The following books are all of the books including vampires that I have read. They are mostly short reviews. The first few are of all the same series, one that got me into reading a lot more.
The Vampire Chronicles
The Vampire Chronicles #1: Interview with a Vampire
- Author: Anne Rice
- Year: 1976
- Subgenre: Gothic
- Rating: 4/5
- Series/standalone: Series
Plot:
Interview with a Vampire is a cult classic and has many many books to accompany it, as well as two movies and a TV show. The first book in the series focuses on Louis du Pointe du Lac, who is telling his life story to a young reporter. Louis was a plantation owner in Louisiana during the 1790s, who lost his young brother. He meets Lestat de Lioncourt, a charismatic French vampire who is infatuated with Louis. Of course, Louis is turned into a vampire as well and becomes immortal companions with Lestat.
They move to New Orleans for more anonymity and a plethora of people to pick for meals. Louis is distraught with his new nature. He was a deeply emotional human being and his vampirism only heightened this. He embodies the broody vampire, while Lestat is in love with life(death?). Louis turns to eating rats and animals, but he drinks from a young child one night, and Lestat turns her into a vampire. They now are fathers to Claudia, the forever 5 year old vampire.
Review:
I loved this book. Louis was a little insufferable sometimes, but in an endearing way. I think the book had a wonderful premise and was wonderfully written. I highly recommend this book.
The Vampire Chronicles #2: The Vampire Lestat
- Author: Anne Rice
- Year: 1985
- Subgenre: Gothic
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Series/standalone: Series
Plot:
A continuation of Interview with the Vampire, however this book focuses on Lestat de Lioncourt. It includes both his early life, pre-vampirism, as well as his life currently.
Review:
I also loved this book, I enjoyed it even more than the first book. Lestat is such an enjoyable character. He genuinely enjoys life, his post life, and the beauty of the world, which is a breath of fresh air compared to the broody vampire type.
The Vampire Chronicles #3: The Queen of the Damned
- Author: Anne Rice
- Year: 1988
- Subgenre: Gothic
- Rating: 4/5
- Series/standalone: Series
Plot:
This book continues to follow Lestat, but also follows the overall cast of characters.
Review:
Very good book. Anne Rice creates such a rich world and cast of characters. This book has a lot of thought provoking talk about feminism and freedom. I recommend it.
The Vampire Chronicles #4: The Tale of the Body Thief
- Author: Anne Rice
- Year: 1992
- Subgenre: Scifi/Gothic
- Rating: 3/5
- Series/standalone: Series
Plot:
Lestat got tricked into swapping bodies with a human. Hijinks ensue.
Review:
This book was interesting, however, not as good as the core trilogy. I would say this book is still worth it if you like Lestat. It is funny and an interesting idea.
Others
Fledgling
- Author: Octavia E. Butler
- Year: 2005
- Subgenre: Science Fiction
- Rating: 3.5/5
- Series/standalone: Standalone
Plot:
Shori wakes up in a cave, alone and injured. She doesn’t remember what happened, who she is, or what she is. She explores and finds a nearby village that has been burned to the ground. Exploring more, she meets Wright and bites him, he realizes that she must be a vampire. Wright and Shori become dependent on each other, and he takes her back to the burned village to try to figure out what happened.
At the town, Shori meets her dad, who explains that her mothers’ town was burned and they were all killed. He also explains that Shori, despite looking 10 years old, is a 53 year old Ina. The Ina are a species, related to humans, but have the typical characteristics of vampires. They don’t burn to dust in the sun, but they are deeply nocturnal and sensitive to the sun. Shori also learns that she is a genetically engineered Ina. She was crossed with a black human in order to decrease sensitivity to the sun and function in the day.
The rest of the novel focuses on figuring out who killed her mothers, why, and Shori having to relearn all of her culture.
Review:
I think that the concept of this book was very good. The writing for the most part was enjoyable. I, however, did not like that Shori, someone who looked 10, was in sexual relationships with adults. I understand she is 53, but like, it’s weird. I do think this would have been an enjoyable series, however, Octavia Butler died shortly after the release of this book. I recommend it if you want something a little more scifi than the traditional vampire story.
Dracula
- Author: Bram Stoker
- Year: 1897
- Subgenre: Gothic horror
- Rating: 4/5
- Series/standalone: Standalone
Plot:
If you don’t know the plot for Dracula, you are living under a rock.
Review:
A classic, you’ve gotta read this, even if you don’t like vampires. Well written and entertaining, just a little long.
Carmilla
- Author: Sheridan le Fanu
- Year: 1872
- Subgenre: Gothic horror
- Rating: 3.5/5
- Series/standalone: Standalone
Plot:
Carmilla the lesbian vampire is a guest in a castle in Styria. She becomes romantically entangled with the daughter, Laura, of the castle owner. Strange things start happening in the surrounding town.
Review:
Another classic, if you like vampires, you will enjoy this book. It is a foundation for the vampire genre. Sometimes it is a little cheesy, but I am sure that when it was written, it was not. It’s a novella, so you can read it in an afternoon.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
- Author: Seth Grahame-Smith
- Year: 2010
- Subgenre: Historical Fantasy
- Rating: 3.5/5
- Series/standalone: Series
Plot:
This book is a mostly accurate biography of Abraham Lincoln, except for that he hunts vampires. The South is mostly run by the vampires, since slavery is convenient for them, as well as that they eventually want to enslave the human race.
Review:
This was a fun read. It was well researched and is a fun type of biography. It was a good idea and decently well executed. Also Abraham Lincoln is kinda cool – he was home schooled and became the president while hunting vampires.
