It was a quick read with a lot of action and very accessible characters. Great for reluctant readers, and exposes students to a human element of the drug problem in Mexico. Some details either got resolved too easily or were glossed over, but that is to be expected in a short novel.

First thoughts as I finished: Wow. This was a situation unlike any I had read about or heard about in intimate detail. And as many other reviewers have commented, it's timely considering all the talk in the news about immigration, illegals and the need for a wall between the US and Mexico.

I'm personally Canadian so my exposure/experience to immigration is generally limited to legit immigration and refugees. The experiences these four teenagers deal with as a result of a gangland attack at a birthday party is horrific. I sped through much of this book as the action built but there were also moments of humor and happiness, where the characters remembered good times/happier moments from their past, moments they could cling to in tougher times. The constant fear and stress made my own heart race at times.

While I knew all four probably wouldn't come out of this unscathed I was disappointed about who the author chose to eliminate. It felt like the easy choice.

I really enjoyed the characters and how different they were. Each brought their own specific strengths and weaknesses that made the journey that much more challenging. And I really enjoyed the naivety of all the characters about living in the US and what it meant to just cross the border. Their knowledge and expectations were a little heartbreaking considering the horrible events they would have to live through JUST to make it.

Great story overall and a fantastic read.

Thanks so much for inviting me to reviews this title. It does not sound like something I would currently enjoy, so I have decided not to read and review it!

Tense, fast paced, and a healthy dose of 'I can't believe the author did (thing) to (character)!' I wasn't sure what to expect from this title, but I'm glad I tried it. It's not a part of the world that I know very much about, so it was nice to read this and learn a little. I'd love a sequel, but I don't suppose that's likely.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this title.

After reading this book I understand a lot more now why so many people run away to other countries - after all, I'd want to run away too if I was in the same situation. It's definitely opened to my eyes to the world. I connected with all the characters and even learnt to really like Marcos - I see that he's not a bad guy, just perhaps... misunderstood. I read this book in a few days, which is really good for me, as sometimes it can take me weeks! It just goes to show how much the story hooked me. I can't really find any faults with the book at all; the only reason I gave it four stars and not five is because I didn't cry. As silly as that sounds, I am an emotional person and cry very easily and that certain scene towards the end just didn't grab me as much as I'd hoped.

Hi, I was auto-approved for this but it is not my usual read so unlikely to. Thanks though!

I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

THE BORDER is an action-packed, fast-paced adventure where our heroes go across, well, the border. It's a fast read, too! It flows, and it's very entertaining. Although some of the events seem far-fetched, the sad truth is it happens. And it isn't pretty. I grew in Mexico and, believe me, the story feels authentic--kuddos to Steve Schafer for that.

In summary, THE BORDER is a fast-read thriller that feels authentic.

This book is beyond incredible. It takes you where we have never been. It is a non-stop read. I could not put it down. If I had 2 minutes I read pages. it takes you into the heart of the Troubles on the Mexican Border. It will make you sick, make you sad, make you happy and most of all it will make you understand. Such a wonderfully written book

This isn't the type of book I normally read, but I'm glad I did. It's exciting, fast paced, heart breaking in spots. I'll keep it on my Kindle for cold winter days, as it definitely made me feel the heat! The characters were very real to me and I felt for them as they did their best to escape.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I'll look forward to it coming into stock.

A powerful story of 4 teens fleeing violence in Mexico. I don't want to give any details away, but the teens, 2 are cousins and best friends and two are brother/sister, are left with an impossible situation. They begin the journey to the city of Ajo in the US in order to stay alive. But they quickly find that the journey alone may kill them and the situation they are fleeing isn't letting go easily. 

I found this a powerful narrative and a true to life account of the dangers immigrants face. While not all flee due to the extreme situation outlined here, all flee in search of opportunities and a better life. This is an excellent book for a teen group to read and discuss topics of family and immigrants. Highly recommended.

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC.

This was a tough book to read. The violence was astounding. The story is basically that a family is hit by a drug cartel and most of them are killed. A few of the teenagers survive and know they have to flee the country. They do not have the money to pay a guide or coyote and try to make it on their own. I know this is a work of fiction, but it does make you wonder how close to the true state of affairs in Mexico this really is.

I was asked by the author Steve Schafer to give an honest review of the book, this was provided through netgalley, and here are my thoughts below :)

I shall firstly start off by saying I've never read anything like this before, it's in relation to a group of teenagers having to cross the border of Mexico and you see how this develops throughout as to why they need to do this, problems they face throughout etc.

I'm finding this really difficult to give a full review because some aspects of the book were so good, I was on edge reading and I was just constantly wondering how they'd get themselves out of certain situations...

A character breakdown! Marcos wasn't a likeable character whatsoever, in the whole of the book I felt sorry for him once. The rest of the time he was a know-it-all, he was the leader therefore could do as he pleased, if anyone else tried to do this then all hell would break loose. I mean, he's such a hypocrite.

We saw things from Patos point of view. He was a nice enough character, at times I just wanted more from him. However I do like that he doesn't give in to certain aspects of pressure.

Arbo is the jokey character, and I really enjoyed his friendship with Pato. I think because the book had a sense of darkness you needed someone/something to lighten the mood, and with that we got Arbo!

Finally we have Gladys, the youngest of the group and the sister of Marcos. I have a few issues with her as a character (but I'm going to put that below). Once again a nice enough character, but we only get snippets into her.

So, what I liked?
- The first few chapters were so intense, I noticed things and was like, well what's going to happen here?!
- Sr. Ortiz! WHAT A GUY! He's pretty lovely...
- I liked that (and I know this is going to sound really odd) the main character wasn't a super butch character and goes out to fight in honour. We see real tension, horror and a person who is scared. I think because of this we got to see a sense of realism!
- That car chase!
- THE VULTURES! I was literally like D: that's the best way I can explain it!
- The back story behind Sr Ortiz and his children, I found it really odd that he'd let in these four (pretty much) strangers but you find out why, and it's quite touching really.
- PARENTS!

What are the things I didn't like?
- In certain parts near the first few chapters/beginning the continuity of the story seems a bit all over the place. For example, one minute they were playing football, the next delivering a calf? It really confused me.
- I really didn't like the fact that Gladys was flashing her boobs, she's 15, she showed her boob to a 12 year old to get a book, and then again just because she'd shown it to the other one. It's like ey?!
- The love story comes very abruptly, you knew it was coming but it happened really oddly, you got no back story to it.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, like I previously mentioned it's unlike anything I'd ever read before! I'm a bit sad that it took m so long to read (my Kindle keeps having a breakdown) but I'm super happy to of read this!

Thanks again for my copy! :)

When I first started reading The Border, I wasn’t sure whether I was going to enjoy it or not. I’ve never read a book that explores real-world issues from a fictional point of view. However, with the current political discourse surrounding legal and illegal immigration, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to read a book that focused on the individuals at the heart of the matter.

The Border is a poignant exploration of what humans can achieve under traumatic and life-threatening circumstances. It gives a face to people who would otherwise be dismissed as nothing more than illegal immigrants. This book can inspire empathy and compassion for those who are fleeing violence and circumstances beyond their control in a younger generation of readers and voters. The message behind this novel is what makes it worth reading.

The story follows four young people who are forced from their home country by violence and intimidation and are thrown into a perilous, deadly journey across an unforgiving and desolate terrain, all the while trying to hold onto their humanity and optimism in the face of constant adversity. By starting the book with a massacre at a quinceañera, Schafer ensures the reader will be engrossed from the start. Pato, Arbo, Gladys, and Marcos are engaging, well-rounded characters, and it’s easy to fall into their story and empathise with their struggles. This story is ideal for readers who like fast-paced action and adventure. The book held my attention throughout, and I was rooting for these teenagers who were thrust into circumstance beyond their control.

It should be noted that I don’t know much about drug-related violence in Mexico. The Border inspired me to go out and find more information on the subject. Topical books like these are important in raising awareness about issues we might otherwise ignore. Finding out that 800 bodies have been found along the U.S.-Mexico border was harrowing. Nobody deserves to die in pursuit of a better life. Empathy, I think, is very important. I wouldn’t wish a journey across the border on anybody. Nobody in this situation is doing it because it’s fun; they’re doing it because they see no other choice. I hope everyone who reads this book manages to connect with the characters and have a deeper understanding of what people who cross the border into America go through.

What I liked was that this was not a story idolising the US. These characters love their home and they’d stay if they had a choice. Part of the emotional impact of this story is them being torn away from a life they love – a life full of happiness, culture, and love.

A first person point of view isn’t something that works with a lot of stories, but for The Border it adds an emotional resonance you wouldn’t have with a detached third person point of view. The reader and Pato are connected and go through this journey together. It’s much easier to stay involved in the story this way. You’re emotionally involved as you’re in the character’s headspace. It was a good choice by Schafer, and it’s a point of view he writes well. I felt Pato’s fear, anxiety, and guilt easily throughout.

There are some terrifying moments in this book, and each chapter is drenched in apprehension and uncertainty. I was never sure what would happen next. There is death around every corner, and my nerves were constantly on edge. These kids never get a break! As they’re moving through the desert, it almost feels like a post-apocalyptic or dystopian novel. The threat of retribution is ever-present, hanging over the group like a storm cloud. More antagonists are introduced as the book goes along; whether it's guides, gangs, or border patrols, someone is always after them. Soon, our main characters are being threatened from all sides. They have nowhere to run. If it’s not a human element impacting on them, it’s a natural one; whether it is a lack of water, medicine, or the desert heat. This is a treacherous journey and Schafer’s description is ripe with danger; he’s always putting another obstacle in their way. The reader is constantly kept on their toes. It makes for a fast-paced and engaging story.

I was sure in the beginning that they’d all get across, but as the stakes got higher, my certainty began to waver. There’s a constant atmosphere of hopelessness present, coupled with a naive, yet endearing, optimism from our main cast of characters. This is not a light, breezy read you can enjoy on a summer afternoon; it’s something to get lost in, something to make you think. I sometimes felt the need to distance myself from their struggle so I wasn’t weighed down emotionally. For me, that’s how I know I’ve found a good book.

There are moments of reprieve among the danger they’re facing. I actually found myself smiling at some parts. Schafer does a good job of breaking up the tension so we don’t become weighed down by it. There are some light-hearted, tender moments, which helped endear me towards the characters and their plight.

Our four main characters, while slightly non-descript at first, really start to develop once they reach the desert. I liked the bond they formed as the story progressed and they began to open up to one another. They’re four different people from two different social circles, but circumstances have brought them together where they may otherwise never have socialised. They’re flawed characters, but they’re realistic, and that’s something I enjoyed about this book. They feel and sound their age. They make obvious and sometimes stupid mistakes but that’s because they’re young and still learning. In a way, this story is as much about coming of age as it as about action and adventure. Those carefree moments where they’re not just orphans escaping violence but friends growing to understand one another are what made this book so memorable. Those are the passages I loved the most, even if the action did have me on the edge of my seat.

If I was going to change one thing about this book, I’d make Gladys or Marcos the narrator. Pato isn’t a bad character, but I didn’t connect with him the same way I did the others. Marcos, while arrogant and serious, is an effective and adept leader. He’s the one who keeps them moving and makes sure they ration their supplies. Even if he is reckless at times, he’s not a bad person per see. At times, it feels like he’s the only logical person in the group besides his sister.

Another small issue I had was that Gladys wasn’t as developed as I was hoping she would be. She was often treated as a delicate flower who needed to be protected. There was a certain fierceness and strength to her that I admired, but I felt like she took a back seat to the boys at times. There was a lot of potential that went to waste. She was still my favourite part of the book and I enjoyed her character arc, I just wish we could have seen more of her. There was an inner fire to her that I really admired.

I also noticed some problems with how women were written. It wasn’t in bad taste; it's more of a personal gripe. It doesn’t have any bearing on the story, but I think it’s something the author needs to work on in his next novel. There was a quote at the beginning which chafed on my nerves slightly that talked about the young women at the quinceañera wearing too much makeup and too-high heels. Gladys is then juxtaposed against these girls and is seen wearing a homemade dress and no makeup. This is used to make her seem, in some way, “different” or “special”. At first, this doesn’t seem so bad, but then the dreaded “she isn’t like other girls” was used to describe her. It felt like the women were being pitted against each other in the beginning. It didn’t take away from the story, but it’s something that stood out.

The Border is not the type of book I’d usually pick up, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. American has entered a period of heightened debate about immigration, especially around the Mexico-U.S. border. What’s lost in these debates are the individuals going through this ordeal. There are people in need – people who are in desperate situations and are looking for an opportunity to make a better life for themselves and their families. They’re willing to risk crossing a desert that’s killed thousands, nicknamed the Devil’s Highway, and they’re under no illusion that it’ll be easy. With thousands dead, there’s no need for a wall. Nature has already constructed a far more formidable one.

The point of The Border is to inspire anyone who reads it to take a moment and imagine what drives somebody to leave their entire life behind and move to another country, even if the journey is hazardous. Empathy and understanding are at the heart of this novel, and it is well worth a read.

Book: The Border
Author: Steve Schafer
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank Sourcebooks Fire and Steve Schafer for providing me with this egalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not going to lie, whenever I first starting reading The Border, I didn’t think that I was going to like it. I am not a super big fan of immigration books and I have never read one about illegal immigrations. Plus, at first, I wasn’t drawn to the characters nor did I really care about the plot. I kept on going and I’m glad I did.

I found myself drawn into the characters’ lives and their struggles to get the United States. We hear so much in the media about illegal immigration and many of us don’t understand it. Steve creates a very passionate and thought provoking story. You hear all the time about all the bad people crossing the border, but you never really hear about those who are jus seeking a better life. I think that Steve paints a wonderful picture of this. It’s one thing to read about border crossing in the media and ask why someone would risk death to reach the US. Steve actually gives us a reason and a story behind it.

The book does start out pretty quickly. Right away, we are thrown in the action. What I didn’t like about the beginning was there was no world building. I guess if you are into jumping right into the action, then great. I felt like this early action start made it really difficult to connect with the characters. It was like we really didn’t know them, which made it difficult to connect with them.

I did like the characters and how they were all connected. I thought that knowing each other before crossing the border was a nice touch. It made the story all that much more believable. I found all the characters to be very realistic and complex.

The writing style was pretty simple and easy to read. I found myself to be flying through the book and read it in a few short settings. There are some Spanish word thrown throughout the book; I do speak a little bit of Spanish-not fluently- and was able to understand what was being said. I don’t see the language being too much of a problem.
Again, a pretty fast paced read! I think most people would probably enjoy this book, which comes out on September 5, 2017.

I was asked by the author, through Goodreads, if I would like to read and review his book, The Border by Steve Schafer. I found the synopsis interesting and decided I wanted to check into it and I am very happy that I did! The Border begins with a great introduction containing action and intense suspense and tragedy. This is an excellent book, earning a 5 star rating from me, and I couldn't put it down. I needed time to process all of the story's events before writing a review because the story felt intensely realistic and the dynamic characters are complex and original and touched my heart and mind. The story also shows humor in the face of death, with greed making terrible events even worse. I'm definitely purchasing this book for the library when it's available on September 5, 2017! The author created a fictional tale and characters based on the struggles that real people have gone through and he did this beautifully! I know students whose family members have crossed the Mexican/American border and some that have done this themselves. The story opens with an innocent quinceanera with neighbors, family members and friends attending. The fun lasts for moments before tragedy strikes in the form of gang members and guns. We have all heard about the violence and drug wars and poverty in Mexico. The Border opened my eyes to these problems with clarity and empathy. Four teenagers survive the shooting and run for their lives because a gunman spotted them. The story deals with their loss of the lives they have grown up in and the difficult trek they embark on to find safety. Their journey is in no way easy and they learn to rely on each other. Heartbreaking, educational and interesting realistic fiction story worthy of 5 stars! Highly recommended!