This book truly felt like a love letter to all the women in my life. As someone who is family-oriented and has been greatly shaped by the women around her—especially my mom and sister, though I don’t want to overlook my brother and dad, who are both wonderful—my relationship with my mom and sister is truly unique. Growing up, I learned to share everything with my mom, and for the things I couldn’t, I turned to my sister. Beyond them, I was surrounded by a network of tias and primas who have been like second moms and sisters to me. While I can’t match every archetype in this book to someone in my life, it wasn’t far off. It even made me reflect on the distinct roles each of us plays in our family. Thank you, Prisca, for writing yet another love letter to our communities.

I’m now always going to buy books by this author. Her first book just realllly spoke to so many intersectionalities in my life (even if I don’t identify as Latina), and she’s able to dissect so many parts of her life and family with precision.

This book is similar in that she dissects so many diff aspects of femininity, “woman” roles that are so prescribed. This book felt like a big big hug, helping me to reflect on the diff women in my life and which kind of archetype I am (and why). Highly recommend!

This was a beautiful book that examines the impact of different women within our authors life. Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez grew up surrounded by strong, kind, funny and sensitive women. Some are blood relatives and some are chosen family. But all women hage shaped her view of the world, and so did the labels that were used to talk about them. 

As she explores the women and their labels she grapples with intergenerational trauma, colonisation and sexism, whilst trying to heal the pain that is embodied in the family lines. 

I dipped in and out of this book over the course of a few weeks whilst on the tube. I loved reading about the different women in our authors lives

Tías and Primas is a great new book that delves into the relationships that exist in most (if not all) Latin-American families. The author, Rodriguez, creates a vignette for each type of woman that you would probably encounter in these families. From the aunt who fat shames you to the perfect prima, these women are accurately describe to such an extent that I thought she and I might be related!

The narrator, who is also the author, did a great job brining the book to life. The book was read at a great pace, the voice was relatable, smooth and pleasing to listen to and the music played in the background was great. Rodriguez knew where to pause for emphasis and where to keep up the pace, which made the book flow easily.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking to learn more about family dynamics - especially between women or anyone looking for an interesting read.

Thank you to Hachette books for allowing me to listen to this book prior to its publishing date - Sept 10, 2024. I received an electronic ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced copy. The beginning was challenging for me as it evoked memories of lost friendships from my childhood. I found many relatable experiences among the tias and primas. Chapter 14, in particular, resonated deeply with me. As a Latina navigating academia—a space not designed for us— I’ve found my circle to be small but filled with strong Latina women. Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez has a remarkable way with words, weaving our ancestral traumas into a beautiful tapestry of resilience and strength.

Tías and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us is part memoir, part sociological study of Latine female archetypes. In her book, Dorcas wishes to understand, and honor the women in her life who deserve better. But most importantly to free and reclaim the narratives stifled or extinguished by sexism, homophobia, fatphobia, colonization, stigmatization of mental illnesses, male gaze, and rape culture. The author examines twenty distinct archetypes including: La Matriarch, The Young Tía, La Prima Perfecta, Tu Tía “La Loca,” Dignified Tía, The Childless Tía, Estas Engordando Tía, La Tía Cuir, The Street Smart Prima, and The Pretty Prima. As Dorcas dives into each of these archetypes, she reflects on her relationships with the women she grew up with and around. She frequently cites the classic work, The Second Sex written in 1949 by Simone de Beauvoir. The citations provide an illustrative framework to demonstrate how each of the female types are formed by society and Latinx culture, and defined by their relationship to men.

As a second generation Latina, born and raised in the US, I was able to recognize many or at least aspects of these archetypes. But I have also experienced a broader range of expression and complexity of womanhood than documented here. I believe the author would agree that one’s level of identification and recognition of these types is dependent on how long one has lived in the US and how conservative/traditional one’s family structure is. Nevertheless, I would recommend Tías and Primas to readers interested in learning about Latinx culture, with the caveat that these are archetypes, reified social constructs and more complex in their lived form. Readers might enjoy the author’s narration of the audiobook. The author’s style swings between the academic and the profane, and hearing T & P in the author’s own voice is a richer reading experience.


Many thanks to the author @Priscadorcas, @SealPress, @HachetteAudio and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading the audio and digital arcs in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this collection of stories and reflections on the women who helped raise the author. Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez captures the love, wisdom, and strength of her tías, primas, and abuelas in a way that feels so real. Each chapter reads like its own mini-story, diving into the different roles Latina women play in their families.
This book beautifully explores family, friendship, and the resilience of women in the Latinx community, but its messages are universal. It really resonated with me as someone who identifies as the second mom Tía to my nieces and nephews not only from my siblings but also my best friends children- loving, guiding, and supporting them just like the amazing women in these stories.
I love this book!

“I come from women,” writes Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, “who protected any sense of dignity they had left with elbow grease and determination. This world prioritizes the men in their lives more than them at every turn. What all this translates to is that the women I love were often very judgmental.”

An immigrant to the U.S., Nicaraguan-born, the author “was raised in Latine neighborhoods until I moved away from Miami to Nashville, Tennessee … to attend Vanderbilt University and pursue my master of divinity degree…. My childhood household was very traditional and conservative, based on a patriarchal family structure in which men lead and women follow…. I am a non-white, non-Black Latina and identify as brown.”

Her new book is a compelling meditation on “Tías And Primas: On Knowing And Loving The Women Who Raise Us” ($30 in hardcover from Seal Press, also for Amazon Kindle, to be published September 10)—but not just aunts and cousins; there are matriarchs and best friends as well, all presented in the book as an “amalgamation of many people to create these specific archetypes,” sensitively illustrated by Josie Del Castillo.

These include Latinas who are pushed to be perfect, widowed and divorced aunts, the cousin who doesn’t like other women, the queer aunt, the aunt who is “scandalous,” and more. “I am writing this to rip these tías and primas from the clutches of sexism, homophobia, fatphobia, colonization, stigmatization of mental illnesses, male gaze, and rape culture.”

And “I write,” she says, “to help others feel seen…. I am all of the women in this book, in one way or another. They represent my inner fears, my deepest struggles, my best qualities, and my demons…. As I heal, I find myself writing about the women in my life. May it do for you whatever it needs to do.”

Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez will be speaking on “Self Preservation for First Generation College Students” Thursday, September 19 at 11:00 am at the Butte College Black Box Theater (ARTS 160). The talk is free and open to the public. For more information contact Amy Antongiovanni (Antongiovanniam@butte.edu) and see butte.edu/diversity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Seal Press for this e-arc and alc in exchange for an honest review.

“I see so many of the women in my family reflected in my behaviors, core belief systems, and overall views of the world.”

“This book is all my dreams for us, all my love I could write down and manifest onto us. And yet, it only scratched the surface.”

Tías and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez has taken many different female archetypes found in Latine/x families and reclaimed the narratives usually associated with them. As I read this book, there were several instances where I could see parts of myself and the women in my life reflected on the page, but I was also met with instances in which my experiences with these archetypes were vastly different from how they were presented in this book. And all of our varying experiences are valid.

hank you to Basic Books | Seal Press via NetGalley for providing me with this ARC! I loved getting to read a kaleidoscope of different experiences of femininity and womanhood throughout this book. It was a lovely discussion of some of the shared experiences Latines may have, using archetypes to share not only experiences but also advice and wisdom. I found shimmers of many of my family members in each archetype as well as myself. A really great read, and I would love to read about other archetypes folks see in their own family too. Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez’s first book For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts came to me at a time in my life.

I'll start by saying that every experience is valid, even if it's not the same as mine.

At the start of this book I started to like try and connect these archetypes to the women in my family, and it was hard cause they just don't fit. Like my aunts and cousins have so many layers to them that in some all the archetypes fit them in some way. I think that's why I had such a huge disconnect with what this book wanted to do.

I don't know if it's because I am not part of the diaspora. Because I was raised Catholic, just not hardcore. My family is messy and has a lot of women, but most of the archetypes just felt too traditional and possibly I was too young to see these things from happening. I have multiple aunts that didn't have kids and I never once saw anyone judge/pressure them for their choice, even behind their backs. Even with my queer cousins, while they were in the closet and felt end of world for them. When they finally came out, it was all welcoming and supportive.

Last bit I want to say is that some of the archetypes felt one dimensional to me, and it lightly tries to mention that because of the way they are raised these Tias y Primas act this way, but it doesn't dive into it deeply enough for me.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved Prisca's first book, so when I was able to review an ARC e-version I knew it wouldn't disappoint. This book beautifully details archetypes of the latine/x culture. Some of my favorite archetypes included La Prima Perfecta, Street Smart Tia, and Book Smart Tia. I also appreciate the vulnerability Prisca shows throughout the book. I can't wait to buy this book and give out as gifts to my friends.

“Family is oftentimes who we reflect; we reflect their teachings, and they imprint culture onto us through our constant exposure to them (unofficial quote via an advanced copy).”

Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez’s forthcoming book “Tías and Primas” explores crucial female archetypes on the Latine family systems. One of the most refreshing parts of Prisca’s writings in her ability to intertwine personal experiences with socio-cultural theoretical orientation (aka “there’s a theory or research study on this phenomenon). I guess that’s the book smart prima in her 🤣😘 I cannot emphasis how beautiful it feels to be seen in any sort of publishing, we really take that feeling for granted. I took my time digesting this book, because it challenged me to reflect on the women I come from. The positive and even negative experiences with these women, such as the “te estás engordando tía” or our dislike for “chismosas”, have shaped who I am today. There may not be many you relate to in this book, maybe there’s none, but these women exist in our families and deserve to be constructively criticized and positively recognized. Reading all the different female archetypes was such a humbling reminder that our loved ones are living life for the first time with us. They are attempting to thrive in a machista, heteronormativity, colorist, racist, and outdated value systems alongside with us.

“I am the women who helped shape me, the women I admired from afar and tried to emulate, and the women who tried to shift me into becoming their wildest dreams (unofficial quote via an advanced copy).”

To Prisca, thank you for creating this book I didn’t think I needed. I am always in awe of your courage, your intelligence, and your unapologetic mindset. You are truly a gift to our community.

& thank you to Seal Press and Hachette Book Group for the advanced copy through NetGalley!

This was such a beautiful exploration of female archetypes within the latinx culture. It felt personal and submerged you in a world that's so familiar and warming. I will definitely recommend this one be purchased as a physical copy vs digital so readers can highlight/underline/annote as you're going to find little tidbits of wisdom and relation throughout that just resonates so much.

I enjoyed this book.  The stories painted a new side of 'family', friendships and life.  This was universal but will definitely be a great addition to the Latinx community.  The book shows the female archetypes as a Latin-American immigrant and loving everyone who has raised us. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 
A big thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books-Seal Pressfor the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

“You are born to one mother, but if you are lucky, you will have more than one. And among them all you will find most of what you need. Your relationships with todas las madres, the many mothers, will most likely be ongoing ones, for the need for guidance and advisory is never outgrown, nor, from the point of view of women’s deep creative life, should it ever be.” - Clarissa Pinkola Estés

An exploration of female archetypes in Latinx culture, interspersed with personal anecdotes and interpretation of those archetypes in her own family, I found this such a beautiful book! Besides a lot of recognition of who fits which archetype in my own family, this is a beautiful reflection on the role the various women in your family, besides your own mother, play in your upbringing and view of the world.

I love the writing style, which is engaging and vivid. I felt the love received from and that the author has for the women in her life, which was so heart-warming. I devoured every story behind the archetype and highly recommend this to everyone who has a big family, who was raised primarily by women and who wants to learn more about female archetypes!

The archetypes Tías and Primas explores (and my favourite quote from that chapter):
La Matriarch - A matriarca is missed because a matriarch is exceptional. She is the reason for so many of your happy memories, and you don’t even realize it until she is gone.
The Young Tía - She was a protector, a confidant, and also an adult who saw me as someone who was her own person, and not as someone who was not yet a full person.
La Prima Perfecta - The strictness of our upbringing was mother-led. We were also the oldest daughters, so how we acted seemed to be very much a primary preoccupation of our parents, who felt pressures around how they were reflected in their roles.
Widowed Tía - And do not get me wrong, this tía appropriately mourned her husband, but once she found her rhythm, she became bulletproof.
Tu Tía, La Loca - easier. At some point, the reward of true freedom outweighs the burden of burning bridges that lead to respectable womanhood.
The Tía Who Sees Fantasmas - Today I understand that assimilation takes our mother tongues, our family recipes, and our cultural cues, but it also robs us of our ancestral knowledge.
Street-Smart Prima - Someone who is viva will circumvent every narrow-minded perception of her and adjust before you even realize she’s outsmarting you.
Dignified Tía - The curse of a dignified woman is that she does not want to be alone, even if it feels like that is what she wants.
Tía Who Loves Plants and Animals - Even when she is spiraling and being merciless to herself, she will always find benevolence to pour into these animals she loves. They are a vessel, a manifestation, of her transferred tenderness.
Tu Tía Escandalosa - The thing about tu tía escandalosa is that she is not here to be palatable, and her husband seems to not only understand that but love that aspect about her.
Prima Who Doesn't Like Other Women - For the prima who does not like other women, her disdain for those women-centric gatherings comes from having absorbed misogynistic interpretations.
The Childless Tía - The tía who has chosen to not have kids and the tía who cannot have kids have the same destinations but different stories.
The "Te Éstas Engorgando" Tía - Sometimes people who love us harm us because they are not healing, and it takes a lot of grace toward yourself and them to sit with the harm and not let it destroy your day.
Book Smart Prima - Family is oftentimes who we reflect; we reflect their teachings, and they imprint culture onto us through our constant exposure to them. But if you are a reader, you have an additional teacher— an additional reflection to imprint onto you.
Divorced Tía - I have this tía who loves differently, engages differently, and most importantly shows you that being detached from people who are critical of your life is sometimes a smart tactic. We do not have to allow people to be mean to us, and we do not owe them our vulnerability when they are quick to throw salt into a wound.
Second Mom Tía - A second mom tía teaches you that difference between friends and acquaintances. She keeps you in touch with parts of yourself this world will try to rob from you.
Whatsapp Tía - I want to encourage you to see what they are trying to show you through their social media posts and responses. Being seen is a powerful thing, and there is no greater feeling than feeling seen by your own family, even thousands of miles away.
La Tía Cuir - Mi tía cuir taught me to be soft, and she taught me to be kind. Through her, I learned at a very early age that sometimes adults are mean because I saw how cruel my family was behind her back.
MLM Tía - The truth of the matter is that the American dream is often an American terror.
Your "Pretty" Prima - The overemphasis on outer beauty does not mean that you taught them to be kind, anti-racist, anti-transphobia, anti-misogyny, justice-seeking, or community-oriented.

I LOVED “For Brown Girls with Tender Hearts and Sharp Edges” and was excited to read this second book. (This is a standalone book and can be read without knowledge of the previous work, but I also highly recommend that book) 

This book is an exploration of female archetypes specifically in Latin-American immigrant culture, as the subtitle states on knowing and loving the women who raised us.

I believe the author’s goal is to democratize knowledge and she delivers. She went to graduate school and came back to bust open the gates of knowledge previously cloistered for the wealthy and privileged. 

This is a book to highlight and annotate with tons of little sticky tabs. I am buying a copy for all my sisters. This should be required reading.

It will resonate the most with Latinx communities, but it’s also universal, giving names to common issues we might not all have been taught to identify such as: Assimilation, Colorism, Femininity, Homophobia, Sexism, Racism, Heteronormativity and how it’s perpetuated in Latinx culture. How these things are harmful, why sometimes they’ve been tools for survival and how we can make changes. 

My hope is that armed with this knowledge I can keep the parts of my Latinx culture that I love but guide my children and my siblings’ children on how to be more equitable and just. It definitely vibes with my gentle parenting style. I read this at the same time as I was listening to “All About Love” by bell hooks and it was cosmic synergism that blew my mind.

Early in the first chapter, she writes “people often talk about being their ancestor’s wildest dreams…” and then states she thinks her “matriarca would turn in her grave is she knew the extent of my fighting spirit”. I hope your ancestors (and mine) are proud that you are free to live your life on your terms and make choices she was denied. It’s my greatest dream for my kids and theirs. 

📓Alternate title: For Brown Girls without Access to Therapy. 

Thank you to Seal Press and Hachette Book Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was beautiful and captured the beauty of female friendship and family in a way that I’ve never read before. It was healing and so refreshing to be able to relate to a book. You can tell how each word was intentional and so carefully thought out. I am going to reread the physical copy when it’s available. Thank you for putting this out to the world, Prisca!