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A review by kalventure
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4.0
Originally published in 2016 and since out of print, Tor Nightfire brought this neo-noir back to the market and I love that for us. Look at that cover.
This is a gritty novella which masterfully blends horror and noir elements, while also addressing the impacts of colonialism and is as much about gentrification and white settlers as it is about vampires. Set in alternate-history Mexico City, Certain Dark Things takes the best elements of vampire literature and combines it with issues of drug cartels and violence - making two sets of monsters preying on the people.
This is a gritty novella which masterfully blends horror and noir elements, while also addressing the impacts of colonialism and is as much about gentrification and white settlers as it is about vampires. Set in alternate-history Mexico City, Certain Dark Things takes the best elements of vampire literature and combines it with issues of drug cartels and violence - making two sets of monsters preying on the people.
"Everything was too dangerous in this city. She missed the nor and the desert with its endless dark skies, the coldness of its nights against her skin."
I love the lore and way that Moreno-Garcia plays with the various versions of vampires. Not to mention how Bram Stoker's work affected the world Atl inhabits: I love the references to classic works!
Let me be honest: this is the kind of vampire renaissance that I want! New stories and takes on the traditional European lore set in other countries. Definitely a book I recommend to fans of adult horror and neo-noir, especially fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia.