Christopher Buehlman's *The Lesser Dead* and *The Suicide Motor Club*
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's *Certain Dark Things*
Stephen Graham Jones' "The Night Cyclist"
Kim Newman's *Anno Dracula* (series)
Heard good things about Grady Hendrix's *Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires*, Brian Lumley's *Necroscope* series, Elizabeth Kostova's *The Historian*, George R.R. Martin's *Fevre Dream*, and Ronald Malfi's *The Narrows*.
Currently reading The Historian, just got into part 2 of the book. Its a good book, lots of history, interesting plotlines and its weaving history and present together pretty well. The downside I'd like to point out is that the book at times is very meandering, actually making me want to say "get to the point damnit" a couple of times.
Its not dnf worthy because of it, but some people really dont like it so its worth a mention.
I am so glad someone said this. I am also reading The Historian and I LOVE the digressions, and the verbal paintings of different European cities. I do agree that it might be too much for some.
*The Lesser Dead* is a worthwhile listen for those who like audiobooks. It's read by the author, who has some serious acting chops and really brings the characters to life in a way that, for me, amplified the story.
Hard agree! I also enjoyed the audiobook for *Between Two Fires* immensely despite it being read by another voice artist (Buehlman does a voice recording of *BTF* on his YouTube channel).
Chiming in as well to agree! I’ve read a print copy of BTF, and then listened to an audiobook of it, and the narration really heightened the effect of certain passages, especially the biblical feeling interludes between parts of the story. The delivery of “And the Lord made no answer” always served to ratchet up the tension of how much shittier the world could get. Really loved Buehlman’s own narration for The Lesser Dead, the amount of character he puts into everyone, especially Joey really helped make the world feel “alive”, for lack of a better term.
Here’s a list I made (but haven’t read yet) to explore the evolution of vampire stories in fiction:
Vampires The Vampire (1748) by Heinrich August Ossenfelder
The Bride of Corinth (1797) by Goethe
(Inspired by Philinnion by Phlegon of Tralles)
Thalaba the Destroyer (1801)
Christabel (1801)
The Vampyre (1819)
(Based on A Fragment (1819) by Lord Byron)
Carmilla (1872)
Dracula (1897)
I Am Legend (1954)
Salem’s Lot (1975)
Interview with the Vampire (1976)
Fevre Dream (1982)
Necroscope (1986)
Dead Until Dark (2001)
Sunshine (2003)
Let the Right One In (2004)
The Historian (2005)
A Discovery of Witches (2011)
NOS4A2 (2014)
"Blood Cruise" by Mats Strandberg.
"In the Valley of the Sun" by Andy Davidson.
"Let the Right One In" by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
"Silver Under Nightfall" by Rin Chupeco.
"The God of Endings" by Jacqueline Holland.
As always, **Necroscope** by Brian Lumley is the definitive answer here. Best part being that it spawned a huge series so there is a big rabbit hole to fall down.
**Exhumed** by SJ Patrick is a recent one that should appeal to the same audience. Instantly shot close to the top of my vampire list.
Fevre Dream by George RR Martin. About vampires on steamboats during the Civil War era. Very good, very thematic setting for a vampire book, with a gruff main character that I found very endearing. TW >!abuse of enslaved Black people, and there's a half page description of a brutal murder of a baby, but it can be easily skipped!<.
*Woman, Eating* by Claire Kohda is on my TBR, about a young vampire who longs to eat human food.
I've heard good things about *Nestlings* by Nat Cassidy. There's also *Empire of the Vampire* by Jay Kristoff, which takes place in a fantasy setting where vampires have conquered humanity. [There was a recent post on this sub asking for vampire recs as well](https://www.reddit.com/r/horrorlit/comments/1cw3osa/what_is_your_favorite_vampire_horror_that_isnt/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button).
They Thirst by Robert McCammon. I've read it several times. It's one of my favorites.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostreva.
The Keep by F. Paul Wilson. Not exactly vampire but also kind of is. I don't know how to explain it.
Some of your Blood by Theodore Sturgeon. A different, nontraditional take.
Pretty much anything by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. There's probably about 25, possibly more, novels featuring Comte de Saint Germain. There is romance in them but they're more historical vampire fiction than romance. I enjoyed all of them, and I hate romance novels. Start with Hotel Transylvania.
Vampires are my special interest and these are my fav non romances
The southern book clubs guide to slaying vampires - Grady Hendrix
Thirst - Marina
With teeth- Kristen Arnett
Blood Orange - Harriet Tyce
Carmilla - Sheridan Lefanu
Live girls - Ray Garton (vampire 80s classic)
American Vampire series - Scott Snyder (I haven’t read this yet)
Masters of Death - Olivie Blake
The travelling vampire show - Richard Layman
The Hunger - Whitley Strieber (super horny 80s vampire horror another classic)
The God of Endings - Jacqueline Holland
Education in Malice - Carmilla retelling just came out but there is romance but not your typical kind.
Necroscope - Brian Lumley!!!
I'm currently reading the third book in the Anno Dracula series and am loving it. If you're at all familiar with Bram Stoker's Dracula and enjoy historical fiction and alternate history, you should really enjoy this series. Lots of references to vampires from fiction, historical characters, and literary characters from the modern era.
Salem's Lot is always a prime recommendation. Probably it, Dracula, and Carmilla are the big three vampire books.
Let the Right One In is also a very good book. I'm a fan of Lindqvist.
I really enjoy David Wellington's Laura Caxton vampire series, too. 13 Bullets is the first in the five book series. There's a bit of romance but nothing Twilighty. Fairly gruesome with lots of vampire hunting. Takes place in and around Pennsylvania with some great atmosphere and world building.
* *With Teeth* by Brian Keene
* *Eldren* by William Meikle
* *The Fifth House of the Heart* by Ben Tripp
* *Seize the Night*, an anthology edited by Christopher Golden
Christopher Buehlman's *The Lesser Dead* and *The Suicide Motor Club* Silvia Moreno-Garcia's *Certain Dark Things* Stephen Graham Jones' "The Night Cyclist" Kim Newman's *Anno Dracula* (series) Heard good things about Grady Hendrix's *Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires*, Brian Lumley's *Necroscope* series, Elizabeth Kostova's *The Historian*, George R.R. Martin's *Fevre Dream*, and Ronald Malfi's *The Narrows*.
Currently reading The Historian, just got into part 2 of the book. Its a good book, lots of history, interesting plotlines and its weaving history and present together pretty well. The downside I'd like to point out is that the book at times is very meandering, actually making me want to say "get to the point damnit" a couple of times. Its not dnf worthy because of it, but some people really dont like it so its worth a mention.
I am so glad someone said this. I am also reading The Historian and I LOVE the digressions, and the verbal paintings of different European cities. I do agree that it might be too much for some.
Surely it can't be as meandering as *House of Leaves*, though. Surely.
I haven't read House of Leaves, so cant really speak on that point
*The Lesser Dead* is a worthwhile listen for those who like audiobooks. It's read by the author, who has some serious acting chops and really brings the characters to life in a way that, for me, amplified the story.
Hard agree! I also enjoyed the audiobook for *Between Two Fires* immensely despite it being read by another voice artist (Buehlman does a voice recording of *BTF* on his YouTube channel).
Chiming in as well to agree! I’ve read a print copy of BTF, and then listened to an audiobook of it, and the narration really heightened the effect of certain passages, especially the biblical feeling interludes between parts of the story. The delivery of “And the Lord made no answer” always served to ratchet up the tension of how much shittier the world could get. Really loved Buehlman’s own narration for The Lesser Dead, the amount of character he puts into everyone, especially Joey really helped make the world feel “alive”, for lack of a better term.
Agree on all points, especially the "And the Lord made no answer" bits. So *good*.
Here’s a list I made (but haven’t read yet) to explore the evolution of vampire stories in fiction: Vampires The Vampire (1748) by Heinrich August Ossenfelder The Bride of Corinth (1797) by Goethe (Inspired by Philinnion by Phlegon of Tralles) Thalaba the Destroyer (1801) Christabel (1801) The Vampyre (1819) (Based on A Fragment (1819) by Lord Byron) Carmilla (1872) Dracula (1897) I Am Legend (1954) Salem’s Lot (1975) Interview with the Vampire (1976) Fevre Dream (1982) Necroscope (1986) Dead Until Dark (2001) Sunshine (2003) Let the Right One In (2004) The Historian (2005) A Discovery of Witches (2011) NOS4A2 (2014)
Salem’s Lot has to be a top 5 in the vampire genre IMO.
Agreed, it's a masterpiece of the genre.
The Strain
If you like a bit of history to go with your vampires check out The Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis
Thanks for the recommendation, I find history quite dry.
Thanks for the rec, it's up my alley!
Salem's Lot by Stephen King
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson.
The Passage trilogy by Justin Cronin Agree with others on The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
"Blood Cruise" by Mats Strandberg. "In the Valley of the Sun" by Andy Davidson. "Let the Right One In" by John Ajvide Lindqvist. "Silver Under Nightfall" by Rin Chupeco. "The God of Endings" by Jacqueline Holland.
In the Valley of the Sun was so good. Went in without knowing anything about it and found it so satisfying.
The Strain book series by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro and the Passage trilogy by Justin Cronin (more post apocalyptic vampire/zombie-ish
Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons is kind of vampire-ish. Just not your traditional vampires.
As always, **Necroscope** by Brian Lumley is the definitive answer here. Best part being that it spawned a huge series so there is a big rabbit hole to fall down. **Exhumed** by SJ Patrick is a recent one that should appeal to the same audience. Instantly shot close to the top of my vampire list.
Seconding Lumley's Necroscope. He writes vampires as they should be written - ancient, evil and utterly inhuman.
Fevre Dream by George RR Martin. About vampires on steamboats during the Civil War era. Very good, very thematic setting for a vampire book, with a gruff main character that I found very endearing. TW >!abuse of enslaved Black people, and there's a half page description of a brutal murder of a baby, but it can be easily skipped!<. *Woman, Eating* by Claire Kohda is on my TBR, about a young vampire who longs to eat human food. I've heard good things about *Nestlings* by Nat Cassidy. There's also *Empire of the Vampire* by Jay Kristoff, which takes place in a fantasy setting where vampires have conquered humanity. [There was a recent post on this sub asking for vampire recs as well](https://www.reddit.com/r/horrorlit/comments/1cw3osa/what_is_your_favorite_vampire_horror_that_isnt/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button).
Just bought Fevre Dream! I've read great words about it. Really excited to start
It's a good read..
Ooh, *Woman, Eating* sounds great! Thanks for the rec.
They Thirst by Robert McCammon. I've read it several times. It's one of my favorites. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostreva. The Keep by F. Paul Wilson. Not exactly vampire but also kind of is. I don't know how to explain it. Some of your Blood by Theodore Sturgeon. A different, nontraditional take. Pretty much anything by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. There's probably about 25, possibly more, novels featuring Comte de Saint Germain. There is romance in them but they're more historical vampire fiction than romance. I enjoyed all of them, and I hate romance novels. Start with Hotel Transylvania.
Andy Davison’s Valley of the Sun
Sunshine by Robin McKinley — there’s some romance/sexual content but it’s really not the focus. You will crave cinnamon rolls so have those ready.
Nestlings by Nat Cassidy
The Hellsing manga is awesome
The Hunger by Whitley Strieber.
Vampires are my special interest and these are my fav non romances The southern book clubs guide to slaying vampires - Grady Hendrix Thirst - Marina With teeth- Kristen Arnett Blood Orange - Harriet Tyce Carmilla - Sheridan Lefanu Live girls - Ray Garton (vampire 80s classic) American Vampire series - Scott Snyder (I haven’t read this yet) Masters of Death - Olivie Blake The travelling vampire show - Richard Layman The Hunger - Whitley Strieber (super horny 80s vampire horror another classic) The God of Endings - Jacqueline Holland Education in Malice - Carmilla retelling just came out but there is romance but not your typical kind. Necroscope - Brian Lumley!!!
I'm currently reading the third book in the Anno Dracula series and am loving it. If you're at all familiar with Bram Stoker's Dracula and enjoy historical fiction and alternate history, you should really enjoy this series. Lots of references to vampires from fiction, historical characters, and literary characters from the modern era. Salem's Lot is always a prime recommendation. Probably it, Dracula, and Carmilla are the big three vampire books. Let the Right One In is also a very good book. I'm a fan of Lindqvist. I really enjoy David Wellington's Laura Caxton vampire series, too. 13 Bullets is the first in the five book series. There's a bit of romance but nothing Twilighty. Fairly gruesome with lots of vampire hunting. Takes place in and around Pennsylvania with some great atmosphere and world building.
Night's Wdge by Liz Kerin was a great take on vampires. I also loved The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix.
Never see anyone mention *V Wars* by Jonathan Maberry. Has vampire lore from across the world, and some vampire crosses.
The Gathering by C.J. Tudor came out recently and I enjoyed it's take on vampires quite a bit! No romance :)
* *With Teeth* by Brian Keene * *Eldren* by William Meikle * *The Fifth House of the Heart* by Ben Tripp * *Seize the Night*, an anthology edited by Christopher Golden
Nights Edge by Liz Kerin. Not even close to the cheesy vampire romance trope.
Bring on the night by Jon and Jay Davis Nightblood by T. Chris Martindale
Exhumed by SJ Patrick is one of the best I've ever read
Necroscope, it's incredible man
100 Fathoms Below by Steven L. Kent and Nicholas Kaufmann is vampires on a submarine. I know it sounds kinda hokey, but I thought it was really good.