Vampires of El Norte
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! Vampires, vaqueros, and star-crossed lovers 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.
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Community Reviews
Nena Mercedes has wanted to be a vaqueros, ever since she can remember. However, being a daughter of a prominent rancho owner, she is expected to marry within her class if not higher. Enter Nestor To better understand this, think of it as the Mexican version of Romeo and Juilet, set in the 1840s, during the American-Mexican War. Add in vampiric creatures and you pretty much have it.
Will the two star crossed lovers who have known each other since they were eights years of age, make it? Will the vampires due them in or will Don Feliciano Mercedes, Nenaâs father strike Nestor down first or have Nestor think he could build a life with Nena, his daughter?
One of the many things I found irritating is how it was stated, âNena obeyed her Mama and Papa because their love was a fragile thing.â Her parents seemingly are able to turn on their love on and off like a water spigot. âWhat will the people say?â...âYou must be a good daughter and save your reputation so that you can marry someone of nobility and help save my farm.â... and âShe was Don Felicanoâs daughter; his thunderous anger struck a primal chord..she had always been afraid of him as a girl.â Really?!?! Her parents seem to be all about appearing a certain ânobilityâ and appearances and Nena was just born to serve and obey their commands. She can be seen but not heard and if she doesnât obey, they donât want to see her either. Her brother Felix will speak up for her, at times, but she always has to stare at him and will him to speak. Insert eye roll, here.
I thought there would be more horror but instead, it is more anguish of will Nena forgive Nestor or will she be a stubborn mule and hold on to her anger for him leaving her? I read this, thinking it would be a good horror novel. I was wrong. Sadly, no spine tingle or blood curdling vibes for me.
Writing Style: 2.5/5
Plot: 2.75/5
Pace: 2.75/5
Characters: 2.75/5
Intrigue: 2.75/5
Enjoyment: 2.75/5
Will the two star crossed lovers who have known each other since they were eights years of age, make it? Will the vampires due them in or will Don Feliciano Mercedes, Nenaâs father strike Nestor down first or have Nestor think he could build a life with Nena, his daughter?
One of the many things I found irritating is how it was stated, âNena obeyed her Mama and Papa because their love was a fragile thing.â Her parents seemingly are able to turn on their love on and off like a water spigot. âWhat will the people say?â...âYou must be a good daughter and save your reputation so that you can marry someone of nobility and help save my farm.â... and âShe was Don Felicanoâs daughter; his thunderous anger struck a primal chord..she had always been afraid of him as a girl.â Really?!?! Her parents seem to be all about appearing a certain ânobilityâ and appearances and Nena was just born to serve and obey their commands. She can be seen but not heard and if she doesnât obey, they donât want to see her either. Her brother Felix will speak up for her, at times, but she always has to stare at him and will him to speak. Insert eye roll, here.
I thought there would be more horror but instead, it is more anguish of will Nena forgive Nestor or will she be a stubborn mule and hold on to her anger for him leaving her? I read this, thinking it would be a good horror novel. I was wrong. Sadly, no spine tingle or blood curdling vibes for me.
Writing Style: 2.5/5
Plot: 2.75/5
Pace: 2.75/5
Characters: 2.75/5
Intrigue: 2.75/5
Enjoyment: 2.75/5
A solid entertaining read, but way more romance than I expected. Also not quite as spooky as I was hoping. But I loved the history and lore and world.
4.5
Woah! So much tension, drama, action, history, passion in this story! This is my first book by this author and I appreciated the historical and cultural details. They were woven really well with the sweeping romance and family/cultural tensions. And for me, adding vampires to the mix made it all the more interesting. I loved how their presence highlighted the other threats and discoveries happening in the story.
I absolutely loved how Nena came to sympathize and reason with them, arguably one saved her life. It may be cliché but I love a good "the real monster is man" monster story. I do wish the romance had
involved less miscommunication/hurting the other person. I could sympathize with their mutual bad choices given their different experiences and understanding after what happened, but once they both knew the truth they still fumbled a lot and Nena's constant one step forward two steps back with her treatment of Nestor was frustrating
Woah! So much tension, drama, action, history, passion in this story! This is my first book by this author and I appreciated the historical and cultural details. They were woven really well with the sweeping romance and family/cultural tensions. And for me, adding vampires to the mix made it all the more interesting. I loved how their presence highlighted the other threats and discoveries happening in the story.
I absolutely loved how Nena came to sympathize and reason with them, arguably one saved her life. It may be cliché but I love a good "the real monster is man" monster story. I do wish the romance had
involved less miscommunication/hurting the other person. I could sympathize with their mutual bad choices given their different experiences and understanding after what happened, but once they both knew the truth they still fumbled a lot and Nena's constant one step forward two steps back with her treatment of Nestor was frustrating
I read this as an audio book while at my warehouse job. I enjoyed the two voice actors as it helped bring each of the main characters, Magdalena and Nestor, to life for me. I did listed on 3x speed and got through it pretty quickly.
My biggest complaint with this book was that it wrapped up quickly. I felt there was so much tension built up throughout the story, and it released so quickly at the end. I enjoyed my time in this land, though. The vampires were unique and interesting, the family dynamics complex, and the war interesting.
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