Jasmine's War

by Daniel Hyland

From the shadows between colossal trees the dawn mist drifted across the trail. A girl was running hard, a basket of washed laundry on her head, hands struggling to keep it there. She’d have to ditch the basket if she was serious about putting distance between her and her pursuers, but she pictured her mother, hands on hips, enquiring after the whereabouts of what was almost their entire wardrobe. Breathless, she looked behind. She could see nothing and now the path, too, faded beneath the mist. She ran on, instinctively picking out the way ahead. A male voice barked somewhere behind her and seconds later, three short bursts of automatic rifle fire thudded in quick succession. The soldiers must have seen or heard her and followed her back into the forest. When Jasmine Gavidia witnesses an El Salvador army killing, people want her dead, and she must sort friend from foe. A fast-paced adventure with explosive action and refreshing honesty, this is a story of a 14-year-old girl growing up fast after the massacre at El Zacate and finding a new life.

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mel Pittsburgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasmine's War is set in El Salvador and based on true events. It’s a story on at least two levels: firstly of a young peasant woman's courage in overcoming a horrific crime committed against the people of her village and how, as she seeks to expose those responsible, she comes up against the full force of evil oligarchs, corrupt politicians and military officials. Secondly, with the country in the grip of a civil war, her wider struggle for democratic inclusion for the country’s peasant population. The book's excitement frequently rises to electrifying heights, and the latter chapters are breathtaking with even a final unexpected twist to top it all off.
The story is well researched, in-depth and personal. I also think the author dealt with the human rationale of those on both sides of the political fence with a great deal of sympathy and insight. In the end the only clear winner was democracy.

[Orlando Madrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got into this book straight away because it starts quickly and the pace is fast for most of the story. The descriptions are clear and its full with historical facts, excitement, politics and also humor. It’s a great way to learn some Latin American history, particularly El Salvador. It explains clearly how when the poor got blamed for insurrection but it’s the rich and powerful working together behind the scenes who create the conditions.

[Abigail Montiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasmine's War is an action packed adventure set in El Salvador and based on real events. The country is in the middle of a civil war. 14 year-old Jasmine is the only witness to a massacre. When she learns that powerful oligarchs have given an order to eliminate the witness, she goes on the run, first hiding out with a friend but later she has to go into the forests. She is determined to survive and seek justice, and eventually becomes a rebel commander. The pace of the story is blistering. Despite the tragedy that Jasmine faced and challenges she has to overcome, it is a very positive story with some very funny episodes. More than any other story I have ever read, Jasmine stayed in my thoughts long after I finished reading the book.