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yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book. It was well-written and kept me interested the whole way through.
I loved both Nena and Nestor’s characterizations. I fell in love with both of them and was rooting for them. Her writing is so visceral it makes your heart skip a beat or ache for these characters.Nestor’s love for Nena is heartbreakingly beautiful and I wanted to cry for him when the patron banished him and Nena said nothing . I really appreciated that there’s very little miscommunication. The characters pretty quickly tell each other their sides of the story and even if they are angry, they communicate. Beto was also a very loveable character. I thought the depictions of the vampires were creative and very well-written. The way she writes about the colonization and draws the parallels to real life is so well done.
There are quite a few Spanish words throughout the book but it’s not hard to look up any unknown words. I will also note that I think the book is romance first with the vampire plot being a sub-plot but still very significant. Overall I really enjoyed this read.
I loved both Nena and Nestor’s characterizations. I fell in love with both of them and was rooting for them. Her writing is so visceral it makes your heart skip a beat or ache for these characters.
There are quite a few Spanish words throughout the book but it’s not hard to look up any unknown words. I will also note that I think the book is romance first with the vampire plot being a sub-plot but still very significant. Overall I really enjoyed this read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death
vixenreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.25
A historical Mexican romance mixed with effective body horror, this novel is anchored by its central characters chemistry and journey towards harnessing their potential, despite their circumstances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Animal death
A lot of the racial tension is between the Mexican settlers and the American colonizers going South of the border to claim land, as well as the tension of abandoning someone you love over a huge misunderstanding.elizabeth_lepore's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, and Grief
trollmila's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
gaby_readsss's review
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.5
From the first time I saw its title, Vampires Of El Norte caught my attention and I knew I wanted to read it.
I thought it was so cool how the author unapologetically used “Spanglish”throughout her book. That’s something I personally enjoyed since Spanish is my first language and it feels so natural to read it on paper.
Besides that, there were many other aspects of the story that I thoroughly enjoyed. One of them was how Cañas was able to create a tale of vampires that felt fresh and original around urban legends that are well known in Hispanic culture, such as “El Cuco”.
This was a thrilling read that had a great balance between different genres. It was a blend of historical/western romance, and a little bit of horror.
Another aspect I loved was how reading this book kind of felt like watching a telenovela. The plot was giving “she’s the daughter of a ranch owner and he’s a simple worker but they’re in love since they were children, even though nobody approves, but there’s also vampires and she died nine years ago”. Like… this was such a good plot. I loved it!
On top of the romance there are also many other important topics in this book such as patriarchy, classism, colorism, and colonialism.
I highly recommend this book!!
I thought it was so cool how the author unapologetically used “Spanglish”throughout her book. That’s something I personally enjoyed since Spanish is my first language and it feels so natural to read it on paper.
Besides that, there were many other aspects of the story that I thoroughly enjoyed. One of them was how Cañas was able to create a tale of vampires that felt fresh and original around urban legends that are well known in Hispanic culture, such as “El Cuco”.
This was a thrilling read that had a great balance between different genres. It was a blend of historical/western romance, and a little bit of horror.
Another aspect I loved was how reading this book kind of felt like watching a telenovela. The plot was giving “she’s the daughter of a ranch owner and he’s a simple worker but they’re in love since they were children, even though nobody approves, but there’s also vampires and she died nine years ago”. Like… this was such a good plot. I loved it!
On top of the romance there are also many other important topics in this book such as patriarchy, classism, colorism, and colonialism.
I highly recommend this book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Blood, Colonisation, War, and Classism
megan_harper's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, and War
heydebigale's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
This book was fantastic! Gorgeous prose & a perfect blend of historical romance & paranormal/gothic fiction.
The romance is between Nena--the daughter of a landlord--and and Nestor who is a ranch-worker. I really appreciated the discussion of class & labor & property in this book.
The book is set in 19th century northern Mexico (this specific location is now Southern Texas) in 1846 when the Yankees/US invade Mexico.
I really appreciated the unique spin of the Vampires in this book. It was so beautifully executed.
Highly highly recommend!
Notes: Set in 1846 northern Mexico (present day Laredo, TX). Nena is a wealthy Mexican (possibly Spanish descent?) and Nestor is a lower-class worker.
The romance is between Nena--the daughter of a landlord--and and Nestor who is a ranch-worker. I really appreciated the discussion of class & labor & property in this book.
The book is set in 19th century northern Mexico (this specific location is now Southern Texas) in 1846 when the Yankees/US invade Mexico.
I really appreciated the unique spin of the Vampires in this book. It was so beautifully executed.
Highly highly recommend!
Notes: Set in 1846 northern Mexico (present day Laredo, TX). Nena is a wealthy Mexican (possibly Spanish descent?) and Nestor is a lower-class worker.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
soniajoy98's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Gun violence, Sexism, Blood, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Gore, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
bookishmillennial's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. Most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book.I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all.
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not.
Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This is a blend of historical fiction, horror, and romance, but it was very heavy on the slow-burn, childhood-friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance! Nena and Nestor fight their feelings for each other so hard, and I wanted to sit them each down and talk some sense into them! However, I sympathized with their hesitations and fears, as they spent so long apart, and are getting to know each other all over again.
I enjoyed Nena's arc specifically, -probably due to my bias as a woman- as she tries to prove her worth to her father so she is not married off at 22. Her curandera practice was very intriguing to follow, and I was rooting for her to finally take a stand against her parents' sexist ideals that they expected her to live up to. She's called spineless at one point, and like..... no lies detected. (This changes though!) My bias of also not feeling fully seen or respected by my family comes into play here HAHA (it's not funny, but you gotta laugh, or you may cry). Anyway, props to Nena's brother for being such an ally and for trying his best to back her up in conversations with their parents whenever he was present. I wish I was joking, but it was almost comical how she would say, "Tell them!," then he would, and THEN the parents would be like, "Okay, you're right, your brother makes a good point" hahahaha I could NOT deal with the misogynistic undertones, yet it was so real!
Nestor's journey really devastated me, because for nine years (and at SUCH A YOUNG AGE?!), he thought his friend was dead! It it a staggering shock to reality when he finds out Nena is alive and well. I liked the dynamics of classism and societal biases when it came to his job as a vaquero being highlighted. Nena's family was so concerned with what people would say about Nena spending time with a vaquero, and as if it was scandalous or would ruin their family name. I felt for Nestor, because he already got this from the rest of society, and receiving this messaging from the love of his life's family? Not ideal!
The setting was of course sublime - Isabel continued her atmospheric, lush writing in describing 1840's Mexico; it chalk full of details surrounding the social zeitgeist of the time! She cleverly used vampires to portray the Anglo settlers ~*~sucking the land away~*~ from local Rancheros/communities. The way she described the vampires was beyond creepy too: hairless, eyeless, grey-skinned, almost like Midnight Mass (Netflix tv show) or Priest (2011 film).
Overall, I still think The Hacienda is my personal favorite, but I enjoyed this one too! Jose Nateras and Krysta Gonzales did a fantastic job with narration in the audiobook - I listened via ALC from Libro.FM and am providing this review voluntarily!
Favorite quotation:
Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not.
Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This is a blend of historical fiction, horror, and romance, but it was very heavy on the slow-burn, childhood-friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance! Nena and Nestor fight their feelings for each other so hard, and I wanted to sit them each down and talk some sense into them! However, I sympathized with their hesitations and fears, as they spent so long apart, and are getting to know each other all over again.
I enjoyed Nena's arc specifically, -probably due to my bias as a woman- as she tries to prove her worth to her father so she is not married off at 22. Her curandera practice was very intriguing to follow, and I was rooting for her to finally take a stand against her parents' sexist ideals that they expected her to live up to. She's called spineless at one point, and like..... no lies detected. (This changes though!) My bias of also not feeling fully seen or respected by my family comes into play here HAHA (it's not funny, but you gotta laugh, or you may cry). Anyway, props to Nena's brother for being such an ally and for trying his best to back her up in conversations with their parents whenever he was present. I wish I was joking, but it was almost comical how she would say, "Tell them!," then he would, and THEN the parents would be like, "Okay, you're right, your brother makes a good point" hahahaha I could NOT deal with the misogynistic undertones, yet it was so real!
Nestor's journey really devastated me, because for nine years (and at SUCH A YOUNG AGE?!), he thought his friend was dead! It it a staggering shock to reality when he finds out Nena is alive and well. I liked the dynamics of classism and societal biases when it came to his job as a vaquero being highlighted. Nena's family was so concerned with what people would say about Nena spending time with a vaquero, and as if it was scandalous or would ruin their family name. I felt for Nestor, because he already got this from the rest of society, and receiving this messaging from the love of his life's family? Not ideal!
The setting was of course sublime - Isabel continued her atmospheric, lush writing in describing 1840's Mexico; it chalk full of details surrounding the social zeitgeist of the time! She cleverly used vampires to portray the Anglo settlers ~*~sucking the land away~*~ from local Rancheros/communities. The way she described the vampires was beyond creepy too: hairless, eyeless, grey-skinned, almost like Midnight Mass (Netflix tv show) or Priest (2011 film).
Overall, I still think The Hacienda is my personal favorite, but I enjoyed this one too! Jose Nateras and Krysta Gonzales did a fantastic job with narration in the audiobook - I listened via ALC from Libro.FM and am providing this review voluntarily!
Favorite quotation:
“If life had taught her anything it was that nothing could wound as swiftly as the truth.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexism, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
dybbuk's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexism, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism
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