Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for an ARC!
A fresh take on the old classic, Silvia Moreno-Garcia manages to reimagine vampire lore into something completely unique. Take whatever previous notions you have of vampire stories and toss them out the window. She managed to introduce such an interesting take on vampires, ones that take on aspects from their cultures like Alt with ties to Aztec mythology and so on. All of these subspecies of vampire builds on the richness of the world Moreno-Garcia created.
Alt flees to Mexico City, a closed nation free from any vampire after her family is killed by a rival gang of Necro vampires,(a deadly European subspecies of vampires). With only Cualli, her loyal and deadly dog, and a garbage boy named Domingo helping her, she has to flee both the Necros and human gangs who wish her dead. Vampire gangs, that is definitely a new one for me.
The characters come to life on the page within the excellent worldbuilding. You just get lost in the story, captivated until the very end. The diversity of the setting was rich and fulfilling but with the magical realism threaded in heavily, it's even better.

Vampires are not my paranormal monster pick unless they harken back to a likeness of Stoker’s Dracula. Thankfully, Certain Dark Things avoids glittery beauty and brings back the ruthless, yet leather-clad, persona into her vampiric characters. I enjoyed the modern interpretation of the vampires in a big city, the mob-like role they played, and the unique spin she brought on Aztec Vampires.

While there was a lot I enjoyed about the tale, the plot really fell flat for me. If you like character-driven novels this is for you, but I wanted more development of the story line. There were also too many different characters that I found difficult to keep track of, and the main characters, while developed, did not have me rooting for them. All of this led to me putting down the novel repeatedly and wanting to finish it purely to find out how it would end.

I have had hit and misses with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s novels, and unfortunately, this was a miss for me. But, if you are a fan of vampire tales I highly recommend this unique take on a world existing with them! Thank you NetGalley and Tor/Forge for the copy in return for an honest review.

This book started off too slow for me and it was hard for me to get into it. Maybe I'm just not a fan of noir?? It did pick up for me about midway through and I became more interested as I continued reading, so I'm glad I didn't decide to DNF.

I enjoyed the characters and there were moments were I was anxiously anticipating if they were going to be caught by the villain or not. I also liked the unique take on this vampire book with the many subspecies of vampires and their varying characteristics, how the eat, look, act, etc. Overall, I'd say if you like noir and would enjoy a different take on a book about vampires, you should check this one out!

***Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book!

CERTAIN DARK THINGS by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was a surprising DNF. I felt the language was that of a 7th grade report on vampires. There was no intertwine of lore and plot of her narrative. She will say I don't like it because it's not MEXICAN GOTHIC and she's right. This wasn't a well thought out crafted piece of fiction.

Much disappointment.

What a complex and intriguing story. The level of detail on the life of various types of vampires, including a glossary describing each type in detail, is amazing! You can't help pulling for Atl and Domingo and although it wouldn't classify as a "happy ever after" type of book, it is a satisfying one. Engrossing!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Certain Dark Things is a revamped (haha!) novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, published back in 2016, but suffered from setbacks in the market back then, leading it to go out of print. And now, with the trend for vampires and horror coming back around, it’s only appropriate that this hidden gem gets to come back from the dead, now that Moreno-Garcia is a more established author.

One of the things I adored was the way it adds new facets to vampire lore. I knew a bit about vampire mythos on which Moreno-Garcia builds her narrative, but I love the incorporation of the various different species of vampires, with their different origins and characteristics. And the diversity of the vampires allows for the motifs conveyed to be more issue based, as most of Moreno-Garcia’s stories end up having some elements of racism and colonialism, and other social issues embedded in them. The setting is also vividly captured, so even though it is set in an alternate version of Mexico where vampires exist, it feels believable and grounded, as well as immersive.

I liked the sense of intrigue and danger, with the various different threats, from a rival vampire clan to a cop who winds up investigating the trail of bodies the vampires leave in their wake.

I had a bit more of a mixed experience with the characters. I did become invested in Atl and how she was determined to evade capture, but ended up being thrown together with Domingo, and finding herself growing attached to him over time. And he in turn ends up bonding with her, and becoming her “Renfield,” or human companion. I was admittedly a bit less invested in the other perspectives, but I can see how each of them complement the greater narrative purpose.

I love this take on vampire fiction, and I’m glad it’s getting a second life. If you love vampires, but have also been looking for a fresh, diverse take on the mythos, you should absolutely check this out.

I really wanted to like Certain Dark Things, not only did it have vampires, it also had a awesome dog and a strong female lead character. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me, and I think it's just my personal preference rather then it being a poorly written book or something similar. The book was just to slow for me and I never really got into it, when something interesting actually did happen it felt like it was rushed threw.
I have read 2 other books by SMG and had similar issues, as I said before I don't care for the writing style, the story itself is great, so I would recommend this book even though I didn't really like it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan- Tor/Forge, Tor Nightfire for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is out September 7th so just in a few days!

I didn't have super high expectations of this one because I had DNF'd "Mexican Gothic" and didn't know what to expect with this. I loved reading vampire novels growing up so I was excited to see an interpretation of vampires from a lesser known vampire myth. I thought this was a fine novel but a lot of the issues I had with Moreno-Garcia's writing felt more prominent. I loved being able to read about a different vampire myth and I enjoyed that this felt like a punk-noir interpretation but other than that, I was left pretty bored while I slogged through this. I felt like the tension that Moreno-Garcia was trying to present fell pretty flat with me. Otherwise, I thought this was fine. I think if you liked "Mexican Gothic", you'll enjoy this.

I have only discovered SMG in the last year, but I have really loved everything that I have read of hers, and this is no exception. She has such a way of creating atmosphere unlike anything else that I have ever read before. I absolutely loved the inspiration that she pulled from Aztec mythology, I think that is one thing that she does so well, is write love letters to her culture, she brings such a richness to it that it's impossible to not get swept up in it. I did find that it took a minute to really get going, but once we made it there I was invested and I couldn't put it down. It's a great take on vampire fiction, and I can't wait to read more of her work!

Thank you Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for a gifted copy of Certain Dark Things.

This book has so many things that I love in it:

• Vampires
• strong women who kick ass
• gorgeous writing
• well written folklore
• dogs!

However, I’m afraid it was too slow moving for me. It just couldn’t keep my interest and took me forever to finish. I didn’t become invested in any of the characters and it made me ambivalent about how the story progressed. I did love the writing, though.

If you like lots of exposition and a slow burn plot, this one is for you.

Certain Dark Things is action packed from start to finish. The world building had to be my favorite aspect. Talk about a world with multiple types of vampires? I seriously think a series or more in this world would be so cool. Even as I was learning more, I was always intrigued by this vampire hierarchy and world. It delivers a healthy dose of danger and realism. Because, even in their neon noir world, there's all these myths and romanticism of vampires. All these lies and superstitions. Not only that, but we get a vampire character, Atl - who is seriously badass - and a human, Domingo.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's books should be made into movies. I've read three of her books by now and thought the same thing each time. Her writing is so visual, and her stories are atmospheric and full of action. She also takes common genres and tropes but then infuses them with Mexican culture, history, and mythology. And surprisingly, each of the three books I read were completely different (other than those similarities I just pointed out).

Certain Dark Things is a blend of urban fantasy and crime noir. It's set in Mexico City in an alternate reality where vampires have been living among humans for years. Moreno-Garcia writes about the many ways that different countries tried to regulate or drive out their vampires, with limited success. Only Mexico City has succeeded in remaining vampire-free, thanks to strict rules and vigilant organized crime. But now one vampire has returned, and she's being followed...

Atl is a vampire on the run when she meets Domingo, a young man who lives in a subway tunnel under the city. He finds her beautiful, so when she asks him to be her "friend", he willingly provides a small blood donation (and hopes to take it further). Once Domingo realizes how much Atl needs help, the two work together to find a way to get out of town and escape her pursuers, a sadistic vampire named Nick and Rodrigo, the companion who's trying to keep Nick under control. On top of this, there's a vampire-killing cop who's trying to solve a vicious murder and she's on both Nick and Atl's trails.

Moreno-Garcia builds on vampire lore and expands it by creating lots of different species of vampires, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Atl is one of the least terrifying variety. She's strong and can fly (sort of) but Nick, a Necros, can control people with his blood and Bernadino, a Revenant, can steal your life energy with a breath.

She also builds on a wealth of movie, novel and comic book lore about vampires - Domingo is a huge fan of everything vampire-related, but most of what he knows from fiction turns out to be completely false (they don't disappear in a cloud of dust, for example). And vampires genuinely don't want to have sex with humans. There's a lot of discussion in this book about the role of Renfields and their relationships with the vampires they serve.

A book like this can have tons of action and cool vampire powers, but what matters to me is the characters, and I loved the relationship that this book builds between Atl and Domingo. Atl is scarred and very flawed. She's made bad decisions that impacted her entire family. Domingo is alone and struggling to get by without getting sucked into a crime syndicate. He follows Atl blindly at first, but they both come to know each other over time. Bernadino and Ana (the cop) were also great side characters, thoughtfully developed. And of course, the dog. It's an oddly touching book despite all the bloodshed.

The intro to this book explains that Moreno-Garcia first published it in 2016, but the public's fascination with urban fantasy and vampires was in decline ("the market had been bled dry," she explains). At the time of its release the publisher downsized and the book went out of print. But recently demand for the book surged and it's being re-released next week.

I was one of those people who read a ton of urban fantasy - vampires, werewolves, and fairies - about 10 years ago. I got bored with the sameness of it after a while, but this book reminded me of what I love about the genre. It plays with the tropes but doesn't just regurgitate them. Instead it's a great spin on vampire lore, detective noir, anti-heroes, and love on the run.

I'm thrilled to see Moreno-Garcia getting the attention she deserves, and I love reading a book like this that brings in cultural and mythological elements that are foreign to me. I loved the sense of place that she brought to this book; I never forgot that we were in Mexico City. Her descriptions are vivid so whether the characters were in a beautiful old mansion, a festive plaza, an outdoor bar, or a subway tunnel, I felt like I was there.

If this were a movie, I'd describe it as Blade Runner meets Desperado. But with vampires. However you describe it, it was a fun, exciting read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Note: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan-Tor/Forge. Its publication date is September 7, 2021.

Certain Dark Things is a brilliant Mexican themed Vampire story. This is a reprint as Silvia Moreno-Garcia has gained well-earned popularity for her recent novels, Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night.

I just love love love the premise! In the 1970's vampires were "discovered" and established themselves as equal to humans. Every continent hosts heir own subspecies. Certain Dark Things is set in Mexico City which is heavily guarded against vampires of any kind.

Early in the story we are introduced to Domingo, a street kid just trying to survive. By chance, he meets a beautiful woman named Atl, (an ancient Aztec name). Atl is on the run as her Northern Mexican clan has been obliterated by a rival vampire gang. Soon you are hypnotized by the vast world of vampires - their differences and powers and it's very clear that Atl is not safe as long as she stays in Mexico....

This is a violent story, not YA in my opinion and so rich wich culture and folklore from many countries around the world. It harkens a bit back to the Mayfair Witches but it's truly it's own brilliant story. If you like a fast paced thriller, vampires, some alternate reality and long for a more diverse casting and background, Certain Dark Things is for you!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion #CertainDarkThings.

Atl is a young vampire running for her life, chased by rival vampires. The lone survivor of a massacre, she’s all alone until she meets Domingo. He’s a street kid, collecting garbage and avoiding trouble at all costs. They don’t know how much they need each other, or what they’re capable of.

As per usual, Silvia Moreno-Garcia has blessed us with a novel overrun by compelling characters, rich Mexican culture and dark, wondrous creatures. I may be a little biased because I love vampires and all things scary, but this book was amazing. It wasn’t your typical vampire romance or vampire action novel.


I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I knew going into this that it was obviously going to be very different from Moreno-Garcia's other books, and especially different from Mexican Gothic, which I loved. But I was sucked in by the promise of a Bladerunner-esque scifi extravaganza, and vampires to boot! I loved this. It was fun, it was exciting, and it explored the rich culture of Mexico in a very unique way that left me wanting more. Definitely recommend this to anyone who loves vampires and neo-noir. Absolutely had a blast.

I was given an advanced copy of this novel for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a soft, sweet vampire love story? Well, look elsewhere. Certain Dark Things is a gritty and gruesome reimagining of vampire lore. Atl, the heir to the Iztac vampire cartel, is on the run in Mexico City. She's starving, aimless, and hiding from her past. When she meets Domingo, a teen living in the streets, she takes advantage of such easy prey. On the other side of the city, beat-cop Ana Aguirre finds a grisly murder scene that points to a vampire infestation. With both the police and a vicious, unhinged rival on her tail, Atl drags Domingo into the underbelly of vampire hierarchies and drug cartels.

In Silvia Moreno-Garcia's (Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night) modern twist on vampirism, there are vampire subspecies, each with its own strengths, methods for feeding, and hierarchies. Between the factions, they even have codes of conduct and alliances. She takes the legends we've all known for years and turns them on their heads, creating more compelling and intricate characters. While the novel itself is in the third person, we still get to have a peek into each character's inner monologue. Each person has a unique voice, so to speak, so you can tell whose thoughts are being depicted. It fuels the tension because you get to see the collision course they're all on from each perspective.

Another great detail of Certain Dark Things is the allegories of the realities of poverty and colonization. Domingo is the perfect victim because he has almost no choice but to go along, even knowing the inevitable danger. And while Atl's ancestors had lived in Mexico since the time of the Aztecs, when the new factions were born in Europe and migrated, they took by force what the Iztac family had built for generations.

Because it is inner monologue-driven, sometimes the amount of introspection slows down the pacing of the story. Combined with the monotony of the sentence structure, it makes for moments when the writing doesn't flow in a way that feels natural.

With all this said, I rate Certain Dark Things four out of five stars. The storyline was unique, with high tension and beautiful imagery. Silvia's use of monsters to paint a picture of the cruelties in our world makes for an entertaining read that'll stay with you long after you finish.

There are casual discussions of sex throughout, nothing too graphic. But the violence entailed is gruesome, so I would only recommend this for readers who aren't afraid of a little blood. (haha, get it? Vampires? Blood? Okay.) If you like your fantasy macabre and your protagonist morally gray, Certain Dark Things is a must-read.

Certain Dark Things shines when focused on the two primary characters, Atl and Domingo. Both of them are troubled and compelling and make you want to root for them to get a good outcome. Domingo’s had a troubled life, and it’s easy to want better for him. With Atl, perhaps it’s her candor about the fact that she isn’t good that makes her likeable. Atl’s at war within herself, as much as she’s at war with other vampires. Her guilt and her need to survive and her unstated sense of right and wrong are all conflicting within her, which makes her both endearing and unpredictable.

The book starts with a steady pace. Moreno-Garcia doesn’t feel the need to rush the development; rather, she lays the foundation for the story and there’s a growing sense of tension as you approach the point where characters will intersect and outcomes will be decided. While Atl and Domingo certainly aren’t perfect, there was never a sense that this was a story of flawed characters, where readers might choose to root for someone else. There’s always the sense this is who we should want to make it to the end. While Rodrigo and Ana were somewhat likeable, far too much time was spent with Atl and Domingo to invest in others. The real tension never seemed to be about who the good guys were that the reader should root for, but rather what kind of outcome to hope Atl and Domingo would get. Their desires were at odds, and as much as Atl liked Domingo, there was always the awareness that she was a threat to him. If you wanted Domingo to survive, you had to want his heart to break.

As for Nick, he was pretty one-dimensional. Typical bad guy. And perhaps readers needed that to be able to root for Atl, in spite of some of the things she’d done.

There are multiple POV characters in this story, although readers spend the most time with Atl and Domingo. The benefit of all the perspectives is seeing the threads weave together. The down side is the distraction from the primary focus. Ana is, perhaps, a little underdeveloped. Shifting into her POV sections was a bit abrupt, particularly because readers spend a limited amount of time with her.

Overall, Certain Dark Things is an engaging vampire story that hooks and holds readers throughout and builds to a satisfying climax.

You can purchase a copy of this book via your normal retailer, but please consider purchasing it from a local indie bookshop instead. It can be found here at Indiebound or at Bookshop. Please note the Bookshop link is an affiliate link and each purchase you make through it helps to support Sci-Fi & Scary and keep the site running.

Domingo is a lonely street kid up until he becomes enamored with Atl, who just so happens to be a vampire on the run from an enemy vampire faction. She needs to make it out of Mexico City alive and Domingo will stop at nothing to help her.

This book made me want to get back into vampire reads. It felt so different than the typical vampire novels that have been come out in the past. It was very dark and gritty with a protagonist who is very much in the grey area. Atl will do almost anything to save her own life which I loved. Domingo, on the other hand, is a sweet marshmallow that should be protected at all costs. The combination of the two is hysterical but also a little heartbreaking. One of the best parts of the book is the amount of thought that went into the different types of vampires. Each region has a different type that feeds differently. I loved reading the different POVs, especially when getting a glimpse into the villain. For me, this was a 4.5/5.

If you like morally grey (more of a dark grey) characters, golden retriever pining wannabe boyfriends, or want to read epic vampire brawls, this is the one for you.

I received a digital copy of this book free from NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge in exchange for an honest review.

Certain Dark Things was my first Silvia Moreno-Garcia book nearly 4 years ago and I haven't looked back since. Getting to revisit this story with the new edits was a magical experience. Between the brutal points of view and social commentary, SMG has created a vampire story unlike any other.

This is yet another great story by author Silvia Moreno-Garcia. She continues to write engaging stories that will hold your interest from the first chapter until the very end. You won’t want to put this down. It doesn’t matter if this is your first Moreno-Garcia novel or your second, this book is worth your time.

Moreno-Garcia does a great job building the plot and characters. She gives you a lot of information about the setting, the characters, vampire lore, as well as the other paranormal elements. The information draws you right in and blends in perfectly with the plot, there’s no feeling of “information dumping” that so many other books tend to have. I was able to understand the background and didn’t find myself having to go back to make sure I didn’t miss anything or that it detracted from the plot. The noir element was phenomenal. This is a good spooky and dark read, and I highly recommend it.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Forge, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Publication date: 09/07/2021