The Other Moctezuma Girls

The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda tells the story of Isabel, an Aztec princess in the 1550s, who goes on a quest after her mother's death, to find journals that relate the true and previously hidden story of her mother's life. I liked Isabel a lot as a narrator, particularly her very honest reactions to things, as a rebellious young woman in a very patriarchal society. Her interactions with her siblings felt quite modern, but then I guess teenagers have always been teenagers! The reportage style of Nantzin's journals made those sections a lot less dynamic than the main narrative - but they were, at least, a lot more credible as diary-style narratives than you find in most stories. The puzzle hunt was really exciting, I thought the romance was well done and impactful, and I enjoyed the highs and lows of Isabel's changing relationships with her brothers and sisters. The book was a bit grim in places, but that was in keeping with the nature of the story and certainly made the stakes feel very real. The historical setting was rich in detail and seemed well researched - and I thought the very end of the story had a really satisfying punch to it. Very enjoyable overall!