Many thanks to @librofm for the #gifted audiobook.

 

Longing and fear.  Fear and longing.  

 

Within the first pages, I found myself completely immersed.  The seamless blend of historical fiction with gothic horror alongside swoon worthy romance created an engaging story that I flew through (busting me out of one of the worst reading slumps).  

 

I loved following Nena & Nestor.  There was so much complexity to their relationship, and I felt the pining between the two deep in my own soul. 

 

I loved the vivid setting and the rich atmosphere.  Between the historic backdrop and the inclusion of Mexican folklore, I was easily immersed into the time, place and culture.   

 

But what I loved most?  Those vampires!  Monsters lurking in the dark creating a looming fear.  Vaqueros on high alert.  Prepared to protect their way of life.  Yet… the vampires weren’t the only lurking monsters.  

 

Canas delivers an incisive commentary on class, gender, and colonization.  With vampires compared to Anglos, it is a vivid portrayal of monsters sucking the lifeblood (heritage, land) out of the Mexican people.   

 

Beautifully written and compulsively readable, I was fully transported by Canas’ sophomore novel and can’t wait to see what she does next.  

 

🎧 The audiobook was exceptionally narrated by Jose Nateras and Krysta Gonzales and added extra depth to the culture and language.  I was particularly smitten with Nateras’ portrayal of Nestor.  🥰