Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Certain Dark Things

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

27 reviews

marysespieces's review

Go to review page

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

ahopper7's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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

4.0

This was the most unique vampire story I’ve read to date. I loved the world building and the lore with the use of multiple different cultures to build different types of vampires. I’ve also discovered I LOVE neon noir in books, the gritty and dark setting within Mexico City was so captivating, I think atmosphere is SMG biggest strength. I was also here for the different POVs and the way the plot progressed, and I think the bitter sweet ending was the best suited for the type of story.

This book was about to be a 3 star if she had killed off the dog though, I was going to be pissed buuuut she didn’t.

The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star for me is the romance. Just like with Mexican Gothic, it felt completely unnecessary. With Domingo and Atl, their dynamic made way more sense as friends/like family vibes,

and I’ll always get the ick when there’s a sex scene with an under 18 character and someone older.

So I would have enjoyed this story a lot more without that subplot.

Content Warnings

mxdegroot's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Two hundred plus pages of waiting for plot.

This was just a drag from start to finish. It had so much potential, but the character development was either sudden and forced or non-existent, and the ending was horrible, especially since this is apparently a stand-alone.

I'm not saying Moreno-Garcia can't write. Her writing style is fine and I enjoyed the action scenes. The plot was just a drag, there was no development and it all ended in nothing.

February 1st, 2024 - February 7th, 2024

“Nothing is easier." Elisa said. “It’s just another way to get killed.”

Content Warnings

queer_bookwyrm's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

3.5 ⭐ CW: Violence, blood, gore, violent/gruesome deaths, death of a parent, substance use, sex work mention, sexual content, colonization mention, dog fighting mention

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is neon-noir horror that gave me Bladerunner vibes, but instead of androids, vampires. I have found that this author is very hit or miss for me. I did enjoy parts of the novel, but it was just so slow for such a short book. It was also very gruesome, which is not my favorite thing.

We follow Atl, a birdlike vampire on the run from a rival vampire gang. We get several povs from people either going after Atl or assisting her. Domingo is the sweet, naive one that should be protected at all costs. Atl appears to be a badass, but is really a spoiled vampire who made a grave mistake. I really didn't like Nick, the vampire from the rival gang. He was violent and misogynistic.

As I said, this was incredibly slow and not much character development. I did like learning about the different types of vampires from different cultures. It was cool seeing Aztec culture represented through Atl. This was just fine. I'm wondering if I should continue to read this author. I really enjoyed Gods of Jade and Shadow, but that's about it so far.

Content Warnings

sonygaystation's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.75

Content Warnings

achay91's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Content Warnings

sophmcgraw's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional 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

Content Warnings

ashlightgrayson's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I picked up this book right during the spooky season and Hispanic Heritage Month, so perfect timing. The world building was fascinating. You are in an alternate universe Mexico city with different kinds of vampires. There are different vampire subspecies that function similarly to different ethnic groups, if you will. In their case, it also manifests in each subspecies having a different set of abilities unique to their subspecies. There is even a glossary at the end of the book with a description of all of the vampire subspecies.

Atl and Domingo have an awkward dynamic when they first meet. It never really felt like they were equals in the relationship. By the end, I feel like Atl always knew this and that definitely affects some of the decisions she makes at the end of the story. Atl leaving Domingo behind to live a normal life felt adequate. I agree with Atl's assesment that they were going to get each other killed if they stayed together. Obviously I don't think Domingo sees that initially, but I think he will understand this decision eventually. I would say the ending isn't happy, but it is hopeful and those are usually my favorite kind of endings.

I absolutely loved this Latinx iteration of urban fantasy. The world building was interesting and you could see the aspects that were inspired by our real world Mexico City. I'm looking forward to my next Moreno-Garcia novel.

Content Warnings

takarakei's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.0

The beginning dives right into the world and action. The gritty and gothic settings of Mexico City is described well and is an interesting backdrop for a vampire story. Via audiobook keeping the different characters separate and their involvement in the story was a bit difficult. However because it's multiple POV, as the story progresses the pacing gets off and really slows down.
Overall there was not enough character depth or development, and by the ending I rather feel like nothing had changed? meaning the story was kind of pointless?
I've read a few books by this author and none of them quite hit the mark.

2.5/5🌶️

Content Warnings

chilivanilli28's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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

4.5

Content Warnings

More...