Book Review: The Volcano Daughters by Gina Maria Balibrera

A review of The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera, exploring its emotional depth, vivid writing, and slow pacing. Ideal for fans of slow-burn, character-driven stories.

Let’s dive into The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera, a book that delivers both epic storytelling and moments of breathtaking beauty. At its core, it’s a deep, emotional journey into the lives of two siblings, with writing so rich and evocative that I found myself completely swept up in the story more than once. Balibrera’s words paint vivid, immersive scenes—but, fair warning, the pacing is slow. And I mean slooow. This one takes some patience for readers like me who crave a little speed in their fiction. However, this might be your next great read if you’re into a slow burn that rewards you with layered characters and haunting moments. Read a synopsis and discover why I gave this book three out of five stars.

What is the book about?

El Salvador, 1923. Graciela grows up on a volcano in a community of indigenous women indentured to coffee plantations owned by the country’s wealthiest, until a messenger from the Capital comes to claim at nine years old she’s been chosen to be an oracle for a rising dictator—a sinister, violent man wedded to the occult. She’ll help foresee the future of the country.

In the Capital she meets Consuelo, the sister she’s never known, stolen away from their home before Graciela was born. The two are a small fortress within the dictator’s regime, but they’re no match for El Gran Pendejo’s cruelty. Years pass and terror rises as the economy flatlines, and Graciela comes to understand the horrific vision that she’s unwittingly helped shape just as genocide strikes the community that raised her. She and Consuelo barely escape, each believing the other to be dead. They run, crossing the globe, reinventing their lives, and ultimately reconnecting at the least likely moment. [Goodreads.com]

My thoughts:

So, let’s talk about The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera. This book is a deep dive into the lives of two siblings, and it’s some seriously epic storytelling. There’s no denying that it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking—Balibrera’s writing is so good that I found myself completely lost in the story multiple times. The imagery, the emotions, the depth—it’s all there.

But, and this is a big but, the pacing is slow. And for someone like me who values a brisk pace in a book, this one took some effort to push through. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I read it, but I’d be lying if I said it was a page-turner. It’s one of those books where you have to really settle in and let the story unfold at its own pace.

Now, if you’re the kind of reader who loves to savor a slow burn, then The Volcano Daughters might be right up your alley. For me, though, it was a bit of a challenge. That said, I absolutely love Balibrera’s writing style—there are moments in this book that are so vivid and immersive that I felt like I was right there in the scene. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her and seeing if the pacing picks up in her other work.

So, pick up this book if you like slow and steady reading. It’s a journey worth taking, even if it’s not the fastest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review

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