The Most Engrossing Vampire Books to Entice Your Curiosity in 2021

With the final Twilight installment heading to theaters, it seems that vampire literature is coming back into the spotlight. In light of the end to Stephanie Meyer's popular tale, here is a top ten list of the best vampire books you should really dive into.

10. Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

One of the first vampire novels ever written, Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is an electrifying tale that brings the female vampire vividly to life. The story begins with the protagonist Laura, who lives in the picturesque town of Styria. An unexpected carriage crash brings Carmilla into Laura's life, and the two become inseparable. Although this novel can be slow at times, stick with it as the mysteries surrounding Carmilla unfold. The text picks up steam as it reaches a climactic ending with the arrival of Baron Vordenburg, who appears as the answer to Van Helsing. Immersed in original mythology published in 1872, Fanu offers a classic view of the vampire while linking it to Victorian concerns about female sexuality. A fantastic read!

9. Dracula by Bram Stoker

It would be impossible to compile a best-of vampire fiction list without including the text that kickstarted the genre. Join Jonathan Harker as he travels to Transylvania to meet the elusive Count Dracula. Harker, when wandering the castle at night, falls under the spell of three female vampires before escaping just in time. Not long after, a storm brings Count Dracula to England, putting young Lucy Westenra directly in his path. While the style and language may be inaccessible to modern readers, persisting with each page is well worth it, especially with the arrival of Van Helsing. Dracula and Heslings relationship is depicted in an intense cat and mouse game with Harkers fiancée Mina at the center. With iconic imagery and the fundamental stake-through-the-heart killing method, Stokers story is a must-read for true vampire fiction addicts.

8. Fangland by John Marks

This modern retelling of Stokers Dracula relocates the vampire in the 21st century New York post-9/11. Finland, a reimagining of Dracula, mimics the form of the vampire as the story unfolds via different emails and journal entries, following Evangeline Harker's quest to uncover stories surrounding Ion Torgu. Inspired by the rumors of Transylvania, Marks novel cleverly transposes vampirism for modern readers, with newsreaders being killed in dangerous territories, the disease spread via communication, and the setting being the TV production industry. This satirical book offers a refreshing new voice in the world of vampire fiction, drawing attention to modern society and its flaws. Dive into the murky blood-stained world of Fangland and see Stokers novel resurrected in the present day.

7. Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite

Lost Souls is a vibrant and sensual novel that is far from the typical young adult vampire tale. Brite, only nineteen when she wrote this book, infuses it with a real teen spirit. The vampires in this novel are depicted as drug users and embody the trauma of being a teenager. The characters are brutally real, and the most compelling aspect is the freedom Brite grants her characters in terms of gender and sexuality. The protagonist is the vampire Nothing, who sets out to find his real family and true identity. His journey deeply resonates as you feel his urge to figure out who he is. This journey, a universal experience of adolescence, is the highlight of this engaging novel.

6. Empire V by Victor Pelevin

Pelevin's Empire V is a postmodern vampire novel that combines vivid imagery with an incredibly modern feel. Roman A. Shtorkin becomes a vampire and must learn to socialize while living alongside human counterparts. This book is an innovative and snappy read that is definitely one to dive into. Pelevin cleverly positions humans as 'others' in this chilling tale, creating an accurate and sharp critique of modern civilization. Similar to Fangland, this novel laughs at its own postmodernism, offering a sharp bite that is a far cry from the mushy tone of certain romance-vampire novels. A must-read for any blood-thirsty vampire fiction fan.

5. Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

Blood Oath is a highly original take on the vampire tale, combining vampires, werewolves, and Dr. Frankenstein's experiments. Nathaniel Cade is sworn to protect the President of the United States, weaving two great myths into a modern Frankenstein who appears as a terrorist. With humorous elements like Cade attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to curb his desire for human blood, Farnsworth crafts a poetic tale with deep characters and a thrilling plotline. By combining this engrossing concept with a fast-paced narrative, Farnsworth propels his story like an action film. A debut novel that leaves you hankering for more.

4. Suckers by Anne Billson

Suckers is a satirical take on the vampire novel, reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada. Set in the eclectic 1980s, Billson creates a publishing house with a vampire at the helm. The protagonist, Dora, heads to Bellini—the vampire Vogue—and finds that a love triangle from years ago is not as finished as she thought. Written with verve and style, Suckers reels you in at page one. A brilliant novel that will make you laugh out loud as Billson critiques the publishing world and even the vampire novel itself with her sharp and keen eye.

3. The Passage by Justin Cronin

The first in a planned trilogy, The Passage is set in an apocalyptic world overrun by a vampire virus. Cronin's novel spans ninety-three years, crafted by a variety of narrative voices. This panoramic view of the pandemic creates an eerie and terrifying story as you realize the full breadth of the dangers facing potential survivors. Amy is the main character, whose body adapts to the infection, creating a compelling narrative as she learns to accept the changes. The complex web of voices is carefully managed by Cronin, and Amy grows into a compelling character. This first installment leaves you with high hopes for the remaining books.

2. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Before the broody and vegetarian vampire Edward Cullen came along, there was Louis de Ponte de Lac. Set in New Orleans in 1791, Interview with the Vampire follows Louis trying to reconcile with his vampire identity. Louis is sired by fellow vampire Lestat and both may have to flee when the slaves, fearing their bosses, revolt. During their travels, Louis feeds on a young girl, immortalizing her as a child vampire. Rice's novel, beautifully crafted with complex and enticing characters, brings realism to the vampire genre. Louis is more human than a vampire, and his relationship with little Claudia is heart-wrenching. By far the most intriguing character is Claudia herself, who becomes the antithesis to Peter Pan in this twisted take on the immortal child. A must-read for anyone interested in vampire literature.

1. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

Matheson's masterpiece, I Am Legend, is set in a dystopian future where a disease has spread worldwide, turning the infected into vampires, leaving Robert Neville as the lone survivor. Barricaded into his house, with only a dog for company, Neville's fight for survival is depicted in raw, sharp tones. Matheson cleverly transposes the legendary status of the vampire onto the human race in this emphatic statement: 'All of Us Are Vampires.' This novel is a monumental work that stands as the best in the genre.

There are countless other excellent vampire books out there, and while some notable ones like Stephen King's Salem's Lot and George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream did not make it to the top ten, their stories fill the vampire genre with excitement and variety. The genre continues to evolve, exploring a range of significant human issues such as love, identity, and growing up, making it a compelling and ever-growing field.