Books Like...

'The Color of Light' by Helen Maryles Shankman is a haunting tale that delves into themes of love, loss, and redemption through the eyes of Rafe, a vampire grappling with his past. Set in both past and present timelines, the story follows Rafe's journey from a sensitive young man in 1939 Paris to a tormented vampire in the modern world. The narrative weaves together elements of art, love, and tragedy, creating a richly atmospheric and emotionally engaging read. Shankman's elegant prose beautifully captures the essence of the characters and settings, painting a vivid picture of Rafe's struggles with his dual nature and the haunting memories of his past.

Blood Dragons is a unique vampire story that follows the character Light, a rebel rocker vampire with a strong moral code, on his journey filled with love, memory, and redemption. The story is narrated in a fresh and new writing style, entirely from Light's point of view, which reads like a journal and provides deep insights into his character and inner thoughts. Set in the 60s, the book offers a romantic thriller with vampires, exploring themes of humanity, love, and monsters through a quirky, amusing, and dark narrative.

In "13 Bullets" by David Wellington, readers are taken on a thrilling journey into a world where vampires are portrayed as monstrous and bloodthirsty creatures, deviating from the traditional romanticized portrayals. The story follows State Trooper Laura Caxton as she teams up with Special Deputy Jameson Arkeley to hunt down vampires and their undead minions, facing intense action, gore, and suspense. The writing style is fast-paced, atmospheric, and downright creepy, creating a unique and refreshing take on the vampire genre.

Some of Your Blood by Theodore Sturgeon is a psychological novel that presents as a case file of Dr. Philip Outerbridge, a psychiatrist analyzing the disturbing motivations of a patient named George. Through a series of letters and narratives, the book delves into the psychology of George and his descent into darkness, exploring themes of social conditioning, punishment, and the impact of early childhood experiences on an individual's development. The plot unfolds gradually, revealing chilling discoveries and thought-provoking questions about human nature and morality.

'Taltos' in the series 'Vlad Taltos' by Steven Brust takes readers on an adventure back to the beginnings of Vlad's career, exploring how he met crucial people in his life and the origins of his habits and prejudices. The story unfolds through multiple timelines, showcasing Vlad's journey to the Paths of the Dead, his experiences with powerful Dragaerans, and his early days as an enforcer assassin. Brust skillfully weaves together snark and action, providing a coherent mix of storytelling that delves into Vlad's past and present quests.

At a club in Missing Mile, N.C., the children of the night gather, dressed in black, looking for acceptance. Among them are Ghost, who sees what others do not. Ann, longing for love, and Jason, whose real name is Nothing, newly awakened to an ancient, deathless truth about his father, and himself. Others are coming to Missing Mile tonight. Three beautiful, hip vagabonds Molochai, Twig, and the seductive Zillah, whose eyes are as green as limes are on their own lost journey, slaking their ancient thirst for blood, looking for supple young flesh. They find it in Nothing and Ann, leading them on a mad, illicit road trip south to New Orleans. Over miles of dark highway, Ghost pursues, his powers guiding him on a journey to reach his destiny, to save Ann from her new companions, to save Nothing from himself. The book evolves in a unique way, with characters making their own plot as they go along, rather than a massive outside force bringing them together. The characters, especially the vampires, play a significant role in driving the narrative.

On Discworld, it's not a good time to be a priest, especially when you're caught up in a war between vampires and witches. The vamps are out of the casket and want a bite of the future. To get rid of them, you'll need more than a garlic enema. Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax and the rest are back. Yet another wonderful Terry Pratchett comic fantasy novel, this one featuring witches defending the world from a band of enlightened vampires whose leader has conditioned them to withstand most traditional anti-vampire measures. Pretty good. Coherent and sufficiently easy to follow along if you've read enough other Discworld novels to know characters and history. The witches are growing on me more and more, and this vampire or vampyre-oriented novel is not just funny punny, there is a page-turning tension to find out what happens next.

"Woman, Eating" by Claire Kohda is a unique take on vampire literature, focusing on the protagonist Lydia's internal conflict between her human and demon sides. The story delves into Lydia's struggle to find her place in the world, questioning her existence and desire to belong to the human race. The narrative explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and the complexities of being a female vampire trying to live as a human. The writing style is described as descriptive and immersive, drawing readers into Lydia's world and inner thoughts as she navigates her relationships and battles her own self-loathing.

'Hotel Transylvania' in the Saint-Germain series by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is a historical vampire novel set in Ancien Regime France. It follows the sophisticated and heroic vampire, Saint Germain, as he navigates through a world filled with intrigue, deception, romance, and treachery. The story revolves around Saint Germain's involvement with a coven of satanists and his rescue of an aristocratic young lady who later becomes a vampire. is rich in historical details and features a blend of romance, violence, and elegance, creating an engaging narrative that captures the essence of 18th-century Paris.

The writing style of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro in 'Hotel Transylvania' is noted for its attention to historical accuracy and the incorporation of letters and notes focusing on the events of the times the book is set in. The character development of Saint Germain over time and his ability to adapt to his surroundings are highlighted as refreshing aspects in a genre often filled with angst-filled vampires.

Marion Shaw, a poverty-stricken girl living in the slums, makes a life-altering decision to become a blood maiden in the North, where wealthy individuals drink blood for health and status. As Marion enters the dark and mysterious House of Hunger, she navigates a world of luxury, jealousy, and excess, falling in love with Countess Lisavet along the way. The novel delves into themes of servitude, hierarchy, and the blurred lines between natural and supernatural elements, creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere that keeps readers engaged until the very end.

Alexis Henderson's "House of Hunger" is a gothic horror tale that offers a refreshing take on vampiric stories, emphasizing class and status over traditional supernatural elements. The book is praised for its atmospheric writing, fascinating premise, and relatable protagonist, Marion, who transitions from a life of poverty to one of wealth and debauchery as a blood maiden in search of prosperity and abundance, despite the great cost.