Red Stones: A Graphic Account of the Salvadoran Civil War

by Ernesto Saade

In 1981, the Salvadoran Civil War reached Miriam's village of Santa Marta.

After spending her days bringing tortillas to the guerilla fighters nearby, she watched government soldiers encroach on her town. Military intimidation turned to violence, and violence turned to the threat of a massacre. Miriam and the women of her town began a forced and desperate exodus.

In 2021, Ernesto Saade visited Santa Marta to hear Miriam's story.

The result of that in-depth conversation is this graphic account of conflict, displacement, and the Red Stones massacre. This event, not known by all even within El Salvador, is one part of the scar its civil war left behind―a moment of tragedy and resilience seen through the eyes of someone who lived it.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, War, History, Comics, Politics, Historical

216 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2026

About the author

Ernesto Saade is an El Salvador-born architect turned cartoonist. After years spent in the world of construction work, he left to pursue his Master’s Degree in Illustration and Comics from the Barcelona School of Design and Engineering. Now, he works at a non-governmental organization that allows him to devote 100% of his time to drawing comics.

Reviews

[Rebecca]

Haunting, brutal, gut wrenching. Just read it.

[ReneeReads]

I was given a challenge to read something out of my comfort zone and this graphic novel fit the bill. I occasionally read graphic novels but not very often and definitely not ones based on true events. I found this one to be quite good. I think the writing is done well and the illustrations are excellent. This was an event I had no knowledge of and I feel the author did a great job of conveying the terror, turmoil and violence that took place.

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group | Graphic Universe ™ for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Vinayak Hegde]

The history of Central American is among other things a history of conflicts. This particular graphic novel narrates the story of "Miriam" (an anonymized name) and "Jose" along with a composite of several people of the Red Stones massacre in which more than 200 people were killed. The story follows an exodus from the village of Santa Maria towards the Lempa river which acts as a border with Honduras while following the jungle battles between the guerillas and the government forces. The massacre covered the stony river bed with blood of the people as soldiers in helicopters and ground forces mercilessly killed the migrating people. Hence the name "Red Stones". Haunting and brutal story told through the eyes of Miriam who witnessed this as a 12-year old.

[Sesana]

Grueling and important graphic nonfiction. Saade combines multiple survivor testimonies to depict one of many massacres carried out by Salvadoran government forces during the Salvadoran Civil War. I was not familiar with this particular incident, and only vaguely aware of the civil war in general. I greatly appreciate Saade's tone here. It's not sensationalist in the slightest, but neither does he conceal so much as to obfuscate brutalities. It's clear and respectful. There are some liberties taken, by combining narratives and hiding names, which is perfectly appropriate to protect the people he interviewed.

[Dakota Morgan]

In Red Stones, the author investigates a massacre that happened during the Salvadoran civil war. It's not a light read by any means, though since we're in the author's shoes, interviewing people, the whole thing happens at a bit of a remove.

There's not quite enough scene-setting to make it clear why the event occurred - it doesn't feel like a big moment in the civil war, just another terrible incident amidst many. Still, important to open the door to learning about major historical events that don't get much play in the U.S. of A.

[Katrina]

This is more or less a memoir so I'm rating based on the importance of the story rather than personal "enjoyment". A harrowing tale about which I was woefully uneducated. It's the type of book that requires some follow-up to fill in the gaps. Would recommend to anyone who reads history, especially in graphic format.

[Stella]

This graphic novel tells the story of the Red Stones massacre in El Salvador during their civil war. It is a disturbing account, but war is brutal especially for civilians and stories like this need to be told.

[Heather]

Moving but impersonal account of a part of the Salvadoran Civil War, very straightforward, and much like a History Comic but for teens. Not Printzy-worthy imo because of limited characterization and the way the narrative is primarily told thru illustration.

[Heather]

Absolutely horrific but if you've ever needed a reason to understand why people might try to escape their country, here you go.

[Laura Gardoski]

Very tragic account of real events.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction]]

So good. I cried while reading it.

[Tiffany Seward]

⭐ Graphic Novel | Historical | Educational

Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Red Stones is a powerful and informative graphic novel based on the testimonies of multiple individuals who lived through the Salvadoran Civil War. The title references the Red Stones Massacre, and the book uses a timeline-style narrative to guide the reader through key events and the escalating violence of the period.

The visual style reads like a political comic, giving the subject matter a grounded and documentary-like tone. Throughout the heavier moments, the story includes reflective breaks from the speaker, offering pauses for emotional processing and deeper understanding.

Overall, Red Stones is an insightful and educational read that sheds light on a painful and important part of history. It is both engaging and respectful of the real voices at the heart of its story.

[Christine]

Evocative
Heartbreaking
Thought-provoking

Generally recommended for grades 9+

[Janice]

I've spent some time in El Salvador learning about the Civil War but the focus of that trip was on Bishop Romero and other priests who were murdered. I hadn't heard about the Red Stones; this is about civilians who lost their lives or lived to tell about it. An important read.

Hatred causes so much violence. And lack of understanding can lead to hatred. If only instead of being judgmental, we could be more curious about people who are different from us and learn from one another.

[Susan]

Drawing from firsthand accounts, Saade creates a visceral nonfiction graphic novel about the Salvadoran Civil War as experienced by a 12-year-old Miriam. Alternating between his interviews with adult Miriam in 2021 and the subject’s childhood in 1980 Santa Marta, the creator first details his traveling to El Salvador to visit Miriam, who greets him with a hearty meal and a warm smile. Soon after, the author gets Miriam to begin telling her story, starting with the day she received her first pair of shoes. Miriam recalls being a fast runner, a valuable skill in war-torn El Salvador: speed ensured, she evaded capture by government soldiers as she delivered food and messages to nearby guerrilla fighters. Timecards highlight the passing months until, in March 1981, bombings prompt Miriam and her family to evacuate to a nearby village. But as conditions worsen, many Salvadorans—including Miriam—cross the Lempa River to Honduras, and though men employ guerrilla tactics to hold off pursuing soldiers, Miriam is soon caught in a bloody riverside attack. A plot about a convey — a moving nonfiction graphic story of war and displacement set against a jungle backdrop with starlit night skies. This graphic nonfiction story that includes historical information, maps and photographs. I found it amazing that many were not even aware of this event in El Salvador.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Little Batties]

Red Stones is a novel that follows a young girl named Miriam who, along with countless others, witness terrible things in their fight for survival during the Salvadoran Civil War. The horror and atrocities she sees at such a young age clearly has left a lasting impact on her memory. It is a brutal honest account of what happened in this country during a time of war.

The author's choice to alternate between the past and present works really well with this graphic novel. Not only did it add an authenticity and depth to the story, but it made it feel like you were sitting at the table with the author, listening to Miriam retell her story. It was was beautifully done, and it kept me pulled in through the entire story.

Before I read this story, I had never heard of the Salvadoran Civil War, much less the Red Stone Massacre. I am so thankful for the author for writing this, of bringing to life Miriam's story, and the stories of the other survivors he interviewed to bring this graphic to an audience of young (and old) readers. This novel is a wonderful tool to teach a piece of history that isn't wildly known, and I truly hope we did get the "story for another time" from Ernesto.

Thank you NetGalley and Lemer Publishing Group for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura]

The Red Stone massacre happened when civilians tried to escape the war in El Salvador by crossing a river to leave the country. The military considered them traitors for leaving, and shot and killed so many that the rocks turned red with blood in the river. This graphic novel tells the story from one of the survivors, 40 years later, when she is an older woman. The author said he changed little bits of the story to make it easier to follow. There was much left out, because it went beyond the massacre, but for now, this was where the story ended.

The author puts himself in the story, so you see both what happened, as well as where he is now, interviewing the survivor. Although the story is hard for her to relate to, she says it is important because 40 years on, people have forgotten what war is like, and don’t understand what their elders went through.

There is some horrible violence, but it is all off-screen. The horrors are described, but not completely shown. I would not say that this is an easy story to read, but it is important.

A good story to show how civil war hurts so many common folk, as well as soilders.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 3rd of March 2026.

[Alicia]

In the same vein as other recent stories like Armaveni and Silenced Voices, Hmong and Tall Water, Red Stones was an important graphic novel explaining the Salvadoran Civil War that became a bloodbath.

Told in the nonlinear timeline of Silenced Voices, that there are two men interviewing a survivor as well as going back in time to 1981 when it happened. The images and color play into understanding the gravity of the situation including the desperation of the Salvadoran people who were trying to survive. Readers feel the pain, sadness, and fear that people experienced, not knowing where to safely move or hide with the mix of emotional unloading from the survivor being gently (even though she's lovingly blunt and a foodie willing to confront history to let a new generation understand what happened) and action that confronts the mass murder that does not hide the atrocities.

I learned so much.

[Penny lurkykitty]

Red Stones is a graphic nonfiction account of the Red Stones massacre, one of the many atrocities committed by the Salvadorean government during the Salvadorean Civil War. The narrative follows the people of a small village called Santa Marta, who were forced to flee across the Lempa River to Guatemala. Many were killed by the government forces. This book is powerful, harrowing and humanizes a terrible time in the history of El Salvador. The illustrations are skillful in conveying the setting and the peoples' emotions. Anyone who needs to have empathy for people who must flee their country should read this book. The horrors of war are hard to read about, but books like this are important so that we can understand history and do everything we can to avoid repeating it.

[Horace Hudson]

This is a non-fiction graphic novel that illustrates the Salvadoran war through combining the testimonies of multiple people. It gives its subject matter the gravity that it deserves, and is able to convey the terror and violence that happened to these people well, both in narration and art. It also uses the author and his trip there to bring a bit of levity, which was appreciated. It's a very good book if you want to know a bit about what the Salvadoran war was like for an average person.

ARC provided by Netgalley & Lerner Publishing Group

[Chad]

A really good true story from one of the people who lived through the massacre of her village in El Salvador. She was just a kid in 1980 when it happened and she's recounting the story to Ernesto Saade here. The end also talks about how the book was made and the massacre itself. Very powerful stuff. I was a kid when the Salvadoran civil war was going on and remember hearing about it on the news.

[Sophy]

This graphic novel is based on true events, and it was a really interesting read. I learned a lot of things I had never been taught before. I don’t normally pick up books like this, but it turned out to be a valuable learning experience. The illustrations really helped bring the story to life and made the history feel more personal and engaging.

If you enjoy learning about real events from around the world, this is definitely a good read.

[Jennifer]

A moving graphic account of the Red Stones Massacre in 1981 in El Salvadore. This is a part of history I previously knew nothing about. The blend of past and present storylines and the evocative illustrations made for a rich and informative account. Thank you to the author and all those who shared their testimonies.

[Jess]

I knew practically nothing about the Salvadoran Civil War before reading this book. It made me think a lot about the various and many massacres and wars the U.S. has funded since its inception; the Red Stones massacre was one horrible episode in a string of tragedies helped along by the U.S.. I'm glad this book exists to help make sure this history is not lost.

[Genevieve]

Very good

[Emily]

Salvadorean Civil War. Childhood. War Crimes. Santa Marta. Guerillas.

[M]

The cute art style and our relatively cheery and hopeful young protagonist lulls us into a sense of security. Yes this is a sad story but told from a child’s perspective how bad could it be. Well…I had to stop at about 42% of the way in and just stared into space. Then I cried. The story does not hold back and is not for the faint of heart. The story only gets worse. But the authors leave us with some hope. You need to read this. Please read it. So we don’t forget.

Thank you to NetGalley for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.