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Seasons of Sisterhood #1
Fall of the Fireflies
From Pura Belpré Award–winning author Guadalupe García McCall comes the first in the Seasons of Sisterhood trilogy: a reimagining of Sophocles’ Antigone set in the world of her bestselling Summer of the Mariposas.
As fifteen-year-old twins Delia and Velia plan the launch of their Magic-Twin Tour with their father’s Tejano band, a sudden supernatural attack on their father derails the family. Papá is delirious with a susto, a fright so awful that it allows a mysterious supernatural being to begin slowly sucking the life out of him.
As the twins hunt down his attacker, a wider world of borderland monsters opens up to them. Each twin has her own decision to make, with her own guide from the Aztec pantheon–Quetzalcoatl guiding Velia, and Xolotl advising Delia. Soon the girls must choose: Should they follow a divine mandate to become monster hunters for the goddess of death?
Can the sisters obey the will of the gods while saving their father’s life? Anything can happen within the magical realm of the borderlands.
As fifteen-year-old twins Delia and Velia plan the launch of their Magic-Twin Tour with their father’s Tejano band, a sudden supernatural attack on their father derails the family. Papá is delirious with a susto, a fright so awful that it allows a mysterious supernatural being to begin slowly sucking the life out of him.
As the twins hunt down his attacker, a wider world of borderland monsters opens up to them. Each twin has her own decision to make, with her own guide from the Aztec pantheon–Quetzalcoatl guiding Velia, and Xolotl advising Delia. Soon the girls must choose: Should they follow a divine mandate to become monster hunters for the goddess of death?
Can the sisters obey the will of the gods while saving their father’s life? Anything can happen within the magical realm of the borderlands.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 21, 2025
2 people are currently reading
3666 people want to read
About the author
Guadalupe Garcia McCall
18 books360 followersI was born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. My family immigrated into the U.S. when I was six years old. I grew up in Eagle Pass, a small, border town in South Texas. Eagle Pass is the setting of both, my debut novel in verse, UNDER THE MESQUITE, and my 2nd novel, SUMMER OF THE MARIPOSAS, fall of 2012 from TU Books. After high school, I went off to Alpine in West Texas to study to become a teacher. I have a BA in Theatre Arts and English from Sul Ross State University. In Alpine, I met my husband, Jim. We have 3 grown sons. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor of English at George Fox University in Newberg, OR and live with my husband in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 17, 2025
This is a dual narrative by twins Delia and Velia, teen sisters who find themselves growing apart. I loved the contrast of Velia, who is more reserved, and Delia, who is more outgoing, and how their personalities parallel that of the Creator Twins, Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl.
The twins have a big, blended family which comes with numerous challenges, many that felt especially relatable to me. The twins must also rely on the help of their friends to help them not only with their school project, but with their quest to save their father. I liked the dynamic of the friend group and I loved the cute romance subplot.
Beyond the themes of family and sisterhood, the story was full of adventure with deadly stakes and divine magic. The twins encounter Aztec gods, mythological creatures, magical gifts, curses, and more. Though the Nahuatl words were unfamiliar to me, they were well explained in context and there's even a glossary at the end for easy reference. I enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next book!
Note: It's not necessary to read the prequel book, Summer of the Mariposas, since the events are organically recapped in the story to provide context. However, it's referenced frequently so if you can read it ahead of Fall of the Fireflies I recommend doing that.
I received an advance copy of this book.
The twins have a big, blended family which comes with numerous challenges, many that felt especially relatable to me. The twins must also rely on the help of their friends to help them not only with their school project, but with their quest to save their father. I liked the dynamic of the friend group and I loved the cute romance subplot.
Beyond the themes of family and sisterhood, the story was full of adventure with deadly stakes and divine magic. The twins encounter Aztec gods, mythological creatures, magical gifts, curses, and more. Though the Nahuatl words were unfamiliar to me, they were well explained in context and there's even a glossary at the end for easy reference. I enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next book!
Note: It's not necessary to read the prequel book, Summer of the Mariposas, since the events are organically recapped in the story to provide context. However, it's referenced frequently so if you can read it ahead of Fall of the Fireflies I recommend doing that.
I received an advance copy of this book.
October 29, 2025
Very rich, filled with action. The Dual PoV is amazing because I love a Twins' sibling story, especially when they start to drift apart. Twin gods are going to guide them in this high-stakes, time-sensitive quest with supernatural and magic realism lore to save their father's life. I loved learning about the three souls and their location.
August 15, 2025
Since this is listed as #1 in a series I did not realize that it is set in the world of Summer of the Mariposas. I have not read Summer of the Mariposas. I think this would be fine except that they OFTEN reference things that happened in that book that I, as a new reader, have no knowledge of. It happened often enough that it was obnoxious.
If you have read Summer of the Mariposas, this is an enjoyable young fantasy.
If you have read Summer of the Mariposas, this is an enjoyable young fantasy.
June 9, 2025
I am soooooo excited to read the book. I have read the excellent book, Summer of the Mariposas, which Velia and Delia are also in. While they weren’t the main characters, they were still my favorite. I am so excited to read this book by this masterpiece of an author!
October 29, 2025
This was such an enjoyable read, and I think teens will absolutely love it! I really appreciated the way Spanish was incorporated into the story—it made the experience both fun and educational. The integration of Aztec mythology and lore was fascinating and gave the story such rich cultural depth. I even found myself dusting off my limited Spanish knowledge from 8th grade through college (and Duolingo!). I can’t roll my R’s to save my life, but it’s still a goal of mine. Learning about new cultures, myths, and lore is always a great way to hook me into a story!
That said, if you haven’t read Summer of the Mariposas, you might feel a little lost at times. The author includes enough background to give context, but you’ll definitely feel like you missed something—because technically, you did. This story is told in dual POVs from the twins, Delia and Velia, which I loved. However, I personally connected more with Velia. Delia rubbed me the wrong way at times—she often dismissed her sister’s feelings, which bothered me. Both twins are still dealing with the trauma of their father leaving and suddenly reappearing as if nothing happened. That kind of hurt doesn’t just vanish. Delia forgave him, which is great for her, but Velia clearly still needed time to process, and I wish Delia had given her more grace.
All that said, the mystery and the mythology really draw you in. Their friends, Hernan and Mochi, are fantastic, and I loved Mom and Aaron—they were wonderful, caring parental figures. The mystery and its resolution were satisfying, and since this is book one of a new series, I’m very curious to see where it goes next. Wherever it leads, I’ll definitely be along for the ride.
That said, if you haven’t read Summer of the Mariposas, you might feel a little lost at times. The author includes enough background to give context, but you’ll definitely feel like you missed something—because technically, you did. This story is told in dual POVs from the twins, Delia and Velia, which I loved. However, I personally connected more with Velia. Delia rubbed me the wrong way at times—she often dismissed her sister’s feelings, which bothered me. Both twins are still dealing with the trauma of their father leaving and suddenly reappearing as if nothing happened. That kind of hurt doesn’t just vanish. Delia forgave him, which is great for her, but Velia clearly still needed time to process, and I wish Delia had given her more grace.
All that said, the mystery and the mythology really draw you in. Their friends, Hernan and Mochi, are fantastic, and I loved Mom and Aaron—they were wonderful, caring parental figures. The mystery and its resolution were satisfying, and since this is book one of a new series, I’m very curious to see where it goes next. Wherever it leads, I’ll definitely be along for the ride.
October 28, 2025
These are the books I craved when I was younger and I’m so happy to see that Latinx authors are writing Aztec/Mexican folklore.
The story follows twin sisters, Delia and Velia who have previously battled with the supernatural forces and now they must use their skills to help their papá. The sisters also have their friends along for the ride, recording some of their confrontations for a youtube channel. I found some of their friends to be hilarious. This one does have some Spanish words sprinkled throughout, and I love to see that in my Latinx books. For me, it makes the characters seem more realistic and adding some Spanish to the dialogue is always great to see. Both sisters have their plates pretty full. From fighting monsters, to touring with their father, they are also dealing with their own inner battles. It was interesting to see which route they would take. This one also delves a bit deeper into their family bonds, in particular with their father.
My favorite scene for me was with Abuelita Remedios, where she was telling the sisters and their friends about the susto, and explaining about the ihiyotl, and other possible monsters who could be behind the susto with their papá.
If you love stories about sisterhood, blended family, and reluctant heroes turned monster hunters, Fall of the Fireflies mixes Aztec and Mexican folklore in the best way. Perfect for young adult readers.
Favorite quotes:
All we have to do is follow the luciérnagas and shine our own special little light on the world, even in—or maybe, despite—the darkness.
“together forever, no matter what.”
The story follows twin sisters, Delia and Velia who have previously battled with the supernatural forces and now they must use their skills to help their papá. The sisters also have their friends along for the ride, recording some of their confrontations for a youtube channel. I found some of their friends to be hilarious. This one does have some Spanish words sprinkled throughout, and I love to see that in my Latinx books. For me, it makes the characters seem more realistic and adding some Spanish to the dialogue is always great to see. Both sisters have their plates pretty full. From fighting monsters, to touring with their father, they are also dealing with their own inner battles. It was interesting to see which route they would take. This one also delves a bit deeper into their family bonds, in particular with their father.
My favorite scene for me was with Abuelita Remedios, where she was telling the sisters and their friends about the susto, and explaining about the ihiyotl, and other possible monsters who could be behind the susto with their papá.
If you love stories about sisterhood, blended family, and reluctant heroes turned monster hunters, Fall of the Fireflies mixes Aztec and Mexican folklore in the best way. Perfect for young adult readers.
Favorite quotes:
All we have to do is follow the luciérnagas and shine our own special little light on the world, even in—or maybe, despite—the darkness.
“together forever, no matter what.”
October 27, 2025
Thank you to Hear Our Voices & Lee and Low books for the Finished copy of the book!
This is a round up review, The Fall of the Butterflies is a middle grade novel featuring 2 twin sisters following their father Tejano Bands tour while fighting supernatural entities.
I enjoyed how the author was able to incorporate Aztec mythology and culture into the novel. I’m always happy to see how it’s incorporated into writing.
There are a couple of plots points and devices that didn’t feel full rounded. Given that this is a middle grade novel a lot of the language and writing is simple.
I can’t say I was a fan of the random Spanish word drops but given that the girls are young it makes sense. (Realistically, the dialogue between the girls feels a lot younger than 15. This didn’t really feel like this is dialogue that I hear from 15 yr olds today but oh well).
This was overall an ok book, I really wanted it to stand out but unfortunately it didn’t really have any solid impact in my reading experience.
This is a round up review, The Fall of the Butterflies is a middle grade novel featuring 2 twin sisters following their father Tejano Bands tour while fighting supernatural entities.
I enjoyed how the author was able to incorporate Aztec mythology and culture into the novel. I’m always happy to see how it’s incorporated into writing.
There are a couple of plots points and devices that didn’t feel full rounded. Given that this is a middle grade novel a lot of the language and writing is simple.
I can’t say I was a fan of the random Spanish word drops but given that the girls are young it makes sense. (Realistically, the dialogue between the girls feels a lot younger than 15. This didn’t really feel like this is dialogue that I hear from 15 yr olds today but oh well).
This was overall an ok book, I really wanted it to stand out but unfortunately it didn’t really have any solid impact in my reading experience.
December 24, 2025
In Fall of the Fireflies, GGMcCall revisits The Summer of the Mariposas, bringing new protagonists to the forefront: Delia y Velia, the twins, are now fifteen years old. As they mature and grow in their own directions, they still fight for each other.
GGMcCall convinces the reader that the borderlands are full of folklore, myth, mystery, and rich in storytelling.
I love that the author weaves in the indigenous language of the Americas, so this novel becomes trilingual: English, Spanish, and Nahuatl. A roadmap for a generation of border residents and beyond to see the beauty that the Americas have to offer.
I look at this novel from the lens of a former educator, and I see so many opportunities to teach a border community the richness of the Americas.
And how the heck has this novel not received at least 20,000 reviews?! This book and this author are sooooooo good.
5 Stars!
GGMcCall convinces the reader that the borderlands are full of folklore, myth, mystery, and rich in storytelling.
I love that the author weaves in the indigenous language of the Americas, so this novel becomes trilingual: English, Spanish, and Nahuatl. A roadmap for a generation of border residents and beyond to see the beauty that the Americas have to offer.
I look at this novel from the lens of a former educator, and I see so many opportunities to teach a border community the richness of the Americas.
And how the heck has this novel not received at least 20,000 reviews?! This book and this author are sooooooo good.
5 Stars!
December 15, 2025
Fall of the Fireflies is a richly imagined blend of myth, family, and choice, expanding the magical borderlands first introduced in Summer of the Mariposas. Delia and Velia, fifteen-year-old twins bound by love yet pulled in different directions, form the emotional heart of the story. Their bond feels authentic, layered with loyalty, tension, and the weight of responsibility that comes when childhood collides with destiny.
The presence of the Aztec guides Quetzalcoatl guiding Velia and Xolotl advising Delia adds depth and contrast, emphasizing how differently each sister understands duty, fear, and sacrifice. The supernatural attack on their father and the slow draining of his life gives the story urgency, while the borderland monsters and divine mandates raise the stakes far beyond a single family.
The presence of the Aztec guides Quetzalcoatl guiding Velia and Xolotl advising Delia adds depth and contrast, emphasizing how differently each sister understands duty, fear, and sacrifice. The supernatural attack on their father and the slow draining of his life gives the story urgency, while the borderland monsters and divine mandates raise the stakes far beyond a single family.
November 7, 2025
Twins Delia and Velia used to be so close, but now that they are fifteen, their differences are becoming more pronounced. Delia wants to use her songwriting and video skills for a school project they are working on together, and she’s eager to go on tour with their father and his Tejano band. Velia is a talented singer but she has no interest in any kind of performing and want to write a paper for their project. Both are intrigued by the mythical creatures that are woven through the borderlands culture of Texas, and when what seems to be the Hand of Death threatens their father, the girls and their friends step up to protect him. Powerful women in this intriguing blending family save the day! EARC from Edelweiss.
October 30, 2025
Thanks to Hear Our Voices Tours and the publisher for this book.
Fall of the Fireflies is the companion novel to McCall's previous novel, Summer of the Mariposas. Although it's labeled as the first in a new trilogy, I'd highly recommend reading the other novel first. There are tons of references to things that happened in that book, and I think I would've had a slightly better reading experience with that additional context.
Overall, this was an enjoyable Halloween season read. Though I felt that the book was repetitive at points, the storyline was an interesting take on the myth of Antigone. I appreciate how McCall combined Greek mythos with Indigenous Mexican folklore to create this story. I liked both of the main characters, Delia and Velia, and I would read another book that focused on them. The strongest points of the book where when things became supernatural; that was where McCall's writing really shined.
Fall of the Fireflies is the companion novel to McCall's previous novel, Summer of the Mariposas. Although it's labeled as the first in a new trilogy, I'd highly recommend reading the other novel first. There are tons of references to things that happened in that book, and I think I would've had a slightly better reading experience with that additional context.
Overall, this was an enjoyable Halloween season read. Though I felt that the book was repetitive at points, the storyline was an interesting take on the myth of Antigone. I appreciate how McCall combined Greek mythos with Indigenous Mexican folklore to create this story. I liked both of the main characters, Delia and Velia, and I would read another book that focused on them. The strongest points of the book where when things became supernatural; that was where McCall's writing really shined.
October 26, 2025
This is the type of book I would’ve wanted as a young person traveling back to Texas. I love reading about adventures while on an adventure. The story gives us a chance to compare a taught classic myth with a myth that perhaps English readers haven’t had a chance to read.
As a note, I do feel that I missed part of the story having not read Summer of the Mariposas first; but I was still able to enjoy the book.
Thank you to the Hear Our Voices Tour and Lee and Low books for a finished copy of the book.
As a note, I do feel that I missed part of the story having not read Summer of the Mariposas first; but I was still able to enjoy the book.
Thank you to the Hear Our Voices Tour and Lee and Low books for a finished copy of the book.
November 1, 2025
Following twins Delia and Velia a wonderful adventure. They may be twins but both were so different. The dual POV is something I absolutely loved, since I got to experience the thoughts and feelings of each twin.
The Aztec mythology was a cherry on top of this book.
Although this book mentions a lot of things that happened in Summer of las Mariposas, I never once felt lost or confused
The Aztec mythology was a cherry on top of this book.
Although this book mentions a lot of things that happened in Summer of las Mariposas, I never once felt lost or confused
December 18, 2025
I feel that I might have gotten more enjoyment out of this if I had read the book with the world it was based in. Some of the world building at the beginning was confusing and it was hard to get into the story because of it. But I do appreciate that it exists, and I certainly think that there are teens that would be into it!
June 30, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
January 8, 2026
Delia and Velia, who first appeared in "Summer of the Mariposas," are planning to join their father and his band on a summer tour when Papa' is attacked by some supernatural force. The twins try to figure out how to save him as they figure out how to be their own indvidual people. They each have a spiritual helper from the Aztec tradition- Quetzalcoatl guiding Velia, and Xolotl advising Delia. The gods offer help, but also make some demands as well. The girls have to find their place in this new world that they have discovered.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews