Certain Dark Things

Bought as a present - the recipient loved it

Certain Dark Things has probably been my most anticipated read of 2016 after I adored Silvia Moreno-Garcia's 2015 debut, Signal to Noise, to the high heavens. If you've been following my blog for a while you're probably sick of me talking about it. With Certain Dark Things not being released until October I was waiting impatiently for it until it happened to pop up on NetGalley and I was lucky enough to receive an eARC four months early. Naturally, I started reading it immediately.And? I really liked it. Like, a lot.After loving Signal to Noise as much as I did (and still do) one of the things I was most excited about was Moreno-Garcia's take on vampires, and I'm so pleased to say she did exactly what she hoped I would: she took existing tropes, played around with them a little, and created something completely, wonderfully different. She weaves vampirism into Mexican folklore and Aztec history so brilliantly, creating several different subspecies of vampire in the process.One of these vampires is our heroine, Atl, who fills me with joy. Atl is more of an anti-heroine than a heroine, the kind of protagonist I feel as though I've rarely seen without a penis. Maybe I'm just not reading enough of the right books (which is probably the case, what with there being so much to read) but I don't meet characters like Atl often enough. She's not always likable - in fact she's probably not the kind of person I'd want to have as a friend because I think it'd be a very one-sided friendship - but she's compelling, and throughout Certain Dark Things I was always eager to see more of her and learn more about her.Our other protagonist, Domingo, was also a lot of fun. Moreno-Garcia has taken something of a stereotypical character - a geeky 'nice guy' who doesn't have much luck with the opposite sex or any other aspect of his life - and made him genuinely nice. Did I find Domingo annoying? At times, yes, but he never felt like a cardboard cut-out, and it was really refreshing to read a book in which the main character is homeless; I don't know about you, but I don't come across homeless protagonists all that often.I enjoyed the relationship between Domingo and Atl, but it was also ultimately the reason that I gave Certain Dark Things four stars instead of five. I was a little disappointed that there was a romance between the two of them, purely and simply because, to me, there wasn't really any chemistry there beyond Domingo thinking Atl was stunning and Atl thinking Domingo was useful. Perhaps that is all their romance is - not every romance has to be the biggest love story to ever rock the world - but I loved their chemistry as friends, and throughout the first third of the novel I got excited that I might be reading a book about friendship rather than love. In some ways I was, but I adored the chemistry between Meche and Sebastian in Signal to Noise (and I know I shouldn't be comparing the two, because they're completely different novels) so I couldn't quite invest in this relationship as much.That being said, this book is still bloody wonderful. It's the first time I've read a vampire novel that's made me feel like I'm reading something new, something fresh, and I love how in parts it's gritty and nasty and dark. There's an ensemble cast at work here, from our heroes to our villains to all the people that get caught in the cross-fire, and I think what I loved most about Certain Dark Things is that it's a story about a few hectic days in one city, like someone has taken a snapshot of this new, bloodthirsty Mexico and turned it into a book.If you haven't read any of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work yet then I don't quite know what you're doing with your life, she's a fantastically fresh voice in the world of speculative fiction and Certain Dark Things is proof of her creativity. It's being released this October, just in time for Halloween, so pre-order your copy now and meet the vampires you never knew you needed.

3.5 starsDomingo lives in Mexico City, collecting garbage to get by.His life changes when he meets Atl, a vampire descended from a line dating back to the Aztecs.Atl's on the run from a rival vampire clan who want her dead, and Domingo quickly agrees to help her.Atl reluctantly accepts Domingo's aid, and they will have to work together to get Atl out of the anti-vampire city, avoiding enemy vampires and humans along the way.The premise for this book really intrigued me, and as a fan of the author's other work, I was excited to read this, and immediately requested it on NetGalley.Domingo and Atl were both likeable and interesting characters who I enjoyed finding out more about. I felt sorry for them both for different reasons.The concept of the different vampire subspecies was really interesting, and I liked how unique/different they were to anything I had read before.The plot was interesting and held my attention throughout, but I wasn't gripped and didn't feel as invested as I perhaps could have been. Some things did happen that I wasn't expecting, but nothing particularly shocked me.The writing style was easy to follow and I like how versatile the author is.Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

“Just one more, he thought. Just that blasted girl. How long can she run, anyway?” - Rodrigo, ‘Certain Dark Things’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.I had also preordered its unabridged audiobook edition, narrated by Aida Reluzco, and combined for an immersive experience.‘Certain Dark Things’ was Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s second novel, initially published in 2016. It quickly went out of print and became a much sought-after item. So, this new, updated edition has been highly anticipated.It is a vampire novel set in an alternative Mexico (and indeed a world) in which vampires are very much ‘out of the coffin’. Silvia Moreno-Garcia describes it as a violent, gritty neo-noir, which is told from multiple points of view.So, in this reimagined world vampires were identified as real in 1967 and in the following years governments began either deporting vampires or setting out ‘vampire free’ and ‘vampire occupied’ zones. Mexico City is one such vampire-free zone. That doesn’t mean that there are no vampires there but they have to remain in the shadows and avoid detection.Early in the novel Domingo, a 17-year-old street boy, meets the beautiful Atl, who reveals herself as a Tlāhuihpochtli, a type of vampire capable of shapeshifting into a bird of prey-like creature. They begin a complex association that develops throughout the novel. Atl is desperate to leave Mexico as she is being hunted.The hunters are led by Rodrigo, who serves as assistant, a ‘Renfield’, to the head of the Godoy family, who are Necros, Central European vampires; definitely keen on colonialism and wiping out members of the native vampire clans. Mr. Godoy has insisted his son, Nick, accompany the crew to Mexico City. Rodrigo considers Nick a loose cannon with ‘more teeth than common sense’. The fifth POV character is Ana Aguirre, a police detective investigating a murder that appears to have been done by a vampire.To the storylines of these characters add drug gangs, a vivid underworld of illicit clubs, various colourful supporting characters, a very loyal dog, and plenty of vampire lore drawn from world cultures. Yes, it is dark and violent but that goes with the noir territory.I have great admiration for Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s storytelling skills. I expect that her early work with short stories has honed her ability to create vivid characters with a few strokes of her pen (or keyboard). Added to this, her world building is so impressive. I also appreciated her inclusion of the Encyclopaedia Vampirica at the end of the main story along with a few vampire-inspired drink recipes, and discussion questions.‘Certain Dark Things’ more than fulfilled my desire for a noir vampire novel, that paid homage to its mythic and literary heritage.On a side note, its cover art by John Picacio was phenomenal.Highly recommended.

I love books by this author. I really enjoyed this but felt the last few pages could have been expanded. It was as though a door had been slammed in my face when I wanted to hear more.

I am so glad I finally read this book! This noir crime vampire novel based in Mexico City was a unique take on vampires and I truly enjoyed it. More so the more I think on it. Also, I’m obsessed with this neon noir cover! 🖤I actually listened to the audiobook while following along and I think it made it that much better of an experience for me with the narrator’s accent. We have a vampire on the run Atl, and a 17 year old street kid and garbage collector, Domingo who happens to run into her one day. An unlikely meeting turns into a favor which turns into a friendship. In this alternate reality of Mexico City, vampires are not aloud. However, outside of the city we have many subspecies of vampires which I loved. Atl is on the run and trying to get out of Mexico City with the help of Domingo, and while vampires are not aloud in the city, does not mean they aren’t there. Much like gangs and drug cartel, we have human gangs and vampires throughout to halt their escape.We have some mystery as to who is behind a humans death, and why Atl is on the run which come to light throughout but I heard someone mention this story is very much a character study and I absolutely agree with that. Moreno-Garcia’s writing is lush and beautiful and she truly gives us the Mexican culture and folklore in this one. There’s quite a few characters and we see bits and pieces of who they all really are. One of my favorite parts is actually the very end, the Encyclopedia Vampirica that talks about the vampires she addressed throughout and the true folklore behind them and the country/ culture they derived from.4.5 stars

Wonderful novel! Interesting and intricate characters with a really strong sense of place. Very much enjoyed it, though SUNSHINE is still my favorite vampire story, this is now my second favorite. Highly recommend.

Asentada en un muy interesante México, ésta historia de vampiros destaca por su frescura.Personajes memoralbes, diálogos naturales y una sensación peculiar de pertenencia al México que la autora pinta, pero al mismo tiempo ajeno por la fantasía y el lenguaje.Muy recomendable.

A vampire noir thriller set in an alternate Mexico City in the near future where an indigenous vampire princess on the run takes on a street kid as her companion.I mean, if you still have doubts despite this gorgeous summary, let me assure you: It really is that good: gory, scary, funny, stylish, intense, imaginative and exciting as well as tragic and romantic. The different kinds of vampires introduced in the story are a highlight to begin with.Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing is as beautiful as in "Gods of Jade and Shadow"; she's sure to become one of my favourite insta-buy authors.

Certain Dark Things is a great case for making big worlds into little stories. I don't say that to belittle Moreno-Garcia's novel, this story is not small in a bad way, but it is tight and rather simple. And yet behind it is some pretty sophisticated world building.Moreno-Garcia alternate universe is one where vampires have been out of the coffin (as Charlaine Harris would say) for fifty or sixty years. Humanity has done its best to create vampire free zones without antagonizing their superiors on the food chain (this did made me think quite a bit about how you manage a society where one group of people needs to eat the other to live), and one of those supposedly safe places is Mexico City. This is where the young vampire Atl runs when her vampire-narco clan is wiped out by a rival cartel. There, she runs into Domingo, a naive but charming street kid who decides to help her get out of the city while the Necros, the police and Mexico City's cartels are trying to kill her.Domingo is a refreshing main character in many ways. I always appreciate it when a writer creates a character that isn't smart. A character doesn't have to be brilliant, or even particularly wise to earn my respect or interest. Despite living on the streets for a few years, Domingo's knowledge - of the world, of vampires, of emotion and relationships - is limited. He barely knows how to express his affection for Atl other than telling her she's "pretty." But he is dedicated and loyal, and I like to think he knows a good person when he sees them. Atl has both parts bad ass supernatural chick, and sheltered narco brat who barely knows how to take care of herself on her own. Both her and Domingo are emotionally vulnerable and immature in this way and its why, while their romance is light-handed, its still effective. It's also why Nick Godoy, the Necro heir that comes to Mexico City hunting after Atl, serves as a good foil for both of them, but Atl in particular. Much the same way, Nick is a spoiled son of a vampire cartel boss who thinks he can do and get whatever he wants, and what he wants is for Atl to suffer. He's an easy villain to hate, and one that keeps the pace fast and the adrenaline high.As said, this is a tightly wound book. Moreno-Garcia doesn't spend a whole lot of time dwelling or ruminating on anything with maybe the exception of the relationship between Domingo and Atl. Nick's hatred of Atl is summed up in a brief flashback of them meeting in a club and his anger about her attacks against his family. Nick's personality is summed up in his greed and petulance - he's not complex. The suggestions that there was a relationship between the Revenant, Bernadino, and Atl's mother are indulged for a just a moment and then left hanging. Moreno-Garcia also treats us to the inner workings of some more seasoned characters involved in the conflict, only to give them rather unceremonious and rather disappointing endings. I am glad though that Bernardino had his moment. I had a feeling once we began to learn what a Revenant was that this guy was going to have moment. That, thankfully, did not disappoint.Certain Dark Things is enjoyable, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there's supposed to be more, that there's a deeper story hidden between the lines. Maybe I'm projecting a little bit. There's a fascinating little glossary of different vampire subspecies at the back of the book, and even though I'm not really sure its Moreno-Garcia's thing, I'm really crossing my fingers for a sequel, or some sort of expansion of this world. This book felt like a snack, a tasty snack, but I feel like somewhere there's a meal.