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

349 pages, Paperback

Expected publication 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

[Sofia Robleda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not gonna lie… this book is pretty darn good.

Also if you absolutely can’t wait - the book is currently available for request on NetGalley!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A phenomenal follow-up to A Daughter of Fire! Sofia Robleda excelled at creating a historical fiction that honors the complexity of post-Conquest Mexico. She skillfully navigated the cultural tensions of a world where Spanish colonial rule attempted to erase Aztec heritage, but persisted in hidden corners. Isabel's position as the daughter of the Aztec empress and a Spanish conquistador perfectly embodied these tensions, making her quest for truth personal and political.
Robleda's portrayal of the last Aztec empress through fragmented revelations builds a portrait of a woman who survived impossible circumstances. She continues to demonstrate sensitivity to the historical trauma of conquest while creating an adventure that moves you forward. Robleda successfully brought 16th-century Mexico to life!

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The Mexican culture and history are woven beautifully throughout, creating a rich, vibrant backdrop for the story. The storytelling is heartfelt and compelling, and I was fully invested in the sisters’ journey to uncover their mother’s past. Each revelation felt meaningful and added real emotional depth.

I also love when a book helps you pronounce the names and places correctly, so the note on Nahuatl pronunciation was such a great touch. It made the story feel even more immersive and respectful of the culture.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC—this was an unforgettable, culturally rich read.

[Lollita · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off ill note I received this ARC through goodreads.

I liked this was a nice paced story filled with adventure and family drama, a little romance and characters you'll like and hate. Two sisters set out to discover their mother's past they're sent to different locations and face different challenges each time to "prove" their worth for each part of the story, they're joined by one of their brothers and a cook. Not much more to say without giving away too much of the story. I'll admit I dont know much about this period of history in this geographic region so was nice to have a different backdrop then im use to for historical fiction. Was an enjoyable read all in all.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I definitely felt this book was well-written and very thoroughly and painstakingly researched. I think it mostly just didn't really suit my personal tastes. I can't really find anything particularly "bad" about it in any way, but I struggled to want to stick with it. That definitely isn't really because there's anything wrong with it and I have a great deal of appreciation for how hard the author worked on it- I think I just went a little too far outside my comfort zone with this one.

[J. Else]

Review to be posted via the Historical Novel Society at https://historicalnovelsociety.org/

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5


An interesting story dealing with the granddaughters of Moctezuma as they uncover their mother's history.


I liked how this story was told. The mother's story follows a linear flow but it's broken up into various pieces. Literally. Her children are following clues to notes their mother left behind. And each piece is found in an area that was important to their mother. 


Along the way, the daughters, Isabel and Catina Cano, begin to come into their own make big life decisions. 


I feel like I'm not doing this book enough justic with this review. There's budding romance. Intense sibling rivalries and betrayals. Murder. History. A history that is often glanced over. Class distinctions. Colonizer vs colonized society. This book has a little bit of everything. 


*ARC provided by NetGalley*