10 best vampire books for adults

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However you look at it, vampires and their lore are a massive part of modern horror. The bloodthirsty creatures have appeared in everything from the darkest settings to children’s stories and everything in between.

The concept of vampires has been around for thousands of years. The first known written reference to them dates back to 1,047 AD, and the idea of blood-sucking monsters has gone on to inspire writers for generations.

If you’re after some vampire tales to keep you awake at night, here are 10 of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject.

Vampires: A Handbook of History & Lore of the Undead by Agnes Hollyhock

I’m just going to start this out with the one and only non-fiction book I’ve included on this list, because if you’re going to read about vampires in fiction, then it’s a good idea to know about the lore and history of the mythical creature.

In Vampires, Agnes Hollyhock looks at the basis of the vampire myth, as well as some famous historical people who have been accused of vampirism themselves, such as Vlad the Impaler and Elizabeth Bathory. It’s always interesting to see myth and reality crossover, and in this case, a little bit scary as well.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

If you think of vampire books, then Dracula is likely the first title that springs to mind. It’s a classic for a reason, and absolutely a must-read if you’re interested in vampires or the dark, gothic vibe that Stoker brings to the table.

This where knowing the history of the vampire comes in handy. Dracula was based on Vlad the Impaler, and Stoker did an incredible job of turning a person from history who has all but turned into a thing of myth, into an actual myth. Now, Dracula is a name known worldwide and nobody will ever think of vampires without thinking of the character created by Stoker.

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Imagine the tales that could be told by a vampire who chose semi-life willingly, has reached 200 years of age, and has seen countless people live and die around himself. That’s the premise of Interview with the Vampire, and it’s filled with dark reality and history expertly woven together by Rice.

The dark and unbelievably gothic tale is of Louis, who chose to become a vampire after the death of his younger brother, and Lestat, the vampire who turned Louis into a vampire, an all-around pretty terrible guy. It’s all told to a young reporter, who learns absolutely nothing from the whole sorry tale and will leave you feeling angry but glad to have read this epic book.

The Strain by Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro is renowned for his mythical horror movies, but he’s a pretty great writer as well. The Strain, released in 2009, puts a different spin on vampirism and turns it into an almost zombie-esque contagion that threatens to overtake New York City.

Of course, all of the well-known vampire tropes are there. The contagion is transmitted through biting, and those bitten then go on to become vampires themselves, but there’s also a huge amount of relatable modernity to the story. The CDC plays a huge role, with epidemiologists taking on the “Ancients” and a former Nazi SS soldier (no, seriously) to overcome the threat.

Fledgling by Octavia Butler

Imagine opening your eyes one day with no memory of your life before that moment, suffering from critical injuries, and no idea how you got to where you are. That’s how Fledgling begins, with Shori waking up in a cave and stumbling into a world of unknowns.

As an Ina, Shori is essentially a type of vampire who feeds on human blood, but who manages to co-exist with humans because their vampirism is biological. In essence, they’re just another species of humans with a blood-drinking quirk. It’s an interesting take, and Fledgling is an incredible read if you’re looking for a new perspective on vampires.

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman

Anno Dracula is by far one of my favorite vampire-themed books of all time because it hammers home a truth about humanity that everyone knows but is somehow ignored in polite society — humans are greedy, and we will take what we can if we can get away with it.

Anno Dracula is an alternate history of the 19th century in which Van Helsing did not defeat Dracula, and the iconic vampire ends up actually turning Queen Victoria. The rest of Britain quickly follows suit as the country descends into chaos, with a predominantly vampire population. Those who don’t choose to turn are hunted, jailed, or impaled without trial. The plot features many real people, including Jack the Ripper, and gets pretty dark, but it’s such an incredible read.

Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin is now world-renowned for writing Game of Thrones, but he’s also written stories from outside of the Westeros universe, including Fevre Dream, in which vampires and their hunters play a pivotal role in the plot.

It’s all set on the Mississippi River in the mid-1800s, with Abner Marsh and Joshua York joining forces to create a riverboat named the Fevre Dream. Abner thinks it’s just a riverboat, but Joshua is using it as a cover for multiple layers of hidden truths and outright lies. There’s a lot of drama and more twists than the Mississippi River itself, and you’ll be glad that you read Fevre Dream when it’s done.

The Vampire Tapestry by Suzy McKee Charnas

Another example of a writer choosing their version of vampirism to be biological rather than supernatural, The Vampire Tapestry is almost an accidental novel. Charnas originally only wrote the first chapter, which then spun further chapters, which then became a book of five interconnected tales.

Each chapter is novella-length, and each tells a different tale from the perspective of different characters. Each story connects through Dr. Weyland, a vampire himself, who doesn’t quite understand why he wants to feed on human blood. He learns more about himself through the five different stories and the characters he meets in each.

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

If you’re more familiar with the movie starring Will Smith, you probably think that I’ve gone off track and perhaps lost my mind along the way. After all, I Am Legend has nothing about vampires or blood drinking. However, the movie is loosely based on the 1954 post-apocalyptic novel of the same name, by Richard Matheson.

The vampires in I am Legend are not just any old vampires, and this book takes the concept of vampirism to a whole new level of gore and darkness. These vampires will drain a human’s blood within seconds, and quite violently at that. Survivors become vampires themselves, while the lucky ones are killed during an attack.

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

When Stephen King writes a book about vampires, and then goes on to say that even he thinks it’s his favorite of all the books he’s ever written, you absolutely listen to him. He’s the king of modern horror, after all, and his opinions carry weight when the book he’s talking about is Salem’s Lot.

A vampire moving into your childhood town is never ideal, but when the vampire starts turning the townsfolk, it really becomes something of a problem. Ben returns to Jerusalem’s Lot to write his next novel but soon finds himself in the middle of a twisted plot to turn the town into a coven. There is no happy ending, but Salem’s Lot is a wild ride from start to finish.

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