CERTAIN DARK THINGS

This genre-defying audiobook marvel opens with a young street dweller named Domingo, who is swept from his hand-to-mouth existence by Alt, an ancient Aztec vampire in need of his blood. Together, they sink into the heady, shadowy world of vampire gangs and drug cartels, on the run from the cop determined to drag them into the light. Dan Bittner's conversational narration is instantly engaging, and he conveys Domingo's pluck and wonder at Alt's powers with irresistible earnestness. However, Bittner sounds unpracticed in the Spanish and Aztec words used liberally throughout this audiobook, preventing the listener from becoming fully immersed in what is otherwise a deeply atmospheric tale. Similarly, while each character is distinct and engrossing, they lack cultural grounding and depth. B.E.K. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2017]