Discussing Vampire Novels with Guest Author Christina Kelly

The first vampire novel I ever read was Look for me by Moonlight By Mary Downing Hahn. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. There were others, Midnight Predator by Amelia Atwater Rhodes and The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause but I never fell in love with any of those books or their heroes. I was searching for a specific kind of vampire book. I didn’t know what exactly I was looking for but I knew the others didn’t have it. Then one day while browsing the library I found it. The vampire book to end all vampire books: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice.

I was/am obsessed with the vampire chronicles. I devoured them; I’ve reread them over and over again. It was a long time before I could even touch another vampire series without sizing the male lead up against Lestat. Anne Rice is my idol, completely utterly; I hope to write a novel like the Feast of all Saints or Belinda one day. That being said, I present to you my list of my top ten favorite vampire novels, not including any of the Vampire Chronicles. Let me explain, to me any vampire list that doesn’t include Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat and The Queen Of The Damned is a pretty shitty list. So instead of taking up three spots automatically I’ll just leave them off.

Let’s began!

10.) Dead Until Dark By Charlaine Harris

Ah, before Bill broke my heart and Eric seduced Sookie. I’ve read the other books in the series and I watch the show when I get a chance. My tip my hat to you Ms. Harris, you rock.

9.) Guilty Pleasures By Laurell K. Hamilton

Ah, remember the good old days?

8.) Hotel Transylvania by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

I still smile whenever I see this book. (Well the old black and red cover) I picked it up at a garage sale when I was in high school because of the cover. I loved it. Oh Le Comte de St Germain when will you come to my town? Haha. Sadly, I have not read any other books in this series, I just prefer to read and savor this one.

7.) Forever and The Night By Linda Lael Miller

This book is out of print I had to go to three different used bookstores before I found a copy (for only two dollars too!) this was one of the very first “paranormal romance” novels written. And I had just recently started reading paranormal romance; I had mostly stuck to the literary vampire side, when I discovered this book. But it was very enjoyable. It’s about The Vampire Aidan and how he falls in love with Neely, a woman who is supposed to save him (and what not) haha. This was also a series (of three books I believe) I haven’t read the others.

6.) The Black Castle by Les Daniels

When I first picked this up I had no intention of finishing it. At first glance it seemed rather boring, a historical novel about The Vampire Sebastian and how he died and was turned into a vampire. But I did finish it and what I liked most was how much of the Bram Stoker lore it kept, Sebastian could turn into a bat or into mist and what not. This novel is actually the first in a series. I haven’t read the others but black castle is a great if you like heavy gothic themes in your novels.

5.) Carmilla By Sheridan Le Fanu

I mostly liked this one because Carmilla was a female version of the dark seductive count that sweeps in and seduces the young maiden. I remember being surprised that it was in my school library.

4.) The Hunger by Whitley Strieber

I actually found out about this book because I adore David Bowie. He was in the film version. I watched the movie first (Bauhaus is in it!) and loved it so I read the book. It was amazing and so ambiguous. Great read.

3.) Lost Souls By Poppy Z. Brite

One of the best novels ever written period; vampire novel or not.

2.) Dracula By Bram Stoker
Need I explain?

1.) Sunshine By Robin McKinley

Oh Lord, I could go on and on and on and on and on about this book. I love love love Constantine. I love Rae. Everything about this book is PERFECT. I f I ever meet Robin McKinley I’ll bow down at her feet and ask her to bless me haha. Read it, it’s perfect, honestly. The ending always makes my heart soft, no matter how many times I’ve read this book.

What are some of your favorite vampire novels?

The first person to respond with their favorite vampire novel title will win one of each of my ebooks: Constant Craving and The Eternal Kiss



~Christina Kelly is the author of The Eternal Kiss (Now Available from Hearts on Fire Books) and Constant Craving (now Available from Cobblestone Press) for links and more about these titles please visit her at http://www.christinakelly.net/