Certain Dark Things

A neo-noir vampire story set in Mexico City follows Domingo, a street teen who collects garbage, and Atl, a descendant of Aztec blood drinkers. Their paths cross as Atl flees from rival vampires through the dark streets of a metropolis where their kind has been banned. The novel draws from pre-Hispanic mythology and multiple vampire subspecies, each with distinct cultural origins and biological traits. The narrative alternates between characters navigating Mexico City's underground vampire world while local police and cartel-connected creatures close in on their trail. In this reimagining of vampire lore, Moreno-Garcia explores power dynamics, class divisions, and cultural identity in contemporary Mexico. The story examines predator-prey relationships on multiple levels - between vampires and humans, between competing criminal factions, and within Mexico City's stark social hierarchies.

Readers call this a fresh take on vampire mythology that blends Mexican folklore with noir elements. Reviews note the atmospheric Mexico City setting and the unique vampire subspecies based on pre-Hispanic cultures. Positive reviews highlight: - Rich cultural details and mythology - Complex relationship between main characters - Deep worldbuilding without info-dumping - Fast pacing and noir tone Common criticisms: - Romance develops too quickly - Side characters need more development - Some readers wanted more action sequences - Plot feels predictable at points Ratings: Goodreads: 3.89/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) "The vampire lore is fantastic and feels authentic to Mexican culture," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review counters: "The relationship moved too fast and overshadowed the interesting mythology."

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia A Mayan death god and a mortal woman traverse 1920s Mexico in a tale that blends Mexican folklore with a dark romance.

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh A string of murders in 1872 New Orleans leads a young woman into the world of vampires who draw from both European and Asian mythology.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia A young socialite investigates a mysterious house in 1950s Mexico where ancient horrors merge with colonial heritage.

Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite A group of vampires in New Orleans navigate blood, music, and ancient lineages in this tale of Southern Gothic horror.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Four Indigenous men face supernatural consequences from their past actions in this story that weaves cultural identity with horror.

🦇 Although vampire stories originated in Europe, this novel draws heavily from Aztec mythology, blending the traditional bloodsucker lore with pre-Hispanic Mexican legends like the Tlahuelpuchi - a shapeshifting vampire creature. 🌇 The book's Mexico City setting reflects a real policy from the 1990s when the city actually banned vampires, though in reality, this referred to goths and other alternative subcultures that were considered undesirable by authorities. 📚 Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia wrote the novel as a response to what she saw as the "sanitization" of vampires in modern fiction, wanting to return to their darker, more dangerous roots. 🗺️ The novel features distinct subspecies of vampires from different global regions, each with their own unique characteristics and abilities based on various cultural mythologies. 💫 The book was originally published in 2016, then went out of print, but popular demand led to its reissue in 2020 by Tor Books, introducing it to a new generation of readers.