YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Vampires and vaqueros 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 attacks 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.

Started this but lost my early notes for whatever reason….

Intro/Ch. 1
(view spoiler)[I can’t believe he ran away like that so young but I get it. Even if I didn’t love my best friend the way they do I’d still be a broken person assuming they were dead. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 19 (view spoiler)[What in the actual hell? It tore out of this guys body??? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21 (view spoiler)[It’s not escaping my notice how much this is reading like a romance. Sure there’s some slight horror elements but am I the only one getting this impression? It’s not necessarily bothering me but not at all what I expected from this book. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 26 (view spoiler)[If she turns up pregnant I’m going to be pissed but also not given no contraception then. But can we talk about the English peeps using the vamps like some front line army. 😵😵 And since I’m listening to audio I’m not sure if there’s a glossary but I’m thinking certain things are not resonating cause I’m not 100% clear what they’re saying in Spanish!!! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 30 (view spoiler)[This showdown was obviously going to happen. What I don’t understand is why she told no one about the enemies new tactics. Seems like that’s important information someone in charge should know. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[Not understanding what this books point was? I. Glad they got their HEA but again I was not expecting this book to be so much like a romance with some vampires sprinkled in. Guess it was an ok story. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ I get why Nestor ran away. He thought Nene was dead and it was his fault. But so many years and nobody thought of telling him that Nena was alive. Not even a casual mention in the letters? That's heartbreaking!! And Nena's anger is also justified. I'm glad the author didn't downplay Nena's hurt and anger. (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 21 [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ I noticed it too. I expected this book to be a gothic horror read. But it's definitely a romance book with some horror elements. I'm enjoying it, so no complaints. But surely not what I expected. (hide spoiler)]

Maisha wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed]"

That's what bothered me so much, why did no one tell him? I can understand if he completely cut himself off from people on the ranch but he didn't.

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[Poor friend! She was dreaming of the future with her childhood friend and a monster attacks her! That was quite a start! :D (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[Oh noo... Thinking someone has died and them being alive all those years 🙈 (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Maisha wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed]"

That's what bothered me so much, why did no one tell him? I can understand if he completely cut himself off from people on the ranch but he didn't."

That was strange...

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[Her mission was short living. She is already going back home and they met their first vampire. I love the characters. I am happy that things finally started happening (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 19 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That was like a scene from Alien, hahaha (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[This is a bit more romance than I expected. I thought this was a horror xD They kissed and he walked away because she isn't brave enough to choose her own path. She's still going to be married to some rich man. (hide spoiler)]

Maisha wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 21 [spoilers removed]"
[spoilers removed]"

Wow I am so glad that I am not the only one who have these exact thoughts!!

Johanna wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 19 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

My thoughts exactly!

Johanna wrote: "Chapter 21
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah same, I'm not complaining about the romance aspect but it def made the book nowhere near a horror, heck some of the people are worse than the vamps anyways :P

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Chapter 21
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah same, I'm not complaining about the romance aspect but it def made the book nowhere near a horror, heck some of the people are worse than the va..."

I am slightly disappointed because I thought I wouls get a horror story xD I just have to get over it 🤣 I still love the characters and what you said about people is sadly so true sometimes

Chapter 26
(view spoiler)[Oh boy, her parents are something else. Well I partly understand but that's still so awful. There is so many ways to say the same thing... Their way isn't kind and respecting at all. But wow! The enemy group might be using the vampires against them!! What on earth?!? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30
(view spoiler)[I am glad that he decided to come back! But Nena just going there thinking that she can communicate with them... Well I like that she's a badass but at the same time this feels a bit reckless thing to do (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 30 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[She didn't even tell about these creatures and how they're used. I think she had too much love drama happening to concentrate on such things 🤣🤣 (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I might have hoped to get more horror but well. The characters were awesome and I loved the writing. The ending made me happy and I have to say I ended up liking this one🥰 (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yep this definitely was a love story... (hide spoiler)]