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agador_spartacus's review
adventurous
dark
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Vomit
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.
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.
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
ahopper7'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? 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.
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,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Vomit
styx_the_gremlin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? No
3.5
I really like this books take in vampires and the setting in a slightly cyberpunk Mexico City. Definitely something fresh in the realm of vampires, easy to read too and very gritty.
However some of the characters come a bit short and the ending is quite abrupt, with some storylines hanging loose or seemingly just ultimately there to advance plot for Atl and Domingo.
Also their love story is very icky considering he's underage.
However some of the characters come a bit short and the ending is quite abrupt, with some storylines hanging loose or seemingly just ultimately there to advance plot for Atl and Domingo.
Also their love story is very icky considering he's underage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
abby_can_read'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
📱
This book was fine. It wasn't for me. I really wanted to like it. The worldbuilding is what interested me the most.
This book was fine. It wasn't for me. I really wanted to like it. The worldbuilding is what interested me the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Drug use, and Gun violence
Minor: Animal death
abditoryalive's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Blood