I have not read a monster-horror novel in quite a while, and it was so fun to be back! “Vampire of El Norte” had it all: great setting, interesting main characters, romance, and, of course, monsters. These vampires are less Edward Cullen and more huge bat-like creatures with no eyes that suck blood. In addition to these monsters, the Mexican-American war is raging and there are plenty of casualties from that as well.

Néstor went to live at Nena’s family’s ranchero after his family was attacked by U.S. soldiers when he was a child, and the two became close friends. But when they are attacked by a vampire, Néstor believes Nena has been killed and he runs away from the ranchero because he blames himself. Nine years later, Néstor returns to the ranchero to help out his family, and discovers that Nena is still alive and that the moment that has impacted his entire life was a lie.

Nena is training to be a healer and wants to help her ranchero with her skills, but her parents have other plans. They want to make an alliance through her marriage with another powerful ranchero. Nena offers her healing skills on the battlefield to try and show her father her value. Through this journey Nena and Néstor are reunited and there is anger and hurt on both sides. Their journey to save the ranchero and their journey of reconciliation runs parallel throughout the book.

I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I would recommend it to people who are looking for romance with their horror (or horror with their romance).

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. ( )

3.5 Stars ( )

Beyond words. This was just so good from start to finish and I was blown away by the sheer brilliance of every aspect of this novel.

I do not even like horror stories. I tend to shun them as I am easily frightened. But this had me turning page after page in sheer awe.

The beauty of the writing made this a story about vampires that I WILL recommend to friends and family alike. The love story intertwined alternatingly had me yelling at the characters and crying when things went awry.

Desperately awaiting a third book from Isabel Cañas. Any wait is much too long... ( )

Historical fiction, romance, vampires! Vampires of El Norte is a captivating blend of genres, two of which I don't regularly read. This novel was fantastic! Beautifully written, with evocative imagery, gorgeous descriptions of twilight and skies, food and plant life. Peppered with Mexican words and phrases that sent me to my dictionary, Vampires of El Norte enhanced my vocabulary as well.

I enjoyed the alternating third-person viewpoints of protagonists Nena and Néstor. Their history, their relationships, their inner states were enthrallingly rendered. The scenes of closeness and intimacy between them were filled with longing and desire and were sweaty, steamy, delicious.

In her author's note, Isabel Cañas talks about all of the challenges and hard work that went into the writing of Vampires of El Norte. Kind of makes me feel bad that I devoured the novel in only six days. But I couldn't help myself: it's just that good. ( )

4.75/5

This book exceeded my expectations. Going in, I had not even read the book description, but the title caught my eye. Needless to say, a wonderful story. Nena drove me nuts, quite a bit of the time, as she just needed to get over herself and go back to Nestor, but their finale was worth the wait. A Horror Romance is exactly what this was and I loved it. ( )