(2) YA In this novel inspired by El Zorro and set soon after the 1848 signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, proper young Mexican woman Lola de La Peña and her family have settled in Alta California. The new surroundings abound with sal negra, a natural sediment that has healing abilities. As pilgrims in need arrive daily in their town of Coloma seeking help from Lola's mamá, whose connection with the sal first led to the discovery of its magic, her papá and brother mine the precious substance, while Lola is sidelined by societal expectations. But when night falls, she dons riding pants, a mask, and a sombrero, becoming Salvación, a vigilante and gifted rider defending the people of Coloma against the threat of those who wish to claim sal negra and Coloma for themselves. Trouble worsens with the arrival of Damián Hernández, whose false promises of retaking Alta California are a pretense for his desire to find sal roja, sal negra's deadly, destructive opposite. Long and ruminative passages sometimes undercut the action, but the historical setting, magical realism, and light romance (Lola develops feelings for Hernández’s young righthand man) offer several points of entry for readers. Salvación’s abilities are buoyed by her family, and the novel's emphasis on the value of community and respect for the land and its natural resources thoughtfully counters the traditional image of the lone hero.

Reviewer: Jessica Agudelo | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025