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Best Vampire Books

A list of the best of the best of vampire fiction, completely updated for 2017

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We've completely updated this Vampire list for 2017, adding more books, updating the descriptions, and generally providing a deeper and more broad curation of the best the Vampire genre has to offer. 

In recent years, Vampire fiction has become a common sight in bookstores around the world. However, vampire novels have been around long before ‘The Twilight Saga’ and are an important sub-genre of fantasy and horror, especially for readers looking to find a more dark and dangerous tale. 

But long before the Twilight books, Vampire's were getting serious treatment from talented authors. 

These days, Paranormal Romance style vampire fiction (angsty bad boy vampires with human relationship drama) is the fill-in poster boy for vampire fiction, but there is seriously good vampire fiction that's MORE than just a bunch of angsty teens looking for their next shag-out there if you know where to look.

And this is that list -- we give you the best vampire fiction and fantasy books that take vampires seriously.

This list will give you something to suck the life out of, showcasing both lesser-known and highly publicized vampire fantasy novels that are serious as they are thoughtful explorations of the 'Vampire' tale.

Vampires have experienced a huge renaissance in the past couple of years (with the release of the Twilight Books by Stephanie Meyers). However, those who have been weaned on vampire books such as 'Twilight' are sorely missing out on the really good vampire fiction out there.

That’s not to say that Twilight books are “bad” (they are meeting a market need for certain people) but they are certainly not complex books by any means and they certainly don't do anything "new" in the genre. Such books are for kiddies and the supermarket crowd -- fine for the average person, but not for the discriminating reader.

If you are tired of reading all the crappy, derivative vampire books on the market or you simply want to branch out of your Twilight phase and experience OTHER vampire novels that are delectable, then read this list of the best vampire books in the genre, period.

If you are looking for a different type of Vampire book (teeny vampire romance, adult vampire books, paranormal romance, etc), then make sure you also check out our other Vampire book lists that might cater more to what you are looking for.

 

Best Vampire Romance Books

Best Vampire Books for YA Readers

Best Vampire Books for Adults

Vampire Book Subgenre Page

Best Vampire Romance Fantasy

Best Paranormal Romance 

The ranking

1
Fevre Dream

Fevre Dream

by Martin, George R. R.

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2
I Am Legend

I Am Legend

by Matheson, Richard

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3
Salem's Lot

Salem's Lot

by King, Stephen

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4
Dracula

Dracula

by Stoker, Bram

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5
Vampire

Vampire

by Steakley, John

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9
Fledgling

Fledgling

by Butler, Octavia E.

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10
Vampire Earth

Vampire Earth

by Knight, E.e.

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12
Necroscope

Necroscope

by Lumley, Brian

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13
The Passage

The Passage

by Cronin, Justin

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14
They Thirst

They Thirst

by Mccammon, Robert

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15
Carpe Jugulum

Carpe Jugulum

by Pratchett, Terry

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18
The Strain

The Strain

by Toro, Guillermo Del

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19
Anno Dracula

Anno Dracula

by Newman, Kim

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20
The Historian

The Historian

by Kostova, Elizabeth

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