Allusion to "The Magnificent Seven"
This classic Hollywood western has the same plot as this book. Nayeli watches the movie and realizes that it's like a sign from God that she should actually put the principles from the movie into action, and she plans an entire journey into America to find her kinsmen and friends to come home and defend the town of Tres Camarones. It's a strong allusion to the allegory of that movie.
The warriors
The warriors represent hope, because they are a united front of honest, competent people who will sacrifice for their family and community. They have the power to dissuade the cartel's invasion, especially since their forces are increased from seven to 27. This is a symbolic transformation, and the warriors are symbols of Nayeli's success. They represent her alignment to the forces of true justice.
The motif of recruitment
Just like that line in the gospels when Jesus picks his disciples, the men whom Nayeli recruits are each "called" back home to a new destiny, each in their own way. Perhaps most charming of all is that El Brujo is recruited instantly when he meets Vampi, because it's love at first sight. He is so in love with her that he instantly wants to help her and protect her. Vampi's charming looks and personality aren't vane—they really help her to recruit valiant men to Tres Camarones. She's a hero too.
The allegory of the gay hero
Another important hero story here is Tacho's. After being sexually harassed by Mexican customs officials, he could easily have spiraled into shame, depression, embarrassment—and that would be appropriate considering the seriousness of sexual misconduct. But when he is released, he accepts himself again and celebrates in a gay bar. He makes a friend who helps him along in his quest. In other words, his homosexuality was not a hindrance in any way in his life. By enduring his fate with self-love and acceptance, he succeeds in his hero's journey.
The hero's journey itself
Nayeli, Vampi, Tacho, and Atomiko are all heroes, technically speaking, because they accept their fate, go on their own journeys, supporting each other along the way as a network of heroes, and ultimately, their love for one another and their hope for a better future empower them to be successful in those journeys.
Compare that to the anti-hero's journey that Nayeli discover her dad living. Instead of succeeding on the mission and returning to the village to share the spoils of an adventure well-done, Nayeli's dad secretly took a new wife and moved far from the border with her, and they had a child. In other words, he forgot that the purpose of his hero's journey wasn't for his personal gain, but for his loved ones and community.
