Who are you in your heart? Who will you become? Who will travel with you as your boon companion?
Shona Waverly is a fugitive from her mother's plans to sell her as a child sex slave. Searching for her own Inner Sanctum, she creates a family. Rosa becomes the mother of her heart, who teaches her the skills she needs to survive. Annaliese, a fellow seeker, is the sister who will fight at her side. Teves is their guardian. Through a change of identity, participation in the ROTC program, and the backlash of revenge, Shona and Annaliese have an opportunity to evaluate their roots and come to terms with the parents who should have guided them.
Inner Sanctum offers hope, help, and a model for those who struggle to raise themselves. Through confidential sharing, the girls form a formidable team, fighting against past and present injustices. Death, revenge, and remorse are just some of the milestones they encounter.
When Shona, now known as April, realizes that for her life to move on, she must confront her mother, Annaliese has words of advice.
"April, you don't need a gun to go see your mother."
"Hmmm. Maybe I do."
It is refreshing to read a book where the two main characters are strong female role models, and the main topic of conversation is not which boy they like. Although products of adversity, they never back down from any challenge, but rise to overcome everything the brutality life throws at them. It is notable that the supporting male characters never once take precedence; this remains the story of two adolescent girls from front to back cover.
Although categorized as Young Adult, Urban Fiction, the strength of the book, will appeal to a wide range of readers, both male and female.
The book flows seamlessly into Conspiracy Theory, the second book of the Fractured series. Book Two is a fast-paced mystery and espionage thriller, again featuring April and Annaliese as the main characters.
