13 Thrilling Vampire Books to Die For

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Delve into the world of fantasy with this novel that explores the history of witches, wizards, and vampires. Diana is an Oxford scholar who accidentally discovers an ancient manuscript in the Bodleian Library that triggers a magical reaction. She quickly realizes that there are creatures who will go to any lengths necessary to find this book. 

However, an unexpected alliance forms with Matthew, a vampire who has spent centuries searching for this manuscript. Soon, their relationship becomes more than just an alliance.

A blend of heart-pounding action and historical study, this book was the perfect mix of fantasy and history. We could have put this book on the romance section as well.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

A friend who is an avid fantasy reader recommended this book to me. I had never heard of this series before but, I really enjoyed it and I cannot wait to read the next one in the series. This is the first book in the 17-book series, The Dresden Files.

Wizards, Vampires, and warlocks are all a part of this book in which Harry Dresden is consulting with the Chicago PD on a homicide that was committed with magic. This is a dark series that will keep you turning pages.

Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice

This is the story of a 200 year old vampire names Louis who is telling the story of his life to a reporter. He tells the tale of his life with the Vampire Lestat who was his maker.

Louis life has been filled with turmoil as he tries to come to terms with who he is and what he must do to survive. His story is a story of loss, love and danger.

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) by Charlaine Harris

I watched this show before I knew that it was a book and then I obviously had to read these vampire books as well. Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress at a bar in her small town in Louisiana. She is quiet and keeps to herself except for the fact that she can read people’s minds.

When Bill Compton comes into the bar one night, Sookie cannot hear anything he is thinking and she is quickly infatuated. The feeling is mutual. But when murders start taking place and the two suspects are Bill and Sookie’s womanizing brother, Sookie starts to question her choices. There is nothing PG about this steamy series.

Guilty Pleasures: An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita Baker is a vampire hunter who is forced to help the master vampire figure out who is behind the recent vampire murders plaguing their town. It gave me adult Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes. This is one of the vampire books that is not for the faint of heart.

While the first book in this series isn’t terribly romantic, my understanding is that it gets quite steamy as the series progresses. As in erotic-level steamy, so prepare yourself for that before diving in.

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest

I don’t know how I discovered this never-ending vampire series but I started it and feel deep into the hole that is currently 92 books long.

Sofia Claremont is kidnapped on her 17th birthday and taken to the Shade. The island has no sunshine and is ruled by a powerful vampire coven. When she is chosen to become part of the harem of the dark prince, her life changes

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Twilight started a phenomenon and obsession with vampires in the same way that Harry Potter created an obsession with magic. This is obviously my opinion but I am sticking with it.

This vampire trilogy is definitely lacking the gore and fear factor and makes up for it with an amazing romance. I mean, I think there are people who still have their “team Jacob” and “team Edward” shirts. For the record, I was always team Edward.

If you have not read this series yet, what are you waiting for? You can also check out our list of the best fantasy books for teens.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Royal vampires and their bodyguards train at the famed Vampire Academy where this book is set. Lissa is a princess and her best friend, Rose, is preparing to be her protector.

When a series of crazy events threaten Lissa’s safety, Rose is on a mission to figure out who is behind the threats….. if she doesn’t get distracted while lusting over her teacher first.

Vampire Diaries by L.J Smith

The popular CW show was a best-selling series first. Brother Stephen and Damon, are both vampires who have come back to their hometown.

Damon wants revenge on Stephen, Stephen wants peace with his brother, and Elena is the girl stuck in between. The books and the show are different, but if you like the show, you should try these books too.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

I went on a vampire kick this month and I loved this really creepy classic about a historians search for Dracula.  The story is told in two timelines.  One in which a young woman must decide if she is going to follow her father in his quest and the other told through her father’s stories and old journals. 

This is a complicated history and a journey in a search for Vlad the Impaler while simultaneously trying to avoid the fate that most people meet when they get too close.

I liked this vampire book where Abraham Lincoln’s history is changed and the deaths that surround him are at the hands of the vampires. 

In this book, US history is subtly changed to include vampires in politics and also having a major role in the Civil War.  The changes and mentions of different historical figures as vampires are just enough that it could be plausible (if vampires were actually a thing). This book is NOT a romantic vampire trilogy but rather, a dark revision of history.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

I do not usually like horrors but I love thrillers, book clubs, and vampires so I decided to read this book. I absolutely loved every minute- even when I was completely scared out of my wits. This book will have you on your toes.

This book really is Steel Magnolias meets Dracula. Patricia is a housewife with two kids who don’t appreciate her and a husband who travels a lot. She spends a lot of her time caring for her senile mother-in-law who lives with them. When her elderly neighbor attacks her one night, James comes to the rescue. James seems well-read and well-traveled but Patricia is convinced he is a monster in disguise.

Patricia knows what she sees but nobody else agrees with her. The psychological warfare in this book is next-level creepy – it definitely earns its spot on our best books of 2020 list!

Dracula by Bram Stoker

This is the book that started it all. Jonathan Harker is a young English solicitor who finds himself in Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania. Count Dracula has strange customs and mannerisms and things go from strange to scary to completely horrifying.

The story of Dracula is timeless and has been remade into countless movies. But, in my opinion, none have been able to capture the truly terrifying essence of this book.