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A review by maxgardner
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was so close to being 4 stars or higher for me, but ultimately, there was just a little more romance than I wanted, and it got to the point where it distracted from the main plot and interrupted the flow of the story. I wanted Isabel Cañas to lean more into the horror and action elements because she does them so well. She builds excellent tension in all of the scenes before, during, and after vampire interactions as well as the conflicts with the Yanquis. The vampires have a terrifying, unique design compared to their more human-like counterparts common in general lore. I also love the way Cañas weaves in Mexican folktales as well as real historical communities and battles; the world she recreates feels very rich and well realized.
But the romance becomes overpowering, especially in the middle of the story, and it feels like we spend too much time in both Nena and Nestor's heads going through circular thought patterns about how they can't live without each other but also can't indulge those feelings and can't get over the past but also maybe they can and should because they actually can't do anything but that because of how strong their connection is. I don't mind some of this, but it gets annoying when it interrupts the more interesting moments of horror with the vampires and themes of familial duty versus free will, classism, and exploitation. Unfortunately, it also is to the detriment of Nena's character, who becomes unbearable for a good stretch of the book leading up to the climax. It ends on a strong note, though, and I really enjoyed the finale.
All in all, I'd definitely read another by her, maybe just with different expectations now that I understand she leans more into the romance than the horror elements, though I hope maybe future books have better balance.
But the romance becomes overpowering, especially in the middle of the story, and it feels like we spend too much time in both Nena and Nestor's heads going through circular thought patterns about how they can't live without each other but also can't indulge those feelings and can't get over the past but also maybe they can and should because they actually can't do anything but that because of how strong their connection is. I don't mind some of this, but it gets annoying when it interrupts the more interesting moments of horror with the vampires and themes of familial duty versus free will, classism, and exploitation. Unfortunately, it also is to the detriment of Nena's character, who becomes unbearable for a good stretch of the book leading up to the climax. It ends on a strong note, though, and I really enjoyed the finale.
All in all, I'd definitely read another by her, maybe just with different expectations now that I understand she leans more into the romance than the horror elements, though I hope maybe future books have better balance.