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, Fantasy, Teen

297 pages, Kindle Edition

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

[Francisca]

This was such an emotional literary journey.

The characters, so alive you feel they may reach from within the pages, are quite unforgettable.

It isn't easy to present a narrative based on historical events, difficult events that shifted the destiny of an entire country, in a way that feels so relatable but between the dual narrative and the focus on a single story as the representation of the whole Saied Mendez manages to do a remarkable job at it.

It took me a while to finish reading it, but that was more of a life getting too busy than the book not holding my attention.

Absolutely worth the read. Five stars all the way.

[Andrea Beatriz Arango]

Back from my little instagram break because I just had to share the bestest book I cried to while I was away! 🥲😭

If you know a teen who is into--

🎵 art as resistance, especially music
🎵 dark history not talked about enough
🎵 governments with too much power
🎵 books set outside the US (🇦🇷)
🎵 nested narratives
🎵 casual queer rep
🎵 fiercely loyal siblings &
🎵 tear-jerkers

--THEN THIS ONE IS FOR THEM!

I would especially rec it to any kiddo who loved Libertad when it came out 2 years ago. (It's me, I am that kid.) Seriously, though, go buy it / request it from the library. It is Yamile at her finest and I feel so so privileged to be writing kidlit at the same time as her 🥹.

[danielle]

gonna need my ya lit prof to give me compensation for emotional damages....i chose this book of my own free will but still

[Janessa]

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.

[Angie Carlton]

I would be lying if I said that I enjoyed this book. It is very well written and I think it should be required reading for its cautionary tale. I appreciated the inclusion of the Spanish language in the form of music lyrics. The culture seemed well represented, though I am not an authority on the subject. I might have enjoyed it a little more if I were a musician because I would have connected with it more and the beginning wouldn't have felts as slow and boring to me. But it is dark, sad, and bleak and I don't think the point of the story is to bring enjoyment as much as to remind us of a time when the people of Argentina were stripped of freedom.

[mayarxsxreviews]

"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."

[K.C. Norton]

I'm embarrassed to admit that it took me two tries to get into this. I'm not a huge fan of the more removed third person narrative that makes up the majority of this book, as it tends to add a layer of distance between the reader and the characters. In a way, this book reads like an oral history or a folktale; we don't get close insight into what most of the characters are thinking, since the main storyline happens before (and perhaps on another plane of existence than) the primary narration.

An angel/spirit/guide of the dead beings this story speaking to a dead girl who has lost her name. The two of them discuss a band that was popular many years ago, and which has just experienced a resurgence. The past-tense tale of the band's origins, but the angel and the spirit interrupt from time to time to discuss the context of the narrative. This framework was the part that stumbled over originally, but I've come around on the idea that the story wouldn't be nearly as effective without this frame. History doesn't repeat, but it rhymes, as they say, and just the angel's story reminds the spirit that the past still shapes the present, I, the reader, kept thinking about how relevant this story is to MY present despite unfolding in another time and place.

The story is dark and painful and, per the author's note, based on true events. While Méndez has fictionalize the characters and the timeline a bit for the sake of narrative, the nightmare these kids face is all too real. Unlawful arrest, dehumanizing detention, police violence, familial trauma, and government oppression mount as a young of young artists try to find their creative voices while their country falls apart around them.

I'd highly recommend this for young artists -- the main characters reminded me of a bunch of kids I went to high school with, and their overall outlook felt highly relatable. I don't think you need to know the history involved to appreciate this story, as the focus is less on the political timeline and more on the everyday experiences of the characters. And for contemporary teens, maybe a little insight into how things had gone in the past when a country falls under a dictatorship miiiiiiiight be something they'd want to keep in mind, regardless of where they live in the world right now? Just sayin'.

[Chris G.]

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.

[Manon the Malicious]

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good story. It felt like nothing I've read before and I really liked that. It felt like a mix of a lot of things and I was truly hooked. The pacing did feel a little off but I kept being surprised and I had no idea where the story would take me. I had trouble truly understanding the decisions the characters made at times. But overall, I just found this captivating and devastatingly beautiful in a way. I will remember this book for a while. And I definitely want to read more books by this author!

[Alma]

I was filled with sorrow as I read. Death narrated horrors in Zusak’s “The Book Thief.” So, too, does the angel describing how the brutal regime imprisoned, tortured, murdered, and disappeared tens of thousands of Argentinians. Read more on my blog about this deeply moving ARC I was sent by the publisher in exchange for an honest review: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....

[Danielle Grise]

There is so much that happens in the world that we are not taught, and Argentina in the 1970's is one of those things. Adrian and Daniel write and play music in a time where that can get you in trouble with the government. One of their songs reaches the public and it puts a target on the backs of all of the band members. Do they hide or fight for what's right? When their loved ones are taken, "disappered," how do they move forward?

[The Page Ladies Book Club]

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]

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.

[Kayla Jenkins]

4.5 stars!

This was just excellent! It took me a little bit to get into, but otherwise it would be 5 stars. It's truly all about the power of music! Music, books, movies, any form of story can be used to fight for tomorrow. It's just truly so powerful! Thank you so much to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

[Ms. Malcolm]

Hear Ye Mortals is full of heart and soul. It explores themes of resistance, art, power, and history through the lives of two brothers and an angel guiding a soul home. If you want to go on an emotional journey, this is the book for you. However, due to the heavy themes, this book is most appropriate for high school aged students.

[Ms. Yingling]

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]

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.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens]

"Unfurls in bouts of profound tragedies and hopeful triumphs, all wonderfully presented in Méndez’s rich, lyrical prose... A fierce, timely, and beautifully executed ode to artistic expression imbued with a spirit of optimism." [Kirkus]

[Yutzil Valeria]

This is one of the best YA books I've read. It is definitley for older teens / young adults and above.
This is personal and universal. heartbreaking all the way through and it does not pull its punches.

[JXR]

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.

[Jane Ryan]

i love it

[Heather]

The narration is weirdly wooden, and I just couldn't get into this one the way I hoped to

[Holly Nash]

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.

[Kristi]

Full review available on my blog.

While my knowledge and enjoyment of the author's previous book is what ultimately led me to this one, I was also intrigued by the title, which is lifted directly from Argentina's national anthem. The story is fast-paced and with many characters right from the start. There are so many that it is easy to get confused at first, but everyone is soon easily distinguishable, with their own traits and flaws and history. The choice to have the narrator telling the story to an uninvolved third party is an interesting one, but it works well to bring more attention to what was happening in Argentina at the time. Readers are invited into a story of hope during a time when having hope could seem foolish, even reckless.