The Pinata-Maker's Daughter

Carmen Principia jumps into University life unprepared for the complex challenges of relationships, discrimination, and money. First, there's her weird roommate. Then, she finds herself torn between the radical protester, Franco, who shares her Hispanic heritage, and frat rat Joe, who makes her laugh. Finding her place in a bigger world than her little home town of San Ysidro shapes Carmen in ways both hilarious and heartbreaking.

Cover art by Donna Dickson of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Author's note
I had not thought of writing a book like this until well after SOMER RIVERS END ON THE DAY OF THE DEAD had been around for a few years. Then, through talks at book clubs and queries from readers, I decided to write a prequel to SOME RIVERS. I had thought the book would center on Marisol until I realized she would not have anything much to say about being a baby! So I went further back in time to see how Carmen liked college. And choices. And her mother being old-fashioned. It's fairly easy to write about mothers and daughters, for me at least. And I ended up loving Carmen so much, maybe more than I love Marisol. But one can't distinguish between their protagonists any more than she can choose a favorite child. No SOPHIE'S CHOICE for me.

From a goodreads giveaway reader:

This is a very overdue review, but I hope I'm still able to share with you how much I thoroughly enjoyed The Pinata-Maker's Daughter, and do the book some justice.

Set in 1980s Southern California, TPMD follows the story of Carmen Principia, a young girl embarking on the journey of a lifetime - truly finding herself, and going off to university. There she copes with the struggles of new love, loss, friendship, religion, and her place in the world as a young Hispanic woman.

Now, while Carmen's experience at university isn't only a typical love triangle, or strictly about her culture, it is the combination of all of these factors that make her add depth to her coming of age story.

Also, no spoiler alerts, but I was really satisfied with the ending. The whole book seems to close up just the way I wished it would - and definitely adds great insight to who Carmen is when we meet her again in Some Rivers End on Day of the Dead.
Granfors does an excellent job of realistically framing Carmen's situation, and weaves her story together through beautiful language. Her use of imagery and figurative words especially made the book real in my mind.

And, I'm not sure whether it's that I was more interested in the topic of this prequel, or whether Granfors' writing has particularly evolved, but I feel like there was a little extra that gave The Pinata Maker's Daughter the spark that made it quite the page turner.

In sum, The Pinata Maker's Daughter is absolutely deserving of it's rating. I can't wait to see where the trilogy is taken in the third book.