In 1895, Antonio Sonoro is the latest in a long line of ruthless men. A drought has ravaged his hometown of Dorado, Mexico, so when he hears about a train laden with gold and other treasures, he sets off for Houston to rob it with his younger brother Hugo in tow. But when the heist goes awry and Hugo is killed by the Texas Rangers, Antonio finds himself launched into a quest for revenge that endangers not only his life, but his eternal soul. In 1964, Jaime Sonoro is Mexico’s most renowned actor. But his comfortable life is disrupted when he discovers a book that purports to tell the entire history of his family. In its ancient pages, Jaime learns about the horrific crimes committed by his ancestors. And when the same mysterious figure from Antonio’s timeline shows up in Mexico City, Jaime realizes that he may be the one who has to pay for his ancestors’ crimes—unless he can discover the true story of his grandfather Antonio, the legendary bandido El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower.

Magical realism meets western bandits in this intriguing tale about family, intergenerational trauma, border politics, and colonialism. This was an exciting book filled with action and suspense. I definitely enjoyed it! The author’s note at the end made the book especially fascinating as it was informed by the author’s own family history. The book was a fascinating examination of the relationship (or lack there of) between Texas and Mexico over the years, and the impact of colonization and racism on the frayed bond of the boarding entities. I really enjoyed the theme of personal identity versus inherited accountability in both stories in the different  timeframes. If you like action be a bit of family drama with a sprinkle of magical realism, this is the book for you!