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aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Multiple POVs and a great modern take on a classic spooky creature- vampires. So many different kinds of vampires from different places are mentioned throughout which was nice to see instead of the typical/well known european vampire images we see all the time. How some characters stories ended was a little unsatisfying though, but I need to stop thinking so many characters always need happy or fully fleshed out endings. This story also touches on colonialism when talking about the europeans and their continental vampires arriving in central and south america. very glad the dog doesn't die tragically in this book! I was nervous and a bit sad when Cualli was mentioned to probably be dead Also quick note, I felt a bit weird about how Atl and Domingo's relationship went considering it was mentioned she was about 20 (yeah I get she's a diff species but still) and he was 17. I know at first she was like "no way" and had set that boundary, but then they did the do and I was not okay with an adult/minor situation .
It seemed to drag a little bit in some parts, but overall, a great and surprisingly quick read. I've enjoyed so much from this author and it's a goal that I read everything she has done.
Def check out content warnings for this as it is a vampire tale so there is a lot of blood.
It seemed to drag a little bit in some parts, but overall, a great and surprisingly quick read. I've enjoyed so much from this author and it's a goal that I read everything she has done.
Def check out content warnings for this as it is a vampire tale so there is a lot of blood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Classism
emmdashed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Sylvia Moreno-Garcia paints a realized and captivating world in Certain Dark Things. All of the lore she created, this whole sprawling world of different vampires with all their physical and cultural differences were fascinating. However, this does create the issue of the book feeling a little too exposition heavy especially in the beginning. Kind of a Catch-22 she created: we need to know this world, but given that the book is so short creating the individual characters and story may have taken a bit of a back burner to explaining all the lore. At least it was well thought out, interesting lore that kept me reading.
The main POV characters themselves were fine. I didn't dislike them, but I didn't really fall in love with them either. Least favorite was Nick because he feels like a character we've seen too many times before: brutish and hot-headed, horny, rich boy. Atl and Domingo were alright, I liked them well enough, though I wasn't always sure I bought Domingo's blithe nature and immediate, absolute loyalty when there seemed little reason other than attraction. Ana and Rodrigo were interesting to me. Rodrigo really hit that banality of evil, 'I'm so tired I'll do awful things just to get out a little faster' vibe. Ana also had that scrappy cleverness that made me root for her even when she started doing some some morally gray stuff.(Honestly she got done dirty by this book. Justice for Ana) Favorite character by a long shot was Bernadino. Love that Old Honor Bound by Tradition Vampire shit, and he was just fun to read about ?? Also I just was really intrigued by Revenant vampire ideas.
The plot was also just Fine, not bad, but not incredible. Writing was very good, solid description of scenes and action without going too overboard. I could visualize everything, and enjoyed the words.
I really hope Moreno-Garcia revisits this world in the future. A lot of concepts were touched on that I would love to see more explored. More different vampires, more about the seedy underworld in and out of Mexico City, and more of those near future aspects like the weird illnesses, and the genetically modified animals. Maybe a story in the past too, Bernardino and Atl's mother's lives before this story would be super interesting.
Overall a solid book if you're okay with a lot of exposition and worldbuilding. I didn't connect with all of it the story but that's probably more personal preference than any real fault with the writing. Like I said hopefully she comes back to this world again!!!
The main POV characters themselves were fine. I didn't dislike them, but I didn't really fall in love with them either. Least favorite was Nick because he feels like a character we've seen too many times before: brutish and hot-headed, horny, rich boy. Atl and Domingo were alright, I liked them well enough, though I wasn't always sure I bought Domingo's blithe nature and immediate, absolute loyalty when there seemed little reason other than attraction. Ana and Rodrigo were interesting to me. Rodrigo really hit that banality of evil, 'I'm so tired I'll do awful things just to get out a little faster' vibe. Ana also had that scrappy cleverness that made me root for her even when she started doing some some morally gray stuff.
The plot was also just Fine, not bad, but not incredible. Writing was very good, solid description of scenes and action without going too overboard. I could visualize everything, and enjoyed the words.
I really hope Moreno-Garcia revisits this world in the future. A lot of concepts were touched on that I would love to see more explored. More different vampires, more about the seedy underworld in and out of Mexico City, and more of those near future aspects like the weird illnesses, and the genetically modified animals. Maybe a story in the past too, Bernardino and Atl's mother's lives before this story would be super interesting.
Overall a solid book if you're okay with a lot of exposition and worldbuilding. I didn't connect with all of it the story but that's probably more personal preference than any real fault with the writing. Like I said hopefully she comes back to this world again!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Rape, Sexism, Torture, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
Expanding on the Adult-Minor relationship Atl is 23 (I think? Early-mid 20s) and Domingo is 17, which is the age of consent in Mexico, but not everywhere, so be aware if this is something that may upset you.ellagenetics's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault
niamhyjay's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism
macknificent's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Drug use, and Vomit
aardwyrm's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There's some law that books in certain genres have to claim to be reinventing or rulebreaking for some reason. This book does not reinvent vampires. It's a fairly straightforward if grim urban fantasy vampire-themed thriller. Like most of the author's stuff, there's a wonderfully built world and a lot of lush prose inhabited by characters who are rather flatly by the book with no chemistry. Fun to read. Good for Halloween?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
thereadingskeleton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Rep: Aztec MC, Mexican MCs, mspec MC (previous wlw relationships mentioned)
This is the second book I’ve read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and what I’m learning is that she always creates complex, layered, and compelling characters. I loved many of the characters in Certain Dark Things—Atl, Domingo, Ana, Bernardino—and I loved to hate the main villain, Nick. There are so many different personalities on display—a tough-as-nails vampire with a lot more issues than she lets on, a sweet and kind-of-goofy cinnamon roll garbage collector, a jaded detective just trying to do right by her kid, and more—and I was interested in all of them!
If there is a real shining star of this book, though, it’s the vampire lore. Oh my GOD, the amazing vampire lore! In the world of Certain Dark Things, there’s not just one type of vampire; there are ten, and they all have different characteristics and abilities. It’s a fresh, unique, and brilliant take on vampire lore, and I would read more books set in this world in a heartbeat. I wish we’d gotten to meet more types of vampires and further explore the vampire world.
For me, the plot was secondary to learning about the characters and world. I will say that if you go into this book expecting a fast-paced, action-packed plot, you’ll be disappointed. There is action, but there’s a lot of build-up, and I’d describe the pace as a slow burn. If you as a reader love the tension more than the climactic moment and prioritize character over plot, I think you’ll enjoy Certain Dark Things.
This is the second book I’ve read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and what I’m learning is that she always creates complex, layered, and compelling characters. I loved many of the characters in Certain Dark Things—Atl, Domingo, Ana, Bernardino—and I loved to hate the main villain, Nick. There are so many different personalities on display—a tough-as-nails vampire with a lot more issues than she lets on, a sweet and kind-of-goofy cinnamon roll garbage collector, a jaded detective just trying to do right by her kid, and more—and I was interested in all of them!
If there is a real shining star of this book, though, it’s the vampire lore. Oh my GOD, the amazing vampire lore! In the world of Certain Dark Things, there’s not just one type of vampire; there are ten, and they all have different characteristics and abilities. It’s a fresh, unique, and brilliant take on vampire lore, and I would read more books set in this world in a heartbeat. I wish we’d gotten to meet more types of vampires and further explore the vampire world.
For me, the plot was secondary to learning about the characters and world. I will say that if you go into this book expecting a fast-paced, action-packed plot, you’ll be disappointed. There is action, but there’s a lot of build-up, and I’d describe the pace as a slow burn. If you as a reader love the tension more than the climactic moment and prioritize character over plot, I think you’ll enjoy Certain Dark Things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Misogyny, and Sexism
jmross10's review
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
horizonous's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
◦ Death = Sibling