Reviews tagging 'Gore'

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

92 reviews

atlantisfrost's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-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

4.0

I enjoyed this unique spin on vampires. The historical/folklore details of Aztec, Mexican, and European vampires weaved through the story made it really immersive. Fight scenes were well written. However, the ending felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying. I also wish there was a bit more "neon" in the "neon-noir" - there were some elements that seemed almost cyberpunk (like Cualli), but it wasn't really explored. Overall, I find Moreno-Garcia's writing style accessible and elegant.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Animal death and Torture

dolores_madil's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

So at first, I was going to give this a 4.75 because I was very emotional at the end. After some thought and sitting in my feelings yes this is definitely a 5. The world building was so good in this story it felt nior, old, but slightly futuristic at the same time. I liked the view point of someone from the Americas talking about European vampires.  How she described the different vampires and how the humans were dealing with them was very interesting. Now the only thing I will say is that if you are a romance girly like me be careful about be swept up with the romantic thread in the story. It has romantic elements it is not a romance you have been warned do not let yourself be hurt like I was. Besides that I will say this is so good and I recommend you read this.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, and Alcohol

crusoe's review

adventurous dark tense fast-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? No

4.5

There's  a lot of things I like about certain dark things; the worldbuilding with the vampire subspecies, the characters and how their personalities are portrayed (generally speaking, except for Ana), etc. This book reallh makes me want to read more dark fantasy realism. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Murder

meg_thebrave's review

dark mysterious reflective 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? Yes

3.75

This is an excellent exploration of vampire lore. Moreno-Garcia creates fascinating worlds. I really liked experiencing Domingo and Atl’s interactions. I definitely recommend this book to people wanting a good vampire noir. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Animal cruelty

alexijai98's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Really cool concept, not so jazzed about the execution.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence

wanderlust_romance's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

I found this story to be interesting and a refreshing change of pace from my regular reading material, especially when it comes to genre - dark, noir, fantasy set in Mexico City with vampires, and a minor romantic subplot. Certain Dark Things is told in three different character points of view (third person voice for all). Aspects of the book I enjoyed:

• The human character (and eventual love interest) Domingo. He was kind, awkward, a bit naive, but genuine and forthright. He was also a refuse collector. He was able to see what others had discarded and see that these objects still had value and worth. His work is that of the unseen. It was interesting to see him put forth in the limelight as a main character, when for much of the story his vampire counterpart Atl must remain in the shadows.
• The mystery and chase surrounding the clan of vampires in pursuit of Atl, and consequently Domingo.
• Atl's struggle with their feelings for Domingo. As a vampire in Mexico City, and on the run from a dangerous vampire clan out to get her, Atl is also reeling from the violent loss of her mother and haunted by the taunts of her deceased older sister. And in a city where being a vampire is a danger in and of itself (Atl is a vampire, to be clear), she is lonely but feels unworthy and undeserving of the affection offered to her so easily.
• This was dark and gory and fast paced and violent in the moments it needed to be, without being gratuitous or over the top.
• Loved the bits of Aztec mythology woven into the story

The only aspect I struggled with was the POV of Anna, the police officer, though to a lesser extent than perhaps American policing. Anna may have clapped back at the corrupt actions and misogynist attitudes of her contemporaries, but she was never painted as a hero. So there's that -\_(' '/)_/-

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

mulberrywizard's review

dark fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

as a vampire lover, i really loved the folklore aspects of the worldbuilding. it made it stand out and feel different from other vampire media i've seen.

i like domingo and atl as characters, but i didn't care for their romance. i think they would've been better as just friends.

when they separate at the end it's definitely the best decision for both of them imo.

i almost wish it wasn't as fast paced as it is, and that it delved even deeper into the vampire politics and history. but that's just me being a vampire nerd lol. overall i did enjoy it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Vomit and Alcohol

marysespieces's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death of parent

Moderate: Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

alloftaysreads's review

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

stardust_heidi's review

adventurous dark 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

4.5

Overall enjoyed the book. The ending didn't really do it for me (waahhh) but I can get over it. I really enjoyed all the different vampires and lore about them. I liked the gritty noir vibes. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail