Sanctuary Bay: A Novel

Sanctuary Bay by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz is a young-adult suspense/thriller novel. Sarah Merson witnessed the death of her parents as a child. Sarah has been in a variety of foster homes since their death. Then she gets the opportunity of a lifetime. A full scholarship to the elite Sanctuary Bay Academy. Sarah did not apply for the scholarship (nor did anyone else she knows), but it is a great opportunity for her. The school is on an island and has a total immersion policy. Once you arrive at the school, you do not leave the school until graduation. No phone calls, no letters, no emails out. You can receive care packages from your family every three months (a little odd). Sarah is sixteen and will be entering the school as a junior. Sarah notices unusual activity going on at night and decides to explore (she will wish she had stayed in bed). Sarah becomes a part of a group that will change everything. There are some strange activities going on at this school and Sarah sets out to get answers. She knew this school was too good to be true! Sanctuary Bay starts out slowly and it is confusing. I got tired of Sarah’s attitude quickly. She is judgmental and has a big chip on her shoulder (about rich and privileged people). The book does get better though (you have to keep reading). The way it started out you would think it was going to be a paranormal novel (I think it would have been better if it had been). This book took a direction that I did not suspect (but I liked it). I give Sanctuary Bay 4 out of 5 stars. The book does have some of the normal teenage angst and romance, but I skimmed through those sections (I used by speed reading skills). I received a complimentary copy of Sanctuary Bay from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.