Malinall

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A 2025 Latino Book Award Winner, Gold Medal for Best Novel Historical Fiction English

A wild, unforgettable adventure (Reyna Grande, author of A Dream Called Home) about the triumphs and sorrows of one of the most controversial and misunderstood women in Mexicos history and mythology, perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcias Gods of Jade and Shadow and Zoraida Crdovas The Inheritance of Orqudea Divina.

A real-life historical figure, the woman known as Malinalli, Malintzin, La Malinche, Doa Marina, and Malinalxochitl was the Nahua interpreter who helped Spanish conquistador Hernn Corts communicate with the native people of Mexico. When indigenous leaders observed her marching into their cities, they believed she was a goddessblessed with the divine power to interpret the Spaniards intentions for their land. Later, historians and pop culture would deem her a traitorthe Indian girl who helped sell Mexicos future to an invader.

In this lush tale about the power of language, the complexities of empire, and the bonds of sisterhood (Rita Chang-Eppig, author of Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea), Malinalli is all of those things and more, but at heart, shes a young girl, kidnapped into slavery by age twelve, and fighting to survive. Blessed with magical powers, and supported by a close-knit circle of priestesses, Mali vows to help defend her peoples legacy. For the first time, Malinallis propulsive story of magic, love, and the struggle for power in a new world (Luis Jaramillo, author of The Witches of El Paso) is told with the empathy, humanity, and awe shes always deserved.
A vivid and unprecedented journey into the Spanish invasion of Aztec Mexico. Luis Alberto Urrea, acclaimed author of The House of Broken Angels