The Border

by Steve Schafer

Perfect for readers of This Is Where it Ends, The Border is a gripping drama about four teens, forced to flee home after a deadly cartel rips apart their families. They must now face life-threatening danger and unimaginable sacrifice as they attempt to cross the U.S. border.

"Thrilling... often brilliant."-Kirkus

One moment changed their lives forever.

A band plays, glasses clink, and four teens sneak into the Mexican desert, the hum of celebration receding behind them.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Not fireworks-gunshots. The music stops. And Pato, Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys are powerless as the lives they once knew are taken from them.

Then they are seen by the gunmen. They run. Except they have nowhere to go. The narcos responsible for their families' murders have put out a reward for the teens' capture. Staying in Mexico is certain death, but attempting to cross the border through an unforgiving desert may be as deadly as the secrets they are trying to escape...

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Fiction, Crime

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Steve Schafer is the author of The Border, a finalist for the Joan F. Kaywell “Books Save Lives” Award. Schafer enjoys exploring cultural hot topics. In the The Border, he addresses our conversation around immigration. In his new novel, eMortal (Nov 2024), he examines the tricky questions and nebulous ethics that may arise with quickly evolving AI.

He has a Masters in International Studies from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Wharton. His curiosity for exploring diverse perspectives on life has led him to live, work, study, volunteer, and travel to over 65 countries across 6 continents.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Pato is entering his cousin's birthday celebration with his parents he sees a strange black car sitting outside the house and means to say something about it but with the excitement of entering with his family it slips his mind. Later in the night Pato, Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys sneak away from the party to smoke when all of a sudden gunshots ring out in the night.

When the group return they find everyone from all their families have been executed with the gunmen still there. Marcos thinks quick and finds a gun to return fire but the group finds themselves on the run from the drug dealers. With nowhere to go and the narcos doing everything they can to find them the group finds themselves setting out to cross the desert hoping to find freedom in the US.

Steve Schafer has come up with an excellent novel that truly fits today's society and headlines giving a look into the lives of some of the innocent that are forced to flee Mexico and risk their lives crossing the border illegally. With all the talk in the news of building walls on the border this story is very relevant with the four innocent teens having no other option but to run away from their home due to the volatile situation that was not any doing on their part.

The story is fairly fast paced with a decent amount of action building the tension throughout their journey although I did find a few slower moments. There's a bit of a romance that builds between Pato and Gladys which of course didn't sit well with Gladys' older brother Marcos who becomes the self appointed leader and protector of the group to add to the drama of the story during their crossing. Arbo was the sort of class clown type of personality which leads to a few funnier moments to lighten up the read here and there.

Overall, while this young adult read is a story of fiction the reality of the characters situation is a great look into the struggles that some truly do suffer and I'd definitely recommend checking it out.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

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! :)

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Schafer is celebrating the release of THE BORDER with a print copy giveaway!

Click on Cover to enter! - U.S. addresses - Ends September 10, 2017

Incredible life drama and the terror of four young teens running for survival after they witness the brutal mass slaying of their families and a contract is put on their lives. They will flee from their homes in Mexico across the scorching desert only to face attempting an unplanned, illegal escape into the United States. They are clueless as to what will happen or if they will all make it, let alone, what they will do if they do cross that magic boundary.

Steve Schafer’s THE BORDER is as horrific as it is intensely magnetic as we take each step, feel each desperate emotion and can only hope they will all survive with the odds stacked against them and monsters on their heels.

The emotional toll on these teens is enormous and every single word or step they take comes alive in bitter and raw clarity. These are children forced into a world few adults could survive and their inner strength is nothing short of admirable, even as the truth that they have nowhere to go as a safe haven is heartbreaking. This is one of those reads that cannot be “unread” or forgotten.

I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (September 5, 2017)
Genre: Drama
Hardcover: 360 pages
ISBN-10: 1492646830
ISBN-13: 978-1492646839
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
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!

I received a copy from the publisher via netgalley.

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Border is a fast paced and thought provoking thriller, following 4 youngsters who having witnessed a violent tragedy go on the run through the harsh desert, facing danger at every turn.

The realities of the situation are brought to vivid and horrific life through the absorbing and immersive writing of the author – the kids are not all likable and they are not tough, although often they pretend to be and you are with them all the way in their frantic dash for freedom and their hope for a new life away from the cartels and violence of their home country.

There are some heart stopping moments here, some tear inducing emotional moments but an underlying hope for salvation – it is a fast and furious read that will stay with you after you’ve turned the final pages. The ultimate resolution leaves you thinking, it certainly puts a new face on certain aspects of our society.

The Border is entertaining but it is also authentic and hits you hard with realism – I read it in two breathless sittings and have no problem at all recommending it.

[MeggieBree · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

The Border is a heart-breaking, harrowing tale that definitely puts a human face on illegal immigration. It is timely considering the political climate in the United States right now, with all of this fear-mongering and talk of building a wall.

In the Author's Note, Mr. Schafer states "My hope for anybody who reads this novel is that it inspires you to take a moment and imagine what drives someone to come to this country and what that journey is like, whether legal or illegal. Empathy begins with the recognition that everyone has a story." I think it is extremely unfortunate that the people who most need to read this book to open their eyes, hearts and minds to humanity will never pick it up.

I have never read a book quite like this one. I honestly did not think that I was going to like it very much, and I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you Mr. Schafer for humanizing, well, humans. And thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I'll definitely be purchasing this one for the library.

[Maya ︎☁︎︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided with an egallery by Sourcebooks Fire and Steve Schafer in exchange for an honest review.

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 circumstance. 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 dangerous circumstances.

“Even if we die out there, we’ll live longer than if we stay here.”

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 have 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 with 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 feels more 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. Someone is always after them, whether it be guides, gangs, or border patrols. 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, however, 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 too weighed down by it. There are some light-hearted, tender moments, which helped endear me towards the characters and their plight.

“Empathy begins with the recognition that everyone has a story.”

Our four main characters, while slightly non-descript at first, really start to develop once they reach the desert. I liked the bond they developed 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 memorable. Those are the passages I loved the most, even if the action did have me on the edge of my seat.

What I admired the most about these main characters was their strength in the face of adversity. Each of them deals with pain and trauma in different ways, but all of them have a similar drive to survive. These characters have lost everything and their home has been taken from them. They’ll never see it again. None of them can risk going back. I couldn’t imagine leaving my life behind; I’d want to hold onto whatever I could. I was engaged in their struggle, and I was invested in them getting across the border.

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. (For example, Gladys’s death felt as if it was done purely to further the pain of Pato and her brother. She didn’t stand on her own. Her character seems to exist purely to prop up the men and that’s not okay. Everyone was trying to protect her but she didn’t seem as if she needed it. There was a fire to her that was never developed. In a way, her death felt like it existed to fulfil the “I should have protected her” angst. She could have been developed into somebody other than a sister and a love interest. Her decisions were made for her by her brother and she never stood up to him. There was also a case of Arbo “letting” Pato have her as if she couldn’t decide for herself. She wasn’t a badly written character, but she could have been better.)

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. Please, please do not pit girls against each other in your stories! My only note for this passage on my Kindle reads, "Really?" You can actually hear my eyes roll.

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.

[Greyson | Use Your Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lucky.
It's a strange word to use. I wonder if this is how it happens. If this is how you go on. If you simply decide that, in some small way, you got a break. That in spite of nearly everything that could have gone wrong, that did go wrong, a few of the cosmic dice have rolled in your favor. Enough to get by. Enough to leave you with a splinter of hope. And you build from there.

I had started to lose hope on arcs. I think my biggest problem was I didn't look into the books properly before requesting them so I've ended up with quite a few that just aren't for me. It became a chore to read them. The Border was a light at the end of the tunnel.

"To the other side," Marcos says, wiping the final streaks on his own face.
"To us," Arbo says.
"To our families," Gladys says.
"To the unknown-may we see it coming," I say.
The Border follows four teenagers who go on the run after the narcos gate crash a quinceanera, kill their families, and then put a cash reward on their heads. The only way out is through the unforgiving desert to the U.S. Under the best circumstances they might not survive but after rushing out without a guide and no real outline of how to get through, Pato, Arbo, Marcos and Gladys have slim to none chances of making it through to the other side to safety.

This book is so beautifully written, I don't like journey books. And The Border is one giant journey but I still loved it. Did my attention stray a bit during? Yes, but I kept reading when normally I would have put it down. The reason I stayed was because of the characters.

"Okay! Look, none of us know where we are. Let's at least admit it. We're lost."
"We're not lost. We just don't know the right direction to go."
"That's what lost is!"
"No, lost is when you don't know where you are. We know where we are."
"Please, do tell. Where are we?"
I loved the characters in this book. You've got Pato, our narrator, Arbo his cousin and best friend, Marcos the 'cool guy' that always intimidated Pato and Arbo, and his little sister Gladys who Arbo had a crush on and Pato is developing feelings for. They've all lost their families, emotions are running high which makes for a lot of hot headed arguments and they were honestly some of my favourite scenes! They've all got smart mouths especially Pato and Arbo which is one of my favourite attributes in a character. They've all lost so much and the dynamics between them are what kept me reading when the journey was boring me and I was getting impatient.

I was just beginning to accept that my future has been stolen from me, and now I'm being robbed of my past.
Pato is sweet and sensitive. He's quick witted and his whole world has been ripped out from under him. He's the driving force of the group when they're wandering through the desert. Without realizing it he has become the leader which is the last job he wants after his family was murdered.

"What would Revo tell you right now, Arbo?"
"Revo's dead."
"What?"
"You know what Revo did?"
"No."
"He fought bad guys."
"Okay."
"Well, they won. Actually, they were winning all along, and I had no idea."
I really related to Arbo, his whole life has shattered around him and he is angry, he's fucking pissed off. He's angry at Pato, Marcos, his family, the narcos, the desert. Yet somehow he manages to overcome all of that and keep moving forward. He turns his anger into fuel. People can harp on about how dangerous and toxic anger is but I don't think that's a fair assumption. Anger is the best kind of fuel. Its healthy to get angry, it's counterproductive to try and ignore your feelings, to bottle them up, because they'll only explode later on. I'd rather get a use out such a feeling, I'd rather use it to fuel me through all the hurdles in my way and Arbo proves that this works.

"You have to know when to break the rules."
Marcos is probably the most complicated character in the book. He's also perhaps the most human.
He makes a lot of mistakes, so many! All for the name of bravery, revenge, protectiveness, all the things that are such common aspects of humanity.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't curse him a lot while reading this book. He did a lot of fucking dumb shit but he tried really hard to give them all the best chance at survival, unlike Arbo though, who let his anger fuel him, Marcos let his anger blind him.

Gladys has her own compass. That's not easy, especially where we're from.
Gladys is so pure and lovely and good. She sees the best in everyone. She loves her brother so much she would rather die than lose him, she loves with all her heart. She searches for the positivity in everything. Gladys deserved better. My biggest problem with this book is that she was the one who died. She was the only girl in the group but of course she had to die to give the boys the will to keep going.

Also now that I think about it why is it that the only girl in the group was the one who was pure and good and all the things considered feminine???? Oh wow, guess I have more beef with this book than I thought. Oops.

We are-and always will be-bonded together. Be Tragedy. By Triumph. By our very blood.
Anyway, I really did enjoy this book. I loved getting a glimpse into what it is like for immigrants who just want a better life than what's on offer in their country. It showed just how dangerous life in Mexico can be, the battles it's people fight daily. The Border was raw, and real which is exactly what I want in a contemporary tackling a subject people would rather pretend doesn't exist. It made me fight back tears and stifle laughs while I was reading it between customers at work. It made my heart ache for every single strong and brave person who ever took the very risky challenge of walking through that desert just so they would get a chance at asylum. You all deserve a round of applause and a drink for your bravery and hardships. And you sure as hell deserve better treatment from a country that's meant to be the land of the free. No person is illegal. You matter, you deserve to be here and you sure as hell fought to be here.
And for those of us who will never understand being in that kind of position, may we always remember our humanity, our privilege and spare a moment for those who didn't make it.

Empathy begins with the recognition that everyone has a story.

___
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[Tyler Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Schafer’s The Border is, without a doubt, one of the best books I’ve read all year. I don’t typically delve into YA, because, like many, I felt (wrongly, I see) like the genre didn’t have much to offer an “Old Adult,” but I’m delighted to be wrong. Bristling with suspense, humanity, horror, and humor, The Border is a gripping tale from start to finish.

When a deadly attack at a quinceñera suddenly sends friends Pato (our narrator) and Arbo--along with the cool soccer star Marcos, and Gladys (the object of Pato’s affection)—running from a vengeful, brutal gang of narcotraficantes known only as La Frontera (The Border), the four friends begin a desperate, perhaps misbegotten trek north through the Sonoran Desert to find “freedom” across the border the in the U.S. While their journey to the US is fraught with thrilling tension and moments of exceedingly tense exchanges throughout, Schafer also offers poignant reflections on culture and life north of the border. In one of many elegant and thought-provoking passages, Schafer has his narrator Pato ruminate:

"I wonder what life might be like had I been born over there. If I were the one sitting in the SUV with a frosty drink in hand, on my way to play at a fancy resort. Would I have noticed me watching from the sidewalk? Would I have merrily taken pictures while armored police cars rolled down the streets? Would my life have been better or just different?”

From its opening scene to its satisfying, heart-wrenching conclusion, The Border is a truly brilliant novel that couldn’t be more timely, and necessary. I recommend this book for not just YA audiences, but for anybody looking for an intelligent, beautifully written look at border politics or just a damn good yarn. Like any good mystery, the questions in The Border revolve more around the whydunnit than the whodunnit, with plenty of bracing action and biting political/cultural satire to satisfy readers both young and old. A breathless and provocative tour de force that hits the mark everywhere brilliant fiction should.

A masterful effort!

[amber [ cozynaturereads] ☁️🌞💗 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows 4 friends Pato, Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys. They are at a family members quincera when shots fire and from then their lives have changed.

The beginning of the book was equally sad for me. These 4 kids watched their family members be killed in front of them and they couldn't help without getting killed themselves. So they decide to go on the run. They meet up with a man that Pato knows and he helps them get supplies together to cross the border and go to the States.

I was really proud of these four characters and how strong they were despite what they were going through. They did butt heads but no matter what they stayed there for each other. There was a death but I won't say. The book sometimes did D R A G but overall it was a good read. The author did a lot of research on the gangs in Mexico and how people are always trying to cross to the border.

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot describe how important I think “The Border” is for everyone from middle grade up to read. The story really put a face on the plights of those crossing the US border from the south. The author did meticulous research and took great care to tell the story in an easy to understand manner. This would be perfect for classroom and child/parent discussions. It’s also a good choice for reluctant readers and those looking for diversity in their books. Highly recommended.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading: June 24th 2018

“We are right on the border. The border. Of story, of legend, of dreams. ut we might as well be on the moon. So famous, yet so desolate.”

Weird fact: I have a strange fascination for any story related to the war on drugs, cartels and the consequences of both. After a course or two during Uni, a thesis and quite a few related books, TV shows and movies, my thirst for this theme still hasn't lessened. So honestly I should have known this book would hit the right spot even before I started it. The Border is more about the cartels and the consequences of antagonizing them than the actual war on drugs, but the theme is without doubt fascinating. The narcos killing the families of the main characters is sadly enough not all that uncommon, and neither is the hunt that starts afterwards. I really liked how Steve Schafer isn't afraid to state the hard, painful and shocking facts, describing to us in a realistic way how the teens have to run for their lives. The incorporation of Spanish into the writing was spot on and added more authenticity to the story; the descriptions of both characters and setting detailed and realistic. The writing style managed to put me under its spell and I couldn't let this story go until the very end. Ever feel like putting everything on hold until you reach the final page? That is what happened while I was reading The Border. This is not a happy story and the characters truly struggle; some parts are truly heartbreaking and make sure you have some tissues at hand just in case. But this realistic rendering of the four Mexican teens trying to cross the desert to reach the safety of US territory is simply sublime. I can highly recommend reading this one if you are interested in the theme, or if you enjoy reading realistically described (YA) thrillers.

P.S. Find more of my reviews here.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit that this book hit me pretty hard. I knew when I agreed to read it that it was going to be emotionally-charged, but knowing and feeling aren't the same thing. The opening chapters where the families of the four main characters, Pato (the narrator), Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys, are murdered packs a punch. I appreciated the fact that Pato doesn't behave like a brave hero, he behaves like most people would, he freezes up and soils himself. When Arbo is seen by the gunmen, crying over his father's body, Marcos steps in and shoots Arbo's assailant. The problem is that that assailant's brother sees them do it and swears to get revenge. And while the teens manage to escape, they have very little going for them. They have no supplies and no family they dare approach for help.

Seeking shelter at the house of an elderly acquaintance of Pato and Arbo, they have to decide what they are going to do, especially when they learn there is a price on their heads, a big one. Their options are few and they decide crossing the border into the United States is their only hope of survival. But things continue to go wrong and soon the four teenagers are left wondering if it's even worth the effort.

Goodness it was hard reading about the loss these kids suffer and knowing that it isn't uncommon south of the border. Even harder is reading about their struggle to survive in the desert, a beautiful, but brutal place that they are utterly unprepared to face. When further tragedy strikes, I literally had tears running down my face. And yet I had to admire their persistence in the face of almost impossible odds.

Frankly, a book like this is needed. With all the contention over immigration law and building walls, it's easy to forget that their are real people involved, many who are truly desperate to make a better life for themselves. This book really made me think about those who are caught in the middle coming her illegally. I believe I now have more empathy for them.

One note on content: there is some profanity, mild sexual activity and references, and quite a bit of violence, some of it down right heart-breaking. Please keep these things in mind when sharing this book. Not all teens will be able to read this.

[Lilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Empathy begins with the recognition that everyone has a story" -Steve Schafer at the end of his author's note for this novel.

This book will wreck you.

In college I remember reading Coyotes by Ted Conover for an anthropology course. The accounts in that book are real stories, but what Schafer does in his fictional account of immigration is no less powerful. The journey of these four young teens is a way our students can become part of this dialogue with which our country wrestles. Schafer's writing is raw and powerful, and he does not hold back.

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

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.

[Gerardo Delgadillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Khristina Chess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four teenagers in Mexico escape a birthday party massacre with their lives and nothing else. Their families are dead. They are wanted as fugitives by drug cartels. They have nothing. With little resources, they head on a journey into the desert to seek asylum in the United States.

This is the premise of Steve Schafer's novel, The Border.

Despite the terrible things that had happened and were happening, I had a hard time connecting with the characters on a deep level. Too much time was spent in superficial dialog. Still, the plot and pacing made the pages turn. I wanted to know whether or not they would make it (or who might not make it), and what they planned to do once they crossed. The constant threat from the gangs who were chasing them was real. Death from thirst, heat, and exhaustion was real.

There were some truly horrific moments in the book that the author could have handled more deftly, such as the young man's body that the group encounters. There are several such scenes.

Still, a good read and worth a look.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was much to celebrate as the different families came together for the birthday party of a fifteen year old girl. While the party was in full swing four of the young adults, Pato, Arbo, Marcos and Gladys sneak off for a smoke away from the eyes of their parents. When they hear sort of cracking noises they recognise it for gun fire and soon discover that all of their families have murdered execution style and the men responsible for the killings are still there. Marcos manages to get a gun from the house and a mini shoot out takes places between them and the bad guys. Finally the four manage to escape but not without this gang knowing who they are. They use the media to help to track them down as ‘missing children’. It really is game on as nothing seems like it will stop the narcos from hunting them down and finishing the job they began, to wipe all the families out!
There is only one solution for these traumatized kids and that is to make the perilous journey across the desert border between Mexico into the USA. A journey that takes a huge amount of lives each year from the elements, bandits and gangs roaming on the USA side also ready to take them down. This is a really touching story where a couple of the kids have to face a reality of their families lives that they never knew about.
This story puts four very traumatized kids into the situation of having no choice but to cross the border into the USA to literally try to save their lives as going back is certain death. The story though tells of the dangers that face hundreds of Mexicans each year while trying to enter America illegally.
Steve Schafer gives a very realistic account of the perilous journey made between Mexico and America through these four young and very naive teenagers. From the time their families were wiped out they have quickly transformed from children to adults. They are the ones that have to make all the decisions now. They have all had to face losing their families and it has formed a reluctant bond between them if they are going to survive they need each other.
This is a very fast paced story that gets straight into the action, the chase and then at a slower pace, but one of the most intense times, the journey crossing of the border. A story mixed with fact and fiction brilliantly told that will suit mid teens as a real gripping read and older readers as a fascinating story.
I wish to thank the publisher for an ARC of this book which I have reviewed fairly and honestly.

[T.J. Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pato, Arbo, Gladys, and Marco are such genuine, well-developed characters, I feel I know them -- really know them. I had a stake in their fate – I needed to see them through their trials, to safely overcome incredible obstacles, and to reach their destination unknown. I was so emotionally involved in these four teenagers’ lives that I kept thinking about them long after I finished reading.

The fact that the fate and the journey of these four young people is not just fiction to so many, not just in North America, but worldwide, makes this story all the more potent, and hard to swallow.

The writing is fantastic. I never felt like I was reading a novel, but felt rather like I was sharing in the experience, the tragedies, the hardships, the bonding, the friendship, the love.


I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story was so raw, but I think that's what made it as good as it is. I really enjoyed the book and I think it's an important story to tell. It talks about gang wars and while I can't speak for the representation, it felt well researched and was definitely both interesting and heartbreaking at the same time.

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts slowly enough. Kids at a boring family and friends occasion in Mexico, celebrating a girl’s fifteenth birthday. Four of the teenagers – Pato, Arbo, Gladys and Marcos – escape for a quiet cigarette away from the adults and other kids. A few puffs (and coughs), then the book explodes with a bang – and another bang – and screaming. In a few short violent minutes, everything that was dear to the four has been obliterated by a hail of narco bullets.
Violence engendered by the drug lord narcos is an everyday occurrence in northern Mexico, but it doesn’t usually affect the families of upstanding hard-working people – such as Pato and Arbo’s fathers. So, they are at a loss to understand why they have been targeted. And why today at a young girl’s birthday party? One thing all four are immediately aware of, is that the narcos will not stop until all people who were at the party have been executed. Soon they are running for their lives – no real plan, except to get out of Mexico, where the narco influence is too strong, and hopefully into USA, where the narcos have less power.
The border of the title, is the US/Mexican border, which they need to cross if they will ever be safe. It is also the name of the narco gang that is hunting them.
The story is narrated by Pato, who is sixteen, remarkably level-headed and mature. Arbo is his best friend and cousin, who fears the loss of his good memories of his father, more than he fears his own death. Marcos, at seventeen, is the oldest, and most volatile of the four. Up to now, Marcos has been an alpha male, popular and good at sports. He does not adapt well to his new role, and is always looking for ways to reassert his status. His machismo, and overprotectiveness of his sister, Gladys, cause the group additional problems. Gladys is fifteen, an artist and a dreamer.
Because Pato has narrated the story, you are pretty sure that he will survive. But who else will live is not certain. You quickly become invested in the fate of each of the four, and will them to live. The narcos are seldom far behind, but more treacherous still is the Sonoran desert, that the teenagers have been forced to cross with little preparation. The aridity and heat of the desert almost come palpable as you read the book. You thirst and burn along with the teenagers Along the way, the teenagers are helped by a few good Samaritans who place their own lives in danger by their altruistic aid. Could we do the same – or would the fear be too great?
These teenagers have been driven from their homes and lives by situations well beyond their control. They do not want to become illegal immigrants, but have no choice. Reading this book, you cannot fail to sympathise with the four. It makes you then consider all the other thousands, millions of immigrants around the world. Who should be given a safe haven? Did they have a choice? Is the journey worth the privations that they suffer? Are the people traffickers always evil, or a necessity for the travellers? Will the states of the first world really suffer so much if we let immigrants in?
This is a very well written book, that tells a vivid and tense, fast-paced tale, with strong characterisation, and excellent prose. You can read it as a suspense-filled adventure story – but the moral questions it raises make it an even greater read. I highly recommend it.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[miss.mesmerized mesmerized · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was meant to be the great celebration as it is a tradition in Mexico: Carmen’s 15th birthday, the so called quinceañera to which many friends of the family were invited. But then suddenly shouting and gunshots. Just a couple of minutes later, almost all guests are dead, shot in the head. Only the teenagers Pato and Arbo, best friends since they were born, and the siblings Marcos and Gladys have survived because they had gone outside and could hide in the backyard. Then they are seen and they have to run. In Mexico under to law of rivalling gangs no one can escape their verdict. They must go north, to the USA, take the hard route through the desert without money, without knowing how. An old friend of Pato’s father helps them at first, and hides them for a couple of days, but the gangs are after them and soon the four lost souls find themselves out in the blazing sun without water or orientation.

Steve Schafer’s novel narrates a story we mainly know from the news: Mexico, a country in which the governmental institutions are powerless against the well-organised gangs who rule not only the drug market but also the human trafficking business. It is with them you have to come to terms with and either you accept their rules or you find yourself shot dead. The story thus seems to be quite authentic and especially the people’s fear which is omnipresent throughout the plot gives a good impression of what life is like there.

In the centre, we have two main aspects. The first is the illegal transgression of the northern border. It is not only the danger of being caught by the border patrol – neither on the Mexican nor on the US side this is something you can with for. It is also the dangerous and often fatal route through the desert. During daytime, the sun is burning hot and since you cannot carry as much water as you’d normally need, it is a tricky calculation if your supplies will suffice for your route. On the other hand, without a local guide, you are soon lost and erring around the sandy landscape. The four teenagers, too, make these experiences which more than once bring them close to death. Also the other refugees who pop out now and again tell the same story. Additionally, this is a market and again, you cannot just you what you want to without following the rules of the gangs.

The second and even more interesting aspect is the relationship between the four of them. For one thing, they are too young to know why their parents were shot. This question is looming over them, especially when Pato and Arbo come to realise that Marcos, who is a bit older, seems to know something. And when the two boys have to accept that their fathers’ business might not have been what they always thought it was and that they, too, might have made deals with the gangs, they have to adapt everything they ever believed in to this. Further, being threatened by death brings them closer together at times and more apart at others. They are on the edge with their nerves and often close to just giving up.

The author especially succeeds in the psychological portrayal of the characters under those extreme conditions. They are lively and never act like adults might in their place. They have a survival instinct but nevertheless stick to their teenage convictions shaped by the idea of friendship and mutual support. All in all, a young adult novel with the typical topics of the genre presented under the most awful conditions and written at a high pace which makes you read on.

[Lissette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided with an advanced copy of this book by Sourcebooks Fire and Steve Schafer in exchange for an honest review.
The Border is a book that deals with the topic of illegal immigration given the circumstances of a tragedy that happens to 4 Mexican teenagers during a birthday party. Pato, Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys have to cross the border after losing their families forcing them to deal with violence, death, pain, and trauma as they make their make across the border. Each of the main characters have their own strengths which they use in certain points in the book. While, it was hard to picture them since they aren't described vividly enough for me to place them. It is told in first person from Pato's perspective, he was a well rounded character who had to deal with a lot in a short amount of time. His determination and strength is what drives the story. His cousin, Arbo is the comic relief of the group while Marcos and Gladys are siblings. Marcos was a complex character, a lot of times I couldn't tell what he was thinking and Gladys was a character that was strong and independent. Although, I wish that she had been developed more instead of just being the sister and Pato's love interest. She was seen as the caretaker of the group and used to make the guys feel better.
With that being said, She shouldn't have been resorted to being the saving grace of the guys when she's able to hold her own. It just sends a bad message to kill off the only girl in the group because that just means that she was just used as a plot-device to motivate the guys.
Also, there was a scene in the book where the characters do a blood ritual as a way of bonding them together, it was suppose to be a bonding moment but it just rubbed me the wrong way because they put the blood on their faces with two lines across their cheeks. It seemed cultural appropriation of the Native American culture.
While I did not mind Pato as the main character of the book, I think the book would have worked better if Arbo or Gladys would have told the story from their perspective considering it was Arbo's sister party that was attacked. In addition, while the book is about 4 Mexican teenagers it is not an own-voices book while sadly was obvious by the way certain things in the mexican culture were described and the dialogue. For instance, the characters speak Spanish to each other and this is proven when Arbo and Pato are talking about that they don't know English meaning that they have been speaking Spanish throughout the entire book. Overall, I give the book a 3.5 star.While I enjoyed the story and the journey the characters had to go through, I don't agree with how certain things were handled. If you want to read Latinx#OwnVoices books then I suggest
Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Gabi : A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera

[Alyson Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
If only Pato would have said something about the mystery car that was parked outside on the street, perhaps things might have been different. But Pato dismissed the car once he was inside the party, overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of relatives and family, the birthday party was just beginning. As the boys smoked their cigarettes back behind the house, the real excitement was occurring at the party, excitement that will have lasting effects. It was the gunfire that brought the boys running in, the bodies lying in groups and individually, the room was hopeless. There was a confrontation, one gunman is shot and one is furious to see his brother lying dead. Thus, begins the fight between these groups of individuals.

The boys and one sister are now on the run but where can they find shelter in a corrupt Mexican world? What gang would do this to their families and why? Quick thinking, leads them to an individual who loves his liquor but also carries strong feelings towards the world he lives in. With their photographs being plastered everywhere, these four young individuals must decide what to do with their lives. Mexico seems to be, no longer an option, they must cross the border yet people are looking for them and the gang will not let them survive. It’s a race against time, against criminals and individuals who want to turn them in and it’s a race against the elements.

From the beginning pages, this novel took off. As they made their journey, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat worried with anxiety and anticipation. What awaited them as they made their way and would they all actually survive, were my main concerns. I enjoyed the confrontations and the struggles that the group experienced. Try to image what it would be like crossing an unknown territory while being under the scrutiny of others, would you be able to handle it?
I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was intense and beautiful in the most ugly way. It is unfortunate that those who most need to read this book won't even consider picking it up.

This story humanizes the political hot topic simply referred to as "border control". Those two words are so impersonal and are used to scare Americans into thinking that so many parts of our lives are negatively impacted by those who cross our border illegally. I admit my bias. I have empathy for these people and wish we would welcome them with open arms. I think our country is a better place because of migrants that have come to America. Legally and illegally. Politics aside, I'm hopeful that everyone will find empathy in the story of Pato, Gladys, Marco and Abro's decision to risk their lives in order to safe those same lives.

This isn't an easy story to read, folks. It's violent and heart breaking. It gives you hope and then takes it away and then gives a little bit of it back to you. You'll hold that hope close to your heart and watch a little bit more of it spill out like the sand in the hot Sonoran desert. It's suspenseful. There are good guys, bad guys and guys that fall somewhere in-between. There's mystery. Heck, there's even a bit of romance. It has a bit of everything. Most importantly, it has a message. Well, many messages, really. (The scene with the bikers really did it for me. I am made a donation to the South Texas Human Rights Center immediately upon finishing this book to make myself feel like I was doing SOMETHING.)

I hope this book lands in the hands it needs to land in. It's relevant, well written and just...necessary. The people affected by "Border Control" have stories to tell and we need to listen.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a free e-galley from Netgalley.

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.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

From the moment they hear gun shots, the lives of Pato his cousin Abro, popular fellow student Marcos and Marcos' sister Gladys, are changed forever. From the minute they discover the blood bath where their parents and families have been killed, which ultimately leads to them crossing the desert from Mexico to the US, unprepared and with no clear idea of where they are headed.

The author does not hold back in showing us the horror of what Pato and his friends are going through which is part of what makes The Border such a gripping story. I was on the edge of my seat watching these teens go from one dangerous situation to another with only each other to lean on. The problem is, they are teens with the usual teen angst and fighting among themselves which sometimes makes the situation worse.

This is one of those stories where I had no idea where the story was going and I love that. Would they survive the desert? Would they make it to the US? I had no idea and I was just along for what is at times a harrowing ride. But you know what? Every now and then little glimpses of hope and love appear in the story and those moments are more meaningful giving what Pato and the group are going through. I fell in love with Pato, Abro, Marcos and Gladys and I just wanted them to survive. To live. The Border is a fantastic story that I think teens and adults will enjoy it.

[Kelly]

I guess having read The Devil's Highway and a few takes on border crossing, this just didn't do anything new or interesting -- especially with the poorly-written, hard-to-buy romance. I appreciated how hard-faced Pato and Arbo are, especially after losing their entire families, but so much other stuff about emotions and feelings rang false to me. In part because it was either 100% there or 100% not there. I found some of the choices to be bizarre as well. Presumably, the characters all speak Spanish and, as they themselves say, they don't know any English. So the book being in English is theoretically a translation -- not a big deal (a lot of books set in non-English speaking countries would work that way). But then there are numerous phrases in Spanish peppered throughout that make no sense, as they're common enough phrases that they don't need to be there or would simply be English-ized. Of course, they're italicized, too, to really press it in.

It's not bad, but it's not especially great, either.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing story about four teens who lost their families to a gang shooting and find their own lives are in danger. They have to leave their country and cross the border into the U.S. But is any place safe for them? I think a lot of readers will enjoy the fast pace of this book. The characters are understandable and complex. It also will bring up discussion about immigration and maybe make the readers think twice and feel some empathy. My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication in exchange for an honest review