Vampires of El Norte
Vampires, vaqueros, and star-crossed lovers face off on the Texas-Mexico border in this supernatural western from the author of The Hacienda. 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. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago. Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind. When the United States invades Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh. And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.
A Supernatural Western Masterpiece
Isabel Cañas' "Vampires of El Norte" takes readers on an enthralling journey to the Texas-Mexico border in a gripping supernatural western. Seamlessly blending elements of folklore, history, and the paranormal, Cañas crafts a tale of vampires, vaqueros, and star-crossed lovers against the backdrop of the Texas-Mexico borderlands.
Overview: Set in the 1840s, the story revolves around Nena, the daughter of a Mexican rancher, and Néstor, a vaquero haunted by grief and the supernatural. The tension between Mexican ranchers and Anglo settlers serves as a backdrop to a more sinister threat lurking near Nena's home—one that drains men of their blood. As the United States invades Mexico in 1846, Nena and Néstor are brought together on the road to war, forcing them to confront their past and face a terrifying present.
Key Features:
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Multifaceted Characters: The characters in "Vampires of El Norte" are richly developed, each carrying their own burdens, aspirations, and histories. Nena's resilience as a curandera and Néstor's journey of coping with grief create a nuanced narrative that extends beyond the supernatural elements.
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Historical and Cultural Context: Isabel Cañas skillfully weaves historical events, such as the United States' invasion of Mexico, into the narrative. The tensions between Mexican and Anglo cultures, the struggle for survival, and the clash of traditions add depth to the storytelling.
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Supernatural Elements: The presence of vampires introduces an intriguing layer of horror and suspense to the western setting. Cañas masterfully blends the supernatural with the harsh realities of the borderlands, creating an immersive and chilling experience for readers.
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Romance and Reunion: The rekindling of the romance between Nena and Néstor amidst the chaos of war adds a poignant touch to the narrative. The exploration of past grievances and the necessity of facing the future together elevate the story beyond genre conventions.
Review: "Vampires of El Norte" is a captivating and well-crafted novel that seamlessly merges the supernatural with historical fiction. Isabel Cañas' storytelling prowess shines through, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and suspenseful. The exploration of themes like love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit adds layers of complexity to the novel, making it a standout in the genre.
Conclusion: Isabel Cañas' "Vampires of El Norte" is a must-read for fans of supernatural fiction, westerns, and historical narratives. The author's ability to transport readers to a vividly imagined world, coupled with a cast of compelling characters, ensures that the novel lingers in the imagination long after the final page. Whether drawn to tales of the supernatural or historical dramas, readers will find "Vampires of El Norte" to be a masterfully crafted and unforgettable experience.
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Isabel Cañas, Bram Stoker Award-nominated Mexican American author. PhD @UChicago 
Exploring the Gothic Horrors of History
In a captivating podcast, Mexican American author Isabel Cañas takes us on a journey into the heart of her novels, particularly "Vampires of El Norte." With a keen focus on Mexican gothic fiction, Cañas weaves historical intricacies and gothic tropes into narratives that are both terrifying and informative.
Podcast Highlights: The conversation delves into two of Cañas' novels, "The Hacienda" and "Vampires of El Norte." The former unfolds as a haunted house mystery in post-War of Independence Mexico, while the latter immerses readers in the complexities of northern Mexico (now south Texas) during the Mexican-American War. Cañas skillfully explores racial and ethnic disparities, class structures, and gender dynamics inherent in these historical eras.
Gothic Tropes as Vehicles for Exploration: Cañas discusses her deliberate use of gothic frameworks to dissect and illuminate societal issues. By employing gothic tropes, she navigates the terrifying and imaginative terrain while addressing real-world themes. The discussion highlights how these tropes become fertile ground for exploring the intricate fabric of history, making her novels not just tales of horror but insightful commentaries on the human condition.
Research and Authenticity: A notable aspect of the podcast is Cañas' dedication to extensive research. Having lived in diverse locations and holding a doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, she brings a unique perspective to her work. The author draws from her academic background in Medieval Islamic history and family histories, providing an authentic backdrop to her novels. This commitment to accuracy adds a layer of credibility to the richly imagined worlds she creates.
"Vampires of El Norte" - A Masterpiece: The focal point of the review is "Vampires of El Norte," hailed as an instant USA Today bestseller. The novel expertly combines vampires, vaqueros, and star-crossed lovers against the backdrop of the Texas-Mexico border. Cañas seamlessly integrates supernatural elements with historical events, offering readers a compelling and chilling experience.
Conclusion: Isabel Cañas emerges as a masterful storyteller, seamlessly blending genres and seamlessly integrating historical realities with gothic horrors. "Vampires of El Norte" stands as a testament to her ability to create narratives that are not only terrifying but also thought-provoking. Through the podcast, listeners gain insights into the author's creative process, her dedication to authenticity, and the delicate balance required to merge history with imagination.
Overall, "Vampires of El Norte" is a must-read for those who appreciate a unique blend of gothic fiction, historical drama, and insightful explorations of societal complexities. Isabel Cañas has not only crafted a supernatural western masterpiece but also contributed significantly to the growing landscape of Mexican gothic fiction.
What I didn’t expect was how incredibly beautiful the writing would be. So much of this book reads like poetry, perfect sentences lingering with you for pages or chapters. Her descriptions, of the Mexican landscape, of the tension between Néstor and Nena, of the impending evil coming their way, were simply breathtaking. I am shocked that most of Cañas’ previous writing has been for a PhD, not in poetry.
Vampires are often an allegory for many evils & Vampires of el Norte is no exception. This was my first historical romance that takes place during the Mexican American War & witnessing the invasion of the Anglos—of the white rangers destroying the homes & lives of the Mexican people in pursuit of land and stolen livestock— was just as terrifying as blood-sucking monsters, the symbolism of which was not lost on me.
Just as vivid & complex were our MCs.
Nena. At times I cheered for her rage & later, paradoxically raged against her. Nena’s plight against the patriarchy, of trying to show others her value beyond corporeal honor & marriageability, was infuriating in its futility. Cañas highlights how the burden of carrying a family’s honor falls suffocatingly on its daughters. But Nena must also face her privilege as a ranchero’s daughter & the classism that rules her rancho & shadows her relationship with Nestor.
Néstor. A silver-tongues poet in his head, a cowboy with a booted foot in his mouth in reality. I spent a solid chunk of this book Big Mad with Néstor, right alongside Nena. But Néstor allows himself to be vulnerable and brave as he confronts the classism & challenges between he and Nena.
The romance was ardent & fraught with tension after years of damage & social hierarchy. Cañas weaves the social violences of classism & sexism so seamlessly alongside the violence of war that it’s hard to figure out which is the greater evil. And then she soothes some of your rage with hope for the fragile but beautiful love trying to survive it all.
It's funny how the sunset that evening seemed to be an extenuation of the cover. Same South Texas sky.
The novel is already well paced but picks up momentum as the story unfolds. I'm not sure I feel comfortable critiquing the romantic elements, as it's not really a genre of interest, but I will say as someone who was curious about how it would read, I was impressed. It's present, yet subtle, and it seems to capture the essence of passion, hope, disappointment, conviction, and shame that a burgeoning love, forbidden as it may be, would garner in two class-divided people.
The historical elements were interesting. As a Native Texan, it's a story I'm familiar with, but it was refreshing to see it through a more-native lens than my own. It was also fun learning a few Spanish words and phrases I wasn't familiar with. My kids got a laugh out of my trying to say them to Alexa Spanish enough to understand what I was asking, but not so Spanish that she cancelled me in my own house. In the end, Google saved me!
The horror elements were more routed in Mexican folk tales and lore than I would have likely experienced otherwise, so that was neat. They weren't necessarily terrifying, but still a lot of fun to read and imagine. The western elements were my favorite part. The chaparral is a character in and of itself, and the author presents and immersive and evocative Mexican Western experience. And as mentioned, the romance was there; not too much, not too little. In my new-to-romance-mind, it was just right.
I think this is an especially good book for those looking to get a taste of either a Western, horror, or romance novel. Fun read you can knock out in a weekend or very long flight.
Went great with wine!
Enjoy!
The main problem I had with it is that the author would use Spanish words and not give a translation for the word, and would use Spanish words that she didn't need to. For example.... Rancho... just use ranch, or the Spanish word for cowboy was used a lot. I understand that it's set in Mexico. But if you're going to write it in English then write it in English.
The story overall was enjoyable, I had a few problems with the fact that the two protagonists didn't do much other than yell at each other. There wasn't a lot of getting to know each other more than after they've been separated for 9 years. I really enjoyed the vampire side of things, but I'm not sure how I felt about them letting them go in the end, I would have preferred if it was more on the horror side.
