Dystopian and depressing as hell, but that was the authors' intention. Strong female main character. Glad I read it, but it is not without flaws.

This worst-case scenario of America is all too believable, which makes this even scarier. Realistic depiction of characters thrust into a situation they must survive. Really drives home the longing and dread for those lost or left behind.

The dystopian world here is a little too black and white. It is hard to believe all of California would act as Sanctuary, and that no other states would join (with the exception of hints at the end). The authors laid out a pattern of lies, rampant weather problems and an environmentally hostile future - but there are no challenges to that, and no resolution. The only other countries mentioned are those where the immigrants are from - situations that are worse. Some of these problems could be intentional -writing only from the perspective of a 15 year old girl.