Books to Sink Your Teeth Into: A Vampire Book Roundup

Book clubs save lives, literally, when a women’s book club takes on a mysterious new neighbor in this horror story set in the 90s. (A vampire thriller set in, arguably, the best decade, PLUS a true crime element. Need we say more?) Murderinos will love this B&N Best Fiction Book of 2020 pick. Think Steel Magnolias meets Dracula. Perfect for fans of Stephen King and other Hendrix novels like We Sold Our Souls, Paperbacks from Hell and My Best Friend’s Exorcism.

Jay Kristoff totally delivers an epic new world, one where humans, who haven’t seen sunlight in nearly three decades, are besieged by vampires. This series starter will have you on the edge of your seat following the one man who just might be able to save the world. Our beautiful B&N Exclusive Edition includes an alternate cover and 4-color endpapers featuring monolime art of four scenes from the book. Plus all First Edition copies of Empire of the Vampire are signed by Jay Kristoff.

Forbidden romance, mystery, murder and vampires all take center stage in this lushly atmospheric fantasy set in sultry 19th-century New Orleans. When 17-year-old Celine flees Paris for life in a convent in New Orleans, she soon becomes enthralled by a dark and dangerous underworld known as La Cour des Lions led by the notorious Sébastien Saint Germain. This first book in the captivating The Beautiful series will leave you — dare I say, bloodthirsty — to pick up the next.

There’s something about the thrill of possibly being killed by your vampire lover with a single fang to the neck that keeps many of us coming back for more. Tracy Wolff’s Crave series is the next generation’s Twilight and at Katmere Academy, the threat of danger is constant. Don’t worry, after you finish this first book in the series, there is even more to devour in the next installments of the Crave Series.

Can you name a more iconic vampire? Dracula is the vampire of all vampires, the O.V., if you will, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula is gothic horror at its finest. If you’re already a fan, maybe this is your sign to re-read, if you’re new to this classic, enjoy with the lights on! Our Barnes & Noble’s Signature Classics edition features informative notes and chronology of the author’s life, a discussion of adaptations for the film, television, and other media.

Before he became the household name synonymous with modern horror, King taught Dracula by Bram Stoker as a high school English teacher. It seemed only fitting that one of his early novels would be Dracula (or Nosferatu, if you will) settling in small town New England and hungry for blood. He’d go back to the “small town beset by nameless horror” themes in much of his work … which is a formula that resonates with readers!”—Chris K, Bookseller, Store 2945, Oviedo, FL

Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat/The Queen of the Damned — Anne Rice redefined vampire horror in the early 80s, introducing these timeless and iconic blood-hungry monsters as something more. While her decades long Vampire Chronicles might be a bit long winded and overdone to a degree. the story begins with Louis and how he became a vampire to the story of Lestat, his making, and his quest to find Akasha, the vampire queen. Unparalleled in its scope, depth and originality.”— Chris K, Bookseller, Store 2945, Oviedo, FL

Vampire Academy offers some new and interesting takes on the classic vampire. The novel takes place in a world where vampires are quite common and often have some neat powers. The Caste system between the Moroi and Dhmphir plays a very big role in the constant conflict within the novel(s). The obvious antagonists called the Strigoi make really engaging enemies as they mirror our own dark obsessions and desires. What really makes this book stand out is how the characters show realistic character development between each book in the series. It’s a great book to explore what makes a vampire and what makes us human. P.S. the book is so much better than the movie that it’s hard to believe it was the source material.”—Sara, Bookseller, Store 2981, Vestal, NY

A classic vampire novel from 1954 that is eerily relevant today. A manmade plague causes most of humanity to become blood-sucking monsters. The main character is immune, and tries to find a cure. Coupled with one of the most shocking twist-endings of all time, this book is a must-read for vampire and horror lovers.”—Anne, Bookseller, Store 2231, Loveland, CO

Vampires, humans, cops, and criminals collide in the dark streets of Mexico City in Certain Dark Things, a pulse-pounding “neon-noir” that has experienced a recent resurgence after its original publication in 2016. “Silvia Moreno-Garcia pulls zero punches, bares all the fangs, and goes for every throat in the room with Certain Dark Things. And then she walks out without looking back.” —Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians.

You ever been on a really bad date? Like, you wake up under a dumpster with a burnt to a crisp arm kinda bad?  Jody has.  Now she has a severe allergy to sunlight and thirst for something other than water and no idea how to navigate her new life.  Luckily, she finds a guy named Tommy working at a local Safeway and makes him help her.  Whether he wants to or not….  If you like your vampires non-glittery, but with a twisted sense of humor, then prepare to laugh out loud.  I couldn’t put it down!”—Kathleen E, Bookseller, Store 2794, Atlanta, GA (Cumberland)

Not your traditional vampire story, The Passage is the first book in the trilogy, pulling from the influence of Bram Stoker, Tom Clancy and Stephen King. If you’re looking for a thrilling speculative fiction story of survival that will have you afraid to leave your home at night, The Passage is it. And, although the television series only lasted one season, it’s still worth a watch once you finish reading the trilogy.

When a plane arrives at JFK with only four surviving passengers, it becomes apparent that a virus threatens the future of humanity. An unusual team made up of doctors, other CDC officials and civilians join forces to slay the newly mutated vampires. Written in 2009 by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, The Strain is the first book in the Strain trilogy and was turned into a tv show of the same name. Fans of Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman and Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer will enjoy this series.

As a Twilight series obsessed teenager back in the early 00s, being able to re-read this story now from Edward’s point of view gives me all the feels. I was worried that already knowing the story might have made this drag on, but for me it really felt like a brand new story from Edward’s perspective. You also better understand why he is the way he is in the original Twilight book (I remember reading Twilight and always questioning Edward’s behavior – just like Bella did). Highly recommend for fans of the Twilight series! Made me want to reread them all!” —Lauren S, Bookseller, New York, NY

Get ready to return to the Black Dagger Brotherhood with the sexy second novel in the Prison Camp spin-off series from bestselling author J.R. Ward. In this follow-up to The Jackal, we’re introduced to some new characters and shocking truths are revealed. The Wolf is available November 16^th and perfect for fans of Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton and Dark Illusion by Christine Feehan.

Bestselling author J. R. Ward knows exactly what the people want and provides time and time again. Although Lover Unveiled is the 19^th book in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, it can certainly be enjoyed even if you’re new to the series. Told from multiple points of view with significant world-building tying into other storylines, this book will leave you thirsty for more of Ward’s addicting paranormal romance.