3.5 ⭐️
Thank you netgalley for the e-copy of this book.
I liked this but it’s not a horror. The writing was really great but again, not a horror. This was a historical fiction with some paranormal elements and a sprinkle of romance.
If I had to rate it as a horror book, it’d be 1 ⭐️. As a historical fiction/romance it’d be like a 4 ⭐️ cuz the writing was lovely and I liked the tension between the characters - even though it was a very very slow burn romance, it was cute.

I'll edit this review later.

Vampires of El Norte is a truly incredible historic romance with a paranormal flare.

Isabel Cañas has pining and yearning down to an absolute art. Her writing is so lush, I was captivated by Nena and Nestor from the very first chapter. I adored their sweet moments together! I quickly became attached to them both and had my heart ripped out so early on in the book.

The wider plot beyond the core couple was outstanding. I was completely gripped and could feel the eerie, creeping sensation of being watched. This is action packed and steeped in folklore. I can’t rate this highly enough and can’t wait to purchase a physical copy. I would highly, highly recommend this stunning book!

I thoroughly enjoyed Vampires of El Norte, from the Historical setting to the vampire element and even the romance between Nena and Nestor.
Set in 1840s Mexico, a little Romeo and Juliet esque, the relationship between Nena and Nestor after they find their way back to each other is filled with anger.
Will Nena ever forgive him? Will they ever find a way to be together?
A really enjoyable read.!

4.75! Sure I’ll be a historical romance girlie if you throw in vampires and BEAUTIFUL PROSE.

Firstly, let me start by saying my foray into historical romance is recent, and so my tastes and broad and unrefined (yet). But you don’t need to be a connoisseur of this genre to understand what a brilliant and evocative tale VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE is.

Cañas seamlessly blends powerful themes here, while keeping the heart of this book firmly rooted in romance: supernatural horror, an incisive commentary on race politics, class and gender constructs, second chance romance, and an inherent cultural and heritage pride that bleeds into the narrative like the soil from Nena’s familial ranch rises to the air in a storm. There is a pervasive and deep rotted _love_ of culture here, a strong commentary on colonialism and the very real events that took place in Mexico and what became modern day Texas during the 1800s.

Sure, this is a historical romance between childhood sweethearts whom spend their formative years ripped apart after a terrible encounter with a vampire during a late night affair to hunt for the treasure that might free Néstor from the constraints of being a vaquero, a lower class stable hand. It’s a heartwarming tale of lovers finding their way back to one another and casting off the shackles of expectation and fall in love again as adults.

But it’s also a story that has embedded deeply within it a protest against the violence committed against Mexican people on their homeland by white invaders. It is a story of race politics, where the vampires are both monstrous creatures and the men who come to steal land from its rightful openers. Cañas gives us a horror in two parts, both supernatural and very, very human.

The vampires themselves were unsettling, and Cañas does a brilliant job of crafting an unnerving atmosphere. The ONLY reason why this isn’t a five star read for is, is that I wanted MORE vampires! More horror! Of course, at its heart VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE is a historical romance horror, not a horror story. However I would have loved slightly more of the beautifully crafted horror elements fed through, particularly during the middle of the book and prior to Néstor’s return, when we’re discovering the true cause of the “susto” the soul suspension wreaking havoc on the population of Nena’s ranch and surrounding ranches.

But overall, I ate this up. The prose is stunning, and sure there are some melodramatic declarations from Néstor but honestly who wouldn’t want someone to widely claim they couldn’t live without you when vampires are stalking your home on two fronts?

Yes, more please.

So here's the thing: I went into this, based on the description and, well, the title, expecting an actual horror novel about vampires. And vampires do be in it, don't get me wrong. But <i>Vampires of El Norte</i> is, first and foremost, a historical romance. There are horror elements and they are well done, the vampires in this novel are genuinely creepy and have an interesting twist to them, but these elements are surprisingly rare and inbetween.
Oftentimes, when I get something different from what i expected, it puts a damper on my reading experience. I wanted horror, I wanted vampires, I wanted them on the forefront of the story. But Cañas' writing is so alluring and lush that I was sucked into the romance between childhood friends and impossible lovers Nena and Néstor anyway. There was a really eerie atmosphere throughout especially the second part of the book that made it almost unputdownable. For what it is - a historical romance with gothic vibes and horror elements - this book is really really good. I genuinely enjoyed the main characters, even though Nena does become a little annoying at times when there wasn't really any need for her to be, and I liked learning about Mexico during that time period and the political struggles an expanding US caused this country. To intertwine this with vampires in the way they were presented here was pretty amazing.

So yes, if you're into historical romances, exploration of Mexican history and all of that wrapped in gothic horror vibes with some vampires sprinkled on top, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas transports readers to the harsh and haunting landscapes of nineteenth-century Mexico, blending elements of history, romance, and gothic horror. As Nena and Néstor, childhood friends separated by tragedy, reunite amidst the turmoil of war and supernatural threats, they must confront not only the external dangers of their world but also the unresolved emotions between them.

Although I was expecting a gothic horror story, the novel leans more heavily into the romance genre. The vampires serve as an intriguing metaphor for greed and colonialism, reflecting the historical context of the story. The historical setting is well researched, adding depth to the storyline and enriching the reader's experience. Isabel Cañas' vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters shine throughout the narrative, with the dynamic between Nena and Néstor providing a compelling emotional core.

This book is recommended for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia as well as readers who appreciate a blend of historical fiction, romance, and supernatural elements.

Thank you to Netgalley and Solaris books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Set in 19th century Mexico, where America and Mexico are at war, Vampires of El Norte is essentially a romance novel with a few vampires thrown in along the way. The book is written from the perspective of the two protagonists, Nena and Nestor, childhood friends, turned unlikely lovers.

The book started off well, with the main characters Nena and Nestor coming face to face with the first vampire of the book (more of a beast-like predator than a member of the undead) that stalks the lands surrounding Nena’s family ranch. After this brief encounter separates the pair, I found the book became very slow, up until the 60/65% mark. There was a lot of repetition, showing the same events from each character’s perspective or rehashing the same emotional state of each character over and over again - “you left me”, “I thought you were dead” - we get it.

Whilst the author’s intermittent use of Spanish terminology certainly added to the setting and authenticity of the book, for me personally, it disrupted my engagement with the book, whilst I sat googling “vaquero” and other terms that described Mexican social status. But that’s more of a “me” problem.

Overall, it was a well written book and a decent story that explored love against the backdrop of social and economic class. BUT, I went in expecting a horror. About vampires. In reality, it was quite tame and didn’t have any creepy moments - it just wasn’t quite what I was looking for and whilst I’m sure some will really enjoy it, for me it was probably a 3.5 out of 5.

Thank you to Solaris and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Isabel Cañas's second novel is set on the Texas-Mexican border in the 1840s (hence the 'El Norte', North Mexico, though this part later became South Texas). Nena is the daughter of the patrón of Rancho Los Ojuelos, while Néstor is the son of one of their peóns [farm workers]. After a vampire attack throws Nena into a deep coma known as susto, Néstor believes her dead and flees the rancho to become a wandering vaquero. But Nena's abuela is a curandera, a folk healer, and manages to bring Nena back to the land of the living. Nena starts work as a curandera herself, determined to prove her worth to her father and avoid an arranged marriage as they try and defend their land from Anglo settlers. When Néstor returns, the two fight their mutual attraction while seeking out the cause of a new plague of susto among Mexican men.

Vampires of El Norte has a great atmosphere - I've loved historical fiction set in the shifting borders of Texas since I read Philipp Meyer's The Son - and what we get of the vampires is nicely scary. It ultimately had too much of a romantic focus for my taste, and definitely sits on the boundaries of YA and adult fiction, despite being marketed as the latter. Having said that, I had the same kind of fun reading this as I did with Bridget Collins' The Binding, even if I resisted the final message that romantic love matters more than love of a place - especially in the context of a people who have been consistently displaced. As Cañas writes in her afterword: 'When did your family come to this country? As a young person, I struggled to answer... The Rio Grande Valley is a pocket of the world where the border has moved more often than the people living there... When did this country come to us?'

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars
Paperback publication: 24 October 2024
Thank you to Solaris and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead.

I would categorise this book in this order: historical, romance, horror.
I'm not a huge fan of romance, and this relied heavily on the miscommunication trope, which has a tendency to irk me.
This being said, I absolutely loved Isabel Cañas’ writing: it was beautiful, very evocative and atmospheric (I immediately put The Hacienda on my wishlist for that very reason.)
I thought the characters were great, the story was well-paced and I really enjoyed the horror aspects of it; Cañas created great tension in those scenes and I really appreciated the approach (rather than twist) she took on the “monsters” and who really deserves the moniker. I also really loved her focus on lore and storytelling, and how knowledge is passed from one generation to the next.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas offers an intoxicating blend of supernatural horror, historical fiction, and romance, set against the turbulent backdrop of the Texas-Mexico border in the mid-19th century. Known for her debut The Hacienda, Cañas once again proves her talent for weaving folklore and supernatural elements into richly atmospheric, character-driven narratives.

At the heart of the novel are Nena and Néstor, childhood friends turned star-crossed lovers whose lives were violently interrupted by a vampire attack years ago. Nena, believed to be dead after the attack, survives, but not without being forever changed by the traumatic experience. Meanwhile, Néstor, broken by grief and haunted by nightmares of bloodsucking monsters, has been living in self-imposed exile. Their reunion, sparked by the U.S.-Mexico War and the greater dangers that loom, is filled with tension, unresolved feelings, and the trauma that still binds them together.

One of the novel’s great strengths is how it interlaces the personal with the political. As much as this is a story about vampires—creatures that Cañas brings to life with chilling menace—it’s also about the larger historical forces shaping the region. The U.S. invasion of Mexico and the cultural tensions between the Anglo settlers and Mexican ranchers provide a vivid, fraught backdrop for the narrative. The vampires themselves, with their insatiable thirst for blood and their attacks on Nena’s family’s ranch, feel like an allegory for the violence and exploitation of the time, a clever and seamless blend of the historical and the supernatural.

Cañas excels at atmosphere, and her descriptions of the Texas-Mexico borderlands are as haunting as the creatures that stalk them. The harsh beauty of the landscape contrasts with the creeping dread of what lurks in the shadows, creating an almost gothic western vibe. Readers will feel the dust, the heat, and the palpable fear of a land where danger comes not only from the impending war but from creatures who defy the natural order.

The relationship between Nena and Néstor forms the emotional core of the story. Cañas deftly explores the complexity of their bond, shaped by shared trauma, guilt, and unspoken love. Nena’s anger at Néstor for abandoning her, and Néstor’s guilt for believing she was dead, add depth to their reunion. Their journey is not just about facing vampires but also confronting the wounds of the past and their place in a world that’s changing, both on a personal and political level.

The vampires themselves are portrayed with terrifying elegance. Cañas taps into the traditional lore of vampires but adds her own cultural twist, making these creatures feel unique to the story’s setting and time period. Their presence escalates the tension, serving as both literal and symbolic representations of the dangers encroaching on the Mexican borderlands. The horror is sharp, bloody, and often brutal, yet it’s always anchored in the emotional stakes of the characters’ survival.

If there’s any critique, it’s that some readers might find the pacing slower in the early chapters as the historical context and character dynamics are established. But once the supernatural threat fully emerges, the tension ratchets up, leading to a thrilling, suspenseful conclusion.

In conclusion, Vampires of El Norte is a masterful fusion of genres, blending western, horror, and historical romance into a singularly gripping tale. Isabel Cañas crafts a story that is as much about survival and war as it is about love and redemption, with a richly developed historical setting that heightens both the danger and the emotional stakes. Fans of supernatural historical fiction, especially those with a taste for folklore-infused horror, will find this book to be a dark and satisfying journey. It’s a chilling reminder that monsters—both human and supernatural—are never far from the borders we try to draw between safety and danger, past and future, love and loss.

This really wasn't what I was expecting though it was well written it was very slow and a bit dull at times.

When someone said vaqueros and vampires I was expecting a bit more of an action packed romp and this just wasn't that

Some great concepts and I liked the vampires but really not what I was wanting from this

The writing is beautiful and the sense of place is exceptional. It's a period of history that I don't know much about and the book does a great job of placing you in the setting and giving information without info dumping.

I went in expecting a horror book with vampires and I got a historical romance with a little bit of horror. My expectations were wrong and it's not really a genre I enjoy.

However, I can see why people would really enjoy this which is why I’m saying its a pick because it was an excellent book, just not to my tastes.

Isabel Cañas came to readers’ notice with her historical gothic horror debut The Hacienda, which itself followed hot on the heels of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic. Also partially following in Moreno-Garcia’s footsteps (although granted her novel Certain Dark Things is very very different) Cañas delivers her vampire novel. Set during the Mexican/American border wars of the mid 19th Century, Vampires of El Norte is horror but with more than a health dash of romance and some deeper issues at play through its imagery.
Magdalena, aka Nena, is the eldest daughter of a Mexican rancher. Her future is set - marriage to make an alliance with another landholder. But as a teenager, Nena only has eyes for Néstor, who is the son of one of the vaquero families, cowboys who work on the property. One night, Nena and Néstor encounter and kill a creature, Néstor believes that Nena has been killed in the encounter and leaves. Nine years later, with the threat of American incursion, Néstor returns to find that Nena is alive and has never forgiven him for leaving. But they have bigger problems, not only the Americans, but the strange, blood sucking creatures which leave people fatigued, and which Nena seems to be sense due to her earlier encounter.
For much of Vampires of El Norte, Cañas treats her vampires much like Jaws. There is an early encounter but then they are barely seen, lurking in the shadows, leaving strange evidence but keeping off the page. This allows Cañas to focus on the rekindled romance between her leads while slowly building the tension. The dramatic beats of that romance – longing glances, misunderstandings, having to work together to fight off infernal creatures - and its course, is fairly standard and so is the weakest part of this narrative.
The interesting aspect of Vampires of El Norte comes from its inspiration. And that is of the invading Americans being described by a contemporary Mexican writer as “vampires”, well before the famous novels embedded that term in the culture. Cañas cleverly builds on this idea in a way that adds some resonance to the real history that she is also reflecting. All of which makes Vampires of El Norte a better than average historical horror romance, and an unlikely genre mash that works.

Vampires of El Norte is a powerhouse of a book. It is a horror story, a romance, an adventure, a historical tale and a commentary on colonialism. Despite being a relatively short book, it manages to balance all of these elements and make you care about the characters and their plight. From the first chapter, I was invested in Nena and Nestor’s lives.

Growing up in very different circumstances, Nena and Nestor still managed to stay childhood friends for years before tragedy occurs. After looking for treasure one night, Nena is left suffering after a creature attack and Nestor believes that his best friend has died. This misunderstanding leads to him grieving for 9 years before he returns to the town he grew up in a discovers the Nena survived. And she is angry.

This is where our story really begins. Now adults, Nena and Nestor have to untangle their complicated past whilst also fighting vampires and dealing with the breakout of a war in Mexico. I loved that moments of action were interspersed with character led scenes. Isabel Canas writes the yearning between these two so well and I loved seeing how the romance between the characters bloomed. Her writing style can be so poetic at times, especially when she writes from Nestor’s perspective and shows him pining.

I was also happily surprised by how chilling and scary the book was. I wasn’t sure from the blurb whether the vampires would actually feel threatening on the page or whether they were more of a plot device to make the characters fight together. But these vampires are hideous and grotesque and much more terrifying than in most vampire novels. I also loved learning more about other Mexican monsters and ghost stories. I haven’t had the opportunity to read much South American horror, but I think I’d love to read more about creatures like El Cuco and La Llorona. This book has inspired me to read The Haunting of Alejandra next and pick up The Hacienda before Halloween.

I would recommend this book to fans of Silvia Moreno Garcia’s horror novels and books like Lone Women by Victor LaValle. It is a great historical, horror story and I can almost guarantee that you will love the characters.

Wonderfully gothic ! I loved the first one and this is no different - perfect for a Halloween read !

This is not at all my normal genre; I don't read fantasy much, I don't read vampire books, and I don't read romance; and yet still I kinda loved this book? The writing was beautiful and compulsive and I didn't want to stop reading.

Vampires of El Norte is an interesting romance novel, that is mostly interesting because of the backdrop of historical Mexico at war with the United States and the addition of vampires.

We meet Nena and Nestor as kids. Nena is the ranchors daughter while Nestor is son to indentured workers. In search of the hidden treasure, they are attacked by a monster. Something that they can't quite name. Thinking that Nena is dead, he runs away. When they find each other years later, not only their old feelings resurface but also the monsters.

I found it really interesting to see the historical setting in Mexico. The rancher life, the social hierarchy and the way the woman are treated, learning about vaquero. A lot of it we kind of know but it is different to see it in text like this. How Nena's fathers word is law and how she was treated by her mother after Nestor saved her. How dare she be in danger and be saved by a vaquero which meant she was alone with him. The author manages to add in a real atmosphere of that time period, added in with a bit of terror because of the vampires.

The vampires itself aren't on the page that much. I found the idea of them interesting. No face. And the bond at the end. There was no humanizing of them and I think that is also something we need within the vampire fiction. There was some dehumanzing of the united states, but hey, they kind of deserved that.

As for our characters, Nena was a bit of a wild child but after her attack she became the perfect ranchors daughter. But she wants so much more. Not a marriage for convenience but to become a true asset to the ranch, to people. She is the type of person that would care about those working beneath her if her parents had allowed that more. There wasn't much room for that though.

Nestor on the other hand remained a wild child. He has become a succesful freeelance vaquero. He does what he wants, for the most part. But he is working towards a goal. Saving money to buy his own ranch. They compliment each other nicely.

3.8 stars.
I really enjoyed this book, although I thought we would get more of the vampires than we did. It’s more historical fiction that focuses on romance with a dash of vampire. With a dual POV of our two main characters, Nena and Nestor; this was a fast read. Its horror elements were on the vampires and warfare of the time. Full of misconceptions and class divides, with the pacing being as quick as it was, it doesn’t make for an angsty read. You end up rooting for a happy ending for them.

Thank you toRebellion and NetGalley for the chance to read this.

This is as close to a horror novel as I am comfortable reading—and it's been such an atmospheric journey!

Set against the backdrop of the Texas-Mexico border in the 1800s, this book gave me a perfect mix of history, supernatural elements, and romance. It balances that eerie, slow-building tension with heartfelt moments between the characters, which kept me hooked the entire time.

The historical setting was so well done—there’s a sense of place that’s gritty and raw, but also lush with cultural detail. I loved how the author weaves Mexican folklore into the vampire mythology in a way that felt fresh but also grounded in history (the author's note mentions that the book was inspired by her heritage).

I didn’t care too much for the love story itself, but it served as a solid way to ground the characters and, in a way, made the horror elements stand out more. 😨 I won’t say much more about the plot because I think it’s best to discover it for yourself, but I was really happy with how everything unfolded, and the resolution was satisfying. The tension was paced well, and though it dips a bit in some parts, it always brought me back to that eerie, haunting atmosphere that made the read so enjoyable.

Definitely recommend this book if you're into something atmospheric with a unique spin on vampire lore!
4/5 🌟

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Stunning setting, beautifully realised and great slow burn historical romance. I enjoyed this book though this was definitely more in the romance category than horror.
Not as strong as The Hacienda but that's a big act to follow! Still a very immersive intense read