einen eingepflanzten ID-Chip, mit dem die Regierung sie im Blick behalten kann. Vali und ihre Mutter haben sich vor vielen Jahren illegal einen solchen Chip implantieren lassen. Doch als die Regierung nun einen Weg findet diese Chips ausfindig zu machen, beginnt eine Flucht durch viele Staaten. Ihr Ziel ist Kalifornien. Der Staat ist seit Kurzem unabhängig und bietet Flüchtlingen Zuflucht.
Die detaillierten Fluchtbeschreibungen von Vali und ihrer Familie haben mich absolut schockiert zurückgelassen. Es war absolut
herzzereißend zu lesen und sehr erschreckend. Das Buch ist wirklich keine einfache Kost, aber ich denke doch so unglaublich wichtig. Triggerwarnungen für physische Gewalt, Waffengewalt und versuchte Vergewaltigung möchte ich an dieser Stelle gerne aussprechen.
Das wirklich Erschreckende ist, dass diese Dinge in der letzten US-Regierung hätten stattfinden können, da unter Präsident Trump bereits Deportationen stattfanden und Familien auseinandergerissen wurden. Außerdem wurde mit dem Bau der Mauer zu Mexico begonnen. Da kann man sich doch auf erschreckende Art und Weise gleich ganz leicht in die Ereignisse dieses Buchs hineinversetzen!
October 18, 2020
"Sanctuary does for immigration what The Hate U Give did for police brutality."
- Jaysen Headley, tiktok user
This is one of the most compelling reads of 2020. Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher put together a horrifying dystopian story set in the United States in 2032 where it is nearly impossible to be an illegal immigrant. Inspiration for this allegorical story came from President Trump's 2018 shameful policy of separating families at our southern border.
In this gripping novel, we follow sixteen year old Vali, along with her younger brother Ernie, on their quest to get to California, a sanctuary state for immigrants that is being walled off from the rest of the United States. Packed with action and emotion, we see them make their way from Vermont across the country to safety. Along the way they meet others with the same goal as them, but will they all make it to safety, or will the Deportation Force catch up to them?
Sanctuary paints a terrifying possible future for our country if we keep heading down the path we are on. Readers will feel a sense of empathy and heartbreak through the trials the group faces, as well as the perseverance it takes to just continue to exist.
This book is a MUST read. It will definitely be a book that sticks in my mind for a long time. I laughed, I cried, and I rooted for the characters. It was an incredible book that I'll be recommending to everyone.
- Jaysen Headley, tiktok user
This is one of the most compelling reads of 2020. Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher put together a horrifying dystopian story set in the United States in 2032 where it is nearly impossible to be an illegal immigrant. Inspiration for this allegorical story came from President Trump's 2018 shameful policy of separating families at our southern border.
In this gripping novel, we follow sixteen year old Vali, along with her younger brother Ernie, on their quest to get to California, a sanctuary state for immigrants that is being walled off from the rest of the United States. Packed with action and emotion, we see them make their way from Vermont across the country to safety. Along the way they meet others with the same goal as them, but will they all make it to safety, or will the Deportation Force catch up to them?
Sanctuary paints a terrifying possible future for our country if we keep heading down the path we are on. Readers will feel a sense of empathy and heartbreak through the trials the group faces, as well as the perseverance it takes to just continue to exist.
This book is a MUST read. It will definitely be a book that sticks in my mind for a long time. I laughed, I cried, and I rooted for the characters. It was an incredible book that I'll be recommending to everyone.
September 16, 2020
I picked this up on a whim as an audiobook from my library (beautifully read by co-author Paola Mendoza), and it was absolutely worth it. The book is exactly as advertised, a near future look at the horror in store for undocumented immigrants in the United States if things continue on their current trajectory.
In Sanctuary, California separates and forms its own country, a safe-haven for any undocumented people living in the remaining states who can make it there. The story follows one small family as it struggles to make the dangerous journey to California, to sanctuary and safety.
The way an increasingly strong surveillance state of the future would cause harm to undocumented immigrants is pretty easy to imagine, although I was a bit disappointed that almost no one else in this story seemed to take issue generally with this infringement of personal freedom. I realize this is the story of the struggle of undocumented people who try to live in shrinking margins, but their struggle represents the thin edge of a wedge, and the impact of a growing surveillance state does affect everyone who lives within its reach. Not recognizing that fact makes is too easy for people to say, well that's too bad but it won't affect me, so?
Fast paced, terrifyingly real, and emotional.
In Sanctuary, California separates and forms its own country, a safe-haven for any undocumented people living in the remaining states who can make it there. The story follows one small family as it struggles to make the dangerous journey to California, to sanctuary and safety.
The way an increasingly strong surveillance state of the future would cause harm to undocumented immigrants is pretty easy to imagine, although I was a bit disappointed that almost no one else in this story seemed to take issue generally with this infringement of personal freedom. I realize this is the story of the struggle of undocumented people who try to live in shrinking margins, but their struggle represents the thin edge of a wedge, and the impact of a growing surveillance state does affect everyone who lives within its reach. Not recognizing that fact makes is too easy for people to say, well that's too bad but it won't affect me, so?
Fast paced, terrifyingly real, and emotional.
December 11, 2020
SANCTUARY
Paolo Mendoza & Abby Sher
Imagine an America in the near future where citizens are chipped and tracked, where undocumented immigrants have nowhere to hide, and where California becomes a sanctuary state that is being walled off from the rest of the country. 16 yo Vali, and her mother Liliana are refugees from Columbia and are trying to escape to find sanctuary in California where Vali's aunt resides. Liliana's chip malfunctions and she is taken by the Deportation Forces. Vali is forced to make the journey alone with her younger brother Ernie on their own.
This is a fantastic story that I just loved for the wonderful dystopian story that is utterly terrifying, as it is not very far from what could really happen right now. The characters are amazing and the story completely gripping, thrilling, and gut wrenching. Well written and a compelling read.
I highly recommend this YA novel.
Paolo Mendoza & Abby Sher
Imagine an America in the near future where citizens are chipped and tracked, where undocumented immigrants have nowhere to hide, and where California becomes a sanctuary state that is being walled off from the rest of the country. 16 yo Vali, and her mother Liliana are refugees from Columbia and are trying to escape to find sanctuary in California where Vali's aunt resides. Liliana's chip malfunctions and she is taken by the Deportation Forces. Vali is forced to make the journey alone with her younger brother Ernie on their own.
This is a fantastic story that I just loved for the wonderful dystopian story that is utterly terrifying, as it is not very far from what could really happen right now. The characters are amazing and the story completely gripping, thrilling, and gut wrenching. Well written and a compelling read.
I highly recommend this YA novel.
October 12, 2020
Have you ever finished a book and not known how to rate it? That's where I am with this one right now. Full review to come. 3 stars is temporary until I've had time to absorb this story a little more.
August 18, 2020
“His pain hit me harder and deeper than anything I had felt in my life. And yet I kept nodding. We were all doing the best we could. Trying to survive.”
Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher is absolutely soul-crushing, primarily because although it’s a dystopian fiction, I can see the utter reality in this story. There are frightening realities that hit way too close to home and what’s been happening in the world today.
Vali, her 8-year-old brother, Ernie and her mother live in Vermont in the not too distant future of 2032. The US has cracked down hard on undocumented immigration and has installed microchips in to all documented citizen. Vali and her family have counterfeit chips and when Vali’s moms chip starts to malfunction, she and Ernie have to make the frightening trip across the country – on foot - to her Tia Luna’s home in California, currently a safe state and ‘walled’ off.
Mendoza writes about the power and brutality of the Deportation Force and the struggle of undocumented immigrants, she focuses on real people, not statistics that are easily sweep under the rug. The presence of labor camps where the ‘illegals pay off their debt to America’ is absolutely horrifying and reminiscent of the forced labor camps across Europe during WWII. Microchipping citizens seems like a far away concept but is it really? Sanctuary gave me a lot to think about, not only the strength of one young girl fighting to save herself and her brother but of just how realistic this dystopian fiction felt to me. It also shows the deception of the media, showing citizens (or not showing) what the government wants us to see. I must admit, this had a terrifying lifelike reality to me, especially in light of recent world events.
Sanctuary is a page-turner, and as I said earlier, it is all the more chilling for the fact that if feels all too possible. I’m hopeful for the prospect of a sequel because I don’t think Vali’s story is quite finished yet.
My thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Penguin Teen, and authors Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher for providing me this DRC in exchange for my honest review.
Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher is absolutely soul-crushing, primarily because although it’s a dystopian fiction, I can see the utter reality in this story. There are frightening realities that hit way too close to home and what’s been happening in the world today.
Vali, her 8-year-old brother, Ernie and her mother live in Vermont in the not too distant future of 2032. The US has cracked down hard on undocumented immigration and has installed microchips in to all documented citizen. Vali and her family have counterfeit chips and when Vali’s moms chip starts to malfunction, she and Ernie have to make the frightening trip across the country – on foot - to her Tia Luna’s home in California, currently a safe state and ‘walled’ off.
Mendoza writes about the power and brutality of the Deportation Force and the struggle of undocumented immigrants, she focuses on real people, not statistics that are easily sweep under the rug. The presence of labor camps where the ‘illegals pay off their debt to America’ is absolutely horrifying and reminiscent of the forced labor camps across Europe during WWII. Microchipping citizens seems like a far away concept but is it really? Sanctuary gave me a lot to think about, not only the strength of one young girl fighting to save herself and her brother but of just how realistic this dystopian fiction felt to me. It also shows the deception of the media, showing citizens (or not showing) what the government wants us to see. I must admit, this had a terrifying lifelike reality to me, especially in light of recent world events.
Sanctuary is a page-turner, and as I said earlier, it is all the more chilling for the fact that if feels all too possible. I’m hopeful for the prospect of a sequel because I don’t think Vali’s story is quite finished yet.
My thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Penguin Teen, and authors Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher for providing me this DRC in exchange for my honest review.
August 20, 2020
3.75 stars. This was a fast read that gave an exaggerated view of what it is like to be illegally in the United States. The president seems to have Trump’s mentality, but to such an extreme that people have microchips implanted in their skin to track them, drones taking down illegal aliens, land minds blowing people up if they try to cross into the US, etc. For me, the extreme nature was a turn-off. The story was gripping, but too political for Battle of the Books. It could be popular for book talks, though.
July 29, 2021
This book was so gripping and heart wrenching and I am so glad that I picked it up. I was hooked from the first page, and the cover is just stunning. I highly recommend this book!
July 18, 2020
16 year old Vali and her younger brother must make it to sanctuary after losing both parents.
Dystopian but also horrifyingly possible. It did remind me in many parts of American Dirt. The threats that face immigrants and the courage needed to overcome.
Dystopian but also horrifyingly possible. It did remind me in many parts of American Dirt. The threats that face immigrants and the courage needed to overcome.
January 27, 2021
well i wish this was a dystopian but it’s basically not and that’s just dandy isn’t it
April 21, 2021
Speculative fiction can be scary, and this one certainly was. The audiobook version of this was great!
January 7, 2022
Vali's life is lived on the edge. In a future America (that feels all too realistic at this point), all citizens have a scanner implanted in their wrist and the Deportation Force has randomized checks. Vali isn't a legal citizen, so her fake ID chip runs the risk of ratting her out at any point.
Vali's father has already been detained and deported back to Colombia. The current president implements more stringent ID checks and Vali's mother realizes that must make an attempt to get to California where Vali's aunt lives. Too many pieces are moving and very quickly for anyone without proper ID to feel safe.
I won't get into all of the details, but Vali, her mother and her younger brother attempt to get to California from their home in Vermont. As you can imagine, that trek across the country is fraught with all kinds of dilemmas and decisions made on the fly.
The cover belies the intensity of the content. There are moments reminiscent of The Road - in tone and scope. I found myself asking, "Could this really happen in America?" The answer: Yes. Sadly, it seems like a train heading in that direction.
The book never gets graphic, but be warned that there is attempted rape, assault, and gun violence.
Vali's father has already been detained and deported back to Colombia. The current president implements more stringent ID checks and Vali's mother realizes that must make an attempt to get to California where Vali's aunt lives. Too many pieces are moving and very quickly for anyone without proper ID to feel safe.
I won't get into all of the details, but Vali, her mother and her younger brother attempt to get to California from their home in Vermont. As you can imagine, that trek across the country is fraught with all kinds of dilemmas and decisions made on the fly.
The cover belies the intensity of the content. There are moments reminiscent of The Road - in tone and scope. I found myself asking, "Could this really happen in America?" The answer: Yes. Sadly, it seems like a train heading in that direction.
The book never gets graphic, but be warned that there is attempted rape, assault, and gun violence.
October 7, 2020
Hold still my heart because this took a toll on me I really loved this book because it captures all the problems we are basically facing at the moment. This is a works of fiction but some things has already happened. This is a scary realization how American can be going towards this path.A dystopian novel that basically makes you fear for your safety and the safety of you loved ones. A piece of paper that determines your status to this so call Land of the Free.Paola and Abby did a great job capturing the emotion and distress of what it is to survive and how far anyone would go to find Sanctuary. I cried so much because despite being a group of make believe characters, they portray the real lives of what some people are actually going through.Vali, the protagonist, had no choice but find a way to find he way across states for Sanctuary with her little brother. Imagine that. With no parents and no way of a safe passage. That's scary and I felt for themInstead of picking up a book such as, American Dirt, why not pick up this book? This is more real as it can get with America. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's something you don't want to put down and it will just see things differently.
September 11, 2020
This was certainly riveting and fast-paced - the book is full of events and tragedies, one atop the other - and not quite as unlikely a dystopia as it once might have seemed. I did feel that the somewhat ambiguous ending more in line with the rest of the book than a miraculously positive one would have been. However I didn't find Vali to be particularly uniquely characterized, and the hints of romance (and the most strongly distinguishable secondary character) seemed to come in a bit too late for me to develop a real attachment. I also felt some elements somewhat unlikely and maximalist - the majority of laws and norms seem to have been done away with but birthright citizenship has remained? the seeming only resistance to the government is one nun, and the entire state of California? - that made it a little hard to buy into. Definitely topical, though, and likely of interest to teens who are able to handle some darkness and who are looking for a quick, dramatic read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
September 17, 2020
I will never be the same after reading this book. It affected me so much that I compare it to Night by Elie Wiesel. Aka the saddest book I’ve ever read. This book changed me and I hope everyone reads it. This book is set in the future, but I honestly feel it’s not that far off from our reality. I hope this book inspires others to love and foster empathy for everyone they come across. Highly recommend to all!
August 10, 2021
Stell dir vor: Trump hätte damals seine Pläne der „Great American Wall“ umsetzen und ein „reines“ Amerika schaffen können. Was wäre dann aus den ganzen Migranten geworden? Dieses Buch beschäftigt sich mit einem ähnlichen Zukunftsszenario und zwar auf sehr eindrucksvolle Weise…
Diese Geschichte ist so authentisch geschrieben und es passieren Dinge die einfach nur grausam sind. Dennoch ist die Grausamkeit Realität von Val und ihrem Bruder Ernie, während sie sich auf den gefährlichen Weg nach Los Angeles machen um dem Deportationsregime zu entkommen.
Freunde werden gewonnen und verloren. Körperliche Grenzen überwunden und der Mut gesteigert.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr toll zu lesen. Mir persönlich blieb aber die Protagonistin Val viel zu undurchsichtig und wenig gegen das Regime vorgehend. Vor allem da sie im Klappentext indirekt als „Kämpferin“ angepriesen wird. Einige Stellen wurden nicht gut aufgelöst und es blieb bei einem ziemlichen offenen Ende. Auch würde ich das Buch nicht in die Kategorie „Dystopie“ packen. Vielmehr ist es ein gesellschaftskritischer Roman.
Dennoch handelt es sich aber um eine gute und vor allem auch spannende Geschichte, die an vielen Stellen auch sehr grausam und erschreckend ist. Die Thematik ist ungebrochen wichtig und sollte viel mehr in den Fokus geraten.
Diese Geschichte ist so authentisch geschrieben und es passieren Dinge die einfach nur grausam sind. Dennoch ist die Grausamkeit Realität von Val und ihrem Bruder Ernie, während sie sich auf den gefährlichen Weg nach Los Angeles machen um dem Deportationsregime zu entkommen.
Freunde werden gewonnen und verloren. Körperliche Grenzen überwunden und der Mut gesteigert.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr toll zu lesen. Mir persönlich blieb aber die Protagonistin Val viel zu undurchsichtig und wenig gegen das Regime vorgehend. Vor allem da sie im Klappentext indirekt als „Kämpferin“ angepriesen wird. Einige Stellen wurden nicht gut aufgelöst und es blieb bei einem ziemlichen offenen Ende. Auch würde ich das Buch nicht in die Kategorie „Dystopie“ packen. Vielmehr ist es ein gesellschaftskritischer Roman.
Dennoch handelt es sich aber um eine gute und vor allem auch spannende Geschichte, die an vielen Stellen auch sehr grausam und erschreckend ist. Die Thematik ist ungebrochen wichtig und sollte viel mehr in den Fokus geraten.
September 2, 2020
This story is set in 2032, when the tension about immigration in the U.S has reached dystopian levels. The wall between the U.S and Mexico is built, people are given chips to verify their identity, and states offering sanctuary to immigrants are treated as enemies of the nation.
However, the most disturbing thing about this book is that it truly isn't all that far-fetched or different than what is already going on. We are already building a wall. Our government is already threatening to cut off states that defy them. We are already keeping people in cages. The dystopia in this book is powerful because it forces us to acknowledge that we don't need to imagine it. The dystopia is already here.
This is a heartbreaking portrayal of just how far our society has slid from human compassion and even democracy, if we could have ever claimed to stand for those things in the first place. The writing is immersive, the characters are beautiful, and the story is something that I hope the audience takes to heart to push for meaningful change.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the chance to review a Netgalley ARC of this book.
However, the most disturbing thing about this book is that it truly isn't all that far-fetched or different than what is already going on. We are already building a wall. Our government is already threatening to cut off states that defy them. We are already keeping people in cages. The dystopia in this book is powerful because it forces us to acknowledge that we don't need to imagine it. The dystopia is already here.
This is a heartbreaking portrayal of just how far our society has slid from human compassion and even democracy, if we could have ever claimed to stand for those things in the first place. The writing is immersive, the characters are beautiful, and the story is something that I hope the audience takes to heart to push for meaningful change.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the chance to review a Netgalley ARC of this book.
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