The Volcano Daughters: A Novel By Gina Maria Balibrera

The Volcano Daughters is a searing debut novel that chronicles the harrowing journey of two sisters escaping genocide, weaving a rich tapestry of history, mythology, and survival. Set against the backdrop of El Salvador in 1923, the story begins with young Graciela, who lives on a volcano among Indigenous women. Her world is upended when she is summoned to the capital and claimed as an oracle for a rising dictator, El Gran Pendejo.

In the capital, Graciela discovers Consuelo, her long-lost sister, who was stolen from their community before Graciela was born. Forced to endure the tyrannical rule of El Gran Pendejo, the sisters are embroiled in a regime of terror. Their lives are forever altered when genocide ravages their homeland, leading them to believe each other dead. With their world shattered, they embark on a perilous journey across continents—Hollywood, Paris, and San Francisco’s Cannery Row—each haunted by the ghosts of their murdered friends who insist on having their stories heard.

The Volcano Daughters is a poignant exploration of love, sisterhood, and resistance. It deftly combines elements of magical realism with historical and cultural depth, offering a sweeping yet intimate portrayal of the sisters' struggle and resilience. Rich with mythological references and vivid settings, this novel is both a powerful narrative of personal survival and a compelling recounting of a broader, often overlooked history. Endlessly surprising and deeply evocative, it brings to light voices that have long been silenced.