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torturedreadersdept's review
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
meganpbell's review
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
vixenreader's review
- 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
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.maregred's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Grief, and Death of parent
caramiaculpa's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Blood, War, and Classism
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
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
soniajoy98's review
- 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
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
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
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Sexism, Colonisation, War, and Classism