The Other Moctezuma Girls

by Sofia Robleda

In sixteenth-century Mexico, a fearless young woman strives to uncover the secrets her mother kept as the last Aztec empress in a sweeping historical epic by the author of Daughter of Fire.

Tenochtitlan, 1551. Thirty years after the Spanish Conquest destroyed everything she loved, the last Aztec empress has passed and left behind a pristine yet tenuous legacy for her children. As her last will and testament is read out, her daughter Isabel suspects that another account of her mother’s life may exist, hidden away chapter by chapter in the Valley of Mexico. Following each clue, Isabel is determined to find out who her mother really was and to discover the secrets she buried in order to survive.

Joined by her siblings and a handsome young cook named Juan, the party embarks on a perilous journey to piece together the past—a journey that will force them to brave the brutal viceroyal court, face fearsome legends in mystical chinampas, and trek through desert, fire, and snow. As Isabel’s feelings for Juan grow, she confronts everything she thought she knew about her Spanish father, her empress mother, and herself. From the tunnels of ancient pyramids to the summit of an active volcano, Isabel will meet every challenge to fulfill an epic quest for the truth.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Indigenous, Audiobook, Latinx, Fantasy

349 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2026

About the author

Sofia Robleda is a Mexican author. She spent her childhood and adolescence in Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. She completed her undergraduate and doctorate degrees in psychology at the University of Queensland, in Australia. She currently lives with her husband and son in London.

Her debut historical fiction novel, Daughter of Fire, was an Amazon First Reads and Editor's Pick for July 2024 and hit the top 100 Kindle bestselling list. It has been translated into Spanish.

Her second novel, The Other Moctezuma Girls, is now available for preorder. Join Sofia's newsletter Author Antics (via her website) for more insights into her writing process, travels, and historical research. You can also follow her on Instagram (@sofiarobleda).

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofía Robleda was like stepping back in time through a magic portal. I stepped immediately into Isabel's mind in her world. I was disappointed when I had to return to my own life.

Isabel's mother, the final Aztec Empress, has recently died, and her will has been read. She has bequeathed a set of cushions as a series of clues to find their inheritance. And we're off on an adventure that is rich with the flavor of life in 1500s Mexico.

Robleda's writing style is exactly what this story needs. It's lyrical without being flowery, emotionally devastating in a very controlled, human way, and historical without feeling distant. Cultural details are sprinkled over the story like cacao and spice in a pot of chocolatl. All of these things allowed me to move magically back in time and quest alongside Isabel. The three siblings I spent the most time with were Isabel, Catina, and Nano, all of whom had emotional depth that made their actions feel believable.

We see the story mostly through the lens of Isabel, but there are some chapters that are accounts of her mother's life from her mother's perspective. Getting most of my information from Isabel's perspective is what really allowed me to immerse myself into the story. Some of the chapters leaned long, and I was grateful for the occasional section breaks in each chapter. Otherwise, what was a steady journey would have felt more drawn out.

Robleda gives a voice to women during a time when women's lives were controlled by fathers, husbands, and conquerors. We gain insight into how their thoughts weren't all that different from ours today. She shows us how grief manifests differently for everyone, even those closest to one another. Most importantly, her story demonstrates how far a mother's love can reach, even after she's gone. Readers who enjoy authentic-feeling historical fiction should spoon this up like spiced chocolatl, but I believe that women, especially, will feel the impact of this delicious morsel of a book.

Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— Atmospheric historical fiction with real emotional weight

Let's Discuss:
How far do you think a mother's love can shape a child’s life, even after they’re gone?

I read a digital copy made available by AmazonCrossing through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.

[Sofia Robleda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not gonna lie… this book is pretty darn good.

Thanks also to everyone who writes a review - I really appreciate it.

Viva Tecuichpoch y viva Mexico!

[Flor Montiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh, but I know . . . men would leave us nameless, if they could." In a world where the stories of women are often erased or deemed not important enough, I'm grateful that this story exist. Sofia Robleda does a brilliant job delivering her own interpretation of the life Techuipochtzin, the last Empress of the Aztec empire, during and post-Spanish colonization.

Not only does this author do an incredible job transporting the reader into 1500s Tenonchtitlan-Mexico City with her descriptive imagery and beautifully detailed scenery, she sets the tone, both melancholic and hopeful, of a time period defined by violent conquest, forced conversion, and the erasure of an entire group of people and culture.

The Other Moctezuma Girls is a dual pov, dual timeline that follows the children of Techuipochtzin as they journey to find the last living testament of their mother. Reading her journal entries, my heart broke for Techuipochtzin - to have lived through a brutal conquest, plague, six marriages, including the most-likely unconsensual relationship with Hernan Cortes himself, seven childbirths and the struggles of motherhood. I can't say I would have survived half of what she experienced. "...was true happiness possible if one never had a choice, a say in one’s life?"

Still, I was completely invested in these characters, Techuipochtzin's children - Isabel (the headstrong and fierce fmc), Catina (the shy and deaf younger sister), and Nano (the protective and charming older brother). I loved the exploration of sisterhood and complex family dynamics, which was only accentuated by the sometimes humorous, sometimes emotional moments between them.

In short, I loved The Other Moctezuma Girls. This book gives insight into a significant period of time in Mesoamerican history and shines a light on one of its most prominent female figures whose story deserves to be known. In TOMG, you can also find a bit of romance, some magical realism, and significant Mexican cultural elements, in addition to many underlying themes of assimilation, colorism, and classism.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Sofia for the ARC!

My thoughts: I loved this whole journey I just took with this book. You kind of always wonder and imagine what happened with historical figures and what would they say if they did leave anything behind. I personally think this did a really great job at mixing what was known about Tecuichpoch and her children and giving it a possible story. Also, who doesn’t love trying to read the Nahuatl names!

What I loved:

🇲🇽 First if all, hell yeah! Mexican representation!!
🇲🇽 like I said, I just loved the inclusion of Nahuatl through out the whole book. It was fun and it made it personal and not like something just slapped together.
🇲🇽 I loved the sibling dynamic between Isabel, Catina, and Nano! It was fun and heartwarming even when they were going through challenges.
🇲🇽 La Llorona mention! Love her she’s grand.
🇲🇽 To quote Taylor, “F the patriarchy”. Of course it would be men tuning everything and causing so much hurt.
🇲🇽 ugh I got so hungry reading about the food! Like I want some tamalli now 😍

Overall, 10/10 for me. I just love stories about my heritage. It’s something cool reading a book (fiction or not) that shows you your people. The hardships and the love that we go through!

[Salomée Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75

I absolutely loved this novel! Loved the alternate chapters, the diary entries, the quest to find the truth... It felt like an adventure / the cinematic writing made me feel like I was watching a movie.
And the themes were everything I loved: sisterhood, daughterhood, transmission...
Highly recommend :)

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Moctezuma Girls does an excellent job of blending historical fiction with a little scavenger hunt. I knew I was going to like this book when I saw the 'note on Nahuatl pronunciation" before the story even began. It has historical authenticity, a sweet love story, a set of siblings who are desperately trying to figure out their late mother.

I was drawn to this book because of the setting. The fact that it is set in 1550's Mexico, right after the invasion of conquistadors (Hernan Cortez) was what sold me in the first place. I was not disappointed. From the use of the Nahuatl language and the descriptions of Tenochtitlan, to the incorporation of the important historical figures at the time, I was captivated. I love when a book pulls me in so much that it makes me want to learn more about the time period/setting. During and after reading I was googling layouts of the city and how chinampas function. I went down a rabbit hole looking up Mexica rulers, Spanish colonization, and other traditions.

Our main character, Isabel, is one of seven siblings so I had to make sure I had a clear understanding of who was who, the only thing I found somewhat difficult in the beginning. What I did not know, however, was that there were actually seven siblings. They are all important to the story and a little bit into the book it was clearer. I think some people might be a little thrown with the Nahuatl names BUT it feels important to recognize this as a very necessary part of the story and how identity is shaped. (This is where the family chart at the beginning was helpful).

I just really liked this book. I reviewed this as an ARC from NetGalley but the opinions are all my own. It checked a lot of boxes for me, especially. because I may not have originally gravitated towards it. I plan on reading her other book now that has a similar setting.

[J. Else · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenochtitlan, 1551. The last Aztec empress has died, and her youngest daughters are left with a mystery. They’ve discovered their late mother’s secret diary. As she was previously believed to be illiterate, the diary reveals an entirely different identity to their mother, a woman once known as Tecuichpoch. It illuminates the turmoil she and her people faced amid the Spanish conquest. However, there are more journals to find and a trail of clues to follow. Yearning for the truth, Isabel leads a quest to find these journals across the Valley of Mexico and uncovers the remnants of her ancestral world. In their search, a family legacy unfolds against dangerous obstacles—including a brother intent on claiming their mother’s inheritance.

The story alternates between Tecuichpoch’s diary entries and Isabel’s journey, which constructs an intimate portrayal of female endurance and complex family dynamics. Beyond the drama and suspense, Robleda’s narrative is anchored by a deep emotional resonance as characters confront hard truths about themselves while confronting the shadows cast by conquest and betrayal. Tecuichpoch’s last journal entry is as bittersweet as it is heartbreaking, revealing the immense trauma she kept hidden in order to survive. Folklore and supernatural touches blend with carefully researched history, resulting in an immersive, gripping tale about reclaiming identity piece by aching piece. Exquisite prose, pulse-pounding adventure, a lost empire, evocative setting details, and dynamic characters blend together to create a story that will leave an indelible mark on those who dare to follow Isabel’s path. Highly recommended.

Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...

[Kimberlyyyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5

Thank you to Sofia Robleda for the gifted e-arc!

"Because one day, our children would rise up again, and gain strength, and the sun would return, and our children would fulfill the great destiny of our believed Anahuac"

This book left me speechless, reading Sofia's interpretation of the history of Tecuichpoch is amazing. The vivid imagery, details, and storytelling are so incredibly written.

One of the beautiful things about being Mexican is our familial relationships, Sofia embeds this in The Other Moctezuma Girls in a way that compliments the novel. Isabel, Juan, Catina, Nano, and the Moctezuma's siblings are truly unforgettable.

This book is told through dual narratives, Isabel's and her mothers, Techuipochtzin. We go through a journey with Isabel in which we see both women develop overtime. One's narrative is being revealed and the other is being lived. As someone who values complex family narratives, this book portrays this through a important historical lens.

Reading a novel based after the Spanish Conquest, where the indigenous Mexica's narrative is the dominant one is an immediate must read!

The book touches upon so many important subjects through the lens of the most valuable perspectives of Mexico, Women. Topics include; Assimilation, Colonization, Religion, Motherhood, Womanhood, Culture, Mythology, and so much more!

I cannot wait for everyone to read this!

Y que siempre viva mi Mexico lindo!

[lenore 🫧✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
—
“But one thing that always makes me smile, now, laugh even, is the notion that the Spaniards conquered us. Oh, they sat, it only took five hundred men to conquer the Mexica, as if their thousands of Indigenous allies had been as useful as clouds of dust. It only took a year, they say. And I laugh, even now, I laugh at their bold-faced stupidity.

For it was not those men who conquered us.

No, it was the hueyzahuatl, the great pestilence they brought.”
—
words cannot express how much a story like this means to me. i feel like so many people forget that latinos are native, too, and having books like this that tell the stories of our ancestors is everything.

one thing i loved was how much of mexico’s history is acknowledged. the way different peoples were brought here, even people we often didn’t think about. re-learning traditions that we used to hold, and how important certain stones and jewels were. finding out that so many of our cultural foods were indigenous. the mythology and history that the country has had. and also the notion that the conquistadores were stinky just made me laugh. like take a bath, guys.

another thing i wanted to touch on was how amazing it is to have seen places that i’ve lived in and visited through the lens of the people who lived there 500 years ago. even references to the island of the dolls that people still tell legends about today was so iconic it almost made me cry. we know that these things and places have been here, but to see just how long they’ve endured and persisted was everything to me.

i would like to reiterate how important stories like this are. especially in a day and age like today, we matter.

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Moctezuma Girls takes place in sixteenth century Mexico, approximately 30 years after the fall of the Aztecs and the Spanish takeover. We follow Isabel Canos de Moctezuma, whose mother was one of the daughters of the last Aztec king before the forced colonization of their people.

Destined to join a convent with her sister Catina after their mother’s death, Isabel is determined to avoid that fate. When a journal seemingly written by their deceased mother appears, along with a map to find the others, the sisters decide to take it upon themselves to find the rest of their mother’s story.

This was a wonderfully researched novel, and it was so fascinating to learn more about Aztec, or Mexica culture both before the Conquistadors arrived and after. The things that the Moctezuma girls’ mother experienced were so harrowing, and while most of this is fictionalized, there is most likely truth to it. Tecuichpoch, or Isabel as she was baptized to, did endure six marriages from the age of 9, and three of them were former Conquistadors.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Crossing for the e-arc! The Other Moctezuma Girls releases on Feb 24!

[Clair Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a unique story! The story of Isabel Moctezuma who was a high-ranking Aztec princess, is told here through her children as they discover her secrets. It all kicks off with the reading of Isabel’s will, leading her daughters—Isabel and Catina—on a high-stakes quest to find their mother’s hidden diaries.
This was an unusual read - a blend of historical fiction and faced paced adventure and danger. It wasn’t a period of time I knew anything about so I’ve since read a little bit around the time period. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and I referred to the family tree often.
Thoroughly enjoyable, a must read for fans of historical fiction.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a book!
my first novel by sofia robleda and definitely not my last.

i honestly thought it'd be just another good historical fiction, but it was so so so much more! the family relationships and ties were so good and made me feel for all the characters (even some of the bad ones), because each person's pain was so prominent. the adventure was fun and i loved traveling along with our crew to all the places, even though sometimes it seemed that they got the clues a bit too easily. the culture, history, myths were incredible. i think i will spend some time in the future researching everything, because I found it all so fascinating.

and don't even get me started on the food descriptions !! everything sounded so delicious and made me so sad because my last (and first!) trip to mexico was only 4 months ago, and i already want to go back!

4.5 stars
thank you netgalley and amazon crossing for this arc.

[Genevieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me like four months to read! I was super excited due to loving Daughter of Fire but sadly The Other Moctezuma Girls almost let me down. I just felt it got quite slow and jumbled throughout the middle- i love the journal chapters and would become super engaged in the writing and story then just lose interest. I'm glad I kept reading because I enjoyed the ending and learning more about Indigenous Mexican history. Excited to see what the author comes out with next!

[Jasminegalsreadinglog · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Moctezuma is a raw and unflinching piece of historical fiction. The story of the last Aztec empress is far from an easy read, but it is an essential one. While her title suggests power, her actual life was anything but simple or straightforward.

​Set in the mid 16th century, the narrative follows Isabel as she navigates a world where her family is in shambles and her heritage is being erased. Her mother is gone, and she is left to fight against a destiny that seems preordained by both her bloodline and her conquerors. As she embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the secrets of the last Aztec empress, she faces the dual threat of being a woman in a patriarchal society and a native in a land occupied by the Spanish.

​This book was truly hard to put down because the author does not shy away from the brutal realities of the era. It tackles heavy themes like colonialism, slavery, and misogyny with directness. Yet, in the middle of all that darkness, there are beautiful threads of friendship, strength, and compassion.

​The character development is where this novel really shines. Every person Isabel encounters feels like a real human being with complex motivations rather than a historical trope. It is one of those rare novels that forces you to sit with uncomfortable truths and think deeply about the cost of survival.

​Thank you to Amazon Crossing for providing the digital copy of this book.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Actually audiobook, so I was blessed with the correct pronunciation of the beautiful language. I will be listening over and over for the things I missed, and to hear the narration. Thank you to the author for this gift.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This week, Sofia Robleda released her second novel, The Other Moctezuma Girls, and I’ve so been looking forward to it. Set in Mexico in 1551, this is part family drama and part unexpected adventure.

Isabel Moctezuma, the last Aztec princess, has just passed away, leaving behind several adult children, a shocking will, and an even more surprising gift for her daughter, Isabel. The unusual art Isabel receives after her mother’s death leads her and two siblings on a treasure hunt around Mexico, searching for chapters of their mother’s true story. Will they uncover the whole truth before their other brothers catch up and potentially harm them?

What I Liked:
- Getting to know 16th-century Mexico. I don’t know enough about Mexico’s history, and I enjoyed getting to see such a transitional time here, with a focus on Indigenous peoples and their complicated relationship with Spanish conquistadors. The family matriarch—known by many names, including Tecuichpoch and Nantzin—was a real historical figure. She was an Aztec princess and was married numerous times, including to various Spanish men, the last of whom is Isabel’s dad. She describes both the horrors of her experiences and the better times.
- Treasure hunt for their mother’s secret history. Isabel, her sister Catina, and her brother Nano follow the clues left in a strange painting, searching for the secret chapters of Nantzin’s life story. These clues take them all over Mexico, allowing readers to explore so much of the country. Each chapter is more securely hidden than the last, making the search increasingly exciting as they near the end of the story.
- Dual timeline. The main story is set in early 1551, shortly after Nantzin’s death as the three siblings search for the missing chapters. Upon finding each chapter, we get to hear Nantzin’s personal account of being married three times by the age of 12 (!!), losing most of her family members, and being pushed into the hands of the Spanish. These are some harrowing experiences, and it’s no wonder she was affected by these events later on.
- Complicated sibling relationships. Isabel, Catina, and Nano are close, even if they don’t always agree on things. Their other siblings range from distant to outright cruel, especially after hearing Nantzin’s final will. I enjoyed getting to see the myriad forms of sibling relationships, as well as the relationships with their parents.
- Use of language. This book uses a lot of Nahuatl, the Indigenous language spoken in their region of Mexico. And since Catina went deaf after an illness, she and her siblings use sign language to communicate. I loved seeing the range of languages used here and how it centered Indigenous peoples.

Audiobook:
The Other Moctezuma Girls is brilliantly narrated by Victoria Villarreal as Isabel and Diana Bustelo as Tecuichpoch (Nantzin). Both perfectly captured their characters’ voices. Isabel was young and brash; Nantzin was knowing yet slightly playful. This dual narration made for an engrossing read through the very last chapter.

Final Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed The Other Moctezuma Girls. This is book is for anyone who enjoys historical fiction about real past figures, learning about 1500s Mexico, and the complex relationship between a mother and her children. This brings a bit of mystery, adventure, and a lot of heart. I look forward to reading more from Sofia Robleda, including her debut novel, Daughter of Fire, which is already waiting on my shelf.

Special thanks to Amazon Crossing, Brilliance Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

* Please read my full review on my blog, Amanda's Book Corner! *

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can truly say that this book by Sofia Robleda is one of the best historical fiction novels I have read this year. "The Other Moctezuma Girls" takes place in sixteenth century Mexico and tells the story of the lasting and devastating effects of the Spanish conquest there. We follow the journey of Isabel Moctezuma, who is one of the daughters of the last empress of the Aztecs. Isabel's mother was also the daughter of the Aztecs' last emperor before the Spanish conquered the Aztecs. Isabel, along with her two siblings Catina and Nano and the family's young cook Juan, embark on a perilious journey to retrieve different writings left by Isabel's mother that tells them the story of her life. They all travel to different parts of Mexico in order to find these journals, and end up finding out more about themselves as well. The group also confronts mythical beings and legends along the way, which is a very intriguing aspect of the book.

This novel intimately explores themes including family dynamics, colonization, and identity. The complex relationships Isabel has with many members of her family, including her mother before she passed away, adds to the depth of the novel and made the characters very relatable to me.

One aspect of the book that I really loved was the author's style of writing as it felt very poetic and intimate. Robleda writes the characters beautifully and the events in the novel flow together seamlessly. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Aztec and Mexican culture, and we also get to hear about the effects of the Spanish invasion from voices typically marginalized in Mexican society. I appreciate the author including notes in the beginning of the novel that describe how to pronounce the Nahuatl words that are featured in the novel, as well as general information on the Aztec, or the Mexica, people. This novel is a stunning piece of historical fiction and I am sure that many people will fall in love with this story just as I did. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's work in the future as "The Other Moctezuma Girls" is now one of my favorite books.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[cosylittlereadingcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As she began to read, […] Her voice sounded just like Nantzin’s [=mother’s]. I turned to face the tapestry and looked at my mother’s face, and felt for a moment that she was in the room again. […] I bit my trembling lip and tried to breathe, listened to [her] story again. […] I knew it with every fiber in my body, […] it was real. And if it was the only thing left of her, I would search for it and have it. I would have every single part.”

And so begins the story of Isabel’s search for the truth her mother left for her in clues in a tapestry bequeathed to Isabel and her sister Catina in her will.

Based on facts, this novel is just the most beautiful blend of history, legend and adventure and I genuinely did not want to put it down. Historical fiction is my favourite genre and this book so delivered! It is easily a five star read for me.

I loved Isabel’s fierce spirit and the fact that the book took me to a place and time in history not often visited in fiction. It is set in 16th century Mexico and covers the arrival of the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his army and the impact of their arrival on the region. I learnt about this in school but nowhere near enough!!

It is only relatively bare facts that are known about the daughter of the then ruler of the Mexica Empire, Isabel Moctezuma (google her and you’ll see!) but Sofia has built a story around what is known and she has done this wonderfully. I love the mix of the present (in the story present, not our present) and the chapters, which are the voice of empress herself. I loved the sibling dynamics between the empress’ children, born to a number of different fathers and left differing legacies and I absolutely adored the love story included too.

The adventure (daughter) Isabel goes on gives the book a real fast pace and as a reader, you do get nervous with the perils she faces. If you love a story with a strong female character then this is for you, for both Isabel and her mother (and Catina!) are such characters! I also love a book that makes me pause and do a quick web search part way through to learn a bit more about the context in which the story is set and I did this more than once whilst reading this.

In short: a truly wonderful book and I now want to read Sofia’s other novel!

[Julia Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Moctezuma Girls

“But that is a tale for another day. My hope is that you will find it.”

Sofia Robleda has done it again. I loved her first novel-Daughter of Fire-and her second novel was just as amazing!

Set in 1500s Mexico, Isabel, the granddaughter of the famous Emperor Moctezuma, is faced with her mother’s death. Her mother’s will contains a few surprises, sending the men in her family into an uproar. When Isabel discovers clues to a secret account of her mother’s life, she sets off with two of her siblings and a cook named Juan to discover it. The account is hidden in parts spread across the Valley of Mexico, sending Isabel’s group on a perilous quest that takes them from tunnels beneath a pyramid to the island of la Llorona to the peak of a smoking volcano in order to discover the truth of the last Aztec empress’s life.

In true Sofia Robleda fashion, this novel highlights the horrors that the brutal conquistadors unleashed over the indigenous people of Latin America, particularly the women. Though the majority of the novel is set a few decades after the conquest, the pieces of Tecuichpoch’s life offer a glimpse into the brutality of the conquistadores as they ravaged the land. Robleda writes in such a way that you can feel the emotions of the characters on the page and see the historical events as if they are unfolding in front of you. She doesn’t hold back any punches, and the account of the fall of Tenochtitlan and subsequently the Mexica Empire is bloody and terrible, but important history to be remembered. Seeing these events and their consequences through the eyes of two characters, decades apart, really helped flesh out the changing é orld of New Spain.

This book is brimming with culture, from the food to the mythology to the vibrant descriptions of the Valley of Mexico. I loved the use of Nahuatl in the text as it helped me feel truly immersed in the story. Robleda includes a very helpful note on pronunciation at the beginning of the book.

This book is a must read for fans of historical novels. I’ll read anything Sofia writes and can’t wait to see what is next!

[Stephanie Clabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you give me a genre blended historical fiction novel, I am going to pick it up every time.

The Other Moctezuma Girls by Anna Marie Robleda is a richly layered historical mystery set thirty years after the Spanish Conquest. The novel follows Isabella, daughter of the last Aztec empress, as she searches for a secret will her recently deceased mother has hidden. To find it, Isabella must decipher a trail of carefully constructed clues, determine which of her family members she can trust, and confront a far more personal question: who does she want to be in a world that is actively redefining her identity?

Robleda situates Isabella in a newly forming Mexico, where Indigenous and Spanish cultures uneasily coexist. Isabella straddles both worlds, navigating shifting social hierarchies and the lingering aftershocks of conquest. This tension fuels the mystery while grounding it in a vividly realized historical context.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its portrayal of women. Robleda crafts complex, formidable female characters who operate within the constraints of their time yet quietly challenge those boundaries. Isabella’s growing awareness of the patriarchy shaping her life feels organic and earned. Even when she lacks the language to articulate the injustice she faces, the reader understands the weight of it alongside her.

The book also offers sharp insight into how Indigenous communities navigated a post-colonial reality. Robleda does not shy away from exposing the hypocrisy embedded in many mainstream retellings of Hernán Cortés and the conquest narrative. Instead, she recenters Indigenous voices, weaving language, mythology, and cultural traditions throughout the story in ways that feel purposeful rather than ornamental.

Family dynamics add another compelling layer. Divisions among Isabella and her siblings, shaped by parentage and status, complicate alliances and loyalties in unexpected ways. Her relationships with Nano and Catina provide emotional grounding, while Juan’s presence challenges Isabella to confront her own privilege and reconsider her assumptions about power and belonging.

By blending mystery with incisive historical commentary, Robleda tackles race, class, sexism, religion, and identity against the backdrop of a nation in transition. The result is an immersive, thought provoking novel that lingers long after the final page.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the audio copy in exchange for a review.

The Other Moctezuma Girls is such a great historical fiction novel! As someone who majored in Spanish in college and took multiple Latin American, Mexican, and Spanish history courses, this was the exact type of historical fiction I’ve always hoped to read.

This book takes place in Tenochitlan in 1551. Isabel’s mother was the last Aztec empress who was married off to a Spanish conquistador. Isabel, her siblings, and a new friend named Juan set out on a journey to uncover secrets of her late mother’s life. As Isabel finds out more about her mother’s life she begins to see her own life and future differently.

This book combines history, spirituality, romance, and adventure to create an epic journey for readers and listeners. The best part of this book is that it is a very palatable and entertaining way to be introduced into this part of Mexican history.

Narration on audio was well done!

[Viola Hartung · Rating 4 out of 5]

english:
Thirty years after the conquest, a young woman begins to unravel the secrets of her mother, the last Aztec empress. This epic story unfolds a quest full of courage, memory, and cultural depth. Between lost chapters, familial tensions, and the question of identity, a multifaceted portrait of female strength emerges. With poetic language and historical precision, the novel interweaves past and present into a moving mosaic of indigenous history.

german:
Dreißig Jahre nach der Eroberung beginnt eine junge Frau, die Geheimnisse ihrer Mutter zu entschlüsseln, der letzten Aztekenkaiserin. In dieser epischen Geschichte entfaltet sich eine Spurensuche voller Mut, Erinnerung und kultureller Tiefe. Zwischen verschollenen Kapiteln, familiären Spannungen und der Frage nach Identität entsteht ein vielschichtiges Porträt weiblicher Stärke. Mit poetischer Sprache und historischer Präzision verwebt der Roman Vergangenheit und Gegenwart zu einem bewegenden Mosaik indigener Geschichte.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I. Loved. This. Book.

I immediately grabbed it when I saw she had a new book out, as I loved her previous novel Daughter of Fire. I enjoyed this one even more!!!

The Other Moctezuma Girls is a fascinating blend of history, myth, and drama. It's told in rotating POVs and timelines to follow the mother in the past and her daughters searching for answers and finding mostly trouble. The twist at the end is excellent!

The audiobook narration is great. Having multiple narrators made the changing POVs sooo much easier to follow than it would have been otherwise.

#gifted Brilliance Audio

[MaddiBReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing! Main story of siblings on a journey while addressing grief from their mom dying and learning who she is. Latin American historical fiction, depicting Spanish colonization and addresses Indigenous points of view. Fast paced, engaging story. Healing in ways I didnt know I needed. Will be grabbing a physical copy when out

[Umaima Memon · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 20%. Something about this reads more like YA than adult. I think the characters are a bit flat? Or maybe the main character is just so immature. I liked the premise but execution wasn’t great.

[Leslie Zemeckis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this - loved the ancient Aztec history - a family torn apart when their noble mother dies and three of the siblings set out to find her long lost history!

[Jk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free Kindle copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway win and would like to thank anyone who had a hand in making that happen!

I really loved this historical fiction novel that imagines the lives of Isabel Moctezuma and her descendants, set in the 1500's around the time of the Spanish conquest. Learning more about the Aztec culture and the horrors of the conquest was fascinating and I truly cared about the characters and enjoyed following them on their incredible journey. I loved how everything was wrapped up and really appreciated the information provided in the Author's note at the end!

[Marissa Herington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book, my favorite of the year so far.

[Louis Muñoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding down to 3. I very much appreciated having such a strong female protagonist, and the great care in presenting Indigenous people and culture in the context of the then still recent arrival of Europeans. These were the strongest parts of the story, along with the flashbacks via hidden letters of Montezuma's daughter and all that she and the native peoples had to suffer and endure.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[sash. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Sofia Robleda and Amazon Crossing for the ARC!

This is the kind of book that reminds you exactly why you love reading historical fiction. Even though I've heard of Moctezuma (as Montezuma) I never knew about his daughter Isabel and her story, the losses she suffered personally or the fact that her children ended up being torn apart by her death and the inheritance.

The way that Sofia has written this story disarmed me. The first half of the novel was enamouring but I read the last 50-60% ravenously. I see so much of myself in her daughter Isabel, her feisty, fierce, assertive character made me laugh and cry. I really appreciated the care and depth of the characters, the frank openness of the pain suffered by the Mexica peoples and the insight into a period of history I wish I had paid more attention to.