A review by thenextbookdilemma
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

As a lover of vampire books, I was excited to see multiple raving reviews of this book— I knew I was in for a good time!

What I didn’t expect was how incredibly beautiful the writing would be. So much of this book reads like poetry, perfect sentences lingering with you for pages or chapters. Her descriptions, of the Mexican landscape, of the tension between Néstor and Nena, of the impending evil coming their way, were simply breathtaking. I am shocked that most of Cañas’ previous writing has been for a PhD, not in poetry. 

Vampires are often an allegory for many evils & Vampires of el Norte is no exception. This was my first historical romance that takes place during the Mexican American War & witnessing the invasion of the Anglos—of the white rangers destroying the homes & lives of the Mexican people in pursuit of land and stolen livestock— was just as terrifying as blood-sucking monsters, the symbolism of which was not lost on me. 

Just as vivid & complex were our MCs. 

Nena. At times I cheered for her rage & later, paradoxically raged against her. Nena’s plight against the patriarchy, of trying to show others her value beyond corporeal honor & marriageability, was infuriating in its futility. Cañas highlights how the burden of carrying a family’s honor falls suffocatingly on its daughters. But Nena must also face her privilege as a ranchero’s daughter & the classism that rules her rancho & shadows her relationship with Nestor. 

Néstor. A silver-tongues poet in his head, a cowboy with a booted foot in his mouth in reality. I spent a solid chunk of this book Big Mad with Néstor, right alongside Nena. But Néstor allows himself to be vulnerable and brave as he confronts the classism & challenges between he and Nena.

The romance was ardent & fraught with tension after years of damage & social hierarchy. Cañas weaves the social violences of classism & sexism so seamlessly alongside the violence of war that it’s hard to figure out which is the greater evil. And then she soothes some of your rage with hope for the fragile but beautiful love trying to survive it all.
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