A fun twist on classic noir, with vampires! It's a fast read, bouncing between a few strands of plot, and while Moreno-Garcia's writing has gotten better since she first wrote this book, that doesn't mean this is bad. It's a great summer ripper, get into it.

**Make sure to read the author's note before diving into this story!**

I thoroughly enjoyed Certain Dark Things despite this not being a regular genre for me. The novel is a clear departure from Mexican Gothic, though the author is steadfast in her descriptions of Mexico and bringing the culture to life on the page. Atl and Domingo are sympathetic and realistic, their teenage love story feeling super relatable (minus the vampire part). This was dark but not depressing and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

After hearing about Silvia Moreno-Garcia in Canadian bookstagram circles and friend groups in real life for ages, I was thrilled to finally read one of her works through this exchange.

What an amazing book! The author totally lives up to the hype. I'm so happy I read this, and I immediately went out to pickup Mexican Gothic. Moreno-Garcia will be an instant buy author for me from now on. Her writing style is distinct and so creative.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia gave a tired trope new life. She elevated vampires! In her alternate world, the vampires have come out to the human world in the form of drug dealing gangs. With the setting mostly centered around Latin heritage and central America, the reader can draw a definite parallel between the vampires and the cartels. Money, power, and tradition are solid motivators for the different subspecies of vampires. So vampires, while often described as long living and inhumanly beautiful, they are not good people. Moreno-Garcia describes some horribly violent things that these vampires do and they are not sexy nor sparkly. Also, the author brings in the theory that vampires are completely different species from humans and they are born, not made. Humans cannot become vampires. They can become concubines, helpers, or slaves, but not vampires. In addition, the vampires are broken into subspecies, each from a different cultural area and with their own special abilities.
The down side to this rich set up is that the characters were often flat. The story is told in the old noir way, but because of this, we did not get to connect with the different characters. There were a few I was rooting for or were fascinated by, but overall we did not get to spend much time in their thoughts. The noir style in of itself is a lot of telling not showing, and while I appreciate the risk, I was not a fan.
Overall this book was solid and interesting and I will recommend this to fans of vampire stories such as Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice.

This is the telling of dark and viscous vampires that we wouldn’t want to meet.
Our main character Atl is basically a spoiled vampire princess from the original species of vamps. There are other subspecies with differing traits and abilities. Naturally, the different clans don’t play nice together and fight for territories. Atl is on the run from another clan. She doesn’t know how to live on her own, and is hiding in Mexico City. The absolute worst place to hide for a vampire. Vamps are absolutely not allowed in Mexico City.

Even rude vampires need friends.
I’m not entirely sure what it was about Atl that kept Domingo near her. She was a danger to his existence from the night they met, and she wasn’t kind to him after he fed her for the first time. Atl ensnared Domingo as her companion, an errand boy and meal source. He was so sweet and innocent despite living on the streets. He keeps to himself, and feeds himself with his meager profits from collecting junk out of trash. Domingo was definitely the only soft thing about this story.

It’s time to learn what “Gothic Novel” really means…
I don’t believe I was prepared for what a gothic novel truly means. Having read plenty of vampire stories, adult romance, and suspense/thrillers, I expected a mixture of those things with a main character I’d be rooting for throughout. Ultimately, this one fell a little flat for me. The writing is well done, the characters and the setting are well developed. I simply didn’t find Atl to have any redeeming qualities. I anticipate main characters to be someone that you’re siding with, and in this book I was only siding with Domingo, the victim.

Atl definitely fills the boots of an old school gothic vampire character, I guess I was waiting for her to find some humanity. It’s ridiculous maybe, but I was waiting for a reason to like her which never came. I didn’t find a reason to like her any more than the vampire clan that was hunting her.

Certain Dark Things is well written by the very talented Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This book is most suited for people that desire the dark gothic vampire world that keeps humans as food, and are far from the slightly humanized vampire we’ve come to know in literature.

BTW… Cover are is fire!

I have truly loved all things written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia to date. Her grasp on language to depict her tales is paramount. This story is no different. This story chronicles the battle of Atl to reclaim her freedom after a viscous vampire clan attach. I am almost never a fantasy reader, but was completely enthralled by the story and wanting to see the close. Well done!

I love anything written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This is her interesting take on vampires and a friendship (of a sort) between a human and a killing machine. I had actually read this before and enjoyed the writing.

Moreno-Garcia’s novel Mexican Gothic was a revelation to me, a dark, strange brew of Lovecraftian cosmic horror set in a rotting mansion deep in the Mexican jungle. That novel, filled with deadly family secrets, sentient mold, and dread, introduced me to a writer of rare skill, with an amazing gift for thrilling storytelling and vibrant language.

While most of Mexican Gothic was set in that house of horrors, the beginning took place in glittering Mexico City. Moreno-Garcia’s descriptions made me want to read more set in that place, which happily brings me to Certain Dark Things. It is, indeed, set completely within the walls of Mexico City.

Yes, I said walls. In the alternative history of Certain Dark Things, Mexico City is a walled city-state, and perhaps more importantly to the story, a supposed vampire-free zone. Vampires have existed throughout history, and have been known to humans for years. They are shunned and feared in some places, and have formed an uneasy alliance in others. Moreno-Garcia has done some complex world-building here, with ten different, distinct species of vampires, each with their own history, strengths, and weaknesses.

If that last sentence makes this novel sound dry, Certain Dark Things is anything but. Moreno-Garcia calls it neon noire, and that description is apt. This is a gritty no-holds-barred crime novel ripe with cops, gangsters, and drug lords, but many of the players happen to be vampires. Atl, a young female vampire of Aztec descent is hiding out in Mexico City, on the run from ruthless narco vampires and trying to get to South America. She’s tough and formidable, beholden only to her dog, a genetically enhanced doberman. That is, until she develops uneasy, unwanted feelings for Domingo, a street kid who falls under her sway.

Certain Dark Things is violent, bloody, relentless, and completely satisfying. Atl is a wonderful protagonist. I found myself rooting for her, even when things seemed hopeless. I love the passion and inventiveness Moreno-Garcia brings to her writing. She’s undoubtably having a great time writing this world to life, and it shows. This is a novel with real bite.

This is a reissue of a novel first published in 2016, and this new edition will be released September 7th, 2021. Certain Dark Things is very much worthy of pre-order.

I love Moreno-Garcia's range! This book was so different than others I have read from them and yet it had the same incredible prose and world building.

I went in to this expecting myth and legend and didn't get any of that. I got boring characters and stereotypes and I was just bored the whole time.
I can't even recommend this to people who like vampire books because it's more about Domingo than the vampires :(.

After reading this book and Mexican Gothic I've finally concluded Silvia Moreno-Garcia is not the author for me... Not only was the writing style unappealing but the story was very lackluster.

I am so, so excited for the vampire resurgence.

Like many readers, I can to Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work through MEXICAN GOTHIC. Really, the re-release of CERTAIN DARK THINGS goes to show our tangled the publishing industry is, because I cannot imagine a book *this good* just ... falling out of print. 2016 wasn't even that long ago! Who doesn't love a diverse cast, a neonpunk Mexico City setting, and bloody folklore combined with classic noir crime vibes?? Who????

As with Moreno-Garcia's previous works, CERTAIN DARK THINGS shines in its ability to be deliciously pulpy whilst also commenting on issues like colonialism and gang culture. The characters range from total sunshines (Domingo) to fierce af vampire queens (Atl) to slimy-frat-boy-villains (Nick), and that's just the beginning. It's loud, complex, and oozes confidence between all its layers. I'm so excited to see this book get the second life it deserves. 4/5.

This unique and action packed vampire tale subverted well worn tropes and kept me interested and entertained from start to finish. I'm someone who is very picky about the vampire fiction she reads, and it doesn't surprise me that Silvia Moreno-Garcia brought something very interesting and engrossing to the table. I loved the lore and mythology of the different vampire species, and how she brought in Aztec myths to Atl's Tlāhuihpochtl group. The mythology and systems are well explored and I greatly, greatly enjoyed them (there is even a handy-dandy guide in the back of the book that goes into details of multiple groups, which was a nice way to end the book). And the setting of a not quite our world Mexico City, where vampires are a part of life but have been banned from the city limits, was so refreshing and well drawn. As for the characters, I thought that we get pretty good tastes for those that we follow, but the most attention is given to Atl, and sometimes that felt like others didn't have as much dimension to them. Domingo is probably the closest that we get to another complex character, though even he is a bit more of the devoted lover and doesn't really go beyond that (that said, I loved that it was gender swapped from what we have seen as of late in vampire stories!). But given that the storyline is what is driving this tale as opposed to deep characterization, I was definitely able to look past that. Besides, I really liked Atl, and she has all the complexity that I really need in my vampire protagonists.

CERTAIN DARK THINGS is a vampire story that I enjoyed quite a bit. I'm so glad that it has new life being breathed into it.

The more I see and read from Moreno-Garcia, the more it seems that every book is stylistically unique and that she has a very diverse body of work. Certain Dark Things is her neo-noir twist on vampires, and as she describes inspired by actor Germán Robles. Brutal and bloody, as one may expect from vampire noir, but not without moments of tender vulnerability, as Domingo and Atl grow closer trying to survive in Mexico City. I kept a steady quick pace reading Certain Dark Things; the narrative and snappy, almost minimalist style of dialogue, keeps the story moving at a quick clip. A great read for anyone who loves vampire lore or just a really compelling, high-adrenaline noir with fangs.

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia expertly weaves culture, folklore, and gore.

Superbly crafted, as is to be expected by Mexican Gothic writer Silvia Moreno-Garcia, this vampire novel transcends above the vampire cliche's so often littering the genre. Pulling from the ancient indigenous cultures established in South America ages ago, Moreno-Garcia successfully crafts a profoundly complex, futuristic/alternate, science-fictional world.

Vampire mafia gangs, government prohibitions, and turf wars saturate this book with blood. It dives into the classic horror element of the long-lived, seemingly soulless creatures that vampires have long been. Yet, with ingenuity, and a character-driven story, Certain Dark Things paints the lore of vampirism in brilliant new ways.

This novel is a complex thriller, with twists at every corner. Atl is a vampire who turns into a bird when she feasts (harkening back to the strange gods of the indigenous peoples). She appears as a twenty-something woman most times. She picks up Domingo, a street kid who agrees to let her feed on him. Feelings develop, though they go unacknowledged by Atl, who is too busy trying to survive on the run from a vampire gang that has already eliminated her entire family.

The setting is exquisitely drawn, making things feel both dark and seedy while also luminescent and neon. Certain Dark Things satiates, balancing things familiar with newly imagined depth.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REALLY EFFING FINALLY!! A Silvia Moreno-Garcia book that is not complete garbage to be used as a coaster or a doorstop. ANOTHER story based in Mexico but the all the vampires come from Eastern Europe. The story is how the vampires blend in to Mexico and feed on the people in the community.

FINALLY, a true horror story from an author I was beginning to despise more than mayonnaise and bland tofu. This one was actually well-written and held my interest and I did not skim read. I am still not on SMG as a writer since this is the only good thing I have read from her. I am not aching or yearning to read more from her but at least this was decent!

I gave this only two stars because I was very very skeptical about this book because of my bad prior experiences reading this author. I am still not convinced SMG has redeemed herself IMO.

Recommended to those who like vampire stories how they should be, not the shiny kind.

Thanks to Netgalley, SIlvia Moreno-Garcia and McMillan Tor/ Forge Tor NIghtfire for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 9/7/21

Silvia Moreno-Garcia set a high bar for her with her debut MEXICAN GOTHIC. CERTAIN DARK THINGS refuses to stand in the shadow and brings forth its own glory. Silvia really demonstrates her talent at world-building with this book, it has a bit of everything. She portrays Vampires in yet a new light, which is no easy task given the saturation of these books in the market. I highly recommend it!

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I feel conflicted about my rating here. 3 stars? 3.5 stars? 4 stars? I guess I'll settle for 3 stars for now.

The Good:
--Worldbuilding and lore: Moreno-Garcia creates this entire vampire mythos--multiple subspecies from different cultures around the world--so if you're a fan of worldbuilding, there's loads to dig into. The tlāhuihpochtli's history as Aztec warrior-priestesses was particularly fascinating, and I only wish we could have learned more about some of the other vampires types referenced in the glossary.

--Setting: This alternate version of Mexico City is distinctly neon-noir, and the city is powerfully evocative: grimy, wet, corrupt, and dangerous.

The OK:
--The plot is fairly simple, with few surprises, but I can accept non-intricate plotting when it's balanced by other positives (like a rich setting and interesting backstory).

The Meh:
--I wish the world had been a little stranger, though? The Necros and the other vampire gangs are essentially gangsters and drug traffickers who just happen to drink blood. I would have expected their chosen vocations to reflect their paranormal origins, but they weren't much different than your normal crime novel villains.

--The characters fell flat for me, and were almost entirely unlikeable. I felt sorry for Domingo, and wanted to learn more about Bernardino, but otherwise my feelings ranged from irritated and frustrated (Atl) to feeling like there was missed potential (Ana Aguirre) to just absolute dislike (Rodrigo and Nick). This may have been more genre disconnect than anything else, though, because I'm not a fan of noir crime novels.

In Short:
Certain Dark Things is teeming in atmosphere and intriguing vampiric lore. I just wish that the rest of the novel was equally as rich, but unfortunately the characters weren't as interesting as the worldbuilding behind them.

The setting of Certain Dark Things was phenomenal. It was like, vampire noir, set in a futuristic, alternate Mexico City. It's grimy and neon and there are bloodsuckers - ALL KINDS. Seriously, Moreno-Garcia wove together folklore from all over the world into these different types of vampires. I've never read a vampire novel with such diversity.

The plot unfortunately, in my opinion, was the weakest part of this. Atl the vampire and Domingo the human make an unlikely team as they try to help Atl escape from a rival vampire family. They're so unlikely though, that i spent a lot of the book wondering what benefit Atl had in keeping Domingo around for so long. Most of this book felt like the two main characters were just scurrying around. It wasn't the most exciting thing I've ever read.

All in all, fantastic setting, rich world building. Maybe that is why the characters seemed so weak comparatively? If Moreno-Garcia wrote more in this world, I'd be very compelled to read it.