Hear Ye Mortals
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Levine Querido
Published:14th May '26
Should be back in stock very soon
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard
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.
★ "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 (starred)
“Méndez adeptly draws readers into the lived experience of the people from this time period. She beautifully captures the ambience [and] conveys the sense of terror that so many people felt and their desire for a more hopeful future… Recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction that explores themes of authoritarianism and social upheaval with an ensemble cast of characters.” — School Library Journal
“Raw and heartbreaking… a haunting, morally urgent tale of art, resistance, and memory.” — Publishers Weekly
“Emotional, timely… Méndez’s touchpoints of Argentina’s history...create an intense landscape she peoples with a rich community of fully fleshed-out characters whose interactions highlight the importance of bearing witness, caring for others, and fighting back while living in an increasingly authoritarian regime.”
— Horn Book
“Poignant… complex… There is a lyrical grace to this novel, even when awful things are being described, that befits a novel built around the power of music to both disrupt and heal… the cost of resistance is often distressingly high, a fact that contemporary teens may find just as haunting and powerful as the young members of Río Babel fifty years ago.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Méndez constructs a tragic, heart-wrenching story within a story that delves into resistance, resilience, and the power of song. The characters are complex and sympathetic, which makes some of their fates painful yet galvanizing. This is for readers who welcome books that confront tragedy, especially fans of historical fiction, music, and fighting authoritarianism.” — Booklist
ISBN: 9781646146376
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 62mm
Weight: unknown
304 pages