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spookytaco's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Minor: Violence, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
torturedreadersdept's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
dwdillydally's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Minor: Death and Sexual content
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.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
caitlin_bookchats's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Death, War, Violenceimstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Medical content, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
maeverose's review
I wanted to love this 😭
This book is mismarketed. The Hacienda had this problem to an extent, but I feel like that one wasn’t as far off. This is historical romance, with monsters and war blurred out in the background. Within the 42% that I read, it was 90% Néstor and Nena thinking about each other. I was most interested in this for the vampires and history, but at least in the part I read those weren’t the focus. I went into the Hacienda for the Rebecca retelling and horror elements and ended up actually liking the romance the most, unfortunately that wasn’t the case with this one.
My main issues:
1. Unnecessary relationship angst. The reason for their drama (this is in the synopsis) is because of a huge misunderstanding where Néstor thought Nena was dead and he was to blame, so he ran away only to come back nine years later and find that she’s been alive the whole time. She’s mad at him for leaving, he’s feeling guilty about his mistake. The problem I have with it is 1. We find out that Nena’s brother is able to contact Néstor, which begs the question as to why nobody told him in the nine years he was gone that Nena was alive. And 2. the fact that when he finds out she’s alive, instead of immediately talking to her and explaining everything, they avoid each other and sit in their angst. For c h a p t e r s. I dnfed before they finally resolve things so idk when that even happens.
2. It’s overwritten. The Hacienda was also a bit overwritten at times, but for the most part it didn’t bother me. Maybe it’s because this one is focusing on a romance that I dislike, but it felt painfully drawn out from the beginning. It frequently cuts to unnecessary flashbacks in the middle of scenes (about every chapter has at least one flashback, one even had a flashback within a flashback). And is so focused on the characters’ thoughts and emotions rather than what’s happening in the scene, despite the fact that I would’ve expected this to be a more plot focused book.
Some other things that bothered me:
Nena at the beginning is bitten by a vampire, but lost her memory of the incident. Later, when Néstor finally explains that he thought she was dead, he says she was attacked in the same way that another character was just attacked. Despite the fact that she 1. Has a scar that matches the wound on this other character, 2. Lost her memory of the incident and is aware that thats a symptom of these attacks, 3. Was told she had susto (the name of the reaction from these attacks) by her Abuela who healed her in the same way that Nena now heals other people who were attacked in the same way, she doesn’t believe him. It’s literally just drama for the sake of drama at the expense of making her look stupid.
Certain words are repeated excessively. Part of it may just be that I don’t speak Spanish so I notice the words more than I might if they were in English, but I feel like I would still be noticing them even if they were the English equivalent. Those words mainly being rancho and ranchero. I feel like they’re said multiple times in every chapter, often multiple times on one page.
If you want a slow paced, angsty, gothic historical romance then I’d genuinely recommend this, if you want a book about vampires and a historical war, skip it.
This book is mismarketed. The Hacienda had this problem to an extent, but I feel like that one wasn’t as far off. This is historical romance, with monsters and war blurred out in the background. Within the 42% that I read, it was 90% Néstor and Nena thinking about each other. I was most interested in this for the vampires and history, but at least in the part I read those weren’t the focus. I went into the Hacienda for the Rebecca retelling and horror elements and ended up actually liking the romance the most, unfortunately that wasn’t the case with this one.
My main issues:
1. Unnecessary relationship angst. The reason for their drama (this is in the synopsis) is because of a huge misunderstanding where Néstor thought Nena was dead and he was to blame, so he ran away only to come back nine years later and find that she’s been alive the whole time. She’s mad at him for leaving, he’s feeling guilty about his mistake. The problem I have with it is 1. We find out that Nena’s brother is able to contact Néstor, which begs the question as to why nobody told him in the nine years he was gone that Nena was alive. And 2. the fact that when he finds out she’s alive, instead of immediately talking to her and explaining everything, they avoid each other and sit in their angst. For c h a p t e r s. I dnfed before they finally resolve things so idk when that even happens.
2. It’s overwritten. The Hacienda was also a bit overwritten at times, but for the most part it didn’t bother me. Maybe it’s because this one is focusing on a romance that I dislike, but it felt painfully drawn out from the beginning. It frequently cuts to unnecessary flashbacks in the middle of scenes (about every chapter has at least one flashback, one even had a flashback within a flashback). And is so focused on the characters’ thoughts and emotions rather than what’s happening in the scene, despite the fact that I would’ve expected this to be a more plot focused book.
Some other things that bothered me:
Certain words are repeated excessively. Part of it may just be that I don’t speak Spanish so I notice the words more than I might if they were in English, but I feel like I would still be noticing them even if they were the English equivalent. Those words mainly being rancho and ranchero. I feel like they’re said multiple times in every chapter, often multiple times on one page.
If you want a slow paced, angsty, gothic historical romance then I’d genuinely recommend this, if you want a book about vampires and a historical war, skip it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Somewhat detailed descriptions of animal (cattle) carcasses. They’re not exactly gory but they could definitely be disturbing for some people. Being as I didn’t finish the book, I can’t say if there’s anything worse than that.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
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
3.75
*Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC.*
Vampires of El Norte is a multi-genre story set in historical Mexico filled with longing and familial obligations. I'd describe this book as gothic historical romance with paranormal horror elements. The novel is an angsty and slow burn dual POV, where the two are reunited nine years after Nena's almost death and Nestor's leaving the rancho. Nena hopes to stay at the rancho as their curandera instead of being married off for strengthening political bonds. Nestor returns after receiving a letter summons and is shocked to see Nena is alive.
Isabel Cañas sets the mood in a beautiful, barren and hostile environment where survival is already a struggle without worrying about the blood-sucking creatures that lurk in the darkness. The reader will also question who the villains actually are amidst land disputes and colonization. Cañas' historical knowledge of 1840s Mexico is showcased and I look forward to reading her debut novel, The Hacienda.
The romance does take a front seat to the novel and uses familiar tropes of forbidden love, childhood friends to lovers and second chances. While I was rooting for Nena and Nestor, I found the pining/longing from both sides became repetitive to the point of skimming when the pacing slowed. There is a fade to black scene and some descriptions of intimacy. The vampires are monstrous and twisted, which I appreciated and allowed for a high stakes plot. While I wasn't expecting romance to be at the forefront, I did enjoy the characters and the story.
CW: body horror, blood, violence, death, murder, sexism, classism, colonization, war, animal death
Vampires of El Norte is a multi-genre story set in historical Mexico filled with longing and familial obligations. I'd describe this book as gothic historical romance with paranormal horror elements. The novel is an angsty and slow burn dual POV, where the two are reunited nine years after Nena's almost death and Nestor's leaving the rancho. Nena hopes to stay at the rancho as their curandera instead of being married off for strengthening political bonds. Nestor returns after receiving a letter summons and is shocked to see Nena is alive.
Isabel Cañas sets the mood in a beautiful, barren and hostile environment where survival is already a struggle without worrying about the blood-sucking creatures that lurk in the darkness. The reader will also question who the villains actually are amidst land disputes and colonization. Cañas' historical knowledge of 1840s Mexico is showcased and I look forward to reading her debut novel, The Hacienda.
The romance does take a front seat to the novel and uses familiar tropes of forbidden love, childhood friends to lovers and second chances. While I was rooting for Nena and Nestor, I found the pining/longing from both sides became repetitive to the point of skimming when the pacing slowed. There is a fade to black scene and some descriptions of intimacy. The vampires are monstrous and twisted, which I appreciated and allowed for a high stakes plot. While I wasn't expecting romance to be at the forefront, I did enjoy the characters and the story.
CW: body horror, blood, violence, death, murder, sexism, classism, colonization, war, animal death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Sexism, Colonisation, War, and Classism