Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for an ARC!

In short, spectacular vampire noir that plays around with genre conventions in a big way. Excellent world building. This was one of those books I was sorry to see end.

Domingo is a street kid in Mexico City who scrounges a living by collecting objects for a rag-and-bone man. Everything changes when he says hello to a beautiful girl named Atl one night. Of course, Atl isn't just a beautiful girl: she's a vampire descended from Aztec blood drinkers (who were more recently a powerful drug-dealing family in Northern Mexico). Atl is fleeing the rival gang who killed her family, and she needs help. Domingo finds out that everything he knows about vampires is wrong except for one thing: they are very, very dangerous.

This is one of my favorite vampire novels of the last decade. The setting— a dark, dangerous Mexico City— is fantastically noir. The different vampire races, which we see tantalizing glimpses of, are a fascinating amalgamation of vampire lore and a fantastic set-up ripe for political intrigue. Domingo, as a romantic optimist even with his hard life, is an excellent point-of-view entry into this world. The story in itself is quite contained and focused on Atl's goal of escaping Mexico City— some readers in other reviews have said that the plot feels basic despite the excellent world-building. I don't agree, but I would have happily consumed more and hope Moreno-Garcia might write more in this world. I thought the ending was fitting.

So, if you’d asked me a bit ago, I’d probably tell you that I hate sexy vampires. I generally like my bloodsuckers scary and edgy. Huh…turns out you can have scary and edgy vampires that are ALSO sexy. Who knew?

Certain Dark Things offers everything compelling about vampires, while still reminding you that they are, indeed, horrors. Moreno-Garcia brings us into a well-drawn world where humans and these terrible hell-creatures are at war…and the reader isn’t quite sure which side they’re rooting for!

This is an extremely fast read. The author seamlessly slams you into her world and doesn’t let you come up for air until the very end.

Absolutely reading the author again in the future!

*ARC Provided via Net Galley

**I received an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book. Couldn't get enough of it. You can't go wrong with a story centered around a vampire. Especially when you throw a street kid, cops, and crime bosses into the mix. I highly recommend this book.

This was a heavy lift for me, as I’m not a huge fan of vampire narratives, and definitely not a fan of gangster fiction. But I gave it a try, because I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia, trusting that she would be able to do this in a creative, new way.

Domingo is a innocent street kid who collects garbage and he meets Atl, an Aztec Blood Drinker who is on the run from a rival vampire cartel, the Necros. Domingo is infatuated with Atl, and she needs blood—a match made in heaven. Vampires run rampant through Mexico and have formed cartels and criminal organizations—everywhere except for Mexico City. In Mexico City, vampires are monitored and driven off by law enforcement and large gangs. Domingo becomes Atl's Renfield, or human familiar, but they get closer and closer, as they run from the Necros.

This was one of the better vampire narratives I’ve read, partly because I loved the non-European, non-white characters and setting. But gangsters, grime, cartels and vampires are not my thing and even this book, with its original ideas, characters and setting couldn’t really win me over. But if you like any of the above, you will LOVE this book.

This isn't the first time Certain Dark Things has seen print, but as someone who missed it the first time round, I am THRILLED to have finally had the chance to read it. Moreno-Garcia's take on vampires is rich in lore -- but not the same old white, European lore that's been associated with vampires since the publication of Dracula. Here, we see influences from all over the globe -- and it underlines just how rich the tapestry of vampire lore really is.

Also, it's one heck of a story. A blend of horror and noir set in a futuristic-yet-familiar Mexico City, Certain Dark Things grabs you from the start and won't let go until you turn the last page. Richly drawn characters and a fascinating backdrop make this one a tale to look out for.

<b>“She seems to enjoy your company, she may even like you, and yet. Don’t deceive yourself, my boy, this is not a love story”. </b>

In Certain Dark Things by Silvia-Moreno Garcia, a battle between two vampire clans takes to the streets of an alternate Mexico City. Domingo, a garbage collector encounters a vampire on the run named Atl. An unlikely partnership is formed when they team up to help Atl escape Mexico City and the subspecies of vampires, the Necros, who hunt her. Dodging other vampires, cops and humans, will they make it out alive?

This book was so different from Mexican Gothic, but I still loved it. Unlike Mexican Gothic, Certain Dark Things was a neo noir in that it was sort of genre bending and just a very contemporary, dark setting. Set in an alternate timeline, one where vampires are known to be real, Moreno-Garcia brought to life not just one type of vampire, but many. We meet three types in this novel, but the afterword features a Vampire Index that features many different kinds of vampires. The index at the end is an absolute treasure. It really shows how much thought Moreno-Garcia put into the world building in this novel.

I was really impressed by this book. The pages kept turning as more bodies kept piling up. I was really rooting for Domingo and Atl (and of course for Cualli, ). The ending was satisfying. I would absolutely welcome more in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire Publishing for this ARC!

Certain Dark Things is a gorgeous and gritty neo-noir set in Mexico City following vampire Atl, whose mother always told her to give humans she feeds off of iron pills, and Domingo, said human. If you live for dark fantasy and grew up on vampire novels, this is a must buy. So grateful to Nightfire for the ARC and for resurrecting this book from being out of print so more can enjoy this luscious, liminal world.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

Okay so Silvia Moreno-Garcia did not disappoint with this book! As soon as I read the description of this book, I knew I needed to read it! Certain Dark Things isn't your traditional, typical vampire book. It is filled with several VERY different species of vampires which I absolutely loved. This book set in Mexico City, a place that hates vampires, follows Atl, a vampire trying to find help to get out of the city safely while hiding from a rival vampire gang and Domingo, a homeless human guy just trying to survive. Their paths cross one night and after that, they are stuck together trying to figure out how to escape the vampire gang, the police, and the human cartel that runs Mexico City. Moreno-Garcia touches on several different cultures especially Aztec history and she isn't afraid to address the corruption that affects Mexico. If you are looking for a vampire romance story, don't look here but if you want something new, different and with a touch of horror, read this book!

Certain Dark Things
by Silvia Garcia
pub date 07 Sept 2021

I enjoy vampire stories and this one is different. No gothic vampire here, the vampire is a female and Spanish.. I lack great detail on Spanish culture and that of the Aeztc as well. If you are expecting a classical vampire story, this is a chance you will find a different view on vampires.

There are many references to classical vampires included in the story. If you have a greater understanding of Spanish culture, then I believe you will enjoy this book very much.

#CertianDarkThings

There are a lot of vampire books out there. Most of them are bad. A modest number of them are decent. And a very, very precious few are excellent. I live for those exceptional few, and Certain Dark Things is one of them.

To begin, as the author herself has cautioned, this is not like Mexican Gothic. It’s (sort of) a neo-noir, definitely not Gothic, and much, much darker. But Moreno-Garcia’s distinctive and notable “voice” comes through in both, and the differences mostly serve to highlight her range as a writer.

Bloody and noirish though this may be, it still has small doses of sweetness and wry, subtle humor, and while it may be violent and dark, I wouldn’t call it grim or depressing. Moreno-Garcia gives us enough light and hope in a bleak setting that the book doesn’t feel oppressive in the way that many Noirs do.

Speaking of setting, the one boasted by this book is excellent. The world building is outstanding and the landscape of the story is at once gritty and real but also satisfyingly fantastical.

I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending. It’s a good one but...not what I wanted. And as per my policy, no spoilers except the one I always grant for those whose sensitivities align with mine: The dog makes it through.

Moreno-Garcia has become a must read for me, and this book only served to reinforce that.

3.5/5, rounded up to 4

I am a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia so I was very excited to read this reissue of one of her earlier novels. I really enjoyed the different types of vampires and the way that Mexico City figures almost as its own character in the story. Atl and Domingo are interesting protagonists, and I liked watching their relationship develop. As always, Moreno-Garcia weaves deeper themes throughout, in this case exploring the effects of class and colonialism on both vampires and humans I found that it took me a little while to get into the story, and that the ending felt a bit rushed. However, overall, I enjoyed this quite a bit.

This neon-noir thriller is a wonder of flickering streets lights, blood-covered chins, and danger around each corner. Certain Dark Things tells the story of two lost souls, one a trash collecting teen, the other a young runaway Aztec vampire as they try to survive and escape a harsh lightly dystopian Mexico City. Truly a dark and gritty delight.

This book was alright overall. It was a bit hard for me to follow at first, but once you get into it it's a lot of fun! I recommend starting it whenever you aren't about to sleep!

This was a 3.5 star read but I'm rounding it up to 4 stars.

I was very excited to read this book early as I didn't get the chance to read it before it went out of print.

Reading a book with Mexican vampires was such an amazing experience especially since most representation especially for vampires are white.

This book is about a young vampire Atl who is on the run. Her family killed by another vampire clan who is now after her. She meets a human boy Domingo who helps her but she also catches feelings for him as well.

This book has many pov chapters, from Atl, Domingo, the vampire Nick who is after him, his human side man Rodrigo and Ana the cop who has killed vampires and is paid to hunt down Nick and Atl.

I wish it was longer, for a bit i didn't like Domingos puppy love but i know that is natural for how he actes but he was smothering.
I definitely would love a sequel just to see how Domingo and Atl are but this was a good fast paced read.

I read and loved Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade & Shadow, & Untamed Shore this year & was eagerly looking forward to reading Certain Dark Things. Unsurprisingly, I was blown away by this one. Certain Dark Things might be my favorite Silvia Moreno-Garcia book yet - I inhaled this book like a thirsty vampire drinks human blood. Moreno-Garcia has such an incredible way of weaving characters and story together and she so perfectly writes in a smart, and sophisticated noir vampire read.

Beyond the fantastical elements of vampires in Mexico City, Moreno-Garcia has important themes to reflect on, like that of colonization and class, corruption and greed. The way she engages with this themes feel so unique & I truly look forward to more books by her. Looking forward to purchasing this one!

Review incoming on https://www.instagram.com/bookedwithemma/

I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia's works! I was so excited to see this title from her available on here and had to request it. I was hooked on this vampire story. I plan on adding it to the library's collection.

I didnt know how read I was to get my hands on another vampire story until I picked this one up. Morena-Garcia has managed to become one of my favorite authors. I loved Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and shadows so I new I had to give this one a try. I loved it. It wasnt at all what I expected and I enjoyed every minute of it.

This book is a refreshing new take on the vampire story, with beautifully drawn characters moving through the light and shadow of a richly detailed world. Moreno-Garcia really lets us "feel" this world, and she's unafraid to take us into every dark corner of it (and often is content to just leave us there to fend for ourselves).

For fans of the vampire mythos, Certain Dark Things is an essential read. It expands the vampire's traditional milieu and and reinvigorates the sexiness, the sordidness, the pulpy fun of vampires. It's another home run for Moreno-Garcia, who's becoming one of the most important voices in horror.

While this author is known for mexican gothic, don’t believe that’s all she had to offer. This new take on vampires, while interesting, hits too many dead ends and loses the excitement. The side characters aren’t developed enough for us to care about even though they get their own chapters. Their deaths mean nothing and almost go unnoticed, even the antagonists death barely goes unnoticed. While i know this author is capable of great things, this was just a miss

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free digital galley of this book in exchange for feedback.

So, before she wrote "Mexican Gothic," Silvia Moreno-Garcia wrote "Certain Dark Things." It's a vampire story set in Mexico City, and the vampire in question is a member of an ancient Aztec clan of vampire priestesses. The book went out of print due to a series of unfortunate events involving the publisher, so it was difficult and/or expensive to get a copy - but now it's being republished, and everyone will be able to read it. If you liked "Mexican Gothic" you will definitely like this book, too - it's good horror and good literature.