A review by ashlightgrayson
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I picked up this book right during the spooky season and Hispanic Heritage Month, so perfect timing. The world building was fascinating. You are in an alternate universe Mexico city with different kinds of vampires. There are different vampire subspecies that function similarly to different ethnic groups, if you will. In their case, it also manifests in each subspecies having a different set of abilities unique to their subspecies. There is even a glossary at the end of the book with a description of all of the vampire subspecies. 

Atl and Domingo have an awkward dynamic when they first meet. It never really felt like they were equals in the relationship. By the end, I feel like Atl always knew this and that definitely affects some of the decisions she makes at the end of the story. Atl leaving Domingo behind to live a normal life felt adequate. I agree with Atl's assesment that they were going to get each other killed if they stayed together. Obviously I don't think Domingo sees that initially, but I think he will understand this decision eventually. I would say the ending isn't happy, but it is hopeful and those are usually my favorite kind of endings. 

I absolutely loved this Latinx iteration of urban fantasy. The world building was interesting and you could see the aspects that were inspired by our real world Mexico City. I'm looking forward to my next Moreno-Garcia novel. 
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