So like many people, I liked Mexican Gothic. It felt so Lovecraftian and creepy. Based on the popularity of that book, this book, the author's second novel, was re-released. I was not a fan. I just couldn't get into it. I don't mind vampire stories, but something about this just didn't hit. The different kinds of vampires were interesting and I did like that, but I didn't connect to any of the characters and there were side plots that I really didn't care about.

Urban noir with vampires? Sign me up! I knew from the moment I finished reading Mexican Gothic that I would need to go devour all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s previous books. Of course, I had to start with the one with vampires in it. Certain Dark Things was originally published in 2016, but after going out of print for a while it was re-released by Nightfire last year. And good thing it was, since it would be a shame for this fresh take on vampires to pass into obscurity.

Domingo has been on his own in Mexico City since getting kicked out of his home at fifteen, but his work as a garbage collector keeps him from starving and he manages to find joy in the vampire comics he loves to read. When he finally meets a real-life vampire, though, he learns they’re nothing like the depictions in pop culture. Mexico City has been declared a vampire-free zone by human authorities, backed up by the city’s powerful gangs, but Atl is desperate enough to slip within its borders. Once the daughter of a powerful family of Tlāhuihpochtli—the subspecies of vampires once worshiped by the Aztec—she’s now an orphan on the run from the rival band of Necros vampires that killed her family. Atl is hesitant to trust anyone other than her faithful dog Cualli, but with cops, crime lords, and vampires all closing in on her, she’s not going to be able to last long in the city without some human help. Domingo is willing to put it all on the line to help Atl, but will his loyalty, optimism, and street kid smarts be enough to keep her safe in a world where so many powerful people want her dead?

Certain Dark Things is an homage to noir fiction, a genre of literature that takes its name from the film style and tends to feature dark and gritty depictions of crime, corruption, and violence. One character archetype often seen in noir fiction is the struggling cop caught within a corrupt system. In Certain Dark Things, this role is filled by Ana Aguirre, a single mother who moved to Mexico City in the hopes of a safer life for herself and her teenage daughter. However, as the only officer on the force with experience killing vampires, she can’t help but get dragged into a case involving two vampires loose in the “vampire-free” city. When the police force refuses to give her the authority and resources she needs and one of the local crime syndicates offers to fill that void, Ana has to compromise her morals and make some tough decisions. The setting, too, of Certain Dark Things is typical of that of noir fiction: an urban center overrun by organized crime, drug trade, and poverty. But Moreno-Garcia puts a fresh spin on this backdrop by creating a world where human gangs and vampire gangs of different species are bitter rivals in the fight to control the drugs—and thus the wealth and the power—that flow through Mexico.

And that brings us to the thing that drew me to this book in the first place—the vampires. In Certain Dark Things, different types of vampires inspired by various world mythologies are depicted as competing subspecies. Atl and her family are Tlāhuihpochtli, a type of bird-shifter vampires derived from Nahua folklore that are considered the indigenous vampire species of Mexico. After the existence of vampires became publicly known in the 1970s, other species of vampires from all around the world migrated to Mexico as other countries fought to expel them. The quickest to grow in power are the Necros, a Central European subspecies of vampire that most closely resemble those depicted in classic literature. The Necros bite their victims with fanged teeth and can gain control over human minds. Another subspecies featured in the story is the Revenant, a particularly frightening creature that can absorb the life from humans and vampires alike. Passing references are made to other types of vampires, including the Chinese Jiangshi and the German Nachzehrer. I found it truly fascinating to see these different types of vampires all living and interacting in the same world.

Whether you love noir, vampires, or just the lushness of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing, you’ll definitely want to check out Certain Dark Things.

I really love this version of vampires. I think that the factions bit was very much of the norm for some vampire movies and well-built vampire fiction, but the musical.and magical elements for lack of a better term were so fun. Still creepy but made for a very unique read. And liked the multiple POV for this one too.

I actually had no idea what this was about when I picked it up, I just see the name Silvia Moreno-Garcia and I read it. I trust her fully with my reading experience. Surprise! (spoiler alert), this is about vampires! Vampires in Mexico City! This is such rich ground for exploration. These vampires are born (not made by other vampires) and are "out" to the public at large and have been since the 1970s. Domingo is our main entry into this world and he is somehow loveable and charming. I think I liked his character development the most. Atl, his partner in crime, is someone I had to warm up to but eventually did. Together, they're trying to escape this dangerous mecca. It's a character study but also an adventure thriller and yet another from Moreno-Garcia that I enjoyed and give a solid 5 stars.

Really enjoyed this take on vampires! It was more violent than I thought, which in some ways is nice, and the characters compelling. I was kind of sad with how it ended

Moreno-Garcia is one of the brightest talents in contemporary literature, and "Certain Dark Things" (which was originally published in 2016) is her wholly original, fresh take on urban fantasy and vampire noir set in a wonderfully altered, wonderfully realistic Mexico City. Moreno-Garcia combines all the best elements of vampire fantasy with Aztec mythology and Mexican storytelling, resulting in a fast-paced, gorgeously written, and hugely rewarding novel that is as unique as it is adventurous. I've never read anything by her that I didn't love. Highly recommended.

This book is not as captivating as Mexican Gothic, which in my estimation is still the greatest work by this author. I do love the setting in Mexico, and I do love the reinvention of the vampire trope. Silvia Moreno-Garcia certainly has an affinity for this lore, and she executes it as exquisitely as can be expected. The passion bleeds through the pages.
I do wish for a more emotional connection to the story and the characters, but the pages turn and the story is good.

This noir-style story takes place in an alternate version of Mexico City, where vampires are real and everyone knows it. These dangerous, brutal creatures have reshaped everything known about society. Check out this one!

Who knew SMG had such range??

Urban fantasy isn't really my thing, but I adored this dark vampire story! The world building was vivid and sparkling and smelly. I like my vampires with grit and these guys delivered. And THE DOG LIVES! What more can I say? This was some noir neon goodness and I'm glad I got a physical copy from Nightworms!

I've said it before, I'll say it again: I will read anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes. Would I have actively sought out a book about neon punk vampires in Mexico City? Nope. Will I read it if SMG writes it? 100%. Another smashing success, and truly one of my favorites of hers so far!

3.5/5 This was an interesting twist on vampires and I really did enjoy the unique and fresh perspective that Silvia Moreno-Garcia put into the aged topic. There are a lot of POV's in this book and I found myself having to remind myself often who I was learning about for the first 1/3 of the book. But once I caught on I was good through the rest of the story. The reason I'm reducing my rating really is because there was so much more that could and should have been included in the development of these characters. In all the other books I've read by Moreno-Garcia the characters leapt off the page, but this one I felt like the engine was trying but just never turned over :(

Thank you so much for the chance to read this book, and I'm so sorry my review is coming...almost a year late!!

This was my second Silvia Moreno-Garcia book, and while there is nothing that I objectively don't like about her stories, I just don't think we are a good fit. Her worlds are interesting, I love the Mexican culture woven throughout, and the characters are always compelling. However, I just find that I'm not invested in the story, and once I get to the end I"m like okay, that's fine, I read it.

In conclusion - if you liked her other books - you will likely enjoy this compelling vampire story!

Certain Dark Things is like everything that Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes - unique and intriguing. An urban fantasy thriller vampires, romance, violence all crafted with a strangely sensitive lens.

I’m not well-versed in vampire stories, so I can’t say much about how <i>Certain Dark Things</i> uses or subverts lore. But for a novice, it was very entertaining!

The characters were memorable! The villains were genuinely villainous; the heroes were worth rooting for. Domingo was a golden retriever, and I loved him. He went along wholeheartedly, and I was rooting for him (and the dog) to survive.

It’s been a few months now since I finished the novel, but the ending is still in my mind – in a good way! It was satisfying and fit the story.

Despite owning several of Moreno-Garcia’s works for years, <i>Certain Dark Things</i> was the first I actually read. Needless to say, I’m a fan now, and her new books are an instant read!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a fantastic author. Vampire novels are not my usual kind of story, but I'll pick up anything written by her. This story takes place in a modern day Mexico City, unlike many of her other novels that take place in a historical fiction setting. Well written and interesting, I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves vampire novels.


3.5 Stars rounded to 4 stars.

It's hard not to connect with Domingo, though you wish he would be just a little more chill in the presence of Atl. And speaking of "chill," vampires in Mexico City seem to be the ultimate in cool -- attractive, deadly, ancient. The worldbuilding in this story is terrific, and it's easy to see why it's a fan favorite. I wanted to connect more to Atl, but I was always more concerned about her incredible furred friend. Loved the concept of so many kinds of vampires, all vying for power and respect in this new world.

‘Welcome to Mexico City, an oasis in a sea of vampires. Domingo, a lonely garbage-collecting street kid, is just trying to survive its heavily policed streets when a jaded vampire on the run swoops into his life. Atl, the descendant of Aztec blood drinkers, is smart, beautiful, and dangerous. Domingo is mesmerized.’

‘Vampires, humans, cops, and criminals collide in the dark streets of Mexico City. Do Atl and Domingo even stand a chance of making it out alive? Or will the city devour them all?’

If you enjoy Vampires and Noir, then I think you may like CERTAIN DARK THINGS by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

I enjoyed the physical (Awesome!!!!!) and semi-mental transition of Atl’s character.

Personally, as an avid fan of the underdog, Domingo, who is treated horribly by Atl (I didn’t, but should have excepted) and by other characters (I anticipated), is one of the characters I rooted for throughout.

As the reader, you soon learn the ideology of vampires regarding humans, which gives reason for Atl’s treatment of Domingo and her mindset.

By the story’s end, my heart broke for Domingo—though I must admit—I love the ending!

Overall, I enjoyed the book. However, my biggest pet peeve is the slow burn and what felt like a sagging middle that struggled to push the narrative forward, in my opinion.

Thank you, NetGalley and Nightfire (Macmillan Publishing), for providing me with an eBook of CERTAIN DARK THINGS at the request of an honest review.

This is not appropriate for a school library but I requested it because I have the author's other books in the library. I highly recommend this author to adult readers. This book is true quality and a wonderful read for those who enjoy this genre. I recommend it and her other works for all public libraries.

The cover and premise did not disappoint with this one! I love how capable Moreno-Garcia is of writing whatever she puts her mind to. She does the fantasy-horror genre with ease, and I find her writing so gripping! This was a bloody and exciting vampire story with a complex world and fantastic characters. Highly recommend!

Love that this book got a re-release, as it reads like a classic of horror lit. I'll be recommending it to everyone on panels