They say vampires are considered passé, but truth be told, I’ll never grow weary of them. In 2023, I immersed myself in a personal vampire marathon, exploring a variety of genres like YA, romance, and horror. Some vampire novels resonated with me, while others left me frustrated and one, unfortunately, led to me abandoning ship. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown, neatly categorized:
Horror vampire novels
Bram Stoker – Dracula
Stoker’s 1897 classic, “Dracula,” stands as the original vampire novel. Imagine this: Count Dracula, hailing from Transylvania, decides to wreak havoc in England, unleashing undead chaos. The narrative unfolds through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, diving into superstition, Victorian vibes, and the epic struggle of good versus evil as a group strives to thwart Dracula’s sinister plans.
Review: I had to temporarily set aside this classic (though I do promise a second attempt). The pacing was sluggish, the narrative repetitive, and, frankly, it became a bit dull. 2023 wasn’t exactly my year for classics.
Stephen King – Salem’s Lot
King’s “Salem’s Lot” delivers a chilling narrative set in a small town. As writer Ben Mears returns home, he uncovers a vampire infestation that transforms the townsfolk into the undead. The novel delves into supernatural horror as the community grapples with the looming threat of vampiric terror.
Review: Finishing this book felt like a bit of a struggle (though I emerged victorious). The plot unfolded at a glacial pace, and the main characters failed to capture my interest. Furthermore, the narrative seemed overly fixated on male characters, with few females meeting untimely fates for seemingly arbitrary reasons, dampening my overall enjoyment.
Grady Hendrix – The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires
Grady Hendrix’s “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” serves up a wickedly entertaining blend of humor, horror, and Southern charm. The narrative unfolds in Charleston, South Carolina, where a book club’s cozy reading sessions take a dark turn upon encountering a mysterious and charming stranger. As the ladies delve into a sinister underworld of vampires and secrets, the novel skillfully combines social satire with spine-tingling suspense, delivering a uniquely captivating vampire tale with a Southern twist.
Review: This book’s vivid descriptions effortlessly transported me to that neighborhood, the imagery lingering in my mind long after. However, fair warning—it’s equally stomach-turning with its portrayal of insects, rats, and all sorts of unsettling bodily fluids. The main character, a woman, finds herself ensnared and at the mercy of domineering men, a source of immense frustration for the reader.
Between horror and romance
Ebba Segerberg – Let the Right One In
Segerberg’s “Let the Right One In” invites readers on a haunting journey through a Swedish suburb. This atmospheric novel introduces Oskar, a lonely boy facing school bullies, and Eli, a mysterious girl harboring a dark secret. Set against the backdrop of a cold, desolate winter, the story weaves horror, suspense, and a touch of melancholy as the bond between Oskar and Eli deepens, unveiling unsettling truths.
Review: This book grabbed my attention with its unique qualities: the protagonists’ tender age (12), the unconventional Swedish setting (a departure from my usual American vampire fiction), and the seamless fusion of horror and romance. The narrative unfolds as two tweens navigate the intricacies of their friendship, gradually evolving into something more, all within a world tainted by both human and vampire cruelties.
Between horror and a psychological study of a vampire
Anne Rice – Interview with the Vampire
Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” takes readers on a spellbinding journey into the realms of immortality and the human experience, viewed through the undead lens. The narrative follows Louis, an 18th-century plantation owner turned vampire, as he shares his extraordinary life with a journalist. Rice’s storytelling plunges into the intricacies of eternal existence, moral quandaries, and the intricate web of relationships among vampires. With a lavish Gothic atmosphere and robust character development, the novel reshapes vampire lore, blending horror, philosophy, and a deep exploration of the essence of true existence.
Review: While certain parts of this book meandered at a relaxed pace, I found myself drawn to Louis’s reflective musings on life’s core themes. The addition of Claudia, trapped in a child’s body, brought a unique dimension to the narrative. Despite these fascinating aspects, the book didn’t completely enthrall me to commit to the entire series (all 13 books!).
YA vampire fiction
Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy
Richelle Mead’s “Vampire Academy” drops readers into a world where vampires and humans share the same turf. The story centers on Rose Hathaway, a half-human, half-vampire guardian-in-training, and her BFF Lissa Dragomir, a Moroi princess. This novel serves up a mix of fantasy, romance, and supernatural twists as Rose and Lissa tackle the hurdles of their unusual society. It’s not just about dodging vampire politics but also navigating the ups and downs of their evolving friendship. “Vampire Academy” pulls you in with its lively characters, intricate world, and the fine line between the magic and mess of the supernatural scene.
Review: I was kinda shocked at how I got into this series (there are six books!), even though I’m not exactly the target reader. Some stuff bugged me, like the writing being a bit too simple and repetitive, Rose being annoying, and, honestly, there are just too many books to keep up with. Also, some of the things that went down were seriously far-fetched, even for a fantasy story. And hey, the whole Rose-Dimitri thing felt a bit off – she’s a teenager, and he’s way older as her mentor. Just didn’t sit right with me.
L. J. Smith – The Vampire Diaries
L. J. Smith’s “The Vampire Diaries” immerses readers in a supernatural saga. Picture this: In the small town of Mystic Falls, the life of Elena Gilbert, her family and friends takes a dark turn when the mysterious Salvatore brothers, Stefan and Damon, arrive. The narrative weaves a tapestry of romance, intrigue, and supernatural forces, as the characters grapple with love, loss, and the ominous presence of vampires.
Review: I delved into the first four books after binge-watching the TV series, and let me tell you, they’re worlds apart. The TV series, especially in the initial stages (though it turns into a bit of a chaos later), packs more substance and coherence. The books, on the other hand, dive into a realm of peculiar events and creatures, but it’s in the TV adaptation where the characters truly come to life, breathing a vividness that the original novels somehow miss.
Stephenie Meyer – Twilight
Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series immerses readers in the supernatural romance between Bella Swan, a human, and Edward Cullen, a vampire. Set against the backdrop of the small town of Forks, Washington, the series delves into the complexities of their love amidst the challenges posed by vampire lore and a world teeming with supernatural beings. The narrative weaves together elements of romance, fantasy, and suspense, creating a compelling saga that has left a lasting impact on contemporary young adult literature.
Review: Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” entered my world during my teenage years, and unlike many of my peers, it didn’t quite capture my heart. The enchantment felt a bit too fairytale-like for my taste. I loved the scenery in the movies, though!
Romance/adult vampire fiction
The Southern Vampire Mysteries – Charlaine Harris
Charlaine Harris’s “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” introduces readers to Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress living in Bon Temps, a small town in Louisiana. The series kicks off with the revelation of vampires “coming out of the coffin” and the challenges they face in integrating into human society. Sookie finds herself entangled in a web of supernatural mysteries, including vampire politics, werewolf dynamics, and other paranormal elements. Harris weaves together romance, mystery, and the supernatural, creating a captivating series that explores the complexities of human and supernatural coexistence.
Review: I’m a True Blood series enthusiast (despite harboring some reservations about the last season and the ending). I dipped my toes into the first two novels of the series, and truth be told, they charted a different course from the TV adaptation. While not exactly mind-blowing, they did offer a pleasant, laid-back read. The prospect of continuing the series is a bit hazy for me at the moment.
Jenna Levine – My Roommate is a Vampire
Cassie Greenberg, a struggling artist in Chicago, takes a chance on a too-good-to-be-true apartment and discovers her new roommate, Frederick J. Fitzwilliam, is no ordinary tenant. Frederick, who turns out to be a vampire, proposes a life-changing arrangement after their unusual cohabitation begins.
Review: This book didn’t really grab me. The whole vampire thing felt like it could be swapped out with something else, like being in the mafia. It didn’t dig into the vampire stuff much, and the main character didn’t seem all that interested in asking basic questions, which felt a bit off. To me, it just ended up being like any other simple romance novel: easy to breeze through, kinda dull and repetitive, slow to build up, and of course, it all wraps up with a happy ending.
Final thoughts
Ever noticed how vampires in stories are usually dudes going after human ladies, either for mischief or romance, or sometimes both? There are a couple of exceptions like “Vampire Academy” where things get more diverse with different vampire and human races, and the main couples are of the same race. “Let the Right One In” flips the script too, with a female vampire as the hero and a human guy as the heroine. But in “Salem’s Lot,” it’s mostly guys taking the spotlight, and the ladies don’t get to do much. What I’m really hoping for in future vampire tales is more kick-butt female vampires paired up with regular human guys, and let’s throw in some LGBTQ characters too.
