My Goodreads review: Vampires of El Norte

[ankh_hpl]

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


As someone who listened to & very much enjoyed The Hacienda, this was a disappointment. The former novel was a fine historical Gothic, with touches of romance. Horror was the primary focus of the plot, & interpersonal relationships served to carry that plot.

Vampires of El Norte is essentially a well-written historical romance, with a side order of horror. The vampires are indeed there, & very imaginative ones they are -- but a childhood romance rekindled is the primary plot focus. This wasn't what I signed on for as a reader. Despite some fascinating historical details about Mexico beginning the process of independence, & even more intriguing information about Mexican folk medicine, I was very unsatisfied by this listen. For me, it was simply the balance -- or lack of it -- between terror & romance. I also did not find the protagonists (particularly the young woman Nena) entirely sympathetic or believable, though the author did keep me caring about them enough to finish the book.

Readers who enjoy historical romance with touches of horror -- or at least atmospheric dread -- might find this at least a four-star read. Horror readers who enjoyed The Hacienda & are expecting something similar should probably look elsewhere.



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