In a world where a half-hidden war has finally revealed to ordinary humans the supernatural creatures that surround them, safety is hard to find for a girl like Natividad.Born Pure, one of the rare girls able to wield protective magic against demonic forces, Natividad and her brothers are on their own and on the run, with terrible memories and terrible enemies behind them. The only possible … possible shelter might be found with their father’s kin, the infamous black dogs of Dimilioc . . . if they can win acceptance. But when their enemies track them to their new home, neither Natividad nor her brothers nor Dimilioc itself may survive . . .
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I enjoyed Black Dog very much. I believe it’s being market as YA, not sure if I would put it there, but in this day an age of ebooks who minds the marketing… or the cover art for that matter. I picked it up thinking it was a stand alone, and it holds well enough as such, but I believe it may actually be the beginning of a series.
Neumeir has developed a rich world full of history. Most recently, there was a war against vampires into which the black dogs (werewolves, sort of) were drawn and many killed. Also, effected were the increasing rare Pure, or witches. Navidad is Pure, her older brother a black dog, and her twin is a normal human, if a bit of a smart ass. The book opens with them on the run, both parents recently murdered, leaving Mexico for Vermont and a pack of werewolves from which they hope to plead sanctuary.
I like the dynamic of the black dogs. The submissive behavior into which those around them are thrown smacks of abusive relationships, or survivors of alcoholic parents. This troubled me a bit, but worked for the darkness of the world’s mythos where black dogs are basically daemon spawn. Navidad, as a result, suffers from lack of agency at the beginning, and when she does act it is willfully against her own self interest. These are qualities in main characters I tend to avoid but…
Neumeir’s writing held me riveted. She has a deft touch with description, almost glorifying the sensation of displacement experienced by the siblings. I think she writes best when she has switched POV to one of Navidad’s brothers, rather than Navidad herself. Also I loved her supporting characters, both the pack and those who are brought in as the story progresses.
“Zachariah Korte smiled, barely, as though expressions were meant to be horded, as though he might use up his share and never be able to smile again.”
I was a little confused by some of the world rules, for example the Pure are not supposed to marry black dogs, yet the first thing that happens when Navidad arrives in the pack, is the werewolves try to claim her. Could be I wasn’t reading close enough to get the complexities.
I felt like Navidad came into her own by the end, as she relaxed into her new role with the pack she got witty dialogue, developed friendships, and explored a burgeoning romance. I hope she develops more power and agency as the series progresses, both as a character and within the story. I’m certainly on board for the next book, should it materialize.
This is a very different sort of werewolf book, reading a bit like Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver but with an entirely different, Hispanic slant. The beauty of the writing doesn’t detract from the story, either, and I was definitely hooked on the plucky immigrants trying to ingratiate themselves within an established (and quite scary) New England pack. The only thing I didn’t like? The cover. Otherwise, I recommend this title wholeheartedly.
I love this book, and the series! Great characters and world building! CAn’t wait for more.
Black Dog was an awesome read that I quickly began to follow. It follows Natividad and her two brothers Alejandro and Miguel. Natividad is a Pure girl while her brother Alejandro is a black dog. Miguel is only human, but don’t count him out as he is the brains behind the operation. Black dogs normally kill the Pure–magic-wielding women–on sight, Alejandro protects his sister and brother fiercely. The three siblings are fleeing away from their home in Mexico to the Dimilioc black wolves in the States. I enjoyed reading it and it gives a new myth to werewolves and vampires. Yes, vampires are also mentioned, enjoy!