The magnetic allure vampires bring to the page has been encapsulating audiences for years and has no intention of burning out anytime soon. Whether you're after a classic, dark horror, or a more modern tale with a twist or two, these creatures of the night have something to offer for every reader. Here are seven vampire books you need to check out during spooky season!
Books With Vampires That Are Perfect For Spooky Season
Dracula by Bram Stoker
"We learn from failure, not from success."
Dracula by Bram Stoker is an utter classic that started it all. This gothic horror story weaves a tale of terror, battles with the philosophy of good versus evil, and even has some romance for those of you itching for a bit of love.
I feel as though this novel often gets pushed under the rug, being a dusty, old classic about a vampire that everyone thinks they already know, but nothing is quite as good as the original.
This is a tale that will make your heart race, chills run down your spine, and one that you’ll end up reading in a single sitting…
Vampire Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker
“I say anger is just as valuable as compassion, if it makes art like yours."
If you’ve ever heard of ‘First Kill’, which aired on Netflix in 2022, then you’ll love Vampire Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite, a collection of short stories featuring authors including Victoria ‘V.E’ Schwab, Julie Murphy, Rebbeca Roanhorse, and many more.
The eleven stories within this horror anthology are what inspired the show to be created, particularly the story by Victoria Schwab, which explores family indoctrination, themes of identity, pride, duty, and honour. This book is a must-read for a modern twist on the vampire mythos.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
“Evil is always possible. And goodness is eternally difficult.”
Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire redefined the vampire genre in the modern era, creating a new spin on the morality and existential struggles of vampires themselves.
Two brothers, alongside a little girl named Claudia, turn sour, and the plot follows that of the author’s own suffering and grief in a Gothic tale.
In exploring themes of immortality, humanity, and existential dread, this gothic horror novel is beautifully written and is one you won’t want to miss.
The Vampire Diaries series by L. J. Smith
"Perhaps she’ll find that real darkness is more to her taste than feeble twilight."
The Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith is one of my personal favorites, another series that has become a victim of being known as the popular and successful show, which overshadows the beauty of the written word.
Even if you are familiar with the TV adaptation, the books provide new light to old characters. Exploring angels, witches, and werewolves, this paranormal romance series isn’t short of mythical beings to obsess over.
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
“Let them see that you trust them & let them solve their own problems, make their own decisions.”
For something a little darker and more mysterious, Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler deserves a spot on your TBR!
Exploring themes of identity and belonging, as well as an insatiable thirst, Butler has you follow the life of a beautifully written young woman. The combination of amnesia and the vampiric desire for blood creates a must-read science fiction horror novel.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
“It touched me to be trusted with something terrible.”
If you love historical fiction intertwined with vampire lore, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova will take you on a journey across Europe as a young woman unravels the mystery of her father's disappearance and connects it all with the folklore of Vlad the Impaler. I loved how the narrative intertwined past and present, creating a captivating story I couldn't put down.
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
'Are you OLD?’ No. I’m only twelve. But I’ve been that for a long time.'
As I'm currently traveling through Sweden, I couldn't miss out on Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Translated into English, this story follows the trope of a young boy who befriends a girl, who, in her mystery, turns out to be a vampire.
The friendship and loneliness in this novel perfectly blend with the horror to create an inescapable story that will keep you hooked from page one!
No matter whether you're after modern novels, classic tales, or retellings, there are plenty of books with vampires to choose from, and what better time to read them than during spooky season?
So get cosy, dim the lights, and prepare to enter terrifying worlds that will send shivers down your spine. May your nights be filled with dark and twisted dreams—happy reading!
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