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ᴥ Irena ᴥ's Reviews > Certain Dark Things
Certain Dark Things
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by
1.5
After the awesome world from Obsidian and Blood which only has three books, I didn't mind a touch of Aztec vampirism at all. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the only thing I liked in this book. Let me rephrase that: the take on vampires in Certain Dark Things is great. Not really original since there are other authors who used different types of vampires, but still good and really well combined with mythology and folklore.
There are five POVs: Atl's (a young vampire girl on the run from a gang that killed her family), Domingo's (a young trash collector who ends up helping her), Nick's (different subspecies of vampire than Atl), Rodrigo's (Nick's father's henchman) and Anna's (a corrupt police officer).
I hated every character save one (I'm not counting the dog; I like dogs) and that one doesn't even have a POV here. But that's a minor issue I have. It wouldn't be the first book I read with horrible characters. Atl is one of the most annoying protagonists I've come across. She is ungrateful and childish. Her memories didn't endear her to me.
There are TSTL moments too - you know, when a character should do one thing but starts with the annoying I am tough routine. The smirking didn't help either.
The non-existent chemistry between Atl and Domingo made it difficult to believe in any kind of connection.
What I have issue with the most and the main reason why I didn't enjoy the book are the themes. The whole book is one huge check list of the current social and other issues. I will not list them. I do not appreciate preachy books and this one takes the cake the way the issues are thrown in your face every couple of pages or so. Lots of subtle and not so subtle jabs at various groups of people.
I think the only reason I am not giving up on something with this author's name on it is because I've seen two or three Lovecraftian anthologies edited by her.
People will like this book.
ARC received from St. Martin Press via NetGalley
After the awesome world from Obsidian and Blood which only has three books, I didn't mind a touch of Aztec vampirism at all. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the only thing I liked in this book. Let me rephrase that: the take on vampires in Certain Dark Things is great. Not really original since there are other authors who used different types of vampires, but still good and really well combined with mythology and folklore.
There are five POVs: Atl's (a young vampire girl on the run from a gang that killed her family), Domingo's (a young trash collector who ends up helping her), Nick's (different subspecies of vampire than Atl), Rodrigo's (Nick's father's henchman) and Anna's (a corrupt police officer).
I hated every character save one (I'm not counting the dog; I like dogs) and that one doesn't even have a POV here. But that's a minor issue I have. It wouldn't be the first book I read with horrible characters. Atl is one of the most annoying protagonists I've come across. She is ungrateful and childish. Her memories didn't endear her to me.
There are TSTL moments too - you know, when a character should do one thing but starts with the annoying I am tough routine. The smirking didn't help either.
The non-existent chemistry between Atl and Domingo made it difficult to believe in any kind of connection.
What I have issue with the most and the main reason why I didn't enjoy the book are the themes. The whole book is one huge check list of the current social and other issues. I will not list them. I do not appreciate preachy books and this one takes the cake the way the issues are thrown in your face every couple of pages or so. Lots of subtle and not so subtle jabs at various groups of people.
I think the only reason I am not giving up on something with this author's name on it is because I've seen two or three Lovecraftian anthologies edited by her.
People will like this book.
ARC received from St. Martin Press via NetGalley
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Reading Progress
June 15, 2016
– Shelved
June 15, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 22, 2016
–
Started Reading
October 23, 2016
–
30.0%
October 23, 2016
–
53.0%
"The author sure loves to use smirking. After the fifth time it became a tad annoying."
October 23, 2016
– Shelved as:
horror
October 23, 2016
– Shelved as:
paranormal
October 23, 2016
– Shelved as:
vampires
October 23, 2016
– Shelved as:
urban-fantasy
October 23, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-5 of 5 (5 new)
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message 1:
by
ᑭIᑭEᖇ⒤ᗩᗰ
(new)
Oct 23, 2016 03:33PM
Sorry it sucked for ya :(
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Real bummer :( I do hope your next reading would be a lot better!
ᑭIᑭEᖇ⒤ᗩᗰ wrote: "Sorry it sucked for ya :("It happens. :)
Alejandro wrote: "Real bummer :( I do hope your next reading would be a lot better!"Yes, it was. It won't be for most other readers, I think. I wasn't expecting this.
I hope so too, thanks. :)
"People will like this book." I haven't finished yet, but I'm already agreeing with much of what you're saying. I highly recommend her other works, like Mexican Gothic. She's a good author, this one is just a miss for me for all of the reasons you said.
