Guest post written by author Kendare Blake
Kendare Blake is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Three Dark Crowns series, the Anna Dressed in Blood duet, All These Bodies, and others. She lives and writes in Gig Harbor, Washington, from under a pile of dogs and cats. One Girl In All The World (Buffy: The Next Generation, Book 2) is out January 31st 2023.
Vampires. Bloodsuckers. The fanged undead. How much do we love these creatures, and I’m not pausing for you to answer because the answer is SO MUCH. We love them when they’re terrifying. We love them when they’re hot. We love them with unnaturally hard bodies like sculpted marble and we love them in 80s mullets. We even love them when they’re Tom Cruise in a wig (or at least I do). And always, always, we love them in books.
Rumors of the death of the vampire book are greatly exaggerated. You can say they’re dead as much as you want, that they’re passé, so ten years ago, on their way out, but it’s not true. Vampires do not die—unless you stake them, or burn them, or cut their heads off in some instances—and neither do vampire books. To that end, here is a short list of vampire books for you to sink some of those tiny, plastic fangs into.
But first, a note: in 2022, I had the distinct honor of writing a new installment in the universe of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, an opportunity which allowed me to run rampant through my favorite vampire and demon-infested landscape (so much fang! So much staking!) The series is called BUFFY: THE NEXT GENERATION, and the first book, IN EVERY GENERATION, releases in paperback on January 31, to coincide with the hardcover release of book two: ONE GIRL IN ALL THE WORLD.
And now… VAMPIRE BOOOOOKS!!!!
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE
THE BEAUTIFUL by Renee Ahdieh
The first installment of a swoony, lush quartet, set in a late 1800’s New Orleans that is ruled by vampires. The beautiful writing and elegantly wrought setting will lure you in for all the murder.
EMPIRE OF THE VAMPIRE by Jay Kristoff
A vampire tale in a complex world of blood wars and vampiric mythos, with a complex hero at its center. The strong narrative voice and layered world provide much for the vampire lover to chew on. Or suck on? Drain…from?
FOR THOSE WHO CRAVE THAT 90’S FLAIR
MINA AND THE UNDEAD by Amy McCaw
Head down to a New Orleans vampire party for this murder mystery chock full of references to your favorite 90s vamps. There’s a vibe here that throws back to teen favorites of the past, and after you’re done you’ll race off to a haunted house. Or a vampire bar, if it’s the wrong time of year.
FOR THOSE WHO MISS THE LOST BOYS
IN NIGHTFALL by Suzanne Young
Pre-order yourself this fangtastic novel coming March 28th! In the quaint town of Nightfall, Oregon, strange, beautiful girls run the show, and if they choose you, you can be just like them. Forever. This is THE book for Lost Boys fans. The only thing missing is Kiefer Sutherland’s excellent mullet.
FOR THE BUFFY FANS
BLOODY FOOL FOR LOVE by William Ritter
It’s a Spike book! I shouldn’t have to say anything else. But, I will. It’s a Spike CAPER book, with Drusilla and Darla in tow! Come along with our favorite platinum-haired anti-hero as he attempts to fill the void left behind after a certain other vampire left him high and dry just because he got a soul or something.
BIG BAD by Lily Anderson
If you ever wished for a world where the vampires won and Buffy never came to Sunnydale, then congratulations, you might be Cordelia Chase. Or you might want to read this book, set in an alternate universe where the Mayor did win and blocked out the sun so our favorite vampires and demonic villains can finally have some peace and quiet. Until of course, that blond comes to town.
FOR THOSE NEEDING A STEPHEN KING FIX
‘SALEM’S LOT by Stephen King
Look, it’s old Stephen King, and it’s a vampire book. And there’s never a bad time to read old Stephen King, and then go hunt down the miniseries they made in the 90s with Rob Lowe. At least I think it was Rob Lowe. Actually I just googled it and they made TWO, and the one from the 70s was directed by Tobe Hooper! It’s been a long time since I’ve read or watched these, so I can’t say whether they hold up. Why don’t YOU tell ME.
Bonus! ONE GIRL IN ALL THE WORLD by Kendare Blake
Frankie Rosenberg is the world’s first slayer-witch, but she doesn’t have that slay-life balance figured out just yet. She’s still reeling from the deadly explosion at the annual slayer retreat―and new evidence that some slayers may have survived. And while she’s defeated her first Big Bad, Frankie soon realizes it was just a warm up act―and bigger, badder forces of evil are only just getting started. The Hellmouth has been reawakened, inter-dimensional portals are opening, and an oracle warns of a new foe on its way: the Darkness.
Could this be what attacked the slayers? And is it coming for Frankie?
