Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite

Scientific evidence continues to show that human activities (primarily the use of fossil fuels) have warmed the Earth's surface and oceans, influencing Earth's climate. No matter what we do now, science predicts that it will be too late to prevent climate change, and a climatic crisis is almost certainly unavoidable. But what would a planet ravaged by a climatic disaster look like? Would we really be able to live normal lives as we do now? In Sanctuary, Grace J. Agnew transports us approximately 60 years into the future, in which we find a world devastated, where human survival entirely depends on science and technology. Survival in this ravaged world is difficult, especially for climate migrants who find themselves stranded in a barren wasteland. However, we also meet Miranda, a successful and highly skilled designer who lives with her resilient and still-growing adolescent son, Alex. Follow these two masterfully crafted protagonists as this incredible mother attempts to produce a stunning work of science and as her son leaves the security of their home to locate his father.

The book's descriptions pay close attention to detail and help the reader form a clear mental picture. The author created an effortless reading flow that was fluid and interesting. The writing completely enthralled me, and the story felt so real that it was like watching a stunning science fiction film. I appreciated the role that dialogue played in moving the plot forward. Conversations between various characters brought the story to life and placed events in their proper contexts. Grace J. Agnew foregrounded and foreshadowed events through these dialogues without disrupting the flow of the story. As a result, I had a comprehensive understanding of each scene and the actions that characterized each scene. Another plus for the author is the characters in this book. They were all very different from one another and so skillfully written that I could picture how they would all speak, move, and act. This aspect intensely evoked my sensory reactions. As much as Sanctuary is a fantastic work of fiction, I think it's also an instructive read that encourages us to cherish our precious planet and live in the present.