What do you think?
Rate this book
Secret of the Moon Conch
Bloomsbury presents Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe Garcia McCall, read by Ana Osorio and Johnny Rey Diaz.
Award-winning authors David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall join forces to craft a sweeping fantasy romance about falling in love despite all odds.
In modern-day Mexico, Sitlali is all alone after the death of her beloved abuela. Targeted by a dangerous gang member, she flees to the United States to find her father. The night before her journey, she finds an ancient conch shell on the beach and takes it with her as a memento of home.
In 1521, Calizto is trapped in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which is besieged by Spanish invaders. He has fought valiantly, but hope for his people is running out. Desperate to escape, he takes up his mother's sacred conch and sounds a plea to the gods.
The conch holds magic neither Sitlali nor Calizto understand, magic that allows them to communicate across centuries—and find comfort in each other as they fight to survive. With each conversation, they fall deeper in love, and as the moon waxes, they become more present to each other. But as danger threatens at every turn, will they ever find a way to truly be together?
Award-winning authors David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall join forces to craft a sweeping fantasy romance about falling in love despite all odds.
In modern-day Mexico, Sitlali is all alone after the death of her beloved abuela. Targeted by a dangerous gang member, she flees to the United States to find her father. The night before her journey, she finds an ancient conch shell on the beach and takes it with her as a memento of home.
In 1521, Calizto is trapped in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which is besieged by Spanish invaders. He has fought valiantly, but hope for his people is running out. Desperate to escape, he takes up his mother's sacred conch and sounds a plea to the gods.
The conch holds magic neither Sitlali nor Calizto understand, magic that allows them to communicate across centuries—and find comfort in each other as they fight to survive. With each conversation, they fall deeper in love, and as the moon waxes, they become more present to each other. But as danger threatens at every turn, will they ever find a way to truly be together?
Audible Audio
First published June 6, 2023
46 people are currently reading
3328 people want to read
About the author
David Bowles
98 books1,185 followersDavid Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from south Texas. He has written several award-winning titles, most notably THEY CALL ME GÜERO and MY TWO BORDER TOWNS
His work has also been published in multiple anthologies, plus venues such as The New York Times, Strange Horizons, School Library Journal, Rattle, Translation Review, and the Journal of Children’s Literature.
Additionally, David has worked on several TV/film projects. In 2019, he co-founded the hashtag and activist movement #DignidadLiteraria, which has negotiated greater Latinx representation in publishing. He is presently the president of the Texas Institute of Letters.
His work has also been published in multiple anthologies, plus venues such as The New York Times, Strange Horizons, School Library Journal, Rattle, Translation Review, and the Journal of Children’s Literature.
Additionally, David has worked on several TV/film projects. In 2019, he co-founded the hashtag and activist movement #DignidadLiteraria, which has negotiated greater Latinx representation in publishing. He is presently the president of the Texas Institute of Letters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 3, 2023
If I’ve written this for one review I’ve written it for a dozen: I don’t like romance. As a genre or as a subplot. It’s boring, bland, and I have so rarely been genuinely invested in a ship that I couldn’t tell you the last pairing I cared about. Correction: up until five minutes ago I couldn’t; Sitlali and Calizto are now officially my OTP.
Seriously, if you’d told me that I would enjoy a “lovers across time” story this much, I would have laughed in your face. A decent distraction for a few hours, sure! I’d believe that. I never would have guessed I’d spend eight hours itching for this book, bringing it into the kitchen while I cook or the bathroom while I… you get the idea, I couldn’t STOP reading!
Bowles + McCall have written a masterpiece of young adult literature, for real. The juxtaposition between Calizto’s fight with the Spaniards and Sitlali’s battle with immigration and estranged family was delectable. I have to admit I’m more than a little frustrated that Sitlali’s storyline just Ended, no consequences for Samantha or conclusions for the rest of Sitlali’s plights, but I am at the very least not ENTIRELY displeased with the ending. Overall, one of those books I probably never would have picked up myself but I am SO GLAD Penguin sent it to me to review. I would have missed out on something magical.
Seriously, if you’d told me that I would enjoy a “lovers across time” story this much, I would have laughed in your face. A decent distraction for a few hours, sure! I’d believe that. I never would have guessed I’d spend eight hours itching for this book, bringing it into the kitchen while I cook or the bathroom while I… you get the idea, I couldn’t STOP reading!
Bowles + McCall have written a masterpiece of young adult literature, for real. The juxtaposition between Calizto’s fight with the Spaniards and Sitlali’s battle with immigration and estranged family was delectable. I have to admit I’m more than a little frustrated that Sitlali’s storyline just Ended, no consequences for Samantha or conclusions for the rest of Sitlali’s plights, but I am at the very least not ENTIRELY displeased with the ending. Overall, one of those books I probably never would have picked up myself but I am SO GLAD Penguin sent it to me to review. I would have missed out on something magical.
April 9, 2024
Wow this was so good. I encourage you to listen to the authors’ note at the end also as it describes quite well the process of this story.
The weaving of modern and ancient themes was masterfully done and I enjoyed this start to finish. Would recommend and would read again.
The weaving of modern and ancient themes was masterfully done and I enjoyed this start to finish. Would recommend and would read again.
November 8, 2023
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month everyone!!
To me, this is worth 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ there were some things that didn’t fully work for me, but at the end of the day this made me incredibly happy to have read and that’s what I’m gonna focus on.
I love a historical fantasy romance, with the lovers transcending space and time!!
I’m obviously not qualified to discuss anything relating to the historical and modern aspects of the Hispanic diaspora (Mexican primarily for this novel but colonialism made it so we can’t have nice things), so I’m not gonna talk ab that. Honestly, just read the book please!
This made me feel so much in so little time like how dare you do this to my fragile heart?!?
One thing I will say is that this novel was really short, my version was only a little less than 300 pages. The story and characters would’ve benefited from more fleshing out in some areas, especially since we’re jumping around time A LOT! There were major pacing issues that could’ve been helped by either removing certain parts that are super repetitive, or taking the extra words to flesh out other parts that make it flow better.
Regardless, I love this novel, I need an audiobook of this novel, and I really respect the authors for writing something so impactful that this novel has made me cry no less than three times during my read…
Edit- 09/23/23
The more I think ab this, the more I realize it’s deffo a good 3 stars, as the ending was just messy as hell. Still enjoyed it, but damn I felt cheated. So lemme fix that right quick.
To me, this is worth 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ there were some things that didn’t fully work for me, but at the end of the day this made me incredibly happy to have read and that’s what I’m gonna focus on.
I love a historical fantasy romance, with the lovers transcending space and time!!
I’m obviously not qualified to discuss anything relating to the historical and modern aspects of the Hispanic diaspora (Mexican primarily for this novel but colonialism made it so we can’t have nice things), so I’m not gonna talk ab that. Honestly, just read the book please!
This made me feel so much in so little time like how dare you do this to my fragile heart?!?
One thing I will say is that this novel was really short, my version was only a little less than 300 pages. The story and characters would’ve benefited from more fleshing out in some areas, especially since we’re jumping around time A LOT! There were major pacing issues that could’ve been helped by either removing certain parts that are super repetitive, or taking the extra words to flesh out other parts that make it flow better.
Regardless, I love this novel, I need an audiobook of this novel, and I really respect the authors for writing something so impactful that this novel has made me cry no less than three times during my read…
Edit- 09/23/23
The more I think ab this, the more I realize it’s deffo a good 3 stars, as the ending was just messy as hell. Still enjoyed it, but damn I felt cheated. So lemme fix that right quick.
March 28, 2023
Precisely the rich, powerful storytelling complemented by meticulous research that I’ve come to count on from David Bowles. The story is an absolute page turner leaving my own family responding to each gasp or sigh with “something real or in the book?” But what readers will discover quickly is that Bowles and McCall masterfully blur that line. Gods and ghosts allow readers a comfortable distance but the reality of the characters’ experiences is unescapable and their call to action is a clarion call for all of us to stand up for one another and against injustice and inhumanity.
The cover is deceptively playful. Yes, there is an exciting romance (very steamy, very tasteful, would not blush to read aloud in front of my mom) and so much magic. But this is a story well suited to thoughtful study and re-reading. I found myself looking up Nahuatl gods, historic locations, ancient weapons, and contemporary immigration policy -not because I needed to in order to follow the narrative, but rather because it sparked my curiosity and made me want to know more.
Most of the names and locations and many other vocabulary are Nahuatl, and of course plenty of Spanish too, but you will be just fine. A little dramatic personae and glossary at the beginning was quite helpful and completely unnecessary once I got going. I imagine the audiobook will be outstanding; I am eager to hear how everything ought to be pronounced. But I assure you, reader, you won’t have a problem following.
The cover is deceptively playful. Yes, there is an exciting romance (very steamy, very tasteful, would not blush to read aloud in front of my mom) and so much magic. But this is a story well suited to thoughtful study and re-reading. I found myself looking up Nahuatl gods, historic locations, ancient weapons, and contemporary immigration policy -not because I needed to in order to follow the narrative, but rather because it sparked my curiosity and made me want to know more.
Most of the names and locations and many other vocabulary are Nahuatl, and of course plenty of Spanish too, but you will be just fine. A little dramatic personae and glossary at the beginning was quite helpful and completely unnecessary once I got going. I imagine the audiobook will be outstanding; I am eager to hear how everything ought to be pronounced. But I assure you, reader, you won’t have a problem following.
September 8, 2023
A YA fantasy romance that defies time and logic.
🌙
Sitlali is without a family in modern day Mexico and caught the attention of a local gang leader. With no reason to stay she decides to start the journey towards the US, despite its dangers and peril. Sitlali is on a mission to find her long-absent father and escape the gang leader. Before she leaves she finds a conch shell with Aztec markings. In 1521 Calizto is a warrior fighting against the Spanish to save his land. This was has killed his family and he asks the conch for guidance. The shell brings the two teens together through time and magic.
🐚
You all know I’m not a big fantasy reader, but it’s books like these that always have me reconsidering. This was such a heartfelt romantasy that brought two people together who needed one another at a tough time in their lives. Regardless of the magic of this story, ultimately it’s about the connection that can come when you find someone who can relate to what you’re going through. This definitely came across in this book. I got to speak with both authors about this title at the Texas Tea event at #txla23 and am so glad I finally read it!
CW: death, gangs, violence, immigration issues, racism, death of a parent and grandparent (recounted), parental abandonment
🌙
Sitlali is without a family in modern day Mexico and caught the attention of a local gang leader. With no reason to stay she decides to start the journey towards the US, despite its dangers and peril. Sitlali is on a mission to find her long-absent father and escape the gang leader. Before she leaves she finds a conch shell with Aztec markings. In 1521 Calizto is a warrior fighting against the Spanish to save his land. This was has killed his family and he asks the conch for guidance. The shell brings the two teens together through time and magic.
🐚
You all know I’m not a big fantasy reader, but it’s books like these that always have me reconsidering. This was such a heartfelt romantasy that brought two people together who needed one another at a tough time in their lives. Regardless of the magic of this story, ultimately it’s about the connection that can come when you find someone who can relate to what you’re going through. This definitely came across in this book. I got to speak with both authors about this title at the Texas Tea event at #txla23 and am so glad I finally read it!
CW: death, gangs, violence, immigration issues, racism, death of a parent and grandparent (recounted), parental abandonment
December 3, 2023
First of all I want to thank Netgalley for giving me an e-arc in exchange of my honest review.
When I first read the premise for this book I was really excited because I have never read a book with lovers across time and I was really curious about how the authors were going to pull that off. Now that I'm done reading it I have to say that they did a wonderful job mixing history and modern time issues. I honestly thought that the mention and use of the modern time was going to annoy me but I found myself submerged in Sitali's journey.
I think that the way the authors connected both the past and the present was very clever and I enjoyed every single interaction between Sitali and Calizto as well as every bit we got of the Aztec time. To be honest one of the main reason I requested this one is because of Calizto's background and I really wanted to read about about the Aztecs.
I really enjoyed the romance although I would have liked a bit more of a slow burn but the way both mc were so connected it totally made sense that they grew feelings for each other a bit quick. I was really anxious in the last 20% of the book because I was not sure how the ending could be a satisfying one but the way it played out was perfect.
I really liked that the authors portray very well the struggle that minority communities face everyday and how it has a really strong and powerful message.
In a way it is a sad but beautiful book
rating: 4.5/5
When I first read the premise for this book I was really excited because I have never read a book with lovers across time and I was really curious about how the authors were going to pull that off. Now that I'm done reading it I have to say that they did a wonderful job mixing history and modern time issues. I honestly thought that the mention and use of the modern time was going to annoy me but I found myself submerged in Sitali's journey.
I think that the way the authors connected both the past and the present was very clever and I enjoyed every single interaction between Sitali and Calizto as well as every bit we got of the Aztec time. To be honest one of the main reason I requested this one is because of Calizto's background and I really wanted to read about about the Aztecs.
I really enjoyed the romance although I would have liked a bit more of a slow burn but the way both mc were so connected it totally made sense that they grew feelings for each other a bit quick. I was really anxious in the last 20% of the book because I was not sure how the ending could be a satisfying one but the way it played out was perfect.
I really liked that the authors portray very well the struggle that minority communities face everyday and how it has a really strong and powerful message.
In a way it is a sad but beautiful book
rating: 4.5/5
July 4, 2023
I’d be interested in knowing how this book reads with 0 knowledge of the Aztec empire. This book is very inventive and imaginative, a completely unique YA romance when YA romance can be a very stale genre. Though I have my own gripes with the ending, I think this is an important book that should be on all the recommendation and awards lists.
dnf
August 14, 2023Dnf at 37.1%.I started this quite a bit ago and each time I pick it upto read I have a difficult time staying within the story. I love the concept of it and love the setting and history written. Always looking for different culture's mythology and history within books.
However, it is a bit clunky to me and I personally think the two MCs accepted this wild and crazy situation very readily without many questions. While Sitlali could see her grandmother's ghost, it really didn't elaborate much on any other paranormal or magical instances, other than their faith within things. The characters also fell into emotions for each other very quickly. It's only been a few days and I just find this to be unrealistic, even with this realm.
I really wanted to love this but it fell short for me and made me not want to finish. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read the arc in exchange for an honest review.
However, it is a bit clunky to me and I personally think the two MCs accepted this wild and crazy situation very readily without many questions. While Sitlali could see her grandmother's ghost, it really didn't elaborate much on any other paranormal or magical instances, other than their faith within things. The characters also fell into emotions for each other very quickly. It's only been a few days and I just find this to be unrealistic, even with this realm.
I really wanted to love this but it fell short for me and made me not want to finish. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read the arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2024
I have no words to describe everything I’m felling and thinking. It’s just so much…. Reading this book showed me so much I didn’t know about my ancestral history… what they went through thru the eyes of a young Mexica warrior and connected it to the present day troubles their descendants are going thru thru the eyes of a young Mexican girl. My people! Reading this story with historical truths thur Calizto’s voice and eyes different from what I learned in school made me connect more with him and what was happening. Same with Sitlali going on her journey in our present time to escape the dangerous times happening especially for a young girl alone and making the difficult trip across Mexico to crossing the border and getting to the “land of dreams” the US only to face more trouble. This book made me feel everything emotionally, mentally, and physically. I laughed, got mad, and cried… not just for the characters but for their people, my people. This was a great book even though it took me longer than usual to read. Just so you all know I didn’t take long to read because it wasn’t interesting or that I didn’t want to read faster… it’s just life and the sadness that happens sometime to us. Overall this was a great read and loved it. So happy I had my husband to help me try to say the words correctly that were in the Nahual and Spanish language that I couldn’t pronounce correctly 🫣🤣
April 15, 2024
This has to be the first book I have finished in quite a while. With college and other priories I had, there was only so much time I could spend reading.
I first saw this book way back a semester ago in college, added it to my TBR, and never looked back. I was at the library, just needing some books to get my mind off things. And while sorting through the newest teen releases, this book was among them.
Immediately I thought of my tbr, and decided to give it a try. It was long overdue anyways. I loved it so much
The book follows Sitali and Calitzo and their constant struggles to be with one another across time and space with the moon conch that they both share. Seeing them together, their struggles, just made my heart burst all the more.
I really liked them as characters and their journey together was so emotional. Such a good book. I liked reading it.
I first saw this book way back a semester ago in college, added it to my TBR, and never looked back. I was at the library, just needing some books to get my mind off things. And while sorting through the newest teen releases, this book was among them.
Immediately I thought of my tbr, and decided to give it a try. It was long overdue anyways. I loved it so much
The book follows Sitali and Calitzo and their constant struggles to be with one another across time and space with the moon conch that they both share. Seeing them together, their struggles, just made my heart burst all the more.
I really liked them as characters and their journey together was so emotional. Such a good book. I liked reading it.
September 16, 2023
i liked it!! abrupt ending tho, but overall was fine with it.
September 23, 2025
In Secret of the Moon Conch, Sitlali is alone. She's lost her mother and now her maternal grandmother, and her father is somewhere in the United States, an unknown factor. Sitlali's goal is to escape Veracruz and the gangs that make life unsafe for nearly everyone. Her mother's best friend (Sitlalil's godmother) is in Texas, and Sitlali means to find her way there.
Calizto is a warrior in Tenochtitlan in 1521. Cortés is closing in, and Calizto knows it's a matter of time before his school is called up to fight for their home. His entire family was lost to the plague, and the closest thing he has is Ofirin, a man who escaped enslavement to the Spaniards and has been living in hiding with Calizto.
Both are in desperate situations, and in a moment of need, they each find the moon conch. For Sitlali, it comes from the sea. For Calizto, it's in the altar where his mother worshipped as a priestess. This powerful item connects the two across time, a bond that waxes and wanes alongside the lunar phases. Sometimes, they can only be a voice in one another's minds, a still great boon for two young people who find themselves alone. But as the moon grows in power, they can witness one another's worlds and even share space as they long to do. As their problems escalate, so too do their feelings for one another. Facing the greatest trials of their lives so far, it's a gift to have someone there as support, to share their burdens and even fight back.
Our protagonists have buckets of bravery. One's city is under siege, but he stands up to do his duty and protect his people in any way he can. The other migrates across a hostile border, evading people who would harm her for all kinds of reasons or for no particular reason at all. And then there are the people who help Sitlali. Despite great danger to themselves, people step up when they see an unprotected girl in need, when they see her up against a system that would just as soon eat her alive.
Both entwined stories are impactful, but the contemporary one especially resonates. The 16th-century story is one of war, and the draw of that plot is that this particular battle is so historically significant and not often enough dwelt on in American education. Calizto (and Sitlali through their link) is living through a transformative, horrifying moment in México's history. And then you have Sitlali's story, which is heartbreakingly relevant-- the horrors practically mundane in their frequency. We see her evade violence all the way to the United States, a destination where she then faces betrayal, uncertainty, and a deprivation of human rights.
In the second half, I was really in my feels on all fronts. We see our duo exploring the different types of magic the conch has to offer, a much-needed power in the face of the mounting challenges each one faces. After these riveting, intense journeys, it was the ending that left me unsatisfied. I didn't dislike it exactly, but it felt a bit slapdash in comparison to the story so far, crafted to suit many needs while not really addressing all of them. For example, the romance follows a weird script that I think was meant to straddle the line between YA sensibilities and a romantic finale, doing a weird disservice to both in the process. It felt stilted and rushed, especially when layered on top of the other grave happenings near the end. I am only too happy to see our pair use whatever timey-wimey powers they have to escape situations that are unjust and cruel; the book doesn't hold back on the details of Sitlali's experience, in particular, and I would support any solution that ensures her freedom. All the same, it feels a bit like a magical, limited band-aid on a huge issue. On the one hand, a fantasy story can't fix a terrible reality, but on the other, it felt like a strange abandonment of the real problems the book puts in front of readers in the final moments.
So do I recommend this one? Certainly. I'd suggest you check content warnings if you need to, but I'd also say that as readers, it's important to bear witness to suffering that's a reflection of the real world if we can. The history here is interesting, the magic compelling, and the present-day story impactful. If even one of those components speaks to you, I'd say it's worth a read. Thanks to Bloomsbury for my copy to read and review!
Calizto is a warrior in Tenochtitlan in 1521. Cortés is closing in, and Calizto knows it's a matter of time before his school is called up to fight for their home. His entire family was lost to the plague, and the closest thing he has is Ofirin, a man who escaped enslavement to the Spaniards and has been living in hiding with Calizto.
Both are in desperate situations, and in a moment of need, they each find the moon conch. For Sitlali, it comes from the sea. For Calizto, it's in the altar where his mother worshipped as a priestess. This powerful item connects the two across time, a bond that waxes and wanes alongside the lunar phases. Sometimes, they can only be a voice in one another's minds, a still great boon for two young people who find themselves alone. But as the moon grows in power, they can witness one another's worlds and even share space as they long to do. As their problems escalate, so too do their feelings for one another. Facing the greatest trials of their lives so far, it's a gift to have someone there as support, to share their burdens and even fight back.
Our protagonists have buckets of bravery. One's city is under siege, but he stands up to do his duty and protect his people in any way he can. The other migrates across a hostile border, evading people who would harm her for all kinds of reasons or for no particular reason at all. And then there are the people who help Sitlali. Despite great danger to themselves, people step up when they see an unprotected girl in need, when they see her up against a system that would just as soon eat her alive.
Both entwined stories are impactful, but the contemporary one especially resonates. The 16th-century story is one of war, and the draw of that plot is that this particular battle is so historically significant and not often enough dwelt on in American education. Calizto (and Sitlali through their link) is living through a transformative, horrifying moment in México's history. And then you have Sitlali's story, which is heartbreakingly relevant-- the horrors practically mundane in their frequency. We see her evade violence all the way to the United States, a destination where she then faces betrayal, uncertainty, and a deprivation of human rights.
In the second half, I was really in my feels on all fronts. We see our duo exploring the different types of magic the conch has to offer, a much-needed power in the face of the mounting challenges each one faces. After these riveting, intense journeys, it was the ending that left me unsatisfied. I didn't dislike it exactly, but it felt a bit slapdash in comparison to the story so far, crafted to suit many needs while not really addressing all of them. For example, the romance follows a weird script that I think was meant to straddle the line between YA sensibilities and a romantic finale, doing a weird disservice to both in the process. It felt stilted and rushed, especially when layered on top of the other grave happenings near the end. I am only too happy to see our pair use whatever timey-wimey powers they have to escape situations that are unjust and cruel; the book doesn't hold back on the details of Sitlali's experience, in particular, and I would support any solution that ensures her freedom. All the same, it feels a bit like a magical, limited band-aid on a huge issue. On the one hand, a fantasy story can't fix a terrible reality, but on the other, it felt like a strange abandonment of the real problems the book puts in front of readers in the final moments.
So do I recommend this one? Certainly. I'd suggest you check content warnings if you need to, but I'd also say that as readers, it's important to bear witness to suffering that's a reflection of the real world if we can. The history here is interesting, the magic compelling, and the present-day story impactful. If even one of those components speaks to you, I'd say it's worth a read. Thanks to Bloomsbury for my copy to read and review!
October 30, 2023
Age: High School-adult
History: Aztec mythology, Fall of the Aztec empire, Conquistadors
Tough issues: War and battle, refugee, treatment of illegal immigrants in the US, abandonment by father
What a fascinating concept that kept me hooked from front front to back. Alternating two narrators and two eras, we see the convergence of two fierce, unstoppable young adults as they fight for their lives while connecting to each other via a magical conch shell.
History: Aztec mythology, Fall of the Aztec empire, Conquistadors
Tough issues: War and battle, refugee, treatment of illegal immigrants in the US, abandonment by father
What a fascinating concept that kept me hooked from front front to back. Alternating two narrators and two eras, we see the convergence of two fierce, unstoppable young adults as they fight for their lives while connecting to each other via a magical conch shell.
September 12, 2023
So, I dove head first into a fantasy romance novel knowing full well I don’t do “romantasy.” However, I love the blurb and the cover too much not to give it a try.
I was both right and wrong about this book. I both loved AND hated it. Let’s start with the hate because it’s the smallest teeniest amount of dislike that stems one hundred percent from the romance. It was cheesy. It was flowery AND cheesy. Slightly cute but super cheesy.
“I love you, my sweet Sitlali. Through time and space, and everything beyond, I love you.”—SUPER cute but heavy on the cheese. The expression of this kind of love is lost in English. It needs a love language. What I would give to be able to read and understand this in Spanish.
Now, that we're done with that. Let’s head to the good because there’s so much more great writing and storytelling in this book than there is cheesy love story. In fact, the greatness of the other themes and storylines in the novel is what makes me dislike the romance altogether. It feels like it takes away from the other aspects of the main characters’ plights. And, those main characters are two such extremely endearing characters that the love story kind of cheapens their greatness.
Sitlali is a seventeen year old girl living in Zongolica, Mexico. Her father left for America when she was a child, abandoning her and her mother. Her mother dies of a broken heart. She is left in the care of her grandmother. When her grandmother dies shortly before the beginning of the book, Sitlali is basically all alone in the world. To escape being entrapped by a local gang member, Sitlali makes a break for the US border. Mind you, this book takes place in 2019, so there is a lot of heat around illegal border-crossings. The journey that Sitlali takes in order to cross into the US is one of nightmares. In fact, the life she is thrown into after crossing the border is also one of nightmares. She basically runs from one traumatic event to the next. But, she is not alone.
Through a magical connection that involves a sacred moon conch from the moon goddess Coyolxauhqui, Sitlali shares emotions and experiences with Calitzo, a teenage warrior in early 1500s Mexico. For his time, Calitzo is a man. He is the last of his line as the Spanish attack and kill his family and people all around him. Just like Sitlali, he finds himself moving from one traumatic and murderous event to the other. The connection they share and the relationship that grows between them is one born out of loneliness. They each fulfill a hole in each other’s hearts. Their relationship gives off a found family vibe (which is probably another reason why the romance seems off to me). I would have much preferred a loving friend relationship. Everything doesn’t have to be about romance, at least not in the beginning. There are other stronger forms of love.
The underlying message of this book is about colonization, enslavement, and cultures trying to continue to exist in a world that prefers the default culture. This book pulls zero punches when discussing both the massacre of Mexican natives and the detainment of Mexican immigrants at the US border during the Trump regime. Seeing the US border crisis through the eyes of Mexican and Mexican-American perspectives helped me to understand those conditions even more than when I saw it on the news in 2019. The history of the Mexica people was extremely educational. Learning about Cuauhtemoc, Moteuczoma, and their gods and goddesses makes me want to dive into as many references as I can to learn more about the Nahua and other indigenous people of Mexico. I thoroughly enjoyed going to Google and Wikipedia every other page to look up former emperors, empresses, words, languages, and events from Mexico’s past. I also appreciated the inclusion of Ofirin, an African slave stolen from his land and brought to Mexico by the Spaniards. Thanks to both the authors for not making Africans and people of African descent disappear when telling important aspects of history.
Romance aside, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Sitlali and Calitzo’s stories. May they live long fictional lives because they have both struggled enough!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books/Bloomsbury YA for providing an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily.
I was both right and wrong about this book. I both loved AND hated it. Let’s start with the hate because it’s the smallest teeniest amount of dislike that stems one hundred percent from the romance. It was cheesy. It was flowery AND cheesy. Slightly cute but super cheesy.
“I love you, my sweet Sitlali. Through time and space, and everything beyond, I love you.”—SUPER cute but heavy on the cheese. The expression of this kind of love is lost in English. It needs a love language. What I would give to be able to read and understand this in Spanish.
Now, that we're done with that. Let’s head to the good because there’s so much more great writing and storytelling in this book than there is cheesy love story. In fact, the greatness of the other themes and storylines in the novel is what makes me dislike the romance altogether. It feels like it takes away from the other aspects of the main characters’ plights. And, those main characters are two such extremely endearing characters that the love story kind of cheapens their greatness.
Sitlali is a seventeen year old girl living in Zongolica, Mexico. Her father left for America when she was a child, abandoning her and her mother. Her mother dies of a broken heart. She is left in the care of her grandmother. When her grandmother dies shortly before the beginning of the book, Sitlali is basically all alone in the world. To escape being entrapped by a local gang member, Sitlali makes a break for the US border. Mind you, this book takes place in 2019, so there is a lot of heat around illegal border-crossings. The journey that Sitlali takes in order to cross into the US is one of nightmares. In fact, the life she is thrown into after crossing the border is also one of nightmares. She basically runs from one traumatic event to the next. But, she is not alone.
Through a magical connection that involves a sacred moon conch from the moon goddess Coyolxauhqui, Sitlali shares emotions and experiences with Calitzo, a teenage warrior in early 1500s Mexico. For his time, Calitzo is a man. He is the last of his line as the Spanish attack and kill his family and people all around him. Just like Sitlali, he finds himself moving from one traumatic and murderous event to the other. The connection they share and the relationship that grows between them is one born out of loneliness. They each fulfill a hole in each other’s hearts. Their relationship gives off a found family vibe (which is probably another reason why the romance seems off to me). I would have much preferred a loving friend relationship. Everything doesn’t have to be about romance, at least not in the beginning. There are other stronger forms of love.
The underlying message of this book is about colonization, enslavement, and cultures trying to continue to exist in a world that prefers the default culture. This book pulls zero punches when discussing both the massacre of Mexican natives and the detainment of Mexican immigrants at the US border during the Trump regime. Seeing the US border crisis through the eyes of Mexican and Mexican-American perspectives helped me to understand those conditions even more than when I saw it on the news in 2019. The history of the Mexica people was extremely educational. Learning about Cuauhtemoc, Moteuczoma, and their gods and goddesses makes me want to dive into as many references as I can to learn more about the Nahua and other indigenous people of Mexico. I thoroughly enjoyed going to Google and Wikipedia every other page to look up former emperors, empresses, words, languages, and events from Mexico’s past. I also appreciated the inclusion of Ofirin, an African slave stolen from his land and brought to Mexico by the Spaniards. Thanks to both the authors for not making Africans and people of African descent disappear when telling important aspects of history.
Romance aside, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Sitlali and Calitzo’s stories. May they live long fictional lives because they have both struggled enough!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books/Bloomsbury YA for providing an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily.
November 27, 2023
This was such a great fantasy book about the history of the Mexica people, and also the current events in our country and the connections across time and space. The author did a great job incorporating historical events and words from different languages into the book in a clear way. I didn't rate it 5 stars because it was quite a long read and the beginning felt like it dragged a little, but I was also a tad disappointed by the ending. I don't know what I was expecting but I was kind of hoping for something different. Overall, though, a great historical/fantasy/romance YA read!
May 8, 2024
Very impressed by this book. I was expecting YA but this was so much more! I really appreciated that the historical aspects were rooted in true Nahua culture and history.
January 25, 2024
Beautiful book
September 8, 2023
I don’t know where to begin with this story. It was absolutely incredible, a page turner, filled with incredible history.. A must read!
I fell in love with the MCs from their first introduction “Sitlali” and “Calizto” and their cross over time love story had me clutching my imaginary pearls.
But don’t get confused, this novel is so much more than just a Fantasy Romance, this is about the Fall of the Aztec empire and how we get a little insight in the form of fiction through the eyes of our warrior Calizto.
To the cruel reality filled with violence, immigration and death of our present time in Mexico through the eyes of our FMC Sitlali..
I was not prepared for the ending and I am honestly still processing that.. so.
Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury for a copy of this incredible novel in exchange of an honest review.
I fell in love with the MCs from their first introduction “Sitlali” and “Calizto” and their cross over time love story had me clutching my imaginary pearls.
But don’t get confused, this novel is so much more than just a Fantasy Romance, this is about the Fall of the Aztec empire and how we get a little insight in the form of fiction through the eyes of our warrior Calizto.
To the cruel reality filled with violence, immigration and death of our present time in Mexico through the eyes of our FMC Sitlali..
I was not prepared for the ending and I am honestly still processing that.. so.
Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury for a copy of this incredible novel in exchange of an honest review.
August 23, 2024
The ending felt real rushed. I liked it a lot and felt like I got through the audiobook quickly.
August 8, 2023
“No matter what the new moon may bring, you will always be a part of me.”
Both Sitlali and Calizto have one mission: survival. However, their circumstances could not be more different. Seventeen-year-old Sitlali must escape the perils of modern-day Zongolica, a Mexican municipality overrun by gang violence and drug lords. Calizto, also seventeen, lives in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan circa 1521 and must defend his home from the vicious attacks of Spanish colonizers. Though the two are centuries apart, they are brought together by a magical conch shell, which allows them to communicate. As Sitlali and Calizto support and guide each other through their respective battles, their connection grows. They fight for their lives and freedom, desperate to find safety in worlds where danger lurks at every turn. As they discover comfort and happiness in each other, they begin to wonder why the conch shell unites them and if they may share a future together.
Secret of the Moon Conch was unique and impeccably well-researched, allowing the authors to immerse readers in unfamiliar worlds. Sitlali’s chapters displayed emotional depth and were easily understandable for a contemporary audience. The prose is beautifully written, featuring vivid imagery. Conversely, I found Calizto’s chapters difficult to keep up with. I appreciated the integration of authentic vocabulary, but I wish definitions were included in the text or made more apparent through context clues. I constantly flipped back and forth between the text and the glossary, which took me out of the story. I was also shocked by the graphic violence featured in his chapters, which felt slightly excessive for young adults. Secret of the Moon Conch shines the brightest when the conch shell allows the two characters to read each other’s minds and see through each other’s eyes. The parallels between Calizto’s and Sitlali’s experiences are thoughtful and well-planned. Though their situations are distinctly different, their plots move at the same pace. However, the protagonists understand the elaborate powers of the conch shell easily, which felt unrealistic and made it difficult to follow along as a reader. Because their situations are so complex, the solutions seem oversimplified. The romance in this novel also felt oversimplified. Despite the hurried nature of the relationship, the intimate scenes are appropriate for seventeen-year-olds, from discussing consent to avoiding overt explicitness.
In a world full of trope-based young adult novels, David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall gave readers a book like none other.
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Both Sitlali and Calizto have one mission: survival. However, their circumstances could not be more different. Seventeen-year-old Sitlali must escape the perils of modern-day Zongolica, a Mexican municipality overrun by gang violence and drug lords. Calizto, also seventeen, lives in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan circa 1521 and must defend his home from the vicious attacks of Spanish colonizers. Though the two are centuries apart, they are brought together by a magical conch shell, which allows them to communicate. As Sitlali and Calizto support and guide each other through their respective battles, their connection grows. They fight for their lives and freedom, desperate to find safety in worlds where danger lurks at every turn. As they discover comfort and happiness in each other, they begin to wonder why the conch shell unites them and if they may share a future together.
Secret of the Moon Conch was unique and impeccably well-researched, allowing the authors to immerse readers in unfamiliar worlds. Sitlali’s chapters displayed emotional depth and were easily understandable for a contemporary audience. The prose is beautifully written, featuring vivid imagery. Conversely, I found Calizto’s chapters difficult to keep up with. I appreciated the integration of authentic vocabulary, but I wish definitions were included in the text or made more apparent through context clues. I constantly flipped back and forth between the text and the glossary, which took me out of the story. I was also shocked by the graphic violence featured in his chapters, which felt slightly excessive for young adults. Secret of the Moon Conch shines the brightest when the conch shell allows the two characters to read each other’s minds and see through each other’s eyes. The parallels between Calizto’s and Sitlali’s experiences are thoughtful and well-planned. Though their situations are distinctly different, their plots move at the same pace. However, the protagonists understand the elaborate powers of the conch shell easily, which felt unrealistic and made it difficult to follow along as a reader. Because their situations are so complex, the solutions seem oversimplified. The romance in this novel also felt oversimplified. Despite the hurried nature of the relationship, the intimate scenes are appropriate for seventeen-year-olds, from discussing consent to avoiding overt explicitness.
In a world full of trope-based young adult novels, David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall gave readers a book like none other.
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
September 4, 2025
I hate to write a negative review, but here it goes. Despite loving the premise, familiarity with one of the collaborating authors, and plenty of positive reviews, this one fell super flat for me. Both protagonists seemed to skip through life, and it took me until almost the end to realize why I felt that way, as both were facing all sorts of trials and conflicts and suffering! However, everything felt very detached, distant, and unbelievable. I think, in part, my own familiarity with Mexican geography, history, and recent events got in the way of my enjoyment of the book. The authors got a lot factually right — the fall of Tenochtitlán, growing violence in Veracruz, the whole debacle of US immigration and particularly detention — but it felt like they missed the mood and the emotion completely.
To take an example from early on (not really a spoiler, in my opinion): Sitlalli is confronted by a gang member and told she will be his girlfriend. He is not alone and the group is armed. She is alone, and supposedly afraid, yet she yells in his face that she’ll never go with him, grabs a knife, and attempts to stab him — and he just lets that go. Let me tell you, real life is unfortunately a lot more painful and violent than that. Also she walks from central Mexico to Matehuala in one day, then the next day makes it to the border in time to find housing, buy clothes, and wander around before dusk?? Yeah, I don’t think so.
Back to bigger problems: the romance. Utterly unbelievable, not because of the situation but rather because there was no basis for it. The two characters are suddenly in each others’ heads… and deeply in love. Why? What do they like about each other? We are told, but never really shown.
And the biggest problem of all, which several others have mentioned: the ending. Umm, what? That not only came from nowhere, it’s a prime example of deus machina and took away any relief I felt at reaching the end. With a better ending this might have reached two stars, because again, love the concept and I think factually the book was well-researched, but you totally lost me there. The authors noted that they had to dramatically cut back their original manuscript, and I can’t help but wonder if a few thousand extra words might have saved us from such a trite ending. I suppose we’ll never know.
All of this to say… David Bowle has written MUCH better stuff than this, and maybe that’s true of Guadalupe Garcia McCall as well. Don’t let this book be your only impression of them, because I know and suspect they have produced much better works!
To take an example from early on (not really a spoiler, in my opinion): Sitlalli is confronted by a gang member and told she will be his girlfriend. He is not alone and the group is armed. She is alone, and supposedly afraid, yet she yells in his face that she’ll never go with him, grabs a knife, and attempts to stab him — and he just lets that go. Let me tell you, real life is unfortunately a lot more painful and violent than that. Also she walks from central Mexico to Matehuala in one day, then the next day makes it to the border in time to find housing, buy clothes, and wander around before dusk?? Yeah, I don’t think so.
Back to bigger problems: the romance. Utterly unbelievable, not because of the situation but rather because there was no basis for it. The two characters are suddenly in each others’ heads… and deeply in love. Why? What do they like about each other? We are told, but never really shown.
And the biggest problem of all, which several others have mentioned: the ending. Umm, what? That not only came from nowhere, it’s a prime example of deus machina and took away any relief I felt at reaching the end. With a better ending this might have reached two stars, because again, love the concept and I think factually the book was well-researched, but you totally lost me there. The authors noted that they had to dramatically cut back their original manuscript, and I can’t help but wonder if a few thousand extra words might have saved us from such a trite ending. I suppose we’ll never know.
All of this to say… David Bowle has written MUCH better stuff than this, and maybe that’s true of Guadalupe Garcia McCall as well. Don’t let this book be your only impression of them, because I know and suspect they have produced much better works!
June 3, 2023
Across the sands of time, two teenagers are desperate to flee the danger surrounding them. In 2019, seventeen-year-old Sitlali has been watching crime and violence edge its way into her hometown of Veracruz, and with both of her parents and her grandmother gone, she is finally ready to seek solace in the United States. Meanwhile, and 500 years before, seventeen-year-old Calizto is fighting to protect his home from the conquistadors who have taken nearly everything he loves. A mysterious conch shell connects the two youth, uniting them in their shared struggles in two similar yet disparate worlds.
This historical fiction novel is initially compelling, when characters are introduced and the setting begins to unfold. Unfortunately, this engagement fizzles midway through the book. Short chapters alternate between the primary characters, whose voices are clear despite both speaking in the first person. A primary difference between the two is that when Calizto is speaking, he often intersperses Nahuatl language among the English, while Sitlali uses Spanish. Though fantastic in its premise, the connection between Calizto and Sitlali is nonetheless palpable and believable thanks to the similar experiences the two are facing. Due to the challenges faced by and the ages of its protagonists, the book does include strong language, romance, and scenes of violence, which make it best suited to more mature audiences.
At the beginning of the book, readers find an assortment of helpful additions, including maps, a list of historical figures, and several Nahuatl terms. These set the stage for the rest of the novel, and readers will find themselves returning to them several times to reinforce moments within the story. Readers interested in Mexican history will appreciate the detail included within this novel, especially as Calizto is faced with the European colonization of his home of Tenochtitlan. Likewise, the danger Sitlali faces in her home is familiar to many who have escaped violence in their own way. Together, this is at once an exploration of human survival across time and a rich love story. This is a unique addition to library collections for young adult readers.
This historical fiction novel is initially compelling, when characters are introduced and the setting begins to unfold. Unfortunately, this engagement fizzles midway through the book. Short chapters alternate between the primary characters, whose voices are clear despite both speaking in the first person. A primary difference between the two is that when Calizto is speaking, he often intersperses Nahuatl language among the English, while Sitlali uses Spanish. Though fantastic in its premise, the connection between Calizto and Sitlali is nonetheless palpable and believable thanks to the similar experiences the two are facing. Due to the challenges faced by and the ages of its protagonists, the book does include strong language, romance, and scenes of violence, which make it best suited to more mature audiences.
At the beginning of the book, readers find an assortment of helpful additions, including maps, a list of historical figures, and several Nahuatl terms. These set the stage for the rest of the novel, and readers will find themselves returning to them several times to reinforce moments within the story. Readers interested in Mexican history will appreciate the detail included within this novel, especially as Calizto is faced with the European colonization of his home of Tenochtitlan. Likewise, the danger Sitlali faces in her home is familiar to many who have escaped violence in their own way. Together, this is at once an exploration of human survival across time and a rich love story. This is a unique addition to library collections for young adult readers.
August 6, 2023
I read this book as a pre-release e-book obtained through NetGalley, provided by the publisher.
Two star-crossed lovers, who are both 17, but separated by 500 years. The magic of the moon conch brings them together across the centuries, as he fights the Spanish invaders in the 16th century, and she deals with gangs, human traffickers, and drug lords in the 21st century. The connection between them becomes stronger and stronger, through great adversity to both of them. The love scenes are not overdone for a Young Adult audience, nor are the scenes involving violence - including sexual violence. They are all tastefully done, giving descriptions of what's happening, without making anything too explicit. I love a story that allows me to use my imagination for the scenes.
The conch is even older than the invasion of conquistadors, and cannot be read by either of them. It is said that the glyphs are understandable to those the Goddess chooses. As the story progresses, Sitlali, the 21st century girl, can understand more and more of them.
Aware of the time paradoxes of changing history, they do not change history.
There are some explanations to get through it which seem to merely be plot devices to explain how they keep this conch – a bulky object – through various physical trials – including capture and imprisonment. This is why I only gave it 4 stars, as well as it’s sometimes hard to tell which of our two protagonist is speaking when they are speaking across time.
It has a lovely ending, with a firm resolve to help others through their plights – with help of gods and ancestors - and now able to understand all of the Conch's Secrets.
Two star-crossed lovers, who are both 17, but separated by 500 years. The magic of the moon conch brings them together across the centuries, as he fights the Spanish invaders in the 16th century, and she deals with gangs, human traffickers, and drug lords in the 21st century. The connection between them becomes stronger and stronger, through great adversity to both of them. The love scenes are not overdone for a Young Adult audience, nor are the scenes involving violence - including sexual violence. They are all tastefully done, giving descriptions of what's happening, without making anything too explicit. I love a story that allows me to use my imagination for the scenes.
The conch is even older than the invasion of conquistadors, and cannot be read by either of them. It is said that the glyphs are understandable to those the Goddess chooses. As the story progresses, Sitlali, the 21st century girl, can understand more and more of them.
Aware of the time paradoxes of changing history, they do not change history.
There are some explanations to get through it which seem to merely be plot devices to explain how they keep this conch – a bulky object – through various physical trials – including capture and imprisonment. This is why I only gave it 4 stars, as well as it’s sometimes hard to tell which of our two protagonist is speaking when they are speaking across time.
It has a lovely ending, with a firm resolve to help others through their plights – with help of gods and ancestors - and now able to understand all of the Conch's Secrets.
September 24, 2024
1.7/10
I guess I do have a few nice things to say here... You can't actually tell this book is co-written. I'm not sure if the authors repressed both of their writing styles so hard that there's now... no writing style here anymore, or if they just both individually have super bland ways of writing, but they do blend seamlessly here, however it worked.
There could have been really interesting things here. But something I've been noticing a lot in more recently published books lately is a heavy "no thoughts, just vibes" attitude about worldbuilding, character development, plot. Anything that makes a book actually work, a lot of books seem to be taking an "eh, that's not super important, right?" attitude towards. And that's the biggest issue this book has. Which is really sad, it tries to be engaging, and it even tries to tackle a really heavy and complex subject. But between the strawmen, the accidental self-racism, and the completely lackluster ending, the story feels so completely hopeless and meaningless that ends up being super forgettable by default. I didn't even care enough about the characters to be mad about what was happening to them.
I could say a lot more about the places this book failed, but I probably won't. I don't think the authors tried to just coast through, I heard them speak about the book in person and obviously it sounded like they put enough care into it that I picked it up out of curiosity. But it feels just so dull and bland that it's almost incredible the book was published. Almost.
I guess I do have a few nice things to say here... You can't actually tell this book is co-written. I'm not sure if the authors repressed both of their writing styles so hard that there's now... no writing style here anymore, or if they just both individually have super bland ways of writing, but they do blend seamlessly here, however it worked.
There could have been really interesting things here. But something I've been noticing a lot in more recently published books lately is a heavy "no thoughts, just vibes" attitude about worldbuilding, character development, plot. Anything that makes a book actually work, a lot of books seem to be taking an "eh, that's not super important, right?" attitude towards. And that's the biggest issue this book has. Which is really sad, it tries to be engaging, and it even tries to tackle a really heavy and complex subject. But between the strawmen, the accidental self-racism, and the completely lackluster ending, the story feels so completely hopeless and meaningless that ends up being super forgettable by default. I didn't even care enough about the characters to be mad about what was happening to them.
I could say a lot more about the places this book failed, but I probably won't. I don't think the authors tried to just coast through, I heard them speak about the book in person and obviously it sounded like they put enough care into it that I picked it up out of curiosity. But it feels just so dull and bland that it's almost incredible the book was published. Almost.
June 30, 2023
Her father disappeared to the US without contact years ago, her mother died of a broken heart, and now a dangerous gang member wants her as his girl. 17-year-old Sitlali has nothing left in her Veracruz hometown, just the ghost of her abuela watching over her, and she has decided to make the trek north to the border. The night before she leaves she finds a conch with inscrutable rune markings on the beach.
500 years in the past, Calitzo has lost everyone he loves to smallpox. Inside the Mexica city-state of Tenochtitlan, he trains with other teen boys in preparation to fight off the Spanish invader Cortés who holds the city under seige.
Somehow, the conch connects Sitlali and Calitzo across space and time and they each guide each other in their journeys.
I really enjoyed the immersion we got into 1500s Tenochtitlan and the juxtaposition of Mexica peoples' struggles in two different times. The connection across time allowed for the two main characters to form a unique romance based on deep understanding of each other. Though I felt like some of the traumatic things, especially in Sitlali's time, were rushed through without time to process, there is a lot going on in two different centuries, and perhaps makes sense in that Sitlali's only half-living in her own time at this point.
This is a very enjoyable historical adventure with some time-traveling and a love story mixed in, as well as a celebration of the resilience of the indigenous peoples of Mexico.
500 years in the past, Calitzo has lost everyone he loves to smallpox. Inside the Mexica city-state of Tenochtitlan, he trains with other teen boys in preparation to fight off the Spanish invader Cortés who holds the city under seige.
Somehow, the conch connects Sitlali and Calitzo across space and time and they each guide each other in their journeys.
I really enjoyed the immersion we got into 1500s Tenochtitlan and the juxtaposition of Mexica peoples' struggles in two different times. The connection across time allowed for the two main characters to form a unique romance based on deep understanding of each other. Though I felt like some of the traumatic things, especially in Sitlali's time, were rushed through without time to process, there is a lot going on in two different centuries, and perhaps makes sense in that Sitlali's only half-living in her own time at this point.
This is a very enjoyable historical adventure with some time-traveling and a love story mixed in, as well as a celebration of the resilience of the indigenous peoples of Mexico.
June 27, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, David and Guadalupe for this wonderful novel.
4.5/5 stars.
General Description: Love knows no bounds, especially for Calizto and Sitlali. We follow 2 timelines: Calizto is trying to protect himself as Tenochtitlan starts to fall, while Sitlali is escaping gangs in Mexico to join her father in the US. Both Calizto and Sitlali hold a moon conch near and as the moon gets fuller, their connection gets stronger. Will Calizto and Sitlali be able to get to safety in their respective timelines, or will something worse than heartbreak happen?
All the good:
- The historical aspect is magnificent.
- The present day setting is heartbreakingly accurate and left me anxious while reading, in the best way possible.
- The love story is absolutely beautiful and made my heart smile.
- This was extremely fast paced and I saw no twists or turns coming if I'm honest.
The loss of a half star:
- To me, the ending left me with questions which left me unsettled. If there is a sequel to this book, I'll change my rating to a 5/5 stars.
Overall: If you like historical romances, I feel like this will be right up your alley. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
4.5/5 stars.
General Description: Love knows no bounds, especially for Calizto and Sitlali. We follow 2 timelines: Calizto is trying to protect himself as Tenochtitlan starts to fall, while Sitlali is escaping gangs in Mexico to join her father in the US. Both Calizto and Sitlali hold a moon conch near and as the moon gets fuller, their connection gets stronger. Will Calizto and Sitlali be able to get to safety in their respective timelines, or will something worse than heartbreak happen?
All the good:
- The historical aspect is magnificent.
- The present day setting is heartbreakingly accurate and left me anxious while reading, in the best way possible.
- The love story is absolutely beautiful and made my heart smile.
- This was extremely fast paced and I saw no twists or turns coming if I'm honest.
The loss of a half star:
- To me, the ending left me with questions which left me unsettled. If there is a sequel to this book, I'll change my rating to a 5/5 stars.
Overall: If you like historical romances, I feel like this will be right up your alley. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
December 14, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I'll cleave the very cosmos if you are ever caged. I'll cross the centuries and leagues upon this horse and lay waste to anyone who dares lay a hand on you.”
Ya'll this book is CRAZY (in the best way possible). Secret of the Moon Conch by Guadalupe García McCall and David Bowles follows Sitlali and Calizto as they fall in love, 500 years apart. Sitlali lives in modern-day Mexico and escapes to the U.S. after being targeted by gang members. Meanwhile, Calizto, an Aztec warrior, lives in 1521... that's right...during the fall of Tenochtitlan. What connects the two (besides their impossible love)? A magical moon conch.
Now, I'm not going to give away the absolute craziness that is this book, but I promise you that it is jam-packed with detail and historical accuracy. I recently got to meet Guadalupe and David, and they explained just how much research went into this book, and it was A LOT. And you can tell! I learned so much about the culture of Mexico, and they did a fabulous job of tying it to today's social problems. That being said, I found the pacing of the book to be a bit off, and it was very difficult for me to get into, but once I was captured, I couldn't put it down! Definitely a great read!
“I'll cleave the very cosmos if you are ever caged. I'll cross the centuries and leagues upon this horse and lay waste to anyone who dares lay a hand on you.”
Ya'll this book is CRAZY (in the best way possible). Secret of the Moon Conch by Guadalupe García McCall and David Bowles follows Sitlali and Calizto as they fall in love, 500 years apart. Sitlali lives in modern-day Mexico and escapes to the U.S. after being targeted by gang members. Meanwhile, Calizto, an Aztec warrior, lives in 1521... that's right...during the fall of Tenochtitlan. What connects the two (besides their impossible love)? A magical moon conch.
Now, I'm not going to give away the absolute craziness that is this book, but I promise you that it is jam-packed with detail and historical accuracy. I recently got to meet Guadalupe and David, and they explained just how much research went into this book, and it was A LOT. And you can tell! I learned so much about the culture of Mexico, and they did a fabulous job of tying it to today's social problems. That being said, I found the pacing of the book to be a bit off, and it was very difficult for me to get into, but once I was captured, I couldn't put it down! Definitely a great read!
October 1, 2024
Modern day Sitlali lives in Mexico and is threatened by the unwanted affections of a gang member. Then there is Calizto who lives in the 1500's in the Tenochtitlan Empire during the Spanish invasion by Cortez. The lives of these two become entwined with the help of a magical conch belonging to the Moon Goddess. It allows them to communicate despite the years and distance between them.
I loved learning more about the Tenochtitlan empire. I did think the romance was really heavy-handed, though, and I cringed through all of the "I love you so much, you are my heart, you are my life..." parts.
Also, I am definitely not a scholar of that era but did Tenochtitlan people really use the words bitch, bastard, and ass? I'm sure it wasn't those exact words, they must have had equivalents but it was jarring every time I heard it and it knocked me out of the story because it didn't fit. It fit the context, yes, but not how I pictured the language.
CW: swearing, violence, death, war, sexual situations
I loved learning more about the Tenochtitlan empire. I did think the romance was really heavy-handed, though, and I cringed through all of the "I love you so much, you are my heart, you are my life..." parts.
Also, I am definitely not a scholar of that era but did Tenochtitlan people really use the words bitch, bastard, and ass? I'm sure it wasn't those exact words, they must have had equivalents but it was jarring every time I heard it and it knocked me out of the story because it didn't fit. It fit the context, yes, but not how I pictured the language.
CW: swearing, violence, death, war, sexual situations
June 6, 2023
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an E-Arc of this book. The following is my honest opinion *
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. This book is beautifully written and the history that is presented to the reader is done in such a way that it makes you want more. It brings forth ideas/concepts that one may not know about that need to be known, whether present or past.
Sitlali and Calizto are just.. near dear to me. I loved that despite all the hardship they endured, they persevered and strove to make things better not just for themselves but for everyone.
Highly recommend this book.
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. This book is beautifully written and the history that is presented to the reader is done in such a way that it makes you want more. It brings forth ideas/concepts that one may not know about that need to be known, whether present or past.
Sitlali and Calizto are just.. near dear to me. I loved that despite all the hardship they endured, they persevered and strove to make things better not just for themselves but for everyone.
Highly recommend this book.
October 1, 2023
High action, high fantasy, high romance - this book may clock in as a tome at almost 400 pages, but it flies by. Crimson Peak vibes paint this border crossing, Spanish colonizer defying, time traveling fantasy-romance that pulls no punches and completely immerses the readers. I think this will appeal to teens who like romance, fantasy, military fiction, history, or books about the current social climate. Sitlali and Calizto have a deep relationship that is so strong it keeps me from questioning how quickly they bonded. Every part of this was a roller coaster, with not a single scene wasted. One of the best books I've read this year
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews