VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE by Isabel Cañas – Review

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
Published by Del Rey on August 15 2023
Genres: Adult, historical, Horror, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Romance, history and horror combine in this well written and dramatic tale.

After hearing so many good things about Isabel Cañas’ last book, The Hacienda, I was very excited to dive into her latest. And I can see what all the fuss is about! Vampires of El Norte is an engaging historical romance/drama set in Mexico, and while there are indeed vampires in the story, they are not the main attraction. Saying that, readers should adjust their expectations before picking this up. This isn’t really horror, although it’s being marketed as such, but a fascinating look at Mexican culture in the mid 1800s during the Mexican-American War. It’s also the story of a romance between the daughter of a rancho owner and a vaquero who works for her family, so imagine Romeo and Juliet set in Mexico without the tragic ending, and you’ll have an idea what to expect. 

When we first meet Nena and Néstor, they are thirteen years old and best friends. Nena is the daughter of a prominent rancho owner and is expected to marry well when she comes of age. Néstor’s father is a vaquero, a hired hand whose station is way below Nena’s. Nonetheless, the two share an unbreakable bond and spend their days together whenever possible. One evening, Néstor lures Nena outside of Los Ojuelos, her home, to look for buried treasure, but something is lurking in the shadows. Nena is attacked and presumably killed by a strange, otherworldly creature, and when Néstor carries her back to the rancho, Nena’s father places the blame on Néstor. Horrified and distraught, Néstor runs away and never comes back.

Nine years later, Néstor has become a successful “freelance” vaquero, taking on the jobs that suit him while saving money to buy his own rancho someday. One day his friend and partner Beto tells him about an opportunity to join a group of vaqueros who are headed to fight the Yanquís (Yankees), invaders who are trying to take land away from the Mexicans. Néstor wants to help, but in order to do so he must first return to Los Ojuelos, a place of terrible memories for him, as he is still mourning Nena’s death.

When he arrives, Néstor is shocked to spot Nena at the rancho. Nine years ago, he fled when she was attacked and killed in the woods. Whatever miracle has brought her back, Néstor can’t wait to talk to her. But Nena is furious. All these years, she’s believed that Néstor left her, as if their friendship didn’t mean anything.

But there are more important things to worry about. The Yanquís are threatening to wage war, and on top of that, a strange plague is sweeping through the rancho. Something is attacking people and animals and draining their blood. Nena convinces her father to allow her to accompany the vaqueros to Matamoros, since she’s training to be a curandera (healer) and can help the injured, but it will be a long, hard trip. Néstor is assigned to protect Nena, but with the threat of two dangerous enemies—the Yanquís and the supernatural creatures—is anyone really safe?

So let’s get the vampires out of the way first. The vampires are almost a side plot in the story and only appear a few times (although they play a much larger part during the climax). The cover of Vampires of El Norte gives you a big clue: there’s a girl in 19th century clothing twirling around under a stormy sky. This cover screams “romance” to me, and that is exactly the focus of this story. The main plot is the “second chance” romance between Nena and Néstor, who are fighting their vastly different stations in life to be together. There’s also plenty of drama and romantic angst. Nena is furious with Néstor for at least half the book, and it isn’t until they find themselves traveling alone that she begins to thaw toward him. I found their relationship to be exciting, sweet, frustrating and romantic, and despite my disappointment in the lack of vampire action, I quickly adjusted my expectations and enjoyed the story for what it is.

I also loved the Mexican history and the way the author included the Mexican-American War in her tale. Cañas uses Spanish words throughout her story which added to the authentic flavor of the characters, and I loved the dynamics of Nena and her family members. It was shocking to see how she was treated by her father and brother, who expect her to marry a wealthy rancho owner. Their word is law, and the fact that Nena finds herself in love with a vaquero makes her life very complicated. I did think the romantic conflict was resolved a little too easily at the end, but if you’re thinking about romance stories and happy endings, then it works.

The vampires are actually very scary. There’s one scene in particular that I didn’t see coming, and while it might have worked better in a more horror-centric story (it sort of felt out of place here), as a horror lover I thought it was well done. Cañas uses the term “vampire” figuratively as well as literally, to describe the Yanquís who are trying to “suck them dry” and steal their land. I loved that the threat of the Yanquís is just as great—maybe more so—than the vampires.

And I can’t end this review without talking a little more about Nena. I thought she was a fantastic character, a bright inquisitive girl who understands her role in the family but hopes for a different life instead. When she and Néstor are alone on the road together and come face to face with vampires, Nena steps up and figures out how to kill them (Nena the Vampire Slayer!). Her growth in particular was excellent in this story.

My only quibble is near the end and has to do with (you guessed it) the vampires. I wasn’t crazy about the way their storyline is resolved. It felt very “horror light” to me, and perhaps it was done to enhance the romantic aspects of the book. But that aside, I really enjoyed Vampires of El Norte, and I’m looking forward to going back and reading The Hacienda soon.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.