The Librarian's Husband's Book Club discussion

This September, we’re diving into Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas—where history, horror, and romance collide on the northern Mexican frontier.

Before you open the book, what are you anticipating from this blend of gothic dread, supernatural danger, and human resilience? Are you expecting more chills, more romance, or a balance of both?

Share your pre-read thoughts, predictions, or burning questions below!

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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.

Okay, so I'm getting ready to dive into this book. I hate horror - think Exorcist but am hoping that is not the case with this book. I am hoping for good character development, and you can thank The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice for that. I don't want romance to be the main focus but maybe the growth between N and N as they combat the darkness will facilitate a more mature and stronger relationship. One can hope!
Side note: I'll be reading the two books simultaneously and may end up making comparisons between the 4 characters.

Christine wrote: "Okay, so I'm getting ready to dive into this book. I hate horror - think Exorcist but am hoping that is not the case with this book. I am hoping for good character development, and you can thank Th..."

I hope you like it. I didn't think the horror was too heavy. Certainly not exorcist levels..... no pea soup. :)

This book is on an 8 week wait at my library. So I wait.

I was supposed to get my copy today (ordered brand new because books are my happy pills) and what I got wasn't Vampires of El Norte nor the other book I ordered, The Ghostwriter. So, waiting on bookshop.org to get back to me because I'm really upset over this.

My colleague will also be upset because she's dying to know what I think of both novels... whenever they get here...