This is not a drill! We at THP may have found one of our favorite books of 2026, and February isn’t even over. Trust us, we don’t throw this title around lightly, especially not this early in the year. But we have a gut feeling about The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda, and we have yet to prove ourselves wrong.
The Other Moctezuma Girls is a historical novel taking place in 16th-century Mexico, following the Spanish Conquest. We follow Isabel Cano, the rebellious daughter of the last empress of the Mexica (also known as the Aztecs). Isabel sets out to find the truth of her late mother’s life, following diary entries and clues left in key locations along the Valley of Mexico.
A historical novel with rich storytelling, a diverse cast, and so much culture and adventure, we ate up every part of Sofia Robleda’s new release. Here’s why you need The Other Moctezuma Girls on your TBR, too!
Book Overview: The Other Moctezuma Girls
Content warnings: death, murder, graphic violence, torture, rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, attempted rape, child abuse, colonization, racism, slavery, forced captivity, hostages, strangling, poisoning, animal death, human bones, skulls, pregnancy, serious injury, swearing, warfare, weapons (Please read at your discretion!)
Summary: 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, Isabel embarks on a perilous journey to piece together the past—a journey that will force the party 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. Facing everything 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.
Such Detailed History
For many of us (at least in the States), the Aztec Empire and the Spanish Conquest were but a few chapters in our world history or American history classes, if not fewer. So to have the opportunity to read an entire novel written by a Mexican author about Mexican history is an honor. The Other Moctezuma Girls reminds us why we love diverse novels so much. It’s because of how much we can learn from them, no matter how fictional some parts may be. We can tell how much the author took care in developing the story and mapping out the route that the characters take. She even gives us a brief guide on Nahuatl pronunciation, which we continued to reference throughout the book.
Sibling Bonds
Another reason why we recommend The Other Moctezuma Girls is the sibling bonds between Isabel, Nano, and Catina. Yes, Isabel had several more siblings and half-siblings, but this trio was the highlight of this historical novel for us. They band together in search of their late mother’s untold life story. They support each other when one is injured or sad. Most of all, these siblings understand one another at their core. Isabel and Nano sign while they speak so Catina can understand their conversations, even if she can’t hear them. Isabel takes especially good care of Catina, debriefing her after a particularly convoluted exchange. Even when they fight or throw harsh words, the three youngest Cano siblings have each other’s backs.
Isabel & Juan’s Connection
Finally, Isabel and Juan’s opposites-attract dynamic is part of why we love The Other Moctezuma Girls so much. The handsome new cook Juan gets swept up in Isabel and her siblings’ adventure. He’s knowledgeable and down to earth, proving himself to be very useful in their search. Juan’s parents were newly freed slaves who made the most with what little they had, a stark contrast to Isabel’s noble upbringing and rebellious nature. But because of their differences, Isabel’s fire and Juan’s earth balance each other out. Which is why their budding romance felt so gentle and natural, from stolen glances to brief touches. Truly a 10/10 romance and characterization from us.
Sofia Robleda’s The Other Moctezuma Girls reminded us why we need diverse novels now more than ever. It was an honor to read such a well-researched and carefully plotted historical novel.
The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda goes on sale February 24th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of Sofia Robleda’s new historical fiction novel? Did we convince you to put The Other Moctezuma Girls on your TBR? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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