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A review by danielles_reads
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall I liked this book. It’s a fast and easy read, and I like the dialogue. The characters actually talk like real people lol.
I really liked the world Moreno-Garcia created, with the different vampire lore, and how European vampires essentially colonized indigenous Mexican vampires. Humans’ reaction to the discovery of vampires was also completely understandable and well-explained. I liked the setting of Mexico City, and its colorful neighborhoods, contrasted with the poor street kids just trying to get by, forced to work under gang leaders like the Jakal.
I didn’t really love Domingo, as he seemed way too naive, especially for someone who had been living on the streets alone for at least a few years. He kind of just followed Atl around like a lovesick puppy, and she definitely took advantage of him.I will say that I liked the ending. It made perfect sense for her to leave him behind. Though I wish there had been some more reflection regarding Domingo killing someone for her, just like Bernardino had told him he would!
Atl (and most of the other vampires) is definitely a morally grey character, and I liked reading about her struggles with being a warrior, and being unable to live up to the rest of her family.I liked how she acknowledged that she got close to Domingo because he was a pure comforting presence that she needed after so much suffering and loneliness.
I didn’t like the chapters from the POV of the Godoy clan, or the cop (ACAB). We already knew that the Godoys were truly evil from Atl’s flashbacks, and I don’t think those chapters told us anything new. The cop also seemed like a pointless addition,especially because she died in the end, not having made much of an impact. I think the author should have made the Godoys a little less stupid so they could’ve done what the cop did instead.
Overall a good book, and I look forward to reading more of Moreno-Garcia’s work.
I really liked the world Moreno-Garcia created, with the different vampire lore, and how European vampires essentially colonized indigenous Mexican vampires. Humans’ reaction to the discovery of vampires was also completely understandable and well-explained. I liked the setting of Mexico City, and its colorful neighborhoods, contrasted with the poor street kids just trying to get by, forced to work under gang leaders like the Jakal.
I didn’t really love Domingo, as he seemed way too naive, especially for someone who had been living on the streets alone for at least a few years. He kind of just followed Atl around like a lovesick puppy, and she definitely took advantage of him.
Atl (and most of the other vampires) is definitely a morally grey character, and I liked reading about her struggles with being a warrior, and being unable to live up to the rest of her family.
I didn’t like the chapters from the POV of the Godoy clan, or the cop (ACAB). We already knew that the Godoys were truly evil from Atl’s flashbacks, and I don’t think those chapters told us anything new. The cop also seemed like a pointless addition,
Overall a good book, and I look forward to reading more of Moreno-Garcia’s work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood