When Steve Schafer approached me about reading and reviewing his new book, I was intrigued. ‘The Border’ examines illegal immigration from a different perspective–the reasons why people are forced to leave their homes and travel to a new country, where they have nothing and know no one. Honestly, I haven’t read a lot of books regarding this subject. Last year, I read ‘Something In Between’ by Melissa de la Cruz which examined the life of a girl living in the United States who finds out that she is here illegally. Clearly, the issue of legal and illegal immigration is a big one currently in the U.S., with many different opinions flying about. With no prior knowledge on the specifics of illegal immigration, I felt that this book created a compassionate, thought-provoking story. It’s easy to look at statistics or read news articles, but to read the experience first hand emotionally connects readers to the issues and puts names to those stats. While fictional, this book depicts the struggles that many people face, and doesn’t shy away from the horror and desperation of the situations.
The book starts off pretty quickly, there isn’t a whole lot of exposition which I liked. All of the characters were distinctly their own, and handled the shock and information that was thrown at them in different ways. Told from Pato’s point of view, readers get to see how real people are affected from disasters that, as a nation, we rarely hear of. Often illegal immigrants are painted as monsters, but this novel showcases the humanity behind that stereotype. 
I liked the connection between how all of the teens knew each other. Marcos and Gladys were siblings, and Pato and Arbo were cousins. At the start of their trek through the desert, it seems uneventful and too easy for the four of them to actually cross the U.S./Mexico border, which Pato does acknowledge. Their trip is never glamorized, or romanticized in any way, which I appreciated as a reader. It feels like a genuine account of what many immigrants experience. 
I felt as though Gladys and Pato’s relationship moved a bit fast, in terms of how soon they professed their love to one another. However, being close to death in an endless desert is definitely not your average teen love situation, so the circumstances would obviously be a lot different. Pato mentions once that he sees Gladys brother, Marcos in her personality and defiance, and although that is never stated outright again, I liked how Gladys was portrayed as decently strong and independent, and she held her own with the boys. 
I found the writing style easy to read. Format wise there were a few weird enters etc., but as this is an eARC I totally understand that it won’t look like that in the final copies! There are a few words and very short phrases in Spanish sporadically throughout the book, paying homage to the actual language that is being spoken even though the book is written in English which is really nice. It should be easy for non-spanish speakers to catch on to the meanings. I’ve taken years of Spanish in school, so although I’m nowhere near fluent, I was able to easily understand what was said.
Overall, I thought this was a good book and I would recommend it. Books like this one force readers to become emotionally connected to current issues. It’s easy to say ‘stop all illegal immigrations’, many people do, but the issue isn’t as black and white as some make it seem. All angles of issues need to be considered, and this novel creates a great platform to do so.

Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Border. I voluntarily chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Four teens must embark on a treacherous journey after a horrific event turns their worlds upside down. Can fear, determination, and strength of character save them or will the teens succumb to the elements?

Having read American Dirt prior to my reading of The Border, I could not help but make comparisons to the aforementioned novel. The Border is not nearly as realistic, nor did I feel as invested in the characters. Considering all that the teens went through, even before their arduous journey, I wanted to feel a connection to the characters. The gangs, especially the retribution and skewed sense of justice, are treated with kid gloves for the most part. Being that The Border is a YA novel, I did appreciate the glossing over of certain facts. That being said, the author was more concerned with exposing his characters to certain aspects of the landscape and the dangers that the teens face, than making sure that the events could actually happen in that manner. Overall, I never quite felt the danger or the fear, so I would be hesitant to recommend The Border to other readers.

I wanted to love this book so much, but I ended up not being able to connect with the writing style or the characters. I really didn't like the treatment of the main female character, and the writing just wasn't engaging and I got annoyed. I realize I may have just picked this at the wrong moment. The topic and themes are important, particularly with the state of American politics and the treatment of immigrants, so I won't rate this book lowly, because I still think it should be read,  The so it was a DNF for me. and unfortunately I won't be rating it on my blog since I didn't enjoy it.

As usual, Pato, 16, his mother and father always seem to arrive late for get togethers, and cousin Carmen's quinceañera is no different. On their way into the house to join the happy, noisy celebration, Pato notices a suspicious car parked nearby, noticeable because it is completely painted black, even the bumpers. He briefly debates with himself about saying something, after all, there are two men in the car carefully watching the house, but in the end, he decides it is probably nothing. Soon after arriving, Carmen's older brother, Arbo, Pato's cousin and best friend, head out to their favorite spot in the desert behind the house with Marcos, 17, a ace soccer player, and his sister Gladys, 15. But the celebratory noise is suddenly interrupted - not by fireworks, but by the sound of gunshots - lots of them.

Back at Arbo's house, they discover that everyone has been shot dead execution style. To make matters worse, Marcos kills one of the shooters, whose brother recognizes him and threatens to kill all four of them. Realizing they have to get away, even before they can process what has just happened, Pato remembers an older man that he and Arbo had helped once as part of a school project. Pato, Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys head out to Señor Ortiz's house on the outskirts of town.

Señor Ortiz agrees to let them stay for a while and even goes into town to see if he can hear any news about the shooting. Returning, he tells them that the shooting was done as a warning by members of a drug cartel called La Frontera who control every aspect of life in their Mexican town. The school photos of all four teens have been posted everywhere, offering a very big reward for them. The teens decide that the only thing they can do is try to cross the desert and slip over the border into the United States. But this is a trip that proves easier said than done.

The Border, though timely, is a difficult book to read. It isn't enough that these teens have just lost their families to gun violence, but they are also trying to survive on a hot, unrelenting desert which is a struggle for anyone, but even worse if you are completely unprepared the way Pato, Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys are.

The story is told completely from Pato's point of view, and I think this is a story that would have lent  itself better to multiple viewpoints. I would have like to know what is going on for the other three teens. But despite that, each person's personality comes across distinctly, and there is even some humor to be found, as well as an attraction between Pato and Gladys, giving the unbelievable horror of their stories more of a human face. 

With everything that has been going on in this country regarding the border and immigrants from Mexico, and Central America, this is a very relevant story. While this country builds walls to keep desperate people out, or puts them into cages, and deprives them of any shred of human dignity, it is easy to see why people are willing to risk everything to escape local violence and abuse. 

The Border is a book for older, mature teens, even though Pato, Arbo, and Gladys are only 15-years-old. It is a very realistic novel and there is, as I've said, violence and some mild sex, as well as profanity. But it is really an eye-opening experience for those who do decide to read it.

This book is recommended for readers age 14+
This book was an EARC received from NetGalley

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley. 

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. 
Natalie.

*DNF*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

The plot for this one is a great idea, and I wanted to keep reading, but unfortunately the writing style was a bit bland for my taste and I couldn't bring myself to keep going.

The Border is the kind of the book which will showcase the horrors of the lives some people live, and I think many people will find it interesting and enjoy it, it just wasn't for me.

The Border is a hard hitting, gritty read that grabs your attention by starting with a hugely distressing multiple shooting and doesn't let up interest wise until the very last page.

I loved reading it, it brought so many emotions...

This book was incredible. I really enjoyed reading this. The characters were amazing, the story kept me on my toes. It was such a great insight into the lives of illegal migrants and the struggles they go through. This book really stuck with me.

The Border is the debut novel of author Steve Schafer.

Four Mexican teenagers witness the cold blooded murder of their families, by a band of Narcos, whilst attending a 16th Birthday celebration. They flee into the darkened night with the sounds of death threats ringing in their ears.

Schafer has lived, worked, volunteered and travelled throughout most of latin America, including northern Mexico and it is clear he has extensively researched his topic.

The story is narrated in the first person by 16 year old Pato. But we also get a good sense of the other three main characters, Arbo, Marco and Gladys.
When they realise their only means of escape is across the Sonoran Desert into the USA the teens are naive and unprepared. Desperate situations call for desperate measures.

It’s easy to feel empathy for these four teens. Good kids who have been placed in a life or death situation. Throughout the story they bicker, they get along, they dream and occasionally the leadership role shifts but most of all they are scared; just like normal teens.

This is a timely and relevant story with the immigration debate currently storming in America.
The Border is a highly emotional and thought provoking read with palpable suspense and page turning action.

Highly recommended!

Thank you for approving me for this title. I have found that I am no longer interested in reading this one and will not be reviewing it on my blog or anywhere else.

I don’t cry easily especially when reading. I get the sad feelings but crying is just not me. With that said, I ugly cried reading this book because of the fact that I know this is a real representation of what so many people and (yes children as well) go through all the time. Then to see all the hateful comments about those who cross is just awful. The book is so important for people to read and understand.

A great Young Adult read! A family party in Mexico is the devastating target of a gang shooting...and four teens' lives are changed forever! Having snuck out of the party briefly, Marcos, Gladys, Arbo and Pato return to find their families murdered and, as the only survivors and witnesses, a price on their heads. They cannot stay in Mexico if they are to stay alive; the only option is to cross the border into America - but the desert stands between them. 
From their comfortable family lives, the four teens suddenly find themselves thrust into a battle of wills and a fierce fight for survival; against the murderous gangs that took their families from them, against the people they meet who would hand them over for the monetary rewards, against the dangers of the desert - and even against each other.
I really enjoyed this book, and what an education into a drug running, gangland lifestyle that despite this being a work of fiction, that truly exists.

I really had a hard time getting into this book. It did not keep my attention. I found myself really bored reading this book. I do not think it was a bad book but it was just not something that kept my interest.

3.5/5

I wanted to like this book more than I did and I am not exactly sure I can pinpoint what exactly didn't work for me. 

The characters were realistic and their stories were raw, interesting and heartbreaking. I had to walk away from and come back to this book several times honestly in order to get through it. Working with students in poverty, from undocumented families and who have had traumatic events in their lives - this is real for far too many.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book. 

As I think back on this book and remember the story and the characters my overall feeling is one of ambivalence. The first chapter is really well written, it's vivid, it hurts to read and you automatically get attached to the characters. From there though the story starts to get slow, although the characters weren't terrible. I liked the subplot with Pato and Arbo's fathers, it gave insight into how life can be very gray at times. 

On the one hand this story is really heartbreaking and realistic and I really appreciated that.  On the other hand I disliked that the story only had one female character and her sole purpose was just there to be inspiration for the main character. *Spoiler* She even ends up dying and there's literately no point to her death other than to move the main character to finish the story, and this really pissed me off. *End Spoiler* As far as the Bechdel test goes this book completely fails, and really it's 2018 why is this still happening? 

In all I thought that it wasn't a terrible book, I thought that it followed an important story, but it could have been written better. I gave it three stars.

I wanted very much to like this, but I couldn't finish it.

Book Review: The Border by Steve Schafer
Review by Dawn Thomas

Pages
Publisher: Source Books Fire
Release Date: September 5, 2017

Fiction, Teens & Young Adult

Location: Sonora Desert, Mexico
When seventeen-year-old Pato and his parents arrive at his uncle’s house for cousin Carmen’s Quincenaro he notices a suspicious car in front of the house. The bumper that should be chrome was painted black and there appears to be a bullet hole. His cousin and best friend, Arbo greets him but before Pato can tell him about the car, Arbo steers the conversation to Carmen and her appearance. They cannot believe how grown up she looks.

Arbo and Pato join Marcos and his sister Gladys to smoke out back, they hear gunfire. They take cover until it stops. Arbo take off towards the house. Arbo begins to wail. The scene in front of Pato is unimaginable. There are bodies everywhere. He blames himself for not saying anything about the car out front. There is no one they can trust. La Frontera, the drug gang, has infiltrated the police. The teens are literally running for their life as they try to cross the border into the United States.

This is a story of survival and loss. It is written in first person present tense. The characters are somewhat developed. There is a touching story when Arbo explains how he created his superhero to help him get through tough situations. Now more than ever, they each must reach inside and find their own superhero.

This was a very interesting book. I liked how thrilling it was and the story kept me engaged the whole time wondering if they were going to make it to safety or not. I highly recommend to anyone interested in crime thrillers that have to do with current events and different backgrounds

My apologies for missing this review--I"m not sure what happened there, but I just found it on the over three months shelf and realized I never reviewed it!

This was a great read. The story broke my heart. A day for celebrating turned into a day of terror. Pato, Arbo, Gladys and Marcos lost their family by the Narcos. I felt really bad for the four main characters as they fight for their own survival. I am glad that I finally got to read this book. It was in my ARC pile for a long time. I thought the story is needed to be heard by everyone. It was really a thought-provoking one. The author’s note at the end of the book was very interesting to read as well. He really studied and did his research. Overall, a raw read.