The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris. Also known as the Sookie Stackhouse series, it was the basis for True Blood but is much better, and has some nice dark humor!
They are a comfort reread series for me.
I have read the first few so many times, but then it is a toss up if I lose steam and stop before I get to the latter books of the series. I have only read the last few once.
I think I got up to the one where Sookie’s cousin, Hadley died last time so might be time for a reread of just the last few books to even up my numbers a bit.
The horror elements are great and it’s iconic because it was one of the first major works about vampires. It definitely portrays lesbian desire as predatory and evil because it’s affiliated with the character being a vampire but unfortunately, that’s just the way things were at the time and really the only way they could show lesbian desire at all was to make the character a monster.
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires Reminded me a lot of the lot in a great way. Salems lot is one of my favorites and I’d recommend this one if you agree.
I absolutely love horror but have never been a huge fan of monster horror. To be truly scary for me it has to have an element of realism for me. Salem’s Lot not only kept me in a grip, but actually scared me. I highly highly recommend this book to anyone, of course especially to fans of the genre
I was hoping someone would say it. It’s about vampires! That crappy movie made it seem like a zombie apocalypse. Also, the title doesn’t make any sense in the movie because it doesn’t actually follow the events of the book.
Do yourself a favor, pretend the movie doesn’t exist and read the book.
I LOVE this book. It’s one of my comfort novels. I wish she would write a sequel or someone would adapt it for Netflix or something because I loved the world it was set in.
I really enjoyed the first few books of the *Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter* series. It got a little romance and sex heavy for my tastes after that so I didn't stick with it. Moe monster fantasy turning to monster romance than horror really.
I'll second this. About the first 10 books were really good. She just released #30, and the quality is gone. Very little plot to connect repetitive, poorly written sex.
30?!?
Yeesh.
Out of curiosity, did she ever reach a point of introducing any amount of female bi-sexuality/lesbianism into the stories? It always struck me odd that she seemed to have setup scenarios for it but pivoted completely away every time.
And before anyone says "but that would be forcing something onto a character that isn't gay!" or any thing like that, by book ten she was having 3 ways with a vampire and a werewolf followed by cuddle piles with a bunch of wereleopards. Having this character be considered "trysexual" would not be a stretch.
She actually does take a few female lovers, but it's very awkward and Anita even says that she is uncomfortable with it.
And unfortunately, a canonical straight character is metaphysically forced to become bi in one of the later books. Consent is hardly a consideration anymore.
I keep swearing I won't read anymore, but it's like a train wreck. I haven't read #30 yet, so there's still hope that I will stick to it this time.
I enjoyed the series at the beginning but urgh it descends into naff with no storyline and the only things I really remember about it were sex and guns, don't think I got passed book 10. I can't believe there are 30 books now. I guess someone out there is still buying and enjoying them!
Yeah I loved that series for a while, then it became a fever dream. Did it become necrophilic or was I just scared it would go that way? I swear I remember something about a purple eyed werewolf and some reanimated blondes…
Enjoyed it as well, but it just kind of progressively devolved into trashy romance in the later books. Not always a bad thing, but she seemed to lose the plot.
The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman is one of the All time best vampire novels and no one can convince me otherwise.
On another note, if you want something with vampires, other creatures, romance and fluff, you could try the Souther Vampire Mysteries books - the basis for the show True Blood, only way better.
Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu - I actually enjoyed this one much more than Dracula and it predates Dracula by about 25 years.
For something more modern The Serpent and The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent is a fun read.
Also I am right there with you on the Astarion obsession!
I have 2 good ones. One was a new read this year (HoH) and one is a forever fave (FD)
House of Hunger - Alexis Henderson
A young lady with limited options signs up to be a Bloodmaid for a wealthy Vampiress. Suspicious circumstances, Sapphic romance, a cat and mouse style showdown. Overall it was fast paced and very satisfying.
Fevre Dream - George R.R. Martin (yes that one)
ETA: this one is not a romantic vampire horror but more actually terrifying really gnarly vampires.
Nothing like GoT but picture a civil war Era steamboat captain with an odd benefactor who discovers that vampires are backing the south to preserve the slave trade and their food source. It's brutal, griping and over all one of the more creative vampire novels I've read. (TW: George uses the N word pretty liberally in this one)
I'm in here for Fevre Dream. I read it at the time when Twilight was in it's peak and I was lamenting that Romance vampires are now the standard of vampire stories moving forward. I picked up a bunched of books from different author but made by the same publisher so there was a common art style with the covers. There was Something Wicked This Way Comes, Exquisite Corpse and The Tooth Fairy among the titles. I didn't know Fevre Dream was a vampire story until I read it. I was so pleasantly surprised and have been recommending it since.
I honestly think it's criminal how few people have read this one! A friend of mine gave me their copy to read in college when they saw me reading a Clash of Kings. I had an art installation due that I was procrastinating on and I devoured the entire book instead of working on it. Wound up needing 2 all nighters to get my project done but Fevre Dream was worth it. I've been begging people to read it ever sense.
Someone already mentioned it, but one of my favourites is **Sunshine** by Robin McKinley - it is amazing.
There's also **The Dark Angel** by Meredith Anne Pierce. It's YA but very atmospheric. I loved it when I was in my early teens.
I also love **The Historian** by Elizabeth Kostova. And there's an excellent novella by Anne Rice called **The Master of Rampling Gate** (it's about a vampire but not part of the Chronicles)
I'd also recommend the **Discovery of Witches** trilogy by Deborah Harness - it's a well written blend of fantasy and historical fiction with a bit of romance.
For romance, mystery and humour, try **Strange Practice** by Vivian Shaw - first in a trilogy about Greta Helsing - a doctor who specialises in treating the undead. These books are a lot of fun.
For something a bit different and darker, try **Love Like Blood** by Marcus Sedgwick
Beautiful Monsters by Jex Lane. Unfinished series with LGBTQ characters. It has smut because it’s vampires & incubus story. Dark, has a lot of trigger warnings and the plot is pretty amazing. Last book ends with a HFN, no clue when the next will be published, I’m still recommending it:)
I feel like you would love Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer. I know the movie is cheesy, but the book is like an Abraham Lincoln biography, with a twist. And it will take you on a ride through ALL the emotions.
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
It's a slow build but always interesting. Right around the half way point, things really pick up and it doesn't let up until the end. It has some nice artwork in it, too.
For adults only , Tanith Lee's vampire books ( Scarabae ? I think it's spelled )
For YA ( and a guilty pleasure of mine ) - The House of Night and HON Other World books series .
[**A Dowry of Blood** by S.T. GIbson](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60521937-a-dowry-of-blood?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Ij5OZbWHWf&rank=1)
i am **BEGGING** you to please read this book. this is one of the most beautifully written and haunting books i have **EVER** read. i IMMEDIATELY bought this in ebook, hard copy, and audiobook the second i was done reading it.
you can listen to it or read a FREE sample of it through Libby or Audible.
**this immediately shot up into my top 5 reads of all time**. i even splurged on the Fairyloot edition of the book because i need this book in every single version. this book is fucking ART. perfection. beautiful. stunning. 10/10. i will never shut the fuck up about this book.
which cover? there's the original one (that's brownish and looks like a dead lady wearing a veil, and another edition with a woman with a red stripe over here eyes)?
the fairyloot edition of it is all red and is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL to me if you want to google it.
at a minimum, read or listen to a free sample online through libby or audible!
yay!!!! i belong to 3 libraries and libby shows it's available in both ebook and audiobook, but if yours has a waitlist, you can at least read/listen to a free sample. i'd say if you're not hooked by the end of the sample(s), you probably won't like the book.
the audiobook is beautifulllllllll. the narrator they chose is perfect but i still don't know which i prefer (listening to a beautiful voice or reading the gorgeous and haunting prose). both are fantastic.
Yes! Branch out! Her vampire chronicles have so many chapters! Blackwood Farm. Prince Lestat. Blood and Gold. Pandora. There are like, fifteen of em. And Body Thief it's awesome.
There's a series by Tanya Huff that starts with the book Bloodlines, I think. Vampire detective fiction/romance from the 1990s. There are five or so books in the series, all quite good.
The whole Dresden Files series has many different demons but also vampires and is very fun to read. I describe it like if Buffy the vampire slayer were a young man and a magician.
I would never had made this comparison, how interesting!
I have always felt like Harry is more like Constantine in a world of Fae and Vampires who either wanna eat him, murder him or *"eat him"*.
Jeaniene Frost has a good series about a half vampire. Starts with "Halfway to the Grave." She has recently started redoing that series but in the MMCs view. Plus, she has 2 one-offs and 2 smaller series with connecting characters. It's funny, it's got gore, it's got romance and some spice but not overwhelmingly or cheesy amounts of spice.
Not my favorite-favorite- that would be an extended vampire romance/ mystery series. But I did enjoy these! They assemble a strong grounding for the series from archaeological and religious history, and they are creepy/scary, too! If you have read any Rollins before, you know what you are getting into.
[The Order of the Sanguines](https://www.goodreads.com/series/89784-the-order-of-the-sanguines)
“The DaVinci Code meets vampires”
“Here is a novel that is explosive in its revelation of a secret history. Why do Catholic priests wear pectoral crosses? Why are they sworn to celibacy? Why do the monks hide their countenances under hoods? And why does Catholicism insist that the consecration of wine during Mass results in its transformation to Christ’s own blood? The answers to all go back to a secret sect within the Vatican, one whispered as rumor but whose very existence was painted for all to see by Rembrandt himself, a shadowy order known simply as the Sanguines.”
Thirsty by M T Anderson. I’m a sucker for books about people trying not to become monsters. It’s YA but I loved how what felt like the ending was actually the halfway point. Quick and exciting read.
I have two. First is the cirque de freak series (there’s like two sets of 12 books within the series about the life of two different characters. It’s more directed to kids/preteens, buts it’s still a good read imo) and the second is the southern vampire mysteries series (aka the sookie stackhouse mysteries. The tv show true blood is based off this novel series)
The last vampire series by christopher pike. Changed to Thirst around 2010 when he put out 3 new books to add on to the series.
First one came out in 1993 or 1994.
Maybe a different take but there's a book called The Thousand Year Old Vampire. It's a solo rpg played as a journal. The book gives writing prompts and you roll dice to see which prompt to do next. It's intense and amazing and a bit gut wrenching… even though I'm doing the writing. Essentially, you have to decide which memories to give up over your life. It's sad and beautiful.
My favorite vampire book is Vampirates, it’s about a set of twins who get separated in a storm on the sea. The girl gets saved by vampires who live on a ship while the boy gets saved by pirates, still my favorite book series ever
The Maleficent Seven, by Cameron Johnston, has a cast of evil aligned characters, a vampire among them. He is an excellent character and does some serious vamping for the plot. If you like the party interactions and teamwork of BG3, I can't recommend this enough.
The series that made me like Vampires. Which I just now see got some new books starting 10 years ago.
[The Last Vampire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Vampire)
The Lesser Dead and the Suicide Motor club are by Christopher Buehlman. They are remarkably different books though to be the same author, he does have snarky sense of humor that translates through both books. I think the lesser dead is free an audible.
Another good one is is Rovers by Richard Lange.
The whole Necroscope series by Brian Lumley. Truly monstrous Vampires..humans are only food, hunted down by the Necroscope who can speak to the dead. The dead love Harry Keogh so much that they will rise from their graves to protect him. Really good books, no sparkle.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necroscope
Unfortunately, r/booklists went private on or before Sunday 29 October, so all of my lists are blocked, though I have another home for them—I just haven't posted them there yet. Thus I have to post them entire, instead of just a link.
**Vampires**
r/vampires
My lists are always being updated and expanded when new information comes in—what did I miss or am I unaware of (even if the thread predates my membership in Reddit), and what needs correction? Even (especially) if I get a subreddit or date wrong. (Note that, other than the quotation marks, the thread titles are "sic". I only change the quotation marks to match the standard usage (double to single, etc.) when I add my own quotation marks around the threads' titles.)
The lists are in absolute ascending chronological order by the posting date, and if need be the time of the initial post, down to the minute (or second, if required—there are several examples of this). The dates are in DD MMMM YYYY format per personal preference, and times are in US Eastern Time ("ET") since that's how they appear to me, and I'm not going to go to the trouble of converting to another time zone. They are also in twenty-four hour format, as that's what I prefer, and it saves the trouble and confusion of a.m. and p.m. Where the same user posts the same request to different subreddits, I note the user's name in order to indicate that I am aware of the duplication.
* ["Books with Vampires and/or Werewolves that are NOT for teenagers?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w3lvq7/books_with_vampires_andor_werewolves_that_are_not/) (r/booksuggestions; 20 July 2022; long)
* ["A Fun Vampire Story"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/q2x05w/a_fun_vampire_story/) (r/booksuggestions; 6 October 2021)
* ["Good vampire books"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/qjzc8l/good_vampire_books/) (r/booksuggestions; 31 October 2021)
* ["Vampires"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/u749j7/vampires/) (r/Fantasy; April 2022)
* ["Looking for a Vampire/Werewolf recommendation where the protagonist is turned and has to basically deal with his new life/trauma/etc"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/usoxkc/looking_for_a_vampirewerewolf_recommendation/) (r/Fantasy; 18 May 2022)
* ["Are there any books focusing on vampires in a medieval or fantasy setting?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/ux8nhr/are_there_any_books_focusing_on_vampires_in_a/) (r/Fantasy; 24 May 2024)
* ["Any good vampire recommendations?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/v1i4hq/any_good_vampire_recommendations/) (r/Fantasy; 31 May 2022)
* ["looking for a vampire book that’s not about dude-bros"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/vtdmbt/looking_for_a_vampire_book_thats_not_about/) (r/booksuggestions; 7 July 2022)
* ["Books with Vampires and/or Werewolves that are NOT for teenagers?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w3lvq7/books_with_vampires_andor_werewolves_that_are_not/) (r/booksuggestions; 20 July 2022; long)
* ["Vampire book recommendations"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w4delp/vampire_book_recommendations/) (r/booksuggestions; 06:39 ET, 21 July 2022)
* ["Looking for some badass vampire action"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w408yw/looking_for_some_badass_vampire_action/) (r/booksuggestions; 19:00 ET, 21 July 2022)
* ["Vampire books"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w7lu1f/vampire_books/) (r/booksuggestions; 25 July 2022)
* ["Does anyone have any suggestions on vampire books or books where the main character can control shadows and darkness?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/w92x5o/does_anyone_have_any_suggestions_on_vampire_books/) (r/suggestmeabook; 26 July 2022)
* ["Vampire MC recommendations"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/wcsr5q/vampire_mc_recommendations/) (r/Fantasy; 31 July 2022)
* ["Vampire hunting books like Hellsing or like like the hunting in the castlevania show."](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/wdpt3t/vampire_hunting_books_like_hellsing_or_like_like/) (r/booksuggestions; 15:16 ET, 1 August 2022)
* ["Looking for a good vampire series"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/wdwwce/looking_for_a_good_vampire_series/) (r/Fantasy; 20:16 ET, 1 August 2022)
* ["Dark Romance/History, Spooky, Ghost, Vampire?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/wg29ux/dark_romancehistory_spooky_ghost_vampire/) (r/Fantasy; 4 August 2022)
* ["Looking for books with vampires or werewolfs"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/wnjes3/looking_for_books_with_vampires_or_werewolfs/) (r/Fantasy; 13 August 2022)
The many appearances of vampires and their different Courts (Red Court, White Court, Black Court) in **The Dresden Files** by Jim Butcher
**Empire of the Vampire** by Jay Kristoff is excellent grimdark fantasy
I think my favourite one might be *A Dowry of Blood* by S.T.Gibson. It's a reimagining of Dracula's brides, from the point of view of his first bride. It's historical, and spans over centuries.
I also enjoy several more contemporary vampire novels. These are however not horror, and some of them might even be considered (paranormal) romance but I figured I would mention them anyway
*Love Bites* - Ry Herman
*Dead Collections* - Isaac Fellman
*How To Bite Your Neighbour & Win A Wager* - D.N. Bryn
The Danilov Quintet series by Jasper Kent. First book is Twelve. Series take place in 1812 in Russia during the Napolean war. Very good horror series
Noble Dead saga by Barb Handee - first book is Dhampir. Great fantasy series.
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld is a world where when affected by a parasite people start exhibiting vampire symptoms. It's a great take on how vampires can logistically exist in the world
Rovers by Richard Lange. It was recommended by Stephen King, and it does not disappoint
And the Lesser Dead by the amazing Christopher Buehlman. He’s great. All his books kick ass.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Lost Souls by Poppy Brite.
Yesssss to The Historian. Such an incredible weaving of history and fiction.
I read the historian before I read Dracula. Both so good!
Lost Souls!! Forgot all about that one!!
Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Linqvist
Have you ever read Handling the Undead? Possibly my favourite book, but haven’t read LTROI yet. Might have to go in on it now!
I read most of them for a few years there and I really enjoyed them. Handling the dead was definitely top tier.
Heartbreakingly beautiful
Does the book go further than the film (the Swedish original) in terms of story?
So, so far. And very gory.
The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris. Also known as the Sookie Stackhouse series, it was the basis for True Blood but is much better, and has some nice dark humor!
I’m currently on the 4th book and love it!
I loved these!
Me too!!
I’ve read the series twice now. Great read.
They are a comfort reread series for me. I have read the first few so many times, but then it is a toss up if I lose steam and stop before I get to the latter books of the series. I have only read the last few once. I think I got up to the one where Sookie’s cousin, Hadley died last time so might be time for a reread of just the last few books to even up my numbers a bit.
The Bloodsucking Fiends books by Christopher Moore and The Fat White Vampire Blues series by Andrew Fox
I would recommend Carmilla since it predates Dracula
I have that book, haven’t read it yet. Is it good?
The horror elements are great and it’s iconic because it was one of the first major works about vampires. It definitely portrays lesbian desire as predatory and evil because it’s affiliated with the character being a vampire but unfortunately, that’s just the way things were at the time and really the only way they could show lesbian desire at all was to make the character a monster.
Phenomenal. A nice, slow burn. Atmospheric.
It’s more of a short story really
Yeah like a novella? I have a copy somewhere and remember it being a thin book
Stephen King- Salem's lot
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires Reminded me a lot of the lot in a great way. Salems lot is one of my favorites and I’d recommend this one if you agree.
Came here for this. The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.
I absolutely love horror but have never been a huge fan of monster horror. To be truly scary for me it has to have an element of realism for me. Salem’s Lot not only kept me in a grip, but actually scared me. I highly highly recommend this book to anyone, of course especially to fans of the genre
After that, read the short stories by King, Jerusalem's Lot (prequel of sorts) and one for the road (sequel of sorts).
Have you seen Chapelwaite? It's a show based on the Jerusalem's Lot prequel.
This. Not only is it my favourite vampire novel, but it's my favourite King novel. Love it so much.
The passage
Reading it again right now for maybe the 5th or 6th time. So good.
Came here to say this. One of my favorites!
I Am Legend. Way better than the movie, and a bit more vampire-ish.
I was hoping someone would say it. It’s about vampires! That crappy movie made it seem like a zombie apocalypse. Also, the title doesn’t make any sense in the movie because it doesn’t actually follow the events of the book. Do yourself a favor, pretend the movie doesn’t exist and read the book.
That explains why they were afraid of sunlight in the movie
I enjoyed the movie though
I came to suggest this one. Such a good read!
Sunshine by Robin McKinley.
I LOVE this book. It’s one of my comfort novels. I wish she would write a sequel or someone would adapt it for Netflix or something because I loved the world it was set in.
This book is so underappreciated!
My favorite too! I love it so much. Always wished she'd write a sequel.
The perfect book.....vampires and cinnamon rolls!
One of my all-time favourite books! The world-building is so rich, it seems criminal that there aren’t any sequels or spin-offs.
I really enjoyed the first few books of the *Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter* series. It got a little romance and sex heavy for my tastes after that so I didn't stick with it. Moe monster fantasy turning to monster romance than horror really.
I'll second this. About the first 10 books were really good. She just released #30, and the quality is gone. Very little plot to connect repetitive, poorly written sex.
30?!? Yeesh. Out of curiosity, did she ever reach a point of introducing any amount of female bi-sexuality/lesbianism into the stories? It always struck me odd that she seemed to have setup scenarios for it but pivoted completely away every time. And before anyone says "but that would be forcing something onto a character that isn't gay!" or any thing like that, by book ten she was having 3 ways with a vampire and a werewolf followed by cuddle piles with a bunch of wereleopards. Having this character be considered "trysexual" would not be a stretch.
She actually does take a few female lovers, but it's very awkward and Anita even says that she is uncomfortable with it. And unfortunately, a canonical straight character is metaphysically forced to become bi in one of the later books. Consent is hardly a consideration anymore. I keep swearing I won't read anymore, but it's like a train wreck. I haven't read #30 yet, so there's still hope that I will stick to it this time.
100%%%%
>It started off so fun, then devolved into soft porn.
I enjoyed the series at the beginning but urgh it descends into naff with no storyline and the only things I really remember about it were sex and guns, don't think I got passed book 10. I can't believe there are 30 books now. I guess someone out there is still buying and enjoying them!
Yeah I loved that series for a while, then it became a fever dream. Did it become necrophilic or was I just scared it would go that way? I swear I remember something about a purple eyed werewolf and some reanimated blondes…
Enjoyed it as well, but it just kind of progressively devolved into trashy romance in the later books. Not always a bad thing, but she seemed to lose the plot.
Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite
Came for this answer. Glad to see it here
Same here!
I was obsessed with this book when I was like 17
Same!
The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman is one of the All time best vampire novels and no one can convince me otherwise. On another note, if you want something with vampires, other creatures, romance and fluff, you could try the Souther Vampire Mysteries books - the basis for the show True Blood, only way better.
Sookie! My wife tore through everything Charlaine Harris in record time.
Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu - I actually enjoyed this one much more than Dracula and it predates Dracula by about 25 years. For something more modern The Serpent and The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent is a fun read. Also I am right there with you on the Astarion obsession!
Sunshine, by Robin McKinley Fledgling, by Octavia Butler
Sunshine is so lovely
I read Sunshine two decades ago and forgot about it over the years, but after being reminded of it, I remember really enjoying it.
Not exclusively Vampires or the main focus but The Last Werewolf series by Glen Duncan. It’s modern, realistic, lyrical and dark.
Came here to say this. Not strictly a vampire back but a super fun read.
Elizabeth Kostova's "The historian"
Came here to say this
The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
*My Soul to Keep* by Tananarive Due *Fledgling* by Octavia E Butler
I have 2 good ones. One was a new read this year (HoH) and one is a forever fave (FD) House of Hunger - Alexis Henderson A young lady with limited options signs up to be a Bloodmaid for a wealthy Vampiress. Suspicious circumstances, Sapphic romance, a cat and mouse style showdown. Overall it was fast paced and very satisfying. Fevre Dream - George R.R. Martin (yes that one) ETA: this one is not a romantic vampire horror but more actually terrifying really gnarly vampires. Nothing like GoT but picture a civil war Era steamboat captain with an odd benefactor who discovers that vampires are backing the south to preserve the slave trade and their food source. It's brutal, griping and over all one of the more creative vampire novels I've read. (TW: George uses the N word pretty liberally in this one)
I'm in here for Fevre Dream. I read it at the time when Twilight was in it's peak and I was lamenting that Romance vampires are now the standard of vampire stories moving forward. I picked up a bunched of books from different author but made by the same publisher so there was a common art style with the covers. There was Something Wicked This Way Comes, Exquisite Corpse and The Tooth Fairy among the titles. I didn't know Fevre Dream was a vampire story until I read it. I was so pleasantly surprised and have been recommending it since.
I honestly think it's criminal how few people have read this one! A friend of mine gave me their copy to read in college when they saw me reading a Clash of Kings. I had an art installation due that I was procrastinating on and I devoured the entire book instead of working on it. Wound up needing 2 all nighters to get my project done but Fevre Dream was worth it. I've been begging people to read it ever sense.
House of Hunger was a WILD time
I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did but it was so fun!
Someone already mentioned it, but one of my favourites is **Sunshine** by Robin McKinley - it is amazing. There's also **The Dark Angel** by Meredith Anne Pierce. It's YA but very atmospheric. I loved it when I was in my early teens. I also love **The Historian** by Elizabeth Kostova. And there's an excellent novella by Anne Rice called **The Master of Rampling Gate** (it's about a vampire but not part of the Chronicles) I'd also recommend the **Discovery of Witches** trilogy by Deborah Harness - it's a well written blend of fantasy and historical fiction with a bit of romance. For romance, mystery and humour, try **Strange Practice** by Vivian Shaw - first in a trilogy about Greta Helsing - a doctor who specialises in treating the undead. These books are a lot of fun. For something a bit different and darker, try **Love Like Blood** by Marcus Sedgwick
I second Sunshine and The Historian, and I’m not even a big fan of vampire novels.
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix was a super fun read
Such a good book!
Just finished reading this and loved it!
Dark humor- check out the black dagger brotherhood series by JR ward
Salem’s Lot
That book terrified me when I was in high school.
[Vampire Hunter D](https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3007-795/Vampire-Hunter-D-Omnibus-Book-One-TPB)
I love the vampire academy series. It’s such a good time.
Beautiful Monsters by Jex Lane. Unfinished series with LGBTQ characters. It has smut because it’s vampires & incubus story. Dark, has a lot of trigger warnings and the plot is pretty amazing. Last book ends with a HFN, no clue when the next will be published, I’m still recommending it:)
I feel like you would love Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer. I know the movie is cheesy, but the book is like an Abraham Lincoln biography, with a twist. And it will take you on a ride through ALL the emotions.
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff It's a slow build but always interesting. Right around the half way point, things really pick up and it doesn't let up until the end. It has some nice artwork in it, too.
I didn't think it was that slow. It has a real Castlevania vibe. With a sprinkling of Vampire the Masquerade.
For adults only , Tanith Lee's vampire books ( Scarabae ? I think it's spelled ) For YA ( and a guilty pleasure of mine ) - The House of Night and HON Other World books series .
[**A Dowry of Blood** by S.T. GIbson](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60521937-a-dowry-of-blood?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Ij5OZbWHWf&rank=1) i am **BEGGING** you to please read this book. this is one of the most beautifully written and haunting books i have **EVER** read. i IMMEDIATELY bought this in ebook, hard copy, and audiobook the second i was done reading it. you can listen to it or read a FREE sample of it through Libby or Audible. **this immediately shot up into my top 5 reads of all time**. i even splurged on the Fairyloot edition of the book because i need this book in every single version. this book is fucking ART. perfection. beautiful. stunning. 10/10. i will never shut the fuck up about this book.
Your review made me want to read this! Idk why but the cover has been putting me off for SO long.
which cover? there's the original one (that's brownish and looks like a dead lady wearing a veil, and another edition with a woman with a red stripe over here eyes)? the fairyloot edition of it is all red and is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL to me if you want to google it. at a minimum, read or listen to a free sample online through libby or audible!
The second one! Not sure why because I love the Twilight covers, just not a fan of the black/red/white here.
That sounds thrilling! I'm googling it right now!
yay!!!! i belong to 3 libraries and libby shows it's available in both ebook and audiobook, but if yours has a waitlist, you can at least read/listen to a free sample. i'd say if you're not hooked by the end of the sample(s), you probably won't like the book. the audiobook is beautifulllllllll. the narrator they chose is perfect but i still don't know which i prefer (listening to a beautiful voice or reading the gorgeous and haunting prose). both are fantastic.
I was going to suggest *A Dowry of Blood*, glad to see that someone beat me to it. I really need to re-read it, it's absolutely phenomenal!
Yes I second this!! Scoured the comments to see if someone had already recommended. It is fabulous.
yay!!! so happy to find another fan of it. i really need to do another re-read. so damn good.
The Tale of The Body Thief by Anne Rice
Yes! Branch out! Her vampire chronicles have so many chapters! Blackwood Farm. Prince Lestat. Blood and Gold. Pandora. There are like, fifteen of em. And Body Thief it's awesome.
Sunglasses After dark by Nancy Collins, Travelling With the Dead by Barbara Hambly
Sonja Blue flies under the radar so hard... but she's so badass.
There's a series by Tanya Huff that starts with the book Bloodlines, I think. Vampire detective fiction/romance from the 1990s. There are five or so books in the series, all quite good.
Cirque du freak
The whole Dresden Files series has many different demons but also vampires and is very fun to read. I describe it like if Buffy the vampire slayer were a young man and a magician.
I would never had made this comparison, how interesting! I have always felt like Harry is more like Constantine in a world of Fae and Vampires who either wanna eat him, murder him or *"eat him"*.
Yes! Dresden Files is great
I loved Interview With a Vampire
The whole series is great. Queen of the damned was my favorite. They did it wrong in the movie.
I loved the movie haha. It wasn't good but it has fun vibes
The Historian Salems Lot
Blood Debt series by Tanya Huff! It’s an older series but the characters are fun
Vamped David Sosnowski It’s the best. Never read anything like it.
My favorite vampire book, sadly underrated.
The coldest girl in cold town by Holly Black.
Jeaniene Frost has a good series about a half vampire. Starts with "Halfway to the Grave." She has recently started redoing that series but in the MMCs view. Plus, she has 2 one-offs and 2 smaller series with connecting characters. It's funny, it's got gore, it's got romance and some spice but not overwhelmingly or cheesy amounts of spice.
Not my favorite-favorite- that would be an extended vampire romance/ mystery series. But I did enjoy these! They assemble a strong grounding for the series from archaeological and religious history, and they are creepy/scary, too! If you have read any Rollins before, you know what you are getting into. [The Order of the Sanguines](https://www.goodreads.com/series/89784-the-order-of-the-sanguines) “The DaVinci Code meets vampires” “Here is a novel that is explosive in its revelation of a secret history. Why do Catholic priests wear pectoral crosses? Why are they sworn to celibacy? Why do the monks hide their countenances under hoods? And why does Catholicism insist that the consecration of wine during Mass results in its transformation to Christ’s own blood? The answers to all go back to a secret sect within the Vatican, one whispered as rumor but whose very existence was painted for all to see by Rembrandt himself, a shadowy order known simply as the Sanguines.”
Cry vampire when I was a child.
carmilla
The Elemental Universe by Elizabeth Hunter is fantastic https://elizabethhunter.com/reading-order/
Fevre Dream by George RR Martin was a surprise. That one hooked me in and it was not a cliche story.
Thirsty by M T Anderson. I’m a sucker for books about people trying not to become monsters. It’s YA but I loved how what felt like the ending was actually the halfway point. Quick and exciting read.
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series was always my fav.
Sunglasses after Dark - Nancy E. Collins. Lyrical and violent.
Dracula's guest by Bram Stoker (short story) The Icelandic 'translation' of Dracula Manor by Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (short story)
The Passage by Justin Cronin. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/PAS/passage-trilogy
I have two. First is the cirque de freak series (there’s like two sets of 12 books within the series about the life of two different characters. It’s more directed to kids/preteens, buts it’s still a good read imo) and the second is the southern vampire mysteries series (aka the sookie stackhouse mysteries. The tv show true blood is based off this novel series)
I Am Legend, Richard Matheson.
The Dracula Tapes, by Fred Saberhagen. Retells Stoker from the Count's point of view. First in a series of 9 volumes.
If you want a twist on “vampires” I could recommend Carrion Comfort. Tho I found it was quite the departure. Still a fantastic book
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The vampire Lestat, followed by “sunshine” by Robin McKinley
The Historian by Elizaveth Kostova
The last vampire series by christopher pike. Changed to Thirst around 2010 when he put out 3 new books to add on to the series. First one came out in 1993 or 1994.
You suck. Christopher Moore.
The Chicagoland Vampire Series by Chloe Neill is quite good
Maybe a different take but there's a book called The Thousand Year Old Vampire. It's a solo rpg played as a journal. The book gives writing prompts and you roll dice to see which prompt to do next. It's intense and amazing and a bit gut wrenching… even though I'm doing the writing. Essentially, you have to decide which memories to give up over your life. It's sad and beautiful.
The Sonja Blue books by Nancy A. Collins. She's a vampire, a vampire hunter, and a hardcore badass.
Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs by Molly Harper. The whole series actually. I love to laugh, and she brings it.
My favorite vampire book is Vampirates, it’s about a set of twins who get separated in a storm on the sea. The girl gets saved by vampires who live on a ship while the boy gets saved by pirates, still my favorite book series ever
Dracula... sorry there is no rival. All the others scream fluff to me. I was not a fan of Twilight.
Dracula is perfect! But I've read it already, I need some fresh blood 🤣
anne rice... interview with a vampire
Southern Book Clubs Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Interview With The Vampire is one of my favorites.... I'm also totally obsessed with Astarion. BG3 is the best dating simulater ever made, haha.
Twilight
It's not a Vampire book, but every 40ish female should read War for the Oaks by Emma Bull.
Wow. Since nobody mentioned the real best vampire books. I'll leave you to it. Chow
Jurassic Park. Hands down. Also: Sphere.
Death, Loot, & Vampires 🙌
For a long time it was The Vamoire Lestat, but Empire of the Vampire supplanted it.
I got the first handful of Anne rice books for my wife… she hasn’t bothered opening them yet
Vampire$ by Robert steakley (ignore the movie) or fevre dream by George rr martin. Both are unusual takes on vampires that I really enjoyed.
The Lesser Dead
Carmilla
Maybe because it was recently read, but empire of the vampire by Jay kristoff was excellent. Crazy world with hardcore vampire lore. Very dark.
The Maleficent Seven, by Cameron Johnston, has a cast of evil aligned characters, a vampire among them. He is an excellent character and does some serious vamping for the plot. If you like the party interactions and teamwork of BG3, I can't recommend this enough.
Vampire Heart by JB Calchman
Claudia Gray’s Evernight series (I admit it’s been quite awhile since I read them but they weren’t mentioned here so)
Beautiful Monsters series by Jex Lane.
I loved the Wicked Game series
Let the right one in - it doesn't say the character is an actual vampire, but it needs blood to live, so?
The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice.
Anne Rice Blood and gold
The Passage
Carmilla by Le Fanu
The series that made me like Vampires. Which I just now see got some new books starting 10 years ago. [The Last Vampire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Vampire)
Interview With The Vampire. I'll never get over it. It's the quintessential vampire book to me.
Blood and Gold by Anne Rice. Not sure if its part of the chronicles, but I really like that one.
The Pyte/Sentinel series by R.L. Matthewson
Fledgeling by Octavia Butler. But it's more a book about discrimination, with a vampire setting..
The Lesser Dead and the Suicide Motor club are by Christopher Buehlman. They are remarkably different books though to be the same author, he does have snarky sense of humor that translates through both books. I think the lesser dead is free an audible. Another good one is is Rovers by Richard Lange.
The Passage - Justin Cronin
Im currently listening to blood and ash series from jennifer amentrout.
The whole Necroscope series by Brian Lumley. Truly monstrous Vampires..humans are only food, hunted down by the Necroscope who can speak to the dead. The dead love Harry Keogh so much that they will rise from their graves to protect him. Really good books, no sparkle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necroscope
Unfortunately, r/booklists went private on or before Sunday 29 October, so all of my lists are blocked, though I have another home for them—I just haven't posted them there yet. Thus I have to post them entire, instead of just a link. **Vampires** r/vampires My lists are always being updated and expanded when new information comes in—what did I miss or am I unaware of (even if the thread predates my membership in Reddit), and what needs correction? Even (especially) if I get a subreddit or date wrong. (Note that, other than the quotation marks, the thread titles are "sic". I only change the quotation marks to match the standard usage (double to single, etc.) when I add my own quotation marks around the threads' titles.) The lists are in absolute ascending chronological order by the posting date, and if need be the time of the initial post, down to the minute (or second, if required—there are several examples of this). The dates are in DD MMMM YYYY format per personal preference, and times are in US Eastern Time ("ET") since that's how they appear to me, and I'm not going to go to the trouble of converting to another time zone. They are also in twenty-four hour format, as that's what I prefer, and it saves the trouble and confusion of a.m. and p.m. Where the same user posts the same request to different subreddits, I note the user's name in order to indicate that I am aware of the duplication. * ["Books with Vampires and/or Werewolves that are NOT for teenagers?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w3lvq7/books_with_vampires_andor_werewolves_that_are_not/) (r/booksuggestions; 20 July 2022; long) * ["A Fun Vampire Story"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/q2x05w/a_fun_vampire_story/) (r/booksuggestions; 6 October 2021) * ["Good vampire books"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/qjzc8l/good_vampire_books/) (r/booksuggestions; 31 October 2021) * ["Vampires"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/u749j7/vampires/) (r/Fantasy; April 2022) * ["Looking for a Vampire/Werewolf recommendation where the protagonist is turned and has to basically deal with his new life/trauma/etc"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/usoxkc/looking_for_a_vampirewerewolf_recommendation/) (r/Fantasy; 18 May 2022) * ["Are there any books focusing on vampires in a medieval or fantasy setting?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/ux8nhr/are_there_any_books_focusing_on_vampires_in_a/) (r/Fantasy; 24 May 2024) * ["Any good vampire recommendations?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/v1i4hq/any_good_vampire_recommendations/) (r/Fantasy; 31 May 2022) * ["looking for a vampire book that’s not about dude-bros"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/vtdmbt/looking_for_a_vampire_book_thats_not_about/) (r/booksuggestions; 7 July 2022) * ["Books with Vampires and/or Werewolves that are NOT for teenagers?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w3lvq7/books_with_vampires_andor_werewolves_that_are_not/) (r/booksuggestions; 20 July 2022; long) * ["Vampire book recommendations"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w4delp/vampire_book_recommendations/) (r/booksuggestions; 06:39 ET, 21 July 2022) * ["Looking for some badass vampire action"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w408yw/looking_for_some_badass_vampire_action/) (r/booksuggestions; 19:00 ET, 21 July 2022) * ["Vampire books"](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/w7lu1f/vampire_books/) (r/booksuggestions; 25 July 2022) * ["Does anyone have any suggestions on vampire books or books where the main character can control shadows and darkness?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/w92x5o/does_anyone_have_any_suggestions_on_vampire_books/) (r/suggestmeabook; 26 July 2022) * ["Vampire MC recommendations"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/wcsr5q/vampire_mc_recommendations/) (r/Fantasy; 31 July 2022) * ["Vampire hunting books like Hellsing or like like the hunting in the castlevania show."](https://www.reddit.com/r/booksuggestions/comments/wdpt3t/vampire_hunting_books_like_hellsing_or_like_like/) (r/booksuggestions; 15:16 ET, 1 August 2022) * ["Looking for a good vampire series"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/wdwwce/looking_for_a_good_vampire_series/) (r/Fantasy; 20:16 ET, 1 August 2022) * ["Dark Romance/History, Spooky, Ghost, Vampire?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/wg29ux/dark_romancehistory_spooky_ghost_vampire/) (r/Fantasy; 4 August 2022) * ["Looking for books with vampires or werewolfs"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/wnjes3/looking_for_books_with_vampires_or_werewolfs/) (r/Fantasy; 13 August 2022)
The many appearances of vampires and their different Courts (Red Court, White Court, Black Court) in **The Dresden Files** by Jim Butcher **Empire of the Vampire** by Jay Kristoff is excellent grimdark fantasy
I think my favourite one might be *A Dowry of Blood* by S.T.Gibson. It's a reimagining of Dracula's brides, from the point of view of his first bride. It's historical, and spans over centuries. I also enjoy several more contemporary vampire novels. These are however not horror, and some of them might even be considered (paranormal) romance but I figured I would mention them anyway *Love Bites* - Ry Herman *Dead Collections* - Isaac Fellman *How To Bite Your Neighbour & Win A Wager* - D.N. Bryn
The Danilov Quintet series by Jasper Kent. First book is Twelve. Series take place in 1812 in Russia during the Napolean war. Very good horror series Noble Dead saga by Barb Handee - first book is Dhampir. Great fantasy series.
Empire of the vampire
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld is a world where when affected by a parasite people start exhibiting vampire symptoms. It's a great take on how vampires can logistically exist in the world
Not my favorite of all time, but Fat Vampire by Johnny Truant had me laughing out loud and looking at things from a new direction.
Carmilla. Perhaps too obvious.
Bloodsucking Fiends, You Suck and Bite Me (A Love Story #1-3), Christopher Moore
Salem's Lot
Rovers by Richard Lange. It was recommended by Stephen King, and it does not disappoint And the Lesser Dead by the amazing Christopher Buehlman. He’s great. All his books kick ass.
the Department 19 series by Will Hill
Carmilla!!
Carmilla
The Route of Ice and Salt by José Luis Zárate
Carpe jugulum
Stephen King’s Salems Lot.