Ahoy there me mateys! It be no secret that Sarah @ brainfluff likes to increase me ports for plunder list by exponentially high amounts. And thank goodness because her awesome review led me to this amazing read. She said:
I don’t know how Moreno-Garcia manages to worm her characters right into my inscape – I suspect she is a witch, whose books weave an enchantment. But I have yet to read anything of hers where I haven’t passionately cared about her world and the people in it. As for what happens to Atl and Domingo – you’ll have to read the book to find out. Even if you’re sick of reading vampire books, even if you’ve never read a vampire book, pick this one up and give it a go. It is every bit as beautiful and dark as that amazing cover.
I will admit that I thought I was sick of reading about vampires. I wasn’t. The true magic in this book involves the vampire culture and history and how it has affected human society as a whole. The world building is fantastic. This review won’t really do it justice. But that’s okay.
So imagine that in 1967 humans discover that not only are vampires real but they have been evolving over time. In fact there be at least 10 sub-species of vampire. Popular culture got a lot of facts wrong. Each group has its own customs, habits, traditions, politics, weaknesses, and powers. Despite these powers, humans still have the upper-hand due to their adaptibility and sheer numbers. Each country has dealt with vampires in different ways. But vampires have entered the mainstream and aren’t easy to exterminate.
One such vampire is Atl who is a member of the Tlāhuihpochtlin clan. They are natives of Mexico and are closely tied to the Aztec traditions. Problem is that they are in the midst of a turf battle with the Necros clan who originally hale from Central Europe. The Necros spurn the old ways and are trying to achieve dominance. Atl has fled from her family compound to Mexico City with the hope of escaping further into South America. The problem is that she is a spoiled younger daughter with no real sense of living outside her clan’s rigid and pampered society. She be in trouble.
Enter Domingo, a human, who makes his living trash-picking and lives in the margins. He runs into Atl in the subway and is surprised that she notices him. Atl wants a willing meal. Domingo wants money. But both end up in an unexpected partnership for survival.
Now while the world building is the highlight, the plot is also absolutely wonderful. It’s gritty, action-packed, and thoroughly engaging. I loved Atl as a character and wanted her to succeed even if she is selfish, very inhuman, and basically a bitch. I wanted sweet, loveable, naive Domingo to get the hell away from her and yet understood his desire to help Atl. The push and pull of the two of them was excellent fun. The gang-like interactions and mystery sections of Atl tracking down her family’s past were thrilling. And of course, learning about all the vampire clans along the way was delightful.
And the ending was unexpected yet perfect. This is me first Moreno-Garcia book but not me last. I highly recommend this to all of the crew. Arrrr!
Goodreads has this to say about the novel (truncated to remove spoilers):
Welcome to Mexico City… An Oasis In A Sea Of Vampires…
Domingo, a lonely garbage-collecting street kid, is busy eeking out a living when a jaded vampire on the run swoops into his life.
Atl, the descendant of Aztec blood drinkers and a high-ranking member of a criminal family, attempts to keep a low profile while mapping an escape route to South America. Domingo is her only ally. He’s also smitten . . .
To visit the author’s website go to:
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First of all, awesome review!! You’ve got me even MORE curious to read this book! Secondly, where on earth did you find a copy??? Everywhere I look online (both new and used shops) it says “out of print” “out of stock” “unavailable” and that’s for all formats! I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while but cannot seem to find a copy anywhere! That’s weird, right??
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Oh no! I read the copy I got from the library in another state and was meaning to buy meself a copy for rereading but hadn’t gotten around to it. It’s too bad I don’t steal from libraries! I am so sad this isn’t available everywhere. I just did a search for it online and didn’t find a single copy either. Apparently people ask her all the time how to get copies. On Goodreads she says “Thomas Dunne closed down and I actually have my rights back. This means another publisher could put out a new edition, but my agent hasn’t finalized any deals. Buying my other books, such as the upcoming Mexican Gothic, can help generate confidence in me and can lead to publishers extending new offers more easily. Thanks for your interest.” I hope they republish that one cause it rocks.
x The Captain
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Yeah I definitely hope she can get it republished! It sounds so good! Too bad I don’t steal from libraries either haha Although it wouldn’t matter much if I did since none of the libraries in my area have a copy. Ah well, I shall simply have to wait and hope I guess!
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Oh my God. The vampire society/culture/kind sounds soooo developed in this one. I know what I need to read now. Great review, Captain!
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Oh please do read this one. It is soo very good and needs more love. I think it will be a great one for yer tastes too. Arrr!
x The Captain
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I love that this book is a twist on colonialism that will reach loads of readers. If I remember correctly, this is a young adult novel. I could even see a teacher using Certain Dark Things to talk about power dynamics in relationships.
Okay, Cap, you had me in stitches when I read “She be in trouble.”
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I loved this one too – such a good book – it restored my faith in vampire novels!
Lynn 😀
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It was so refreshing to have non-trendy vampires. I am glad ye liked it too. I wouldn’t mind more stories about vampires from the author. Thanks for visiting!
x The Captain
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Thank you so much for your generous shoutout – and the quote. And I’m THRILLED that you love this book as much as I do, Cap:))
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Seriously I am not the type to fan-girl but this book makes me so tempted. I don’t think me shoutout was generous at all. It was completely well deserved for such a gem of a book. Soooo good. Thank ye kindly!
x The Captain
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Yes – I feel that same way! And I’m really interested to see what she does with the next slice of this adventure.
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I hope there are more of these!
x The Captain
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I, too, thought I was sick of reading about vampires before trying this book and I’ve never loved being proved wrong more. I don’t remember everything about it as vividly as I’d like since it’s been years since I read it, but I agree, the vampire cultures/subspecies and the worldbuilding were so interesting to read about.
Great review!
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I am so glad I am seeing so many of the crew having read and loved this one. I am amazed by just how well written and fun it was. Also ye might be sick of zombies but if ye like culture things, raising stony mayhall is excellent in that regard. Thanks for the lovely comment,
x The Captain
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That’s great to hear! Awesome review, Captain. Am not a fan of vampires, but I do have this book on the Halloween short list, which I hope to get to this year.
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Hooray!!! That makes me happy. What else be on the shortlist?
x The Captain
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Yes! One of my favorite books. The vampire culture is so intricate, and she barely even scratches the surface. I’d love to see another book set in this world😁
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Aye, need more from this world!
x The Captain
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I have this on my TBR list but I just wanted to say that I think we need a lot more central/south American fantasy. There so much rich possibility there that I’m surprised that more authors haven’t gone that route.
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Agreed! The setting and cultural aspect interest me a lot more than the vampires.
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Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard is an Aztec based fantasy. I haven’t read it yet but it’s the only other book I can think of that fits the Central/South American theme.
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Glad to see the crew is having wonderful talks in me absence. Makes me heart sing. It is nice to hear about the Aliette de Bodard fantasy. It reminds me that I have it waiting to be read. I just rediscovered it in the hold the other day. Arrr!
x The Captain
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I read one of de Bodard’s short pieces, and have wanted to find more. I’ll have to look into this one.
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I need to read the works of hers I do have and I also want to see if some of her shorter work is in omnibus format. I also just joined her newsletter. Arrrr!
x The Captain
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And aye, there are not enough of those books making it to me. Africa and Asia are starting to be seen in fantasy. More diversity please!
x The Captain
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I agree!
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