I thought this had such an intriguing premise: a retelling of Malinalli, the real-life Nahua interpreter who translated for the Spanish conquistadors of Mexico, thus playing a complex and damning role in the colonization of Mexico.

Unfortunately, the writing made me feel very distant from Malinalli. Although the first part of the book covers moments from Mali's childhood, she didn't speak like a child at all. The result was an extremely detached sort of adult narrator looking back on critical moments in a very measured way. Strange, because the events she writes about--such as the death/potential murders of her brother and father--are so fraught.

The story is lush with details that immersed me into that time period, but a lot of information about the politics of the time were, strangely, doled out in heavy-handed dialogue. I didn't appreciate the info-dumping, which was at odds with the book's attempt to immerse me in Mali's story.

MALINALLI is ambitious, and fans of Madeline Miller, V.V. Ganeshananthan, and Tracy Chevalier may be less put off by the distant narration and be swept away by this immense tale about a not-very-well-known historical figure.

Thanks to Atria/Primero Sueno Press for the gifted copy!

A slower-paced historical fantasy, Veronica Chapa explores the entirety of Malinalli's life, starting when she's a young girl with her brother going away to learn magic when really, that's all she wants for herself. She then moves through her life and sisterhood with the priestesses, coming into her power, and dealing with the invaders. I love that Veronica chose to retell Malinalli's story (most commonly known as La Malinche), as I didn't know anything about her before reading. Her history is really fascinating -- seen as a traitor, victim, AND a mother of her people, there are so many facets to explore. This was the perfect setting to add in magic -- it was a great way to add to this retelling!

Malinalli: A Novel by Veronica Chapa dares us to reimagine the story of Malinalli, a woman her served as a translator to the Spanish Conquerors as they attempted to colonize Mexico.

While her story is initially told as that of a traitor, this retelling allow the reader to image an alternate interpretation of the events , where a girl who was sold into slavery, forced to work against the interest of her people, who gains her own agency and finds the strength to avenge the wrongs against her family.

The fantastic world building reveals the rich culture of this early culture of the indigenous people of Nahua, daring the reading to reimagine the circumstances of Malinalli’s life and choices.

If you enjoyed the reimagining’s of the lives of Medea by Elish Quin or Boudicca by PC Cast, this is the story for you.

Thank you, Atria Books | Atria/Primero Sueno Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Print Pub Date: Mar 11 2025

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Oh I so wanted to love this, but unfortunately I think that the genre of retellings is just not for me. I think the biggest issue I have is that the synopsis made this sound like it was going to lean towards fantasy. Unfortunately, it's more historic/litfic.

The writing is still strong and will appeal to those that love mythical retellings. It starts strong and I loved the bond Malinalli has with her brother, Eagle and the connection to their land. It starts to wane a bit though, as the story progresses.

Thanks to Atria Books | Atria/Primero Sueno Press and Netgalley.

Based on a real life figure of many names, Malinalli is a historical fantasy about the Nahua woman who ended up as the interpreter who assisted the Spanish colonizers communicate with the native people of what is now known as Mexico. We follow her from her birth, to her growing up and discovering her powers, to coming into her namesake. She is known as a traitor, the girl who turned her back on her people, but the reality of her story is tragic, she was not a willing participant, and ultimately she was a girl out of her depth, sold into slavery, and just trying to survive and get revenge for her family.

This book was beautiful, the themes of sisterhood, magic, survival, and the showcasing of the rich history of the natives of Mexico. I was and still am very uneducated on the history of Mexico, and this book spark and curiosity and it is a topic I will look into further in the future. The author did such a wonderful job with the rich description of the land, of the magic, of the people. This was a voice that was truly needed in publishing and I am so grateful to have been able to read it. I did feel like the story just ended very abruptly and I was left wanting more.

This was a fascinating read, the story itself tells the reader exactly how it will end (or anyone who's familiar with Cortez). It reads much like a diary entry rather than a narrative story, which, works well for this particular novel given the context of it being the perspective of a controversial historical figure. As such it starts with her birth and childhood with her twin brother, focusing both on worldbuilding for the fantastical magical elements and the customs of the various tribes and nations within the land at this point in history.

It's a bit of a slow read to start but once it picks up it's pace the story speeds through the ending. At times it's almost like the story forgets there's magical and mystical elements and becomes strictly a historical fiction novel. Which, for me was fine I enjoyed the process and exploration through different lands and peoples. I enjoyed learning customs and religious practices. For others who are looking for high octane action and high levels of magic consistently this may not be the novel for them. I do encourage readers to check out the language guide at the end of the book before diving in otherwise this will be an exceptionally challenging read for those unfamiliar with Spanish or the Nahaul language.

Chapa put hours of research and a lot of time into the novel and it shows. The world comes to life and expands a readers view against the popular narrative of 'simplistic and barbaric' beliefs for the Mayan and Aztec people during their contact with Spaniards. I heavily enjoyed the realistic portrayal for how brutish, uncivilized, and outright grotesque the Spanish invaders were especially in comparison to the extreme cleanliness of the Mexica and Mayan people. I really enjoyed the further challenging of common narratives surrounding sacrifices and rule of the Aztec empire. This novel definitely makes it know that empires, patriarchal control, greed, and warfare are tools of colonialism and violence.

The characters and cities were incredibly human and complex; I really loved the way magic was almost mundane and unnoticed at times, woven into daily routines and practices. This story is alive and vibrant, if at times a bit slow and almost meanders through the plot. I kinda wish there hard been more time for the fight against Cortez as it felt sort of rushed in the last 35 pages. But I suppose that's to sort of make Cortez a footnote in a way. I enjoyed this story a lot.

Im glad I got it as an ARC from Netgalley. And I hope to see more from Veronica Chapa.

Malinalli is a historical fiction with magical embellishments. I really liked the magical aspects and the Native cultural and ritual elements-- it's very clear that the author knows her stuff. The pre-colonized setting was vibrant and descriptive, and I felt quite immersed in the world. I didn't love the love interest, and at times this felt more like a fictionalized biography so it was difficult to see where Malinalli had agency in the story. Overall, it was a quick read and a huge thank you to Atria publishing and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This was an unfortunate case of me not fully reading the synopsis of the story before requesting it. I just saw pre-colonial Mexico and for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and clicked request. This was both an interesting way to go about it and also one that was a bit of a letdown? Hear me out! It was interesting to have the world building and get to experience the magic and society that Malinalli dealt with as a child without the looming knowledge. However, once I realized what the timeline was doing, I was like "oh." The world building and magic was so interesting and then suddenly, BAM, a bunch of stinky (literally) white men. That was when I went back and read the full synopsis. Once we hit about the 50% mark, I was not as engaged with the story and the events that happened felt like bullet points. There didn't really seem to be any in-depth descriptions or effects that were described like the beginning half of the book. We had to speed things up rather dramatically to get through certain historical events that happened. This was an interesting fictionalized biographical type story. It didn't end up working for me as Malinalli never really ended up hitting most of her targeted goals, which I understand is true to the history, but as a story felt a little disappointing.
That being said, I think the author excelled in taking the time to impart the society and the integration of their religion and the magic. I would actually love to see the author explore the world she built outside of this historical storyline. For example. a middle grade or YA story centered on either the temple or the magic school would be soooo cool.

I’m a bit confused with this book because while the start was slow, I was having a great time with this until the 70% mark. . . And then it took such a nosedive for me that I just feel jinxed. 🙁

The story is a fantasy historical retelling of Mexico’s infamous La Malinche who was the interpreter for Hernán Cortés. I was really liking the fresh take on this woman as she grows from a scorned girl into a warrior priestess and then falls to slave and concubine before becoming an interpreter. Her growth for the first 69% was slow, but gradually progressed as she tries to adjust to each new stage in her life. While she does regress here and there, I thought it rather natural since real life deals us with progress and step backs over time. ⏳

The last 30% of the book just left me baffled. Malinalli’s 180 from being a sorceress ready to rain fury down on her enemy to peacekeeper just felt so abrupt that I thought I was reading a completely different POV/book. That and her passive attempts to get Cortés to leave on his own terms just felt so off from a woman who was happy to use the Spaniard for her own gains. I just feel like I missed a huge moment in the plot where the tone switched. 🤯

The other thing that just really confused me endlessly was what Malinalli’s spirit animal was. Is it a snake or an eagle?? I’m just so lost with it all. 😫

A thank you goes out to Atria Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review. I REALLY wanted to understand the ending, but it just left me so confused. 😢

Publication date: March 11

Overall: 2.5/5 ⭐️

Actual rating 4.25 stars

Malinalli's journey from a young girl with mystic powers to a pivotal figure in Mexican history is both captivating and heartbreaking.

I loved how Chapa blended magical realism with historical accuracy, making the fantastical elements feel like an integral part of Malinalli’s world. The writing is vivid and immersive, though sometimes it felt a bit confusing, especially during the more magical moments. Despite this, I found myself completely invested in Malinalli’s story, cheering her on through all her trials and tribulations.

What really stood out to me was how Chapa humanized Malinalli, giving her a voice that’s both relatable and powerful. It’s a beautiful retelling that challenges the traditional narrative of La Malinche as a traitor, instead portraying her as a complex, multidimensional character. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a touch of magic, this is definitely a must-read!

I know what everyone else knows about La Malinche, but this fantasy retelling of her story was sprawling and incredible. Chapa built a magic system and community of sisterhood that draws the reader in and sweeps you into the politics and power-plays of the Spanish invasion of what becomes Mexico. Malinalli, the fictional version that is, is spurred to support the Spanish invaders out of revenge. While blessed with real magic and favored by goddesses, she is every bit as flawed and complex as her historical namesake had to have been. Hindsight is 20/20 and trauma is a powerful motivator. This novel brings new facets to the long maligned La Malinche.

Malinalli by Veronica Chapa is a book with a big idea and a lot of potential: the story gives a fantasy/magical twist to the story of Malinche, a controversial figure from Mexican colonial history. Malinche, or Malinalli, was a young enslaved woman who translated for Hernan Cortez and therefore facilitated the downfall of the Aztec empire. I appreciated that this story gave a closer look at her imagined life and the intertribal politics and mythology, and that it was attentive to history while also being imaginative and attempting to be somewhat reparative to this maligned figure. For these reasons, I really wanted to like Malinalli but unfortunately it fell a bit flat. In particular, the pacing is strange and a bit confusing, the magic system underdeveloped, and there is a lot of exposition. However, I do want to see more books that take on Mexican colonial and pre-colonial history and/or mythology! I think the ideas are there, and I hope Chapa keeps writing and developing her craft.

I was not familiar with the story of Malinche, who is here Malinalli. How much you enjoy this will depend on your expectations. It's an interesting look at indigenous Mexican history with a bit of magical realism thrown in. I was intrigued by Malinalli but felt the story around her fell short. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This sent me off to look for more information.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. I went into this book with no knowledge of the story of Malinalli. I wanted to read this and then look at what most people say about her. This story was very interesting. The descriptions and scenery details kept me involved in it. THe cover is beautiful and immediately made me want to grab this book.

This novel is a retelling of the story of La Malinche the Nahua interpreter who helped Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés communicate with the native people of Mexico. The original version of La Malinche is much maligned by historians and Mexicans, who deemed her a traitor and helped Cortés eliminate the indigenous tribes in 1500's Mexico.

In this retelling, we follow Malinalli as a little girl, learn her indigenous culture, and the events that shaped her before we read about her "Alliance" with Cortés. She was enslaved by Cortes so alliance is not truly what occurred.. Malinalli comes from Nahua nobility and becomes a priestess warrior with powers. When Indigenous leaders observed her marching into their cities, they believed she was a goddess—blessed with the divine power to interpret the Spaniards’ intentions for their land.

Interestingly, the story is told in first person pov and it worked well. I wouldn't call this a fantasy but historical fiction with mythology and magical realism interwined. The setting detail, the language and atmosphere is well written and cinematic. It is an immersive story that helps place the reader into the mind of Malinalli giving her perspective and motivations.

The author must have done extension research into the indigenous languages and culture of the various groups in Mexico during that time. This attention to details helped me see Malinalli as a full character.
Books 1 and 2 were slow paced but I didn't mind that as it built the story with details important to the other sections. It is an historical saga so that is part of the genre. Content warning: sexual assault.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this retelling.

Veronica Chapa’s Malinalli is a bold and evocative reimagining of one of history’s most controversial figures, Malinalli—better known as La Malinche. Often portrayed as a traitor or victim, Chapa’s version gives her a voice of her own, weaving history with fantasy to explore her agency, resilience, and the weight of fate.

From the moment Malinalli is stolen from her home and thrust into the turbulent world of Spanish conquest, the novel immerses the reader in a richly textured landscape of political upheaval, spiritual traditions, and the clash of civilizations. The narrative’s strength lies in its intimate portrayal of Malinalli’s struggles—not just as an interpreter between Cortés and the Nahua people but as a woman torn between survival and loyalty to her people.

Chapa introduces a mystical element through Malinalli’s connection to a sisterhood of priestesses, adding layers of magic, prophecy, and divine intervention. This infusion of the supernatural elevates the novel beyond historical fiction, transforming it into a lyrical and deeply emotional exploration of destiny. The prose is vivid, often poetic, capturing the weight of Malinalli’s choices and the sorrow of a collapsing world.

Though the novel is steeped in tragedy, it never reduces Malinalli to a mere pawn of history. Instead, it presents her as a woman navigating impossible circumstances, making choices that reverberate far beyond her time. Readers who appreciate historical fiction with a touch of the fantastical—like Circe by Madeline Miller—will find Malinalli an absorbing and thought-provoking read.

While some may find the blend of history and myth unconventional, Malinalli succeeds in giving a fresh perspective to a figure long overshadowed by simplistic narratives. It is both a haunting and empowering tale—one that lingers long after the final page.

My background is mostly in horror, thriller, medical and retellings. Knowing this I do search for certain vibes and tones in what I read. Malinalli intrigued me for the anticipation of a fierce and dark tale of feminism in a historically patriarchal culture. Sadly, these desires were not met. The tone felt very YA, keep in mind my genera, and the magical components felt forced. There were some references to cultural magic but it felt like a try for appeasing Fourth Wing fans or such.

The character development was choppy and the progressive points again, to me, felt like I was following a YA character in their achievements. There could have been a deeper, more raw essence to these pivotal points.

All in all this could easily work for a reader wanting to bridge over, I guess, to historical retellings who has a strong base in YA and fantasy. For readers such as myself, you may become frustrated with the lack of depth and deeper rooted rawness of the history being drawn from.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Malinalli by Veronica Chapa is a first person-POV historical fantasy retelling of Malinche, one of the most famous women in the history of the Americas. Born the eldest twin, Malinalli always assumed she would attend the House of Magical Studies and is furious when her brother is sent instead due to her gender. Foretold to be forced away from her home and doomed to live a miserable life, Malinalli fights to take control of her own narrative every step of the way, but when the Conquistadors come, they will prove to be her most complex challenge.

Like many Americans, I grew up knowing who Malinche was and the view that she is a traitor to the Indigenous people of Mexico. Over the years, I’ve heard more and more viewpoints that she is far more complex and owed nothing to the people who kept her as a slave or the ones who sold her into slavery in the first place. Veronica Chapa shows the complex situation Malinche was in and reimagines some of her early life to include the murder of her twin brother, Eagle, and the tragic death of her father. The narrative definitely portrays Malinche the historical figure and Malinalli the character in a sympathetic light as a young woman who has had her choices taken from her and witnessed bloodshed she cannot make sense of.

Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztecs and still spoken by the Nahua people today, is used throughout the text. Veronica Chapa chose each word carefully to add a sense of authenticity and would be fairly seamless for most readers to know what the word is in reference to (such as ‘tomatl’ for ‘tomato’ and ‘chocolatl’ for ‘liquid chocolate’). I love it when authors include endangered languages in authentic ways and include pronunciation guides because it’s a way to preserve language which is so very important because language and culture are married. Malinche/Malinalli is a Nahua woman and her language is part of who she is, even more so given that she is such an infamous interpreter.

The pacing is on the slower end and is meant to put you deep in Malinalli’s head as she learns to hone her magic and meets the challenges life throws at her with dignity. Starting at her birth and not bringing Cortes in until after halfway through the book gives Malinalli’s story the room to breathe and be about more than the most famous and controversial part about her life. It definitely did make me think a bit more about how we talk about Malinche purely in relation to her status as Cortes interpreter instead of all the other things that make her a complex figure even if that doesn’t negate the lasting consequences.

Content warning for depictions of sexism and sexual assault

I would recommend this to fans of retellings looking historical retellings about controversial figures and readers looking for a slower-paced historical fantasy character study

This was a deeply sad fantasy that could only end in sadness considering it's about a real person in history, yet the "quest" at the heart kept me immersed.

I honestly was completely unaware of who Malinalli/La Malinche was, and I do wish that in the Mexican history I learned in Texas public schools, someone had mentioned that Cortés used an indigenous interpreter. Neither of my other Hispanic friends from Texas public schools knew of La Malinche either, so we at minimum know that I didn't just miss something in our textbook 20 years ago. This is the story of a woman who was sold into sex slavery, who then learned multiple languages until she eventually became the translator who helped the Spanish conquer Tenochtitlán and the rest of Mexico. Historically, she is.... not great.

So this book presents a fantasy version of Malinalli, the girl who had the bad luck to be born on an inauspicious day, so she and her twin would be doomed to miserable lives far from home. So her parents named her instead after the goddess Malinalxochitl. Poor kid thinks she's going to grow up to be a mighty sorceress just like the fearsome goddess, and then her life falls apart, everyone dies, she gets sent to be a priestess, and then she indeed ends up very far from home. She decides that actually what she needs to do is kill Monteczuma, so when the rest of her life happens, everything is all about achieving that goal.

Some of the Goodreads reviews are unhappy because they think this is a book about an unlikeable person who girlbossed too far to the sun. I think instead, this is a fantasy about revenge, and it's ok to have a book about someone who kind of sucks as a person? This isn't meant to redeem someone who did terrible things, but perhaps to give them more interesting motives. "I am going to use the Spaniards to exact my revenge on the evil king" is misguided in retrospect, but makes for a very interesting story about a girl who is basically still a teenager.

I enjoyed this! I did not know much about this historical figure, and this novel made me want to learn more about the different indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, so I consider that a win.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the digital ARC.

Such an interesting story but the pacing really made it a struggle at times
This was so fascinating to me as someone who's not very familiar with this lore. Would love to read more