Name: Vampires of El Norte
Rating: 3.934523809523809 (42 reviews)
ISBN: 9798885790253

Isabel as

Vampires of El Norte

Kate

During the day, Nena obeyed. Mamá and Papá's love was a frag- ile thing. Lately, she felt that if she moved too quickly, it might snap.

Isabel Cañas

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! Vampires and vaqueros face off on the Texas-Mexico border in this supernatural western from the author of The Hacienda. As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago. Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind. When the United States invades Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh. And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.

M. Sosotris

A sweeping historical novel with romance and outstanding characters.

Books like this require the reader to examine their expectations. Vampire novels come in many flavours, but one of my favourite iterations of the vampire is when the vampires are metaphors, rather than mere monsters.

The vampires in this book are so unique: beastly, animalistic, and very creepy. But I feel like readers who are expecting a 30 Days of Night-style book of relentless horror  may be disappointed. This is a story rooted in the lives of the main characters first and foremost.

I loved the main duo so much. Their arcs are so good, and I just wanted to follow their adventures in multiple books. They remind me of Rick and Evie from The Mummy. In fact, that film is a great analogue to this one. This is a romantic historical adventure that has supernatural elements. 

The folkloric elements are so beautifully researched, and the time and place of this book (19th century Texas back before it was captured by the US) comes alive with a gorgeous clarity. You really feel immersed in the landscape and the culture.

If you’re looking for a more mean-spirited horror novel, you won’t find that here. This is a FUN and gorgeous romp with stunning character work and a breathtaking landscapes.

Vampires and vaqueros face off on the Texas-Mexico border in this supernatural western from the author of The Hacienda. As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago. Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind. When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh. And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.

erin

brother is the horror in the room with us? this was so incredibly slow, boring, and genuinely tiring. it felt like this book had at least 600 pages, especially because of the amount of pointless introspective passages we get that bring nothing new to the table. repetitive to the point i had to fight myself not to skim over entire pages. so disappointing. the only thing that saves this book is how atmospheric it was. however, for a book marketed as a historical horror with vampires, it severely lacks horror and vampires. they're an underdeveloped afterthought next to the boring, tortured romance between néstor (annoying loser who cannot communicate) and nena (slightly less annoying but still unable to communicate), who were actually just so. infuriating. oh my god.

Beautifully written romance with the added unique vampire inspired by Mexican folklore ❤️

Roxanne Ramirez

I really enjoyed this book.  It is another excellent horror story with a refreshing setting and cast of characters.  I appreciated the setting in the Southwest of the 1840s.  It was hard to take the Texas Rangers as being the "bad guys," but of course from the perspective of the characters in the story, they were.  The take on vampires was unique, and this book was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.  The characters were engaging, and the setting impeccable.  

shellybn

This book was not exactly what I was expecting but was extremely pleasantly surprised. More people should be talking about this book! Stunning prose and a beautiful, aching love story set against the backdrop of the English invasion of Texas all with an interesting element of magical realism. The author does a really great job of incorporating her heritage and folklore into the story. When I wasn’t reading this book I was thinking about it. It was paced very well and Nena and Nèstor are layered, captivating characters. 

Katie Allard

Had so much more potential. But I could tell this one was a little rushed. Boring, predictable story. Minimal vampire action, way too much romance. I enjoyed the setting and some of the language (you can tell which chapters the author revised a few times, and which she didn't).

Katelyn Caillouet

I had such a good time reading this. It read quicker than I anticipated. I lived the genre blend of horror, historical fiction and romance. I really liked the symbolism of vampires and the relation to colonialism. I found the writing to be super immersive and I enjoyed the romance between Nena and Nestor. I definitely want to read more Isabel Cañas.

Mel 

I would say that this is definitely miscategorized as a horror, however the writing was beautiful. Cañas did not fall into the second book trap. It has the same atmosphere as The Hacienda and I love how she took a historical romance and wove in the supernatural while ending the book on a satisfying note

Alex

Although picked up on a whim, I really enjoyed this book. The depictions of vampires was interesting and unique compared to the typical 'handsome and mysterious stranger.' The love story was sweet and the exploration of family dynamics was excellent.  

Kiersten

i’m rounding up my rating, specifically because i enjoyed the last 30~ pages or so. I didn’t like the characters very much or very often, but i did ultimately understand them, so i enjoyed being with them through this. 

Whitley

From the beginning this book has piqued my interest. Kept me on the edge of my seat as each chapter ended. I thought it was going to be more horror and less romance but I'm glad it wasn't. I loved it the way it was.

The writing was incredible and the descriptions too, but sometimes I felt like it was too much and unnecessary and slowed down the pace of the story, especially when something urgent was happening. For instance some parts were reiterated and then given description like "this reminded him of..." but we can already make that connection, we don't need to be told.

Nestor Duarte, the man that you are! Write him into reality please... Their love for each other... so beautiful!

ameera

Wow. Wow. Wow.

From the beginning this book has piqued my interest. Kept me on the edge of my seat as each chapter ended. I thought it was going to be more horror and less romance but I'm glad it wasn't. I loved it the way it was.

The writing was incredible and the descriptions too, but sometimes I felt like it was too much and unnecessary and slowed down the pace of the story, especially when something urgent was happening. For instance some parts were reiterated and then given description like "this reminded him of..." but we can already make that connection, we don't need to be told.

Nestor Duarte, the man that you are! Write him into reality please... Their love for each other... so beautiful!

this was so beautifully written sometimes I would read sentences over a few times just because they were so nice, and the romance was super cute! I really did like it and would read it again! 

fris🐝

When I read The Hacienda las year, I knew that any book Isabel Cañas came out with next, I would devour. And yeap, I was right. Vampires of El Norte wasn't as scary or "traditional" horror-filled like The Hacienda was but it proves the point that sometimes monsters aren't just the things that go bump in the night. Sometimes (and most often) they are men. 

The romance she wove into this story was swoon-worthy. 

Gisela Ayala 

When I read The Hacienda las year, I knew that any book Isabel Cañas came out with next, I would devour. And yeap, I was right. Vampires of El Norte wasn't as scary or "traditional" horror-filled like The Hacienda was but it proves the point that sometimes monsters aren't just the things that go bump in the night. Sometimes (and most often) they are men. 

The romance she wove into this story was swoon-worthy. 

Nena and Nestor loved one another from the time they were children. A tragedy tears them apart, and the threat of war brings them together. And, oh…did I mention vampires?

This was a deeply atmospheric read, with a well-written historical setting. The plot just seemed more love story than horror, and it didn’t work for me. I loved The Hacienda by this author, and I will definitely give her another try.

Cheri McElroy

Nena and Nestor loved one another from the time they were children. A tragedy tears them apart, and the threat of war brings them together. And, oh…did I mention vampires?

This was a deeply atmospheric read, with a well-written historical setting. The plot just seemed more love story than horror, and it didn’t work for me. I loved The Hacienda by this author, and I will definitely give her another try.

Vampires of El Norte

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