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trollmila's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Police brutality, Medical content, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Murder, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Slavery, Trafficking, Animal cruelty, Classism, and Colonisation
sophiamoonlight's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An einigen Stellen hatte ich das Gefühl, dass die Autorin entweder nicht das ausdrücken konnte, was sie wollte, oder Dinge vergessen hatte anzupassen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Sexual violence, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Gore, and Death
erikachung182's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty
dellydoos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Ladies and gentlemen, this is how you do vampires.
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a thrilling and unique take on the genre. A rich and gritty story set in an alternate version of Mexico City where vampires and humans exist side by side. The world-building and vampire lore were particularly impressive, and I found myself fully immersed in this neon and noire coloured world. The setting of Mexico City was a refreshing change of pace from the usual vampire stories set in European cities, and Moreno-Garcia's vibrant and bold descriptions truly brought the city to life. From gang crime, detectives, and over-policed streets, I was absorbed.
What I loved most about this book was the way the author explored the different vampire species and their complex relationships with one another. The Aztec and European vampires were fascinating to read about, from the carnivorous Necros, to the life sucking Revenants. And then the Aztec lore of the bird-like Tlāhuihpochtli was especially intriguing, providing a unique twist to the usual vampire myths. The political tensions and power struggles between the different vampire groups were also well-developed, adding a layer of depth to the story.
I also adored both main characters of Atl and Domingo, whom provided what I thought was a perfect allegory on predictable romance seen in the genre. Domingo was the perfect lover boy, equipped with puppy dog eyes and a sweet personality. I loved him. I loved how smitten he was with Atl straight from the beginning, and I loved how naïve he was without appearing stupid. He was seventeen and acted like it. And then Atl, our twenty-three-year-old vampire, was fierce and reserved. Initially disturbed by how dependant Domingo becomes on her, and in turn she on him, she understands fully that she’s the power holder in this dynamic. Moreno-Garcia expertly makes her readers question their romance through foreshadowing, forcing us to comprehend that this relationship, as sweet as it is, is toxic and unsustainable. Their unlikely friendship and eventual alliance was one of the highlights of the book for me, even if it was highly unconventional and wrong.
However, while I thoroughly enjoyed Certain Dark Things, I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven at times. Particularly at the start and ending, which I found to be quite abrupt. As mentioned, I loved the characters, but because of the fast pacing of this book, I felt like I was missing out on further characterisation and depth from both of them. It was more of a longing for more information than an annoyance, which goes to show how well a writer this author is! I’m so keen to read more of her books. 4/5 stars.
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a thrilling and unique take on the genre. A rich and gritty story set in an alternate version of Mexico City where vampires and humans exist side by side. The world-building and vampire lore were particularly impressive, and I found myself fully immersed in this neon and noire coloured world. The setting of Mexico City was a refreshing change of pace from the usual vampire stories set in European cities, and Moreno-Garcia's vibrant and bold descriptions truly brought the city to life. From gang crime, detectives, and over-policed streets, I was absorbed.
What I loved most about this book was the way the author explored the different vampire species and their complex relationships with one another. The Aztec and European vampires were fascinating to read about, from the carnivorous Necros, to the life sucking Revenants. And then the Aztec lore of the bird-like Tlāhuihpochtli was especially intriguing, providing a unique twist to the usual vampire myths. The political tensions and power struggles between the different vampire groups were also well-developed, adding a layer of depth to the story.
I also adored both main characters of Atl and Domingo, whom provided what I thought was a perfect allegory on predictable romance seen in the genre. Domingo was the perfect lover boy, equipped with puppy dog eyes and a sweet personality. I loved him. I loved how smitten he was with Atl straight from the beginning, and I loved how naïve he was without appearing stupid. He was seventeen and acted like it. And then Atl, our twenty-three-year-old vampire, was fierce and reserved. Initially disturbed by how dependant Domingo becomes on her, and in turn she on him, she understands fully that she’s the power holder in this dynamic. Moreno-Garcia expertly makes her readers question their romance through foreshadowing, forcing us to comprehend that this relationship, as sweet as it is, is toxic and unsustainable. Their unlikely friendship and eventual alliance was one of the highlights of the book for me, even if it was highly unconventional and wrong.
However, while I thoroughly enjoyed Certain Dark Things, I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven at times. Particularly at the start and ending, which I found to be quite abrupt. As mentioned, I loved the characters, but because of the fast pacing of this book, I felt like I was missing out on further characterisation and depth from both of them. It was more of a longing for more information than an annoyance, which goes to show how well a writer this author is! I’m so keen to read more of her books. 4/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
sophmcgraw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Cursing, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty
lira_the_recluse's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
meganlafo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Blood, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Colonisation
ecn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Not gonna lie I’m pretty disappointed by this book and I really wanted to love it :/ To start, the MC is extremely annoying and the reader doesn’t learn ANYTHING about her as a person. The same can be said for the other MC. We learn almost nothing about him and I just feel bad for him whole time. Also, their AGE GAP romance is absolutely disgusting and NOT AT ALL NECESSARY!? He literally could have been 18 (and she 23(?)) but he had to be 17?
Also, the pacing felt so choppy and like I was missing something and this became especially apparent whenever new characters were introduced.
Lastly, the ending was the most anticlimactic thing I’ve ever read? I kept seeing how little was left of the story and thought SURELY things must start getting crazy soon? But they never did and the story didn’t end on… any note. It just kind of ended.
Also, the pacing felt so choppy and like I was missing something and this became especially apparent whenever new characters were introduced.
Lastly, the ending was the most anticlimactic thing I’ve ever read? I kept seeing how little was left of the story and thought SURELY things must start getting crazy soon? But they never did and the story didn’t end on… any note. It just kind of ended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Sexual harassment, Grief, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Death, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, and Gun violence
leonardo_jules's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The beginning dives right into the world and action. The gritty and gothic settings of Mexico City is described well and is an interesting backdrop for a vampire story. Via audiobook keeping the different characters separate and their involvement in the story was a bit difficult. However because it's multiple POV, as the story progresses the pacing gets off and really slows down.
Overall there was not enough character depth or development, and by the ending I rather feel like nothing had changed? meaning the story was kind of pointless?
I've read a few books by this author and none of them quite hit the mark.
2.5/5🌶️
Overall there was not enough character depth or development, and by the ending I rather feel like nothing had changed? meaning the story was kind of pointless?
I've read a few books by this author and none of them quite hit the mark.
2.5/5🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Medical trauma, Drug use, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual content