Books Like...
'City of Screams' in the series 'The Order of the Sanguines' by Rebecca Cantrell and James Rollins follows Sergeant Jordan Stone and his team as they investigate a mysterious SOS call from an archaeological team in Afghanistan. The story combines elements of military crime investigation, supernatural horror, and historical mystery as the team uncovers a hidden stronghold, cursed lovers, and confronts ancient evil. The writing style is described as a blend of historical fiction and pure fantasy, keeping the reader engaged with its fast-paced, spine-tingling narrative.
If you liked City of Screams, here are the top 30 books to read next:
- #1
In 'Prince Lestat' by Anne Rice, readers are reunited with the popular vampire Lestat de Lioncourt as he faces a new danger in the world of the undead. A mysterious voice plagues Lestat and other vampires, inciting them to kill their own kind. As the vampires come together to tackle this threat, the book delves into the turmoil within their world and the need for Lestat to lead them. The story unfolds with a mix of suffering and joy, staying true to Anne Rice's signature descriptive and sensual writing style.
It was after Queen Akasha had been destroyed and the mute red-haired twin, Mekare, had become “the Queen of the Damned.” I’d witnessed all that—the brutal death of Akasha in the moment when we all tho...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Vampire Chronicles ) - #2
The President's Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth is a sequel in the Nathaniel Cade series, following the adventures of a vampire sworn by a blood oath to protect the President of the United States. The book delves into a complex plot involving historical flashbacks, government conspiracies, and a new enemy called the snakeheads. The writing style is a mix of thriller and urban fantasy, with action-packed sequences and dark humor that keep readers engaged. However, some readers felt that the plot was overblown and lacked a sense of urgency, while others found the historical references distracting from the main narrative.
In this world, he was on his thirtieth hour awake, his eyes nearly closing despite all the brown-brown. He didn’t think he could inhale any more of the noxious mixture of amphetamine and gunpowder wit...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Nathaniel Cade ) - #3
The Golden by Lucius Shepard is a vampire novel set in the 1860s, where a family of vampires gathers in a Carpathian castle for a ceremony disrupted by a murder. The protagonist, Michel Beheim, a young vampire and former police detective, is tasked with investigating the crime amidst a backdrop of complex vampire politics and traditions. The book intricately weaves together elements of detective plot with traditional vampire lore, offering a mix of intrigue, passion, and violence in a baroque writing style that vividly describes the grandiose setting and characters.
- #4
'Napoleon's Pyramids' by William Dietrich follows the adventures of American Ethan Gage who finds himself in big troubles after winning a mysterious medallion in a card game. Set against the backdrop of Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, the story is filled with fast-paced action, historical contexts, and a quest to unravel the secrets of the medallion. Gage faces grave dangers, encounters dark villains, and embarks on a journey reminiscent of an Indiana Jones adventure, complete with mysterious symbols, ancient artifacts, and thrilling escapades across exotic locations.
The writing style in 'Napoleon's Pyramids' is described as a mix of historical fiction, adventure, and mystery, with elements of humor and witty banter. The plot unfolds with a blend of true historical facts and imaginative storytelling, featuring a hapless hero, sinister adversaries, and a quest for hidden treasures amidst the chaos of Napoleon's expedition to Egypt. offers a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged with its vivid descriptions of geography, geology, and historical events, creating an enjoyable and immersive reading experience.
It’s also seductive, social, and as natural, I would argue, as breathing. Isn’t birth itself a roll of the dice, fortune casting one babe as peasant and another as king? In the wake of the French Revo... - #5
In a world where their earth no longer rotates, leaving one side forever in the glare of the unforgiving sun and the other in icy darkness, a diverse group of characters including a found girl, an unneeded prince, a shunned soldier, and a thief embark on a quest to stop moonfall. The plot delves into themes of prophecy, skepticism, and power struggles as the king and eldest prince resist believing in the girl's role as the savior of their world. The narrative style features multiple character perspectives, intricate world-building, and a slow start that gradually builds up to an action-packed climax.
- #6
'The Suicide Motor Club' by Christopher Buehlman is a fast-paced vampire novel set on American highways, where a group of vampires terrorizes drivers by causing high-speed accidents. The book features a survivor seeking revenge, a unique take on vampire mythology, and a compelling story told in a seamless and engaging writing style.
“DID YOU SEE THE MOON?” JUDITH LAMB SAID, HALF TURNING HER FACE TO LOOK at her boy in the backseat. Glendon continued coloring, not out of rascality, she knew, but because he would want to finish what... - #7
Readers describe 'Thirst No. 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, and Red Dice' as a series featuring a strong female lead character who doesn't rely on anyone, making it appealing to those who appreciate empowered heroines. The writing style is praised for its action-packed, intense, and gritty nature, with elements of bloodshed, surprises, and sexual tension. The plot is noted for its unique take on vampire origin stories and its ability to captivate readers with flashback sequences that offer poignant moments in the story.
I am a vampire, and that is the truth. But the modern meaning of the word vampire, the stories that have been told about creatures such as I, are not precisely true. I do not turn to ash in the sun, n... - #8
Midnight Mass by F. Paul Wilson is a vampire tale where vampires have taken over the world, including major cities in the United States, with the help of collaborators known as cowboys. The story follows an unusual group of humans - a nun, a disgraced priest, his gay niece, and a rabbi - as they resist and fight back against the advancing horde of vampires in a small New Jersey town. Wilson's writing style is described as accessible, fluid, and fast-paced, with a well-flowing story that keeps the reader engaged until the very end.
Leaves slapped his face, twigs tugged at his graying beard as he plowed into foliage. His bike.. . where was his bike? He thought he’d left it in a clump of bushes, but obviously not this clump. Had t... - #9
'Bite Me' by Christopher Moore is the third book in the series 'A Love Story.' The plot revolves around vampires, teenage minion angst, vampire cats, and a festival of sex mixed with Moore's signature raunchy humor. The story is narrated from various characters' points of view, including Abby Normal, a goth girl with a slight attitude. The book is described as funny, entertaining, and a wild ride, with unexpected twists and turns typical of Moore's writing style.
“It’s horrible—like being packed into a take-out box of Kung Pao chicken,” Tommy had said, and although it wasn’t like that at all, and Tommy was just trying to use colorful language which he felt was...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series A Love Story ) - #10
'Sandstorm' by James Rollins is the first book in the Sigma Force series and follows a team of scientist soldiers who are tasked with investigating a mysterious explosion at the British Museum. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a dangerous plot involving ancient civilizations, archaeology, and a race against time to prevent a catastrophic event. The book is described as a fast-paced action-adventure with a mix of science, history, mythology, and suspense, featuring kick-ass characters and exotic locations that keep readers engaged from start to finish.
The writing style of James Rollins in 'Sandstorm' is praised for its blend of scientific facts with adrenaline-fueled fiction, creating a gripping and entertaining narrative. The book is commended for its non-stop action, intricate plot, likable characters, and a good balance between historical details, science, and myth, making it an addictive and enjoyable read for fans of thrillers and adventure novels.
If he had known this, he would've smoked his last cigarette down to the filter. Instead he stamped out the fag after only three drags and waved the cloud from around his face. If he was caught smoking...