Like Vampires? Check Out These Authors

by Camela Thompson

The first writing advice I received was to write what I know. While it's impossible to truly know vampires, I love reading about them and watching anything that features them. I have a long list of favorite television series, movies, and books that continues to grow. Those of us who love the subject matter know of Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris, Stephenie Meyer, and Richelle Mead. The following writers are also well known, but perhaps you'll meet someone new to try out.

By J Alves (http://www.openclipart.org/detail/60247) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Gail Carriger

Carriger combines Victorian wit, Steampunk, high society sensibilities, and supernatural creatures masterfully. There are very few books that make me laugh out loud. Etiquette & Espionage not only made me laugh, but had me grinning like an idiot throughout. Carriger's dialogue is wonderful, the names she comes up with are amazing (Mrs. Barnaclegoose? brilliant!), and her world building is superb. I love her wit. Even the minor characters are delightful and full of personality. I enjoyed the Parasol Protectorate series, but I have to say Finishing School, her foray into Young Adult, has become my favorite. Some of the time lapses are a little clunky, but I would certainly recommend it as an entertaining read.

Alys Arden

The first couple chapters of The Casquette Girls was a little bit difficult for me. I don't typically read young adult, I prefer my stories in the third person, and the author chose a really difficult setting - post hurricane New Orleans. As I continued to read, I became sucked into the story. The time Arden spent building her world paid off, and I could picture the alternate universe with ease. Her characters are very engaging and her love of the city shone through. If you like vampires and magic, read it.

Richard Matheson

My praise for I am Legend can be found by clicking here. The book is nothing like the movie.

J.R. Ward

Do you like graphic romance or erotica? Have a thing for ultra alpha males? Like your vampires sexy and dangerous? J.R. Ward accomplishes all of this and more. Her writing is solid, she's great at developing back story, and she has created an amazing vampire mythology of her own. I'm a big fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series with my favorites being Dark Lover, Lover Awakened, and Lover Unbound. 

Matt Haig

The Radleys was an impulse buy that paid off. This isn't a traditional vampire novel. It struck me as a cross between The Adam's Family and The Royal Tenenbaums. The main focus of this book is the family dynamic with an array of interesting and complicated characters. If you're interested in the moral dilemmas faced by a modern-day vampire, this is a great read. 

I'm always looking for my next favorite. Do you have any vampire books you love?