Hear Ye Mortals

by Yamile Saied Méndez

From the award-winning author of Furia—two brothers struggle against a totalitarian regime in this historical YA about fighting for what you believe in, even when the world around you tries to silence your voice.

In 1976 Rosario, Argentina, brothers Daniel and Adrián Aguirre share a passion for music and a bond as best friends. However, under the authoritarian military government, artists and musicians are considered enemies of the state, even if they're just teenagers playing at home. When one of their songs unexpectedly gains popularity on the radio, Daniel and Adrián, along with their band Río Babel—comprised of children of immigrants from Spain, Palestine, and Germany—face a daunting choice.

They must decide whether to pursue their dream of becoming musicians or to remain silent to protect their families. Ready to challenge the military regime, their resolve is tested when one of their own goes missing.

This novel delves into the power of music in the fight for a better tomorrow, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate stories of courage, family, and the enduring spirit of resistance against a totalitarian regime.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Historical, Music

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2026

About the author

Yamile (sha-MEE-lay) is a fútbol obsessed Argentine-American. She’s the mother of 5 kids and 2 adorable dogs. Yamile’s an inaugural Walter Dean Meyers Grant recipient, a graduate of Voices of our Nation (VONA) and the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Writing for Children program.
She’s represented by Linda Camacho, from the Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Janessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning novel. The world of Rio Babel is fully realized, the characters drawn from life. Their story felt so real to me! The framework Mendez uses for telling the story is brilliant and she does an excellent job of managing a tragic historical backdrop with light hands so it doesn’t become too heavy or sad, while never shying away from the hard truths of the past and present. The themes of authoritarianism and resistance make this the perfect book for our time. I loved it.

[mayarxsxreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All around them, people saw injustice and looked the other way, pretending everything was perfect. Until tragedy came for them too."

This was a fantastic read, with an impactful storyline, stunning writing, and characters who follow along you even after finishing the book, all set in a fascinating and heart-wrenching time period. The lyrical writing was captivating and conveyed the beauty, profoundness, and horrors of this period in Argentinian history so well.

The characters felt so real and it was easy to believe that this band existed in an entirely truthful story, which was essential to drive this plot home and ensuring the reader was ready to follow their journey through this tragic time. Having never read another book set during the military junta, nor having had learnt or heard much about what happened, it was an excellent way to meaningfully engage with this event, prompting me to explore more along the way. I'd recommend going into this book without reading too much of the description, as I had only skimmed a bit of it before starting, and it made the plot points genuinely more shocking and impactful, somewhat mimicking the characters as we found out information together.

The dual timelines of the book, majority of which was set in 1976 but with scenes flashing into the future with the Angel and the girl, was a really fun way to progress the story as well. The reveal of who the Angel was actually threw me for some reason too (I thought the Angel was the opposite gender for some reason!!) but I loved that plot thread and it never felt odd or disruptive to go between the two scenes.

"One day, no one would even dream of banning books or music, free thoughts and ideas."

I am not someone who easily or often cries at their books but this had me tearing up quite a lot towards the end. Be warned - emotions are likely to be felt! The story felt particularly poignant given the difficult times that we face in the world, with growing right-wing politics taking over and the increased restrictions to speak your mind or to meaningfully consume books - particularly in North America (from my perspective in Australia). The parallels were very apparent, and as the book says, "like the shapes of clocks, time is circular, some scientists say. What they mean perhaps is that time is cyclical."

I would not hesitate to recommend this book - I have already suggested that some of my family and friends read this when it's released. A very enjoyable, impactful and lasting read.

"There were missing spots on the stage that they had filled with their memory."

[Chris G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unnamed narrator, an angel, arrives at the scene of the violent death of a young woman. It’s the angel’s task to stay with her until she remembers her name, and as the two chat, they discover a shared love of the music of Rio Babel. Though many different musicians were part of the band over time, the angel knows the stories of Daniel and Adrian, brothers who founded the band along with their friend Herminia. It’s 1976 Argentina and the authoritarian government considers musicians to be enemies of the state; they are detained, tortured and often murdered. Just as Rio Babel releases their first recording and it becomes a national hit, first the brothers and then Herminia fall into the hands of the state. Though the story within a story provides a little emotional distance, the grinding state violence is absolutely terrifying. Well-written and absolutely un-forgettable; a vivid look into the past and a warning for the present and the future. Earc from Edelweiss.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hear Ye Mortals hit on a completely different level. This one is powerful, emotional, and honestly a bit heartbreaking. Set during a dangerous time in Argentina’s history, it blends music, friendship, and resistance in a way that really sticks with you. The stakes felt so real, and it sparked some deep conversations in our group about courage and speaking out

[Akuliszi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC.
After finishing, I have purchased the book for myself as well.

Full 5/5. Loved everything in this book.

This story was a masterpiece and I have cried for a hour trying to finish reading it. It's a very realistic novel; not really graphic in its descriptions, but the violence was heartbreaking.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I love Mendez' work, and this is a portrayal of a fascinating period of history, but it's more of a young adult book. I would definitely purchase for a high school library.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical novel that’s in turns tragic and hopeful, brimming with poetic language and a love for music and storytelling. Reminds us why we need to remember our history while giving us compelling characters to follow. Highly recommended.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, well-written book with amazing characters and a very strong focus on music as a tool of resisting oppression. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.

[Holly Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a great take on the historical and tragic backdrop of a totalitarian regime in Argentina, it was a decent premise and written well. I found the characters a little hard to bond with due to how young they are written. I do read a lot of YA, but this seems made for the younger YA audience around 11-13.