14 Thrilling Vampire Books to Die For
I have a confession. I read the first book in the Twilight series and was not compelled to read the rest. I thought it was a sweet book but where could the story really go? I have never been happier to be wrong. Since reading that series, I have read more than a few vampire books.
Some are scary, some have romance and some are YA. They all transport me to a world where creatures exist other than humans. While there are some vampires I would like to meet (Edward or Matthew), there are some that I would never want to cross my path (Vlad the Impaler or James). Here is a list of our favorite vampire books.
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Best Vampire Book Series
A Discovery of Witches
Author: Deborah Harkness
Year: 2011
Genre: Fantasy
More info: All Souls Trilogy #1
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Diana Bishop is in Oxford’s Bodleian Library when she accidentally recovers an ancient book, Ashmole 782, that has been missing for hundreds of years. In doing so, she triggers her long-forgotten magic and opens the door for vampires, witches, and demons to search out Diana and the book.
Matthew de Clermont is one of the vampires drawn to Ashmole 782. He has been looking for it for hundreds of years. Soon it is clear that even though relationships between species is forbidden, Matthew is drawn to Diana for more than just the book. The two begin to work together to unravel the mysteries behind the book, the magic and the people looking for the book.
This urban fantasy book about secret societies, witches, vampires, and more is a blend of heart-pounding action, historical fiction, and romance with the perfect mix of fantasy as well.
Trigger Warnings
Blood, torture
Why Jackie loves it
If you love the witch aspect of Harry Potter, Vampires, fantasy books, or time travel books then you will love The All Souls trilogy. This adult fantasy novel explores the history of witches, demons, and vampires. This series reads like a historical fiction and I love it. I thought the series was done at book four and was so excited to learn that there is a new book in the series!
Find this book in: Books Like A Discovery of Witches / Best Fantasy Books for Adults / Books About Witches / Adult Books Similar to Harry Potter / Books About Libraries / Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Adult Fantasy Novels
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 committed with magic. This is a dark urban fantasy series that will keep you turning pages. If you love vampires, this is one of the fantasy books for adults that is a must-read.
Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
This is the story of a 200-year-old vampire named 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’s 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. This vampire book is a classic story for a reason. Anne Rice is the queen of adult fantasy books with this book.
My Roommate Is a Vampire
Author: Jenna Levine
Year: 2023
Genre: Paranormal Romance
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Age Range: 18+
Plot
I loved this vampire book. It was an absolute delight to read and very steamy in parts which I was not expecting. This book was so charming, funny, and such a nice change from the usual vampire/ human trope. This adult fantasy novel was a fun and quick read and is a perfect book for fall.
When …. needs a place to live and finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment, she has no choice but to take it. The only other choice is to move onto her best friend’s couch. Soon, she discovers that her new roommate is a vampire who needs someone to teach him how to blend in with the 21st century.
Why Jackie loves it
The idea of a vampire needing to be taught how to blend into society is hilarious. The nuances of the relationship made me laugh. The romance is spicy but the story is laugh-out-loud funny.
Find this book in: Fall Books/ Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Vampire Books / Adult Fantasy Books
Romance Books with Vampires
Fang Fiction
Author: Kate Stayman-London
Year: 2024
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: National Bestseller
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Age Range: 18+
Plot
Tess Rosenbloom dropped out of grad school after she was assaulted and spends her nights managing a hotel in Brooklyn. She is a huge fan of the Vampire book series “Blood Feud”, even delving into the fan pages that suggest the books are based on real vampires.
When the villain of the Blood Feud series comes to Tessa for help, she finds herself on a secret Island- the setting of Blood Feud- surrounded by vampires. Soon she begins to have feelings for one of the vampires but she knows that may be deadly. Can she free them from the island? Who is the real villain of the story?
Meanwhile, her best friend is back in New York trying to help Tess and she just may end up having a romance of her own.
Trigger Warnings
Assault and association trauma
Why Jackie loves it
This is such an original story and I love a book within a book. But there is also more to this story as Tess learns to deal with the trauma of her past. It was deeper than I thought it would be and it made the story that much better!
Find this book in: Vampire Books to Die For
Dead Until Dark
Author: Charlaine Harris
Year: 2008
Genre: Adult Fantasy
More info: Sookie Stackhouse 1 of 13
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
I watched this show before I knew that it was an adult fantasy book series 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 life choices. There is nothing PG about this steamy urban fantasy romance series.
Trigger Warnings
blood, violence
Why Jackie loves it
There is something very addicting about this vampire romance series. The books are dark and creepy full of unique and hilarious characters. I could not help but love.
Find this book in: Urban Fantasy Books / Books Like A Discovery of Witches / Vampire Books / Ultimate List of Adult Fantasy Books / Adult Fantasy Novels
Guilty Pleasures:
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Year: 2009
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel
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Age Range: 18+
Plot
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. This is an urban fantasy romance that is erotic, to say the least.
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.
Trigger Warnings
Graphic Sexual Content
Why Kirsten likes it:
This is a vampire romance that is unlike anything that I have read. Be prepared for graphic content in this one. It is not for the faint of heart.
Find this book in: Vampire Books / Adult Fantasy Romance Books
A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest
I don’t know how I discovered this never-ending vampire series but I started it and fell deep into the hole that is currently 92 books long, yes 92 books long. If you are looking for a vampire book series that doesn’t end, this one is for you.
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.
Vampire Books for Teens
Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Year: 2005
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: The Twilight Saga #1
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
When Bella Swan goes to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she needs to start a new school. As she begins to settle in and make friends, she is drawn to Edward Cullen, a mysterious teenager with an old soul.
But Edward and his family are keeping secrets – they are more dangerous than they look. Can Bella stay away or will she fall for Edward and risk her life in the process?
Why Kirsten loves it
The way I binged this book series…. it took over my life! When the movie came out, I decided to finally read this series I had heard so much about. I finished each book in about a day and then promptly dragged my husband to see it with me. I haven’t been this obsessed with a series since HP.
Why Jackie loves it
Twilight started a phenomenon and obsession with vampires in the same way that Harry Potter created an obsession with magic. It was addictive to read! This is my opinion but I am sticking with it. This is a must-read young adult fantasy book and it inspired Fifty Shades of Grey!
Find this book in: Fantasy Book Series / Books Set in High School / High School Romances / Twilight Books in Order / Urban Fantasy Books / Vampire Books / List of YA Fantasy Books / Best YA Romance Books
The Dangerous Ones
Author: Lauren Blackwood
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 13+
Plot
Jerusalem is a Saint, a human with superhuman strength and reflexes designed to kill vampires. There is one vampire in particular she needs to kill to avenge the death of her family.
Jerusalem has been fighting against the Confederate army since she escaped slavery with her one goal in mind but she knows that she will need, Alexi to accomplish that goal. He is an ancient vampire who fights with the Union. Everything in her being says that he cannot be the man for her because he is not only a vampire, but a white one as well.
Why Jackie loves it
This historical fantasy novel wonders what the Civil War would be like if vampires fought. The love/hate relationship between Alexi and Jerusalem has some humor in what would otherwise be very tense with the racial and special divide. #gifted
Find this book in: Vampire Books / Historical Fantasy Books
Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Year: 2006
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: Vampire Academy #1
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
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.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a ya fantasy that is not to be missed. If you like the Zodiac Academy books, we think you will love this pick from fantasy romance books for teens!
Find this book in: High School Romance Books / Vampire Books / YA Fantasy Romance Books / YA Fantasy Books / Urban Fantasy Books / Netflix Book Adaptations
The Vampire Diaries by L.J Smith
The popular CW show was a best-selling vampire book series first. Brothers, 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 young adult fantasy books too.
Scary Vampire Books
Plot
I went on a vampire kick this month and I loved this really creepy classic vampire book about a historian’s 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 is 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.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a historical fantasy that is CREEPY. I wanted to stop reading it but I wanted to know what happened. The dual-timeline made this book even more intriguing as well as the epistolary aspect.
Find this book in: Epistolary Novels / Vampire Books
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame Smith
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
Author: Grady Hendrix
Year: 2020
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Horror Thriller
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
I do not usually like horror but I love thrillers, book clubs, and vampires so I decided to read this urban fantasy book. I absolutely loved every minute- even when I was completely scared out of my wits. This vampire 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 adult fantasy book is next-level creepy – it definitely earns its spot on our Best Books of 2020 list! Be warned that this book is scary and creepy but is one of the best books for fall!
Trigger Warnings
Rape, Gore, Blood
Why Jackie loves it
This book is one of the scariest books I have ever read and yet, I loved every second. This book will mess with everything you think is true. There is graphic violence which was actually less scary than the anticipation of a jump scare the entire time I was reading this book.
Find this book in: Urban Fantasy Books/ Adult Fantasy Novels / Vampire Books / Best Books of 2020
Plot
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 slow torture and the helplessness of Harker is terrifying because he is never sure of what is happening to him.
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.
Why Jackie loves it
This is truly a disturbing thriller horror book. If you love vampire books and have not read this one, it is a must-read that will scare the pants off you.
Find this book in: Epistolary Novels / Thriller Horror Books / Vampire Books/ Dark Academia Fantasy Books
Ultimate List of Best Adult Fantasy Novels to Read
If fantasy books are your favorite books, then these are the perfect book lists for you. This list if carefully curated and divided into sub-genres.
Ultimate List of YA Fantasy
If fantasy books are your favorite books, then these are the perfect book lists for you. We carefully divided them into sub-genres.
Vampire Books We Want to Read
Which of these are your favorite vampire books?
Great post, there ate some fantastic vampire stories here. I’ve got The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires on my wish list. đź’š
That’s such a great one! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!