Certain Dark Things

A Novel

By: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Narrated by: Aida Reluzco

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

From Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the New York Times best-selling author of Mexican Gothic, comes Certain Dark Things, a pulse-pounding neo-noir that reimagines vampire lore.

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.

Atl needs to quickly escape the city, far from the rival narco-vampire clan relentlessly pursuing her. Her plan doesn’t include Domingo, but little by little, Atl finds herself warming up to the scrappy young man and his undeniable charm. As the trail of corpses stretches behind her, local cops and crime bosses both start closing in.

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?

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire

©2021 Silvia Moreno-Garcia (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s gritty novel is steeped in the history of Mexico City and vampire lore and yet manages to deftly re-invent the bloodsucker.... Certain Dark Things packs a wallop.” (Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts)

“With its vibrant prose and stellar world building, Certain Dark Things is one of the best books I’ve read in years.” (V.E. Schwab, New York Times best-selling author)

"Silvia Moreno-Garcia pulls zero punches, bares all the fangs, and goes for every throat in the room with Certain Dark Things. And then she walks out without looking back." (Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians)

You'll for certain love this book!

In Mexico City, where vampires rule not only in the daylight but also the seedy underbelly of all things vice, nothing is sacred and no one is safe. Alt hails from an ancient line of vampires that dates back all the way to her Aztec ancestors. She is strong, but vulnerable as she is on the run from a warring clan.
She meets the young Domingo and without her realizing it, he saves her in more ways than one and in turn, she saves him. Together they navigate a city where enemies are on every corner. With her hunger out of control, and both cops and the rival gang baring down on her, Alt is on the clock as she tries to escape the city in one piece.
If you’re looking for an alternative vampire story, with interesting characters and BIPOC rep, you’ll love this book!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a master storyteller. I will forever love how she weaves true Mexican culture with the fantasy and horror genres. The narrator for this book was also amazing. The voice actor can make or break an audiobook experience and Aida Reluzco is one of the best.

Mexican Vampires kick ass

Was not expecting to get so engrossed in an audiobook when on my five hour car ride to and from Maine. The lore is so efficiently explained and the story unfolds in a such a natural turn of events it went but so quick. Amazing storytelling and even better performance from the voice over. Great listen!

nice change of pace from standard vampire stories

entertaining and believable charactets. I liked the universe and how things were structured generally. story feels complete at the end.

A New Twist on the Usual Vampire Tale 4.6 Stars

A New Twist on the Usual Vampire Tale

This is a fun re-envisioning the usual vampire tale, and solidly written.

Narration is perfect.

Don't play with your bloody food...

I was left wanting to know more about each character in the best of ways.
The main character isn't really likeable which is something I admire about Moreno-Garcia's writing. She's perfected her flawed characters and has you rooting for almost every side to succeed and you're satisfied even if all some of them get are little victories.
Her locations are picturesque and you can really imagine the surroundings loading and emerging around every scene and movement, you are never confused as to where any of the characters are.
She so effortlessly weaves her histories and lores and you find yourself needing to know more about EVERYTHING.
The end is a bit gut-wrenching but not a surprise if you listen to what the book has been saying. Moreno-Garcia stays true to what the characters would do and does not compromise their character to please the audience. I HIGHLY recommend this book but also will probably not be reading it again. Hopefully this review helps and rings true.

Such an enjoyable listen

This was honestly the most masterful audiobook performance that I’ve heard from any reader. Absolutely seamless read, and the voices were so subtle yet distinct. The story, itself, was fun, as well. A unique take on vampires.

Not so Typical Vampire Love Story

First time hearing this author, very well written with lots of action and not to cheesy. Loved the references to Aztec mythology.

Slow start but gets better

Maybe all vampire stories end cliche ?

It could have been any cartel story from Mexico

A New and Beautifully Dark Take On a Classic Genre

Silvia Moreno-Garcia shows her brilliant and diverse story telling range with one of the most original takes on a vampire story. Silvia Moreno-Garcia once again does an amazing job interweaving the world building of this alternate vampire reality, with in depth well developed characters and story, that keeps the reader captivated. Each facet of every character could be a story in itself and while the story has a strong satisfying conclusion, it leaves you begging for more.
The latest trend of limited series on streaming services would be a perfect venue for an adaptation of this neonoir gothic, but the book itself stands alone.

Amazing!

Really enjoyed everything about this, from the story to the narrator. Very fun listen something i will revisit.