The Border by Steve Schafer
5 out of 5 stars.

Goodreads Description: 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…

I was emailed by the publisher and sent an ARC of The Border on Netgalley. Release Date: September 5th 2017.

Just by reading the description of The Border, I knew it was going to be an emotional roller coaster type read and it was. SO MANY FEELS. I laughed, I mostly cried. It was such a sad and emotional story. It’s also a story about survival and boy did Pato, Arbo, Marcos, and Gladys fight to survive. I grew to love every single character; even Marcos and at times it was so hard to. The things that they had to see and live through, no kid should ever have to. They lost everything and in the end they only had each other and they needed each other more than anything. They fought hard and I was rooting for them all the way to the end.

I’m glad I was given the opportunity to read this book, because it’s so important. Things that have happened in this book are things that have been going on in Mexico for decades. This isn’t something new and it’s still happening today. The Border may be a work of fiction, but some of the places and things happening are not. There are thousands of people that lose their lives in the Mexican desert just trying to get out of an already crappy life in Mexico. They’re willing to risk everything (even their life) for the chance and hope for something better for themselves and their families.

Overall, The Border was a very emotional read. At times it was pretty scary and some of the events that happen are horrific. There were some good moments as well even through all the bad. Hands down, one of my favorite books of the year so far. This book, this story, these characters were EVERYTHING. I loved this book so much and it’ll be one of those books that I will forever think about, talk about, and recommend.

In case you  missed it;
Friday Finds #69.
Thoughts|| Little & Lion.
Recap|| July.

I hope you have a great day!