Despite the beasts’ fame in other genres wherin they are sexy and sparkly, vampire horror books are a key subgenre to horror literature in general. No shade to the other ones, but the scary ones are my preference 🙂
But you probably guessed that.
But if you’re craving something bloodcurdlingly spooky, what book should you pick up?
(Side note: have you ever noticed what an actually gross word “bloodcurdling” is? but I digress.)
Vampire Horror Books To Keep You Up At Night
Note: The following vampire horror books are listed in no particular order, and this post does not represent a ranking of them, so don’t come for me saying they should be reordered 🙂
Note #2: Several of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small percentage of sales made through them at no additional cost to you.
#1 ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
No list of books about vampires would be complete without a visit to ‘Salem’s Lot. It’s one of the most well-known vampire horror novels (besides, of course, Dracula – which is also on the list), and a relatively quick read, perfect for the month of October.
#2 I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Okay, this is more a novella/short story, but it’s my favorite on this list. If you’ve seen the movie, the book is much different! I like both, but prefer the book.
If you’ve only seen the movie, you may be surprised to learn the original story is about vampires, not zombies.
#3 Dracula by Bram Stoker
The definitive of all vampire horror books, this classic is a must-read.
Some find it a bit slow-going, but everyone is different.
RELATED: Gothic Horror Tropes: Exploring the Timeless Elements of Dark Tales
#4 The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
A disease-based vampire novel where sci-fi meets horror:
“A Boeing 777 arrives at JFK and is on its way across the tarmac, when it suddenly stops dead….All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quiet. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Eph Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds makes his blood run cold.“
#5 Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
In short, Let The Right One In is a story of how a little twelve-year-old boy befriends a centuries-old vampire child.
Delightfully creepy, and an overall great story.
#6 The Passage by Justin Cronin
Another book with a marriage of horror and sci-fi, this thrilling book details the result of an experiment gone wrong which produces a species of vampires.
This story is post-apocalyptic in the same way as I Am Legend, and is full of suspense.
#7 Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Interview With The Vampire was first published in 1976, and was Rice’s debut novel.
The book tells the story of a vampire who divulges details about his life to a reporter.
Fun fact: Rice originally wrote this book as a short story. It is now a series of books, as well as a television series, which is pretty cool.
#8 Fledgling by Octavia Butler
The premise of The Fledgling reminds me a lot of The Girl With All The Gifts (one of my favorite horror books, especially in audio format.)
It’s the story of a little girl suffering from amnesia after the obliteration of her family. Her physicians notice troubling symptoms and find she is actually a vampire.
#9 The Keep by F. Paul Wilson
A Nazi occupied Keep, high in the Transylvanian Alps is the source of mystery and murder.
And vampires.
If that’s not a hook, I don’t know what is.
#10 A Night in the Lonesome October by Richard Laymon
Ed Logan, a 20-year-old student, has been dumped by his girlfriend. Seeking solace, he takes a walk late at night to a donut shop. His journey is disrupted by numerous odd encounters.
Fun facts about this book: This novel was published posthumously, and its title is in reference to Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, Ulalume.
#11 Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin
I had no idea (until I learned of the existence of this book) that George R. R. Martin had written anything but Game of Thrones.
In this book, a vampire seeks to unite his race with humanity.
Bonus: GRRM himself describes Fevre Dream as what would happen if Bram Stoker met Mark Twain.
#12 so thirsty by rachel harrison
A vampire story by Rachel Harrison, author of Such Sharp Teeth, is bound to be a banger.
I’ve seen the book described as similar to Thelma and Louise, which just makes it better!
#13 Maldita by Juston Fulkerson
This book isn’t about vampires by name, but rather a creature known as Tlahuelpuchi, the legendary blood-sucking anthropomorphic witches prominent in Tlaxcala. There is also an element of dark shamanic magic, plus South American mythology in this apocalyptic story.
Sounds amazing, right?
If you’re in the mood for vampire horror books with a twist on the usual tropes, you’re in for a good read with Maldita.
Bonus: this is an indie read! With excellent reviews. It always feels good supporting indie writers (not that I’m biased at all.)
#14 The Vampyre by John William Polidori
As stated, this list is not in order of my favorites, nor the books’ significance to the genre. Never is that warning more applicable than with The Vampyre.
Why? Because this story, written in 1815, is considered by most to be the first vampire story ever written (or, at least, in English literature.)
Which definitely means Polidori’s story is worth picking up for the avid vampire horror book reader!
#15 Dark Roots by Lucius Valiant
This darkly humorous debut novel is full of secrets, ghostly whispers, and resurrection. And, of course, vampires.
It’s also part of a series – a fact which (in my opinion) balances out the inclusion of so many short stories in this list.
As always, stay spooky 🙂
-Odella
P.s. Do you have any suggestions for vampire horror books that weren’t included in the list? Let me know in the comments!
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