I've attempted to read this one several times now and have struggled to follow the plot every time. I think this one may need to be an eyeball read for me.

I personally did not love the narration for this one. I listen to a ton of audiobooks, but sometimes I just don’t love a narrator and will have to try and read a book physically. I have not tried to read this one physically yet, but I was unable to listen to this audio. I was really hoping to love this one as a Zorro fan, so maybe I will have better luck with the physical book! Thank you so much for the audio arc, but this one just was not for me.

In this book we follow Lola de la Peña as she seeks justice from those who would do her and her town (Coloma) harm. Her town recently discovered sal negra a magic that heals the injured and mortal illnesses. At night Lola is the vigilante Salvación who fights those who try to threaten her town's peace and safety. A woman runs to Coloma barely alive and speaks of sal roja a magic that obliterates anything it comes into contact with. The lady also tells of a man who wields it named Damien Hernández. Hernández plans on taking over the region on the next full moon with his stolen amulet to utilize sal roja and conquer the land. Lola decides to take matters into her own hands and save her town, but she's distracted by Alejandro (Hernández's right-hand man). Lola must stick to her plan and try to save her town before it's too late.

I listened to this one via audiobook and the narrator did a great job of capturing the tone of the writing. I really enjoyed the western aspect of this book; it reminded me of a classic western film where people have to fight for their town against an evil villain who wants to take over. Lola is a strong female lead and she is such a badass. It takes strength to stand against such evil. Overall, this was a really fun read and I can't wait to own a physical copy.


Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this early listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

Salvación has all the makings of a sweeping historical fantasy: a headstrong heroine, vigilante justice, dangerous magic, and high-stakes political intrigue set in post–Mexican-American War California. Lola’s double life as both dutiful daughter and masked protector gives the story a compelling setup, and the concept of sal negra vs. sal roja offers a unique magical system that stands out in the genre.

Unfortunately, the novel doesn’t always live up to its potential. The pacing often lags, especially in the middle, and the plot’s urgency gets buried beneath repetitive internal monologue and romantic tension that never fully earns its weight. Lola herself is fiery and determined, but her motivations and decisions sometimes felt inconsistent, particularly when it came to trusting—or not trusting—Alejandro. The romance, while meant to sizzle, leaned more toward insta-love than slow burn, which made it difficult to invest in emotionally.

That said, Victoria Villarreal’s narration is a definite highlight. She brings heart and clarity to the audiobook, grounding Lola’s voice and lending distinct personality to the supporting characters. Her performance added energy to scenes that might’ve otherwise dragged, and she captured the emotional intensity of the story with skill.

Final verdict: Salvación is a story with rich cultural roots and a compelling premise, but it’s weighed down by uneven plotting and underdeveloped relationships. Still, fans of historical fantasy with feminist and folkloric twists might find it worth the listen—especially in audio format, thanks to Villarreal’s engaging narration.

Rating: 2.5 ✨

When I saw this cover, I was immediately drawn to it. Then when I found out it was a female Zorro, I was sold. I loved the idea of a female Zorro. I enjoyed the Mexican history and the themes and messages that were conveyed throughout the story. However, the execution of the story wasn’t quite everything I’d hoped it might be. Nothing really happened until around the 75% point. Too much of this felt like repetitive filler. It felt like a broken record. I was getting annoyed and bored. I also felt that the pacing was off. Not to mention the love interest, Alejandro, was nonexistent, yet I was supposed to believe in their chemistry. I also didn't find the magic system believable. It was confusing because I had so many questions about it. It saddens me that I was disappointed in this. I was really looking forward to a stronger, fierce Zorro heroine. Instead, I got a one dimensional one.

As for the narrator, I felt they didn't add much to the story. I think the other reason I felt bored was because of the narration. The narrator was just okay to me.

Thank you Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners and NetGalley for providing me with this audiobook for honest review. I'll also be sharing my thoughts in my monthly wrap-up on my YA YouTube channel

Masked heroine, deadly magic, and a slow-burn love? Say less.

This gave Zorro meets YA fantasy with magic and grit. Lola is stuck between expectations and freedom—pretending to be the perfect señorita by day while sneaking around as the masked vigilante Salvación by night. We love a double life. 👏

The sal negra/sal roja magic system was SO interesting and added actual stakes, which I appreciated. The whole threat of Alta California being taken over again, plus the vibes of historical tension after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo? Yeah. It worked.

Lola’s drive to protect her town and family made me root for her immediately. And then there’s Alejandro… the broody, mysterious guy who’s technically the enemy’s sidekick but clearly not vibing with the villain’s goals. You already know what happens—she can’t stand him, she can’t trust him… but she might fall for him anyway. 😏

It’s romantic, rebellious, and full of action. The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is I wanted just a bit more depth in some of the side characters and a clearer pace in the middle. But overall? I’m obsessed with Lola’s fire and will absolutely be recommending this to anyone who wants a heroine who kicks ass in a corset. 💃🔥

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book. I have mixed feeling regarding this book. I love the premise of the story. The concepts of the magic salts was interesting. I felt that the author told more than she showed. I had high expectations, and it didn't quite meet them. There weren't enough small, build-up Zorro like moments. Not quite sure if the town really didn't know that she wasn't Salvacion or not. I do like how the brother/sister relationship developed and the relationship with her mother improved. I will purchase it for our library. Lola is a strong female character and I had to keep reminding myself that she is a teenager and they do make impulsive decisions.

Thank you to the NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

As soon as I saw this book come up on NetGalley, I requested it because I always want to read more Latinx fantasy and I haven't read a book inspired by El Zorro yet so I was definitely intrigued. This book was filled with interesting family dynamics, Spanglish, romance, action and a FMC that knows exactly who she is and what she wants in the world. The worldbuilding was not my favorite and I would have wanted more from that but I still had a good time overall. There were high stakes and dangerous magic so I was sold.

The narration was done very well and I liked listening to this audiobook. Highly recommend getting the audiobook!

I found this to be a great debut. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I can clearly picture the setting, the emotions each character was feeling. I love all the nuggets of historical facts that were either dropped to further explain roles of the townspeople or were part of the movement of the plot.
I think where this fell flat is that as I look at the cover for this book I thin ZORO. I think Antonio Banderas (yes hes is Spaniard) but I picture action, and fighting sequences, fast moving plot points and high stakes.
I believe this book just started to skim those elements. It could have gotten deeper on the fighting and action. I kept thinking as things would get started on action scenes, that we would get more from it.
I like each of the conflicts thrown to the FMC and her brother, they both had a lot to juggle. That is a very relatable storyline. I just wanted to know more on the how they why.

The magical and fantastical elements were very cool. The sal negra or roja were super interesting, I would love to learn even more about that too!

I really enjoyed this one! The writing is beautiful and kind of lulled me the way really good storytelling can. I loved Lola and how she worked with her brother and how it seemed like her family accepted her despite the danger and the social norms.

I love how this book talks a lot about moving to indigenous land for something that benefits some and seems like a victimless act. But there are always consequences and using someone else’s land and magic without understand it is always dangerous and harmful and you could see how the characters even started to forget that it want their land to begin with. It shows how easily indigenous erasure can occur when if you are not intentionally trying to harm.

The magic system was simple and powerful and the combating forces and all the different ways they could be use and how it highlighted people’s different ideas do what is “for the best”.

Audiobook note: I love this narrator and the passion in her voice and the melodically way she narrators really captivated me in this story.

A brilliantly crafted story built on strong family ties, culture, and magic.

I loved Victoria Villarreal's narration of Salvación, which is an authentic portrayal of the rich Spanish woven throughout the story. I can't tell you how I was pleased to listen to an #ownvoices narrator. Villarreal captures Lola's range of emotions really well as our titular character is fighting societal norms placed upon by her family, while hiding her secret identity from her community. She has put a tremendous weight on her shoulders to protect everything and everyone she holds dear. And that safety is threatened when sal roja, the counterpart to sal negra which heals, is discovered by a man who plans to use it for war and destruction.

What comes next is a story of complex family dynamics, colonialism, righteousness, and a splash of romance that is unforgettable. The action is perfectly balanced with mystery and social commentary. The romance? A slow burn that you'll be rooting for. The GASP I let out at the secrets and betrayals had me on an emotional roller coaster. I simply could not stop listening.

You're going to want to read this one ASAP. Salvación is a wonderful debut!

Salvación was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! Proudman did a wonderfully weaves magic and mystery with discussions on colonialism, a bit of a slow burn romance, and a masked vigilante who inspires a rebellion to save her community.

I loved Lola and Victor! While this is a story of fighting against oppression and colonialism, this was also a beautiful story of family. The sibling bond was impenetrable and Lola and Victor trusted each other implicitly as they fought side by side to not only save their family, but to save their community and those beyond from those who sought to bring harm and death.

Proudman’s storytelling was quite captivating and I switched between reading with my eyes and ears, and I really enjoyed the narration of the audiobook. The story is slower at times as the suspense builds but then really takes off towards the end.

Lola and Victor, who are siblings, make the decision to create a secret hero who can defend justice. However, as they work together, Lola emerges as the angel and the public face. In nature, there is a balance between good and bad magic. One heals, while the other devours more quickly than fire. Fear of conflict, love for family, respect for Indigenous people, greed, brutality, and respect for the people. The relationship between the siblings is excellent, and Lola's interest in a new kid in town—who is on the enemy's side—develops into more.

Salvación by Sandra Proudman is an action-packed adventure featuring strong family dynamics. I enjoyed this book from the beginning. Sandra Proudman incorporated the magical aspects into the story. The writing was clear and conveyed the internal turmoil of our main character. Salvacion is a persona created by two siblings looking to take care of their community in the face of threats.
The characters were well fleshed out, and the complicated relationships were the forefront of this story. The character development in this book is terrific.
There is a romance element in this story, tho it is not the primary focus of the book, it shines through. I enjoyed the highlight of indigenous knowledge and the fight to protect the gifts of the land.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a Zorro-inspired tale of belonging and adventure in times of uncertainty.

I would like to thank the publisher for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Lola's whole family moved themselves to Alta California after hearing about magic being there. Now, she spends her days with her mamá as they heal people who come to them for help using the sal negro that can heal just about all ailments. During the day, Lola dresses and acts like a proper lady, but, in order to protect the people she cares about the most, at night she dresses as the vigilante Salvación. Driving away the people that come to their town threatening others, alongside her brother, the two of them have been keeping wicked people off of the streets, protecting the sal and the community. When a stranger comes to town with an army, convincing her father that they're fighting for good it's up to Lola, her brother, and Alejandro (a mysterious stranger who came to town along with Damien Hernández) to stop him from taking all of the salt for himself especially, since he's looking for sal roja -- a salt that's used to kill rather than heal. And if Hernández succeeds, all life will forever change.

I liked the plot in this so much and the way Lola handles the situation. When she helps the stranger/woman who comes looking for help from the sal roja, we get this deeper look into her mind and how she feels about what her mom is doing and it really humanizes her for me. I like the fact that she isn't an overpowered/unstoppable machine and still feels like a teenage girl. The romance felt a little instalovey in the beginning, but the more we got to see of Alejandro the more I was okay with everything going on between them. I really enjoyed the magic aspect, and I enjoyed the action. This was pretty fast-paced from start to finish, and I definitely would recommend this.

I really wanted to love Salvación. The concept, the cultural setting, and the themes all sounded incredibly promising. Unfortunately, the story just didn’t pull me in. The pacing felt slow right from the start, and I struggled to connect with the characters or find momentum in the plot. The narration was clear, but even in audio format, I found myself zoning out and having to rewind more than once.

This simply wasn't the right fit for me, but I can see how readers who enjoy richly layered fantasy with a slow build might appreciate it more. I’m grateful for the chance to sample it early and wish the author much success with this release.

🗡️Inspired by the legend of Zorro, Salvacion is a Young Adult reverse gender historical fantasy, set in the late 1840s shortly after the Mexican-American War, when Alta California was ceded to the Americans. I love the premise and idea, and the story kicked off strong.

The world is built quickly and clearly. The pacing moves well and was engaging the whole time, with history and magic weaved seamlessly together. I love the Spanglish! It lends authenticity to the story, strongly connects the reader to the culture and setting, and brings the world to life.

❤️‍🔥As for relationships, the romance is definitely YA. There was an immediate attraction to him right away. Despite constantly pointing out how she does not trust Alejandro, she continues to act contrary to it over, and over again, and brings up how special he is somehow. It's a little cheesy to me, but it wasn't horrible, and made sense for the YA style of writing that this book is geared for.

The relationship with her parents felt a little under-developed and one note. It often felt like she was being an insolent teenager who thought her parents simply wouldn't understand her side of anything, and so she didn't even bother to really try to communicate - not just say what she feels but to really listen to them as well. Her father, who is supposed to be a respected leader of their town, suddenly changed drastically in his personality and it wasn't really explained why he did that, other than to move the plot along for Lole and the decisions she made. It was such a contrast in behavior that it felt like some sort of deeper understanding for his choice was needed. Maybe as a parent now, who watches The Little Mermaid and finds Ariel 🧜🏻‍♀️ annoying instead of sympathizing with her, it is a sign that I'm just getting older, LOL!

I love the relationship between Lole and her brother, Victor. This was the strongest relationship in the entire story, and I'm all for that! Their bond was special and unique as siblings, and Victor clearly loves Lole very much as her big brother...even when she doesn't make the best choices. He shows her genuine and valid concern about her choices but often, she believes she is making the best decisions because she's so much more mature now after leaving Sonora (which is brought up maybe too many times). But he loves her so much, and he still supports her fully when she throws herself into dangerous, almost thoughtless situations.

📕With it being a YA book, I appreciate that the language was largely clean (maybe 3 mild curse words I remember correctly) nor any content that would be too mature or disturbing.

I was waiting for real retribution a la Zorro (a vigilante who was as clever, charming and sly as a fox!), but La Salvacion felt anything but. Her plans don't work out and others bail her out often, and honestly, she makes some not-great decisions. Her plans were serious, but she often backtracks and realizes that it risks those around her, whether it be her family or her horse. She wants to act like a hero for the sake of saving those around her, but it often feels like her choices are more risky than heroic, and not considering those that get pulled in with her. Perhaps it makes her more human, and relatable as a teenager...but that detracts from the supposed "legend" of Salvacion that is supposedly already established, and makes her much less of a sword wielding Zorro than I hoped for. She had a little bit of action at the end, but well, she missed her shots *face palm* when she had a chance, nor did she swing out a sword.

Certain phrases are repeated too much for my liking - such as "speaking with their eyes", and how much she hates wearing dresses 💃🏻and heels. Honestly, I think it would have been sly if she relished in all the girly things by day and was completely opposite as Salvacion, but hey, I get it, she doesn't like them. However, the more she brings up how much she hates wearing dresses (which was a LOT), the more it felt like a teenager whining about what her mom forces her to wear; it takes away the gravitas of the serious plans she hopes to accomplish. The Treaty was brought up more than needed too in the first half of the book, as if our audience would forget about it. I also kept waiting for her to use her sword that she was supposed to be amazing with...but the most that happened was that she pressed a knife deeper into a drunk man's face and unintentionally cut it a bit more since she he goaded her a bit into anger, and she stabbed someone once. With a knife, mind you. Not a sword. 🤦‍♀️

In the whole reading, I really didn't understand why she didn't just become La Salvacion completely early. She clearly yearns for it and there didn't seem to be too many limitations. She still didn't do what her parents wanted (her to not be La Salvacion) anyway, nor did the narrative show her acting as a "lady" much at all, other than just holding back an impulse to grab a weapon tucked in her skirts. She kept coming up with excuses to "not be herself". I think there wouldn't be too many people upset nor too surprised if she revealed herself to be La Salvacion, as her family is so well respected in general. There didn't seem to be too many females in their small town, and she didn't seem to disguise her voice. There is an advantage in keeping your identity as a vigilante a secret, but that wasn't her reason at any point. It felt more like a teen figuring out who she wanted to be. However, I suppose that's part of the journey of this book.

Some unresolved things for me:

I kept waiting for that blonde Yankee to come back. But he never did. Was he just to establish one story of what Salvacion did other than giving her a revolver (that she well, didn't really put to use too well)? I wish he was more significant of a character because he felt like a villain that I just wanted to see some retribution happen to, ahahahha! I clearly did NOT feel that letting him go was the best choice, and would rather her dole out some real justice using Zorro like methods, but that didn't happen.

There were some instances where the sal negra didn't work as fast as it should, like at the very start. Other than the same thing happening again with Isabella (but that was explained with sal roja), it was never brought up again.

Overall, it is a good light YA read, even appropriate for younger teens. I really love that because often things marketed as YA sometimes feel like it should be for an audience that was a little older than 12 or 13; this is appropriate! More mature readers may want to see a deeper delve into character development and resolving some of the plotholes as mentioned above, The epilogue hints to a new adventure, which gives an opportunity for those things to be addressed!

In giving it a fair rating as a YA book for YA readers, I'd give it 4 stars.
(For my own personal rating, I'd give it 3 stars)

I was actually given the audio ARC via NetGalley for an honest review. The narrator was AMAZING in giving the story's voice, and if I saw her name on a future audiobook, I'd be happy to listen to her again!

The plot had promise but the writing is so heavy-handed and repetitive that it’s difficult to get into the story. Lola’s constant rumination about what’s happening really bog down the pacing and do nothing to enliven the character. There were two moments where I believed the romance but it was mostly just instalove without any build or basis. Overall, very forgettable. The audio narration was competent but the vocal characterizations were not as strong as I would have liked; all the men sounded similar.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! Actual rating closer to 3.5-3.75.
I received the audio version which is my favorite format for books with Spanish themes. I’ve always loved the language so it makes it that much better to hear someone saying Spanish words.
It was a breath of fresh air to have the magic be part of the land rather than a person’s magical ability. This allowed the main characters’ actions/bravery to shine through. That being said, I didn’t totally gel with the FMC. She was a bit whiny but I appreciated her love and loyalty to her family.
Overall, an enjoyable story that isn’t a series!

This unfortunately was not the book I thought it was going to be and was not for me. I do think others might enjoy it and I don’t necessarily have any huge grievances aside from it was a struggle to believe nobody knew who she was when all that changed was her clothes and a mask on her face (I felt the same during Zorro lol but I loved the banter in that one) I think what made it not as enjoyable is it was more serious than I thought it was going to be. There was no banter or wit that breaks up the serious parts.