Author: Alexandra Anton
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: A Sweet House
Book Release Date: August 11, 2026
Pages: 186
Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: What if motherhood asked for everything — but your soul asked for more?
Santiaga: A Freedom Tale is a spiritual journey novel about motherhood and a woman’s spiritual awakening, following a young woman who walks away from her hometown with unanswered questions in search of meaning. Drawn to a remote spiritual community in the mountains, Santiaga believes that devotion — to a guru, a doctrine, a man — will make her whole. Along the way, she meets a vivid chain of seekers and charlatans—each offering a different promise of fulfillment, each reflecting a different illusion.
As her restlessness continues, she realizes no one can fill the emptiness she feels inside her. After Santiaga gives birth to a daughter, her pilgrimage toward enlightenment becomes a deeper reckoning with motherhood and identity. Love expands her world, but expectation fractures it. Torn between devotion to her child and devotion to her own soul, Santiaga faces choices that nearly break her—and learns, painfully, that self-sacrifice is not the same as holiness.
Woven with the powerful simplicity of magical realism and the cadence of folklore, Santiaga explores the universal question so many mothers face: How do I nurture my child without abandoning my inner life? Santiaga’s once-independent quest collides with crushing expectations, self-doubt, and the fear that spiritual fulfillment may be incompatible with devotion to a child. Forced to make heart-wrenching choices, she nearly loses herself — and then fights her way back.
Blending folklore, ancient wisdom, and inspirational spirituality, Santiaga is a modern fable that speaks to women who are stepping away from organized religion yet still hunger for a sacred understanding of themselves. This modern fable offers mental and spiritual healing, reminding readers that freedom and enlightenment begin on the path inward. The balance she ultimately finds is forged in resilience, self-love, and the brave act of choosing who she will become.
My Review: Santiaga tells the story of a woman’s spiritual journey. Santiaga had just lost her father during WWII. Shortly after the death of her father, Santiaga abandons her mother and joins her friend, Gloria, to learn the meaning of life from a guru. She quickly becomes dissatisfied with her life and with the guru. She eventually leaves her spiritual life behind and moves to the city, where she meets a famous actor. She becomes the actor’s lover and gives birth to a daughter. When she finds that her lover has betrayed her, she abandons her young daughter and lives by the river. Slowly, Santiaga begins to learn the true meaning of life.
Santiaga is a fascinating character. At a young age, she was independent. She leaves her mother to live her own life. I like how she questions the spiritual leaders and the charlatans. Santiaga is intelligent enough to recognize them as frauds pretty quickly. I also like how Santiaga views herself as a pilgrim in life searching for the truth. She tries to settle down with a man who doesn’t give her his heart, and it hurts her because she yearns for more. I hated that she left her daughter, and I did not understand her own actions. By the time she wanted her daughter back, it was too late. As a mother myself, I could never leave my daughter. Nevertheless, I found her to be a sympathetic protagonist.
Overall, this novel is about friendship, motherhood, and acceptance. The message of this book is to have faith in yourself. The characters were complex and realistic. The setting itself was vague and did not paint vivid descriptions. The story was written in a passive voice. Nevertheless, I found Santiaga to be an emotional and heart-wrenching read! I recommend this book for fans of Bride of the Buddha, Yashodhara, and Sophie’s World!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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