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Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas

“During a tumultuous time in Mexican history Magdalena (Nena) and Nestor, two childhood friends who are now grown, are forced to confront their own feelings as well as Vampires that the invading forces are using as weapons. The supernatural element was more background filler and Nenas’ constant struggle between duty to her family and herself made for an infuriating character. This was a disappointment.” 

⭐️⭐️

Pros: Nestor was the only reason I didn’t DNF this book/Beto was another one. 

Cons: Nena is spineless, selfish and cruel/I didn’t DNF because I wanted to see what happened to Nestor, I honestly couldn't have cared less about Nena.

Full Review: 

Magdalena (Nena) and Nestor are best friends. Nenas father is the head of Los Ojuelos, a large ranchero in the villages of El Norte. Nestor is her best friend but only a lowly Vaquero, not someone she should be spending so much time with, since he is beneath her in the hierarchy of society. 

When white men come calling, Nena hears her parents discussing what to do. They plan to marry her off to the richest man thus securing their continued successful lifestyle.

She meets with Nestor to go to the river and dig for silver, hoping that one of Abuelas tall tales about a Count burying all his silver, is true and with their wealth, they can start a new life together 

What they find there instead is a hideous gray skinned, ravenous beast. Nestor kills it but not before it bites Nena. He rushes her home but her mother screams fhat she’s dead. When faced with her father’s wrath, Nestor runs. 

Nine years later, he returns to Los Ojuelos to join a small force of men that’s being gathered to try and defend the land against invading Yanqui forces. Nena, who’s alive and well, having survived the Vampire attack, joins the squadron as a healer. She’s determined to prove her worth to her Father and avoid the fate of being married off to a rich Ranchero.

Of course, everything’s flipped on its head with the arrival of Nestor. It’s been almost a decade since they last saw each other and Nena is still hurt that he left her. When they’re forced to travel alone together and must rely on one another for survival, old feelings are dredged to the surface. 

There are betrayals, the heavy weight of familial and societal expectations and of course, Vampires. In the end, the Vampires were more of an after thought and the real threat against Nena/Nestors happiness was being honest with themselves and those around them about their feelings. 

I understand it was a commentary on a time in Mexican history and the conformities of society but, Nena was infuriating and I am almost DNFed it 80% through. This was more of an agonized romance than a supernatural thriller and I was disappointed. 

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