Sanctuary Bay by Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz

Well, that escalated quickly!

Genres: Thriller, Young Adult
Published: 19th January, 2016
Series: N/A
Rating: 4

When Sarah Merson receives the opportunity of a lifetime to attend the most elite prep school in the country-Sanctuary Bay Academy-it seems almost too good to be true. But, after years of bouncing from foster home to foster home, escaping to its tranquil setting, nestled deep in Swans Island, couldn’t sound more appealing. Swiftly thrown into a world of privilege and secrets, Sarah quickly realizes finding herself noticed by class charmer, Nate, as well as her roommate’s dangerously attentive boyfriend, Ethan, are the least of her worries. When her roommate suddenly goes missing, she finds herself in a race against time, not only to find her, but to save herself and discover the dark truth behind Sanctuary Bay’s glossy reputation.

 

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I’m glad books like Sanctuary Bay were not around when I went to high school, because I probably would have gotten some unrealistic expectations about the whole experience. You see, we didn’t have secret societies, didn’t attend orgies and unlike the hot guys with ropy muscles in this school, most boys were rather shrimpy.

What this book does best, is creating an atmosphere that is ominous from the beginning and gets increasingly unnerving as we are heading toward a shocking conclusion. Sure, it’s slightly over the top, but it was hell of a lot of fun! I promise.

Sarah is an orphan, tossed around in the foster system until she lands on Swans Island, and Sanctuary Bay Academy. Gifted with an unusually precise memory and a knowledge in chemistry, it’s not so strange that she was chosen to attend this elite school where great leaders and successful scientists are created.

Dr. Diaz, the science teacher fascinated by her ability to recall past events, immediately takes Sarah under his wings. When shit hits the fan, he’s the only one Sarah trusts, but even so, things get confusing pretty quickly. Sarah’s roommate is missing, but nobody seems to care. Why is Sarah the only one who remembers something terrible happening? Did she have a vivid dream? Are those secret society meetings are just simple drug parties, messing with her mind?

Ethan, the “jerk” (but of course also hot too) has some secrets of his own as well which might lead them to an answer. But not one they wanted to find.

Oh, you guys, this book was so delicious and exhilarating! Mind you, I would have found it more believable if it took place at a university campus, because all the characters behaved more like how adult would, rather than teenagers.

Have you read Sanctuary Bay? What did you think?