Day’s YA: SALVACIÓN

SALVACIÓN by Sandra Proudman
9781250895080
5/20/25
Wednesday Books
Ages 13-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

Lola de la Peña is a young lady from a wealthy Mexican family, and as such must adhere to certain expectations. She is required to dress, talk, and behave in a proper way. But after her family moves to a new town in Alta California following the healing magic that only her mother can feel, Lola and her brother Víctor realize that their new town needs their help, so at night they become Salvación, masked vigilantes protecting the residents of Coloma from harm. When a mysterious woman arrives in town, unconscious and with skin stained red, she warns them of a dark and dangerous magic and the evil man who wields it. 

The next day, that very man, Hernández, arrives in town with his army of followers and his right-hand man, the handsome Alejandro. Hernández tells tales of sal roja, a dangerous salt that can kill with just a single grain. Sal roja is the counterpart to sal negra, the magical salt that Lola’s mother uses to cure the sick and injured residents of Coloma. Hernández promises that he plans to use the sal roja to help Coloma gain its independence, but Lola is skeptical of his intentions. Determined to protect her town and her family, Lola must do whatever it takes to stop Hernández. She’s ready for a fight, but she’s not prepared to fall for Alejandro, who doesn’t seem to have the same beliefs as Hernández. With everything on the line, Lola and Víctor will have to team up with Alejandro if they have any hope of bringing down Hernández.

Sandra Proudman’s debut inspired by El Zorro is packed with high-stakes action and lots of heart. Set after the signing of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, this historical fantasy examines colonization and pays homage to folk stories. The romance between Lola and Alejandro is a satisfying slow-burn full of longing, but takes a backseat to the beautifully complex relationships in the de la Peña family. Lola and Víctor’s sibling connection is so sweet, as they work together to protect each other and their town. The dynamics with their parents, however, are a little more tumultuous. While Lola is idolizes her father, she and her mother don’t fully understand each other and they butt heads often. Víctor has the opposite experience—he’s much closer with their mother. The de la Peña family—like most families—is complicated and full of big personalities that don’t always align, making this a story that a lot of people will be able to relate to. 

In addition to the beautiful romantic and family relationships, this book also has an incredibly fun protagonist in Lola. She’s very stubborn, but also very compassionate, and her devotion to her family and community is endearing. Plus the magic system in SALVACIÓN is unique and enchanting. The juxtaposition of the sal roja and sal negra made for an interesting conflict. I’d hand this to anyone looking for a YA read that is full of adventure, heart, and a touch of romance. 

“A heartfelt, swashbuckling, standout novel.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Happy Reading!
<3 Emily

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