An imaginative vampire crime-noir piece set in Mexico City - I found Certain Dark Things to be captivating and tightly-paced, with a sharp look at cycles of poverty, classism, and colonialism.

In a world where many subspecies of vampires are known (and barely tolerated), Mexico City is meant to be a vamp-free zone. Domingo is a teenage street kid who collects and sells garbage. He’s barely surviving when he meets beautiful & dangerous Aztec vampire Atl. 

Atl is on the run from a rival vampire clan, and when local police stumble onto her trail things only get messier. She’s isolated from her surviving family and fiercely independent, but Domingo slowly finds his way into her heart. Only problem is .. they’re running out of time to escape Mexico City with their lives.

This was a lush world with an expansive & detailed history. It was a little awkwardly-navigated at times, and the glossary at the ending provided details that I only wished were organically woven into the story.

I really enjoyed all of the POVs, and the experience of attempting to root for several characters who were working directly against each other. Domingo was sweet and naive, Atl’s grief and ferocity were compelling, Ana’s desperation to protect her city and daughter was heart-wrenching, and even Rodrigo had his moments. The main villain was a bit cartoonishly evil at times, but I thought everyone else was pretty fleshed-out for such a short read.

It’s moody and atmospheric and I was very drawn into the world and lore. 

CW: blood, violence, gore, murder, death (of loved ones, children, and parents), gun violence, body horror, animal cruelty, animal death, drug use, misogyny, torture, excessive vomiting, grief, adult/minor relationship, police brutality, slavery, colonization, fire, racism, mass death, kidnapping

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