Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Draven's Run by Glenn Somodi plunges readers into a dystopian 2050 where the US border is a lethal, creature-guarded “Red Zone.” The story starts with Gabriella, a young Mexican girl with a gift for computers, and her mother, attempting the perilous journey across the border for a better life. Their trek becomes terrifying as they confront Draven Labs’ mechanical horrors and the desperation and betrayal among fellow crossers. Gabriella's intelligence and the unexpected aid of a kind cartel member, Manuel, offer fleeting hope, only for tragedy to strike. Gabriella discovers a hidden tunnel and is rescued by the mysterious Wallflowers, an activist group dedicated to helping immigrants and dismantling Draven Labs. She is given a new identity and the chance to pursue her passion for technology, quickly connecting with like-minded individuals who share her burning desire for justice and her understanding of the sinister forces at play. Aiden and Gabby discover that Draven Labs has begun testing a powerful weapon, and they must use their hacking skills to dismantle Draven Labs before it’s too late for humanity.

Glenn Somodi offers enthralling worldbuilding and resonant themes. The characters are compellingly drawn, particularly Gabby, whose sharp intellect is her most significant asset. Her journey is a visceral depiction of the human cost of draconian border policies. Red Draven, the architect of this mechanized border, is a chilling figure driven by personal tragedy and a twisted sense of patriotism. His creation of the Civil Watch game, where citizens virtually hunt immigrants, reveals a horrifying normalization of cruelty and dehumanization, a stark and unsettling theme explored throughout the book, and one that is a bitter warning of what can become of the United States. The setting of Draven's Run is vividly rendered, with the Red Zone becoming a brutal and unforgiving landscape. The intrigue stems from the secrets of Draven Labs, the mysterious disappearances of those with “two marks,” and the hidden network of the Wallflowers working to expose and dismantle Draven's empire. The tension grows through each scene as the author explores the blurred lines between security and cruelty. I haven’t read anything as unique, original, and captivating this year.