The cliché start of saying I didn’t know what to expect going into this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this was a historical love story with small supernatural elements. I was invested in Nena and Néstor’s relationship from the start. They were very likable, and I’m a big fan of this time period. The setting was so rich and beautiful, I could see this play out on a movie screen.

⁃ Rich Mexican culture

⁃ Historical aspects of the 1800s

⁃ Forbidden love

⁃ Folklore and vaquero storytelling

⁃ Bilingual writing

We first meet Nena and Néstor as kids growing up together on her father’s rancho, Los Ojuelos. One night while looking for Spaniard silver, Nena gets attacked by a creature. Néstor rushes her home but her family says she’s dead from her injuries and it’s his fault.

Nine years pass and Néstor can’t help to feel the ghost of Nena with him. Until word comes from Los Ojuelos for aid against the Anglos taking land by force. Néstor makes the long treck back to the home he ran away from only to discover Nena is alive and well, being trained as curandera for the rancho.

As the eldest daughter of Don Feliciano, Nena struggles with the expectations of her parents to marry for prosperity of the rancho. She missed Néstor fiercely but it’s been nine years since he ran from her, her life is on a different path.

The dual POV really worked for me, the audiobook was so great to follow along, especially for all the Spanish words where I found myself looking up translations but eventually the meanings were easier to discern.

Again, this is a love story, the vampires are there and definitely a little spooky, that added the slightest tension in the plot. I was sold on the romance between Nena and Néstor 100% it’s was beautiful and natural, so wonderfully done. I loved it!

Title: Vampires of El Norte
Author: Isabel Cañas
Genre: Historical Romance, Horror, Gothic
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨