Summary: In this article, I’ve handpicked 20 of the best vampire book series that are sure to captivate, thrill, and keep you hooked from start to finish. My top 3 choices:
- The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
- The Sookie Stackhouse Series (True Blood) by Charlaine Harris
- The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
TOP 20: Best Vampire Book Series
- The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice
- The Sookie Stackhouse Series (True Blood) by Charlaine Harris
- The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
- The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
- The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost
- The Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse) by Charlaine Harris
- The Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon
- The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead
- The Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill
- The Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole
- The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward
- The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
- The Vampire Journals by Morgan Rice
- The Dark Days Series by Jocelynn Drake
- The Night World Series by L.J. Smith
- The House of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
- The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
- The Vampire Huntress Legend Series by L.A. Banks
- The Immortal Series by Jennifer Ashley
- The Vampire's Club Series by M.R. Polish
1. The Vampire Chronicles
- Author: Anne Rice
- About: Follows the lives of vampires through centuries, particularly the complex character of Lestat.
- Style of writing: Gothic, lyrical, introspective.
- Length: Varies by book, around 100,000–150,000 words.
- Year written: First published in 1976.
- Emotional impact: Deeply philosophical and haunting, explores themes of immortality, guilt, and loneliness.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging (due to dense prose and philosophical themes).
- Why read it: A seminal work in vampire fiction with rich character development and a compelling gothic atmosphere.
2. The Sookie Stackhouse Series
- Author: Charlaine Harris
- About: Follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress in a world where vampires are open to society.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, witty, light-hearted with some darker elements.
- Length: Around 85,000–110,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2001.
- Emotional impact: Fun, with moments of suspense and tension; readers become attached to the characters.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate (easy to follow but layered with mystery).
- Why read it: A blend of romance, mystery, and supernatural action with engaging characters.
3. The Twilight Saga
- Author: Stephenie Meyer
- About: The love story between Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen.
- Style of writing: Simple, romantic, first-person perspective.
- Length: 120,000–130,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2005.
- Emotional impact: Powerful emotional connection for fans, especially centered around romance and longing.
- Difficulty level: Easy (accessible for a wide range of readers).
- Why read it: If you're into romance and supernatural drama, it’s an iconic series that’s impacted pop culture.
4. The Morganville Vampires
- Author: Rachel Caine
- About: Set in the small town of Morganville, controlled by vampires, where a group of friends navigates danger and mystery.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, accessible, and adventurous.
- Length: Around 70,000–90,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2006.
- Emotional impact: Fun, suspenseful with moments of friendship and sacrifice.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
- Why read it: A fast-paced series with strong friendships, suspense, and a unique setting.
5. The Night Huntress Series
- Author: Jeaniene Frost
- About: Follows Cat Crawfield, a half-vampire, as she teams up with the vampire Bones to fight evil.
- Style of writing: Snappy, witty, and action-packed.
- Length: Around 90,000–120,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2007.
- Emotional impact: Exciting, with plenty of romance, humor, and tension.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
- Why read it: A fun, action-filled series with great chemistry between the leads.
6. The Southern Vampire Mysteries
- Author: Charlaine Harris
- About: Sookie Stackhouse’s adventures, focusing on supernatural mystery and romance.
- Style of writing: Light, humorous, with deep mysteries and moments of tension.
- Length: Varies between 80,000–110,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2001 (same as Sookie Stackhouse Series).
- Emotional impact: Enjoyable, with moments of heart-pounding excitement.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: If you liked the Sookie Stackhouse series, this offers the same supernatural thrill and romance with a cozy vibe.
7. The Dark Hunter Series
- Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
- About: Immortal warriors who protect humans from dark forces, including vampires and other supernatural creatures.
- Style of writing: Action-packed, with romance and suspense.
- Length: Around 90,000–120,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2002.
- Emotional impact: Fast-paced, with a mix of romance and heroism.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: If you like a combination of action, romance, and the supernatural, this series has it all.
8. The Vampire Academy Series
- Author: Richelle Mead
- About: Rose Hathaway, a half-vampire guardian, defends her royal vampire friend in a vampire academy.
- Style of writing: Young adult, action-packed, with humor and emotional depth.
- Length: Around 80,000–100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2007.
- Emotional impact: Emotional growth, friendship, and the intensity of first love.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: Great for readers looking for a mix of high school drama, action, and supernatural elements.
9. The Chicagoland Vampires
- Author: Chloe Neill
- About: Merit, a newly-turned vampire, navigates the politics of the vampire world while solving mysteries.
- Style of writing: Urban fantasy, with action and sharp dialogue.
- Length: Around 85,000–100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2009.
- Emotional impact: Engaging and immersive, with moments of personal growth and tough choices.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: If you like urban fantasy with strong characters and a unique setting, this series is a must-read.
10. The Immortals After Dark Series
- Author: Kresley Cole
- About: Supernatural beings, including vampires, battle and love in a fantastical world.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, erotic, with strong romantic elements.
- Length: Around 90,000–120,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2006.
- Emotional impact: Exciting, with plenty of romance and intense action.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A perfect blend of paranormal romance, action, and fantasy for fans of adult supernatural fiction.
11. The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
- Author: J.R. Ward
- About: A group of warrior vampires protecting their kind from evil forces.
- Style of writing: Gritty, intense, with detailed world-building and romance.
- Length: Around 100,000–150,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2005.
- Emotional impact: Intense, with high stakes and deeply emotional character arcs.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging.
- Why read it: A must for fans of darker, more complex vampire fiction with strong romance and action.
12. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
- Author: Holly Black
- About: A standalone novel where vampires are quarantined in “Coldtowns,” and the protagonist navigates this dangerous world.
- Style of writing: Dark, atmospheric, and captivating.
- Length: Around 90,000 words.
- Year written: First published in 2013.
- Emotional impact: Haunting, with moments of tension and heartbreak.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A unique and atmospheric take on vampire lore with an edge of danger and romance.
13. The Vampire Journals
- Author: Morgan Rice
- About: A teenage girl discovers she’s a vampire and must learn to survive in a dangerous world.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, accessible, with a lot of action.
- Length: Around 70,000–90,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2011.
- Emotional impact: Tension-filled, with a lot of personal growth and action.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A great pick for younger readers or those looking for a quick and thrilling vampire read.
14. The Dark Days Series
- Author: Jocelynn Drake
- About: Mira, a vampire on the run, must protect herself from dark forces.
- Style of writing: Dark, gritty, and filled with action.
- Length: Around 80,000–100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2008.
- Emotional impact: Suspenseful, with a strong sense of danger and survival.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For fans of urban fantasy with darker, more dangerous vampires.
15. The Night World Series
- Author: L.J. Smith
- About: A series of interconnected stories about vampires and other supernatural creatures.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, with romantic and suspenseful elements.
- Length: Around 75,000–100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 1996.
- Emotional impact: Fun, with moments of suspense and romance.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A great pick for younger readers or those interested in classic supernatural fiction.
16. The House of Night Series
- Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
- About: Zoey Redbird, a teenager marked to become a vampire, navigates her new life at a vampire school.
- Style of writing: YA fantasy, with romance and drama.
- Length: Around 80,000–100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2007.
- Emotional impact: Lighthearted but with themes of personal growth and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A great series for YA readers with a mix of vampire lore, romance, and high school drama.
17. The All Souls Trilogy
- Author: Deborah Harkness
- About: A historian and a vampire uncover hidden truths about witches, vampires, and ancient mysteries.
- Style of writing: Literary, historical, and rich with detail.
- Length: Around 100,000–120,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2011.
- Emotional impact: Intriguing, intellectual, with romantic and historical elements.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For readers who enjoy a blend of history, science, and magic with a slow-burning romance.
18. The Vampire Huntress Legend Series
- Author: L.A. Banks
- About: Damali Richards, a vampire huntress, battles evil vampires to protect humanity.
- Style of writing: Urban fantasy, action-packed.
- Length: Around 80,000–100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2003.
- Emotional impact: Exciting and tense, with themes of heroism and sacrifice.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A thrilling series with a strong, action-oriented female protagonist and a focus on the fight between good and evil.
19. The Immortal Series
- Author: Jennifer Ashley
- About: Immortal warriors battle dark forces, including vampires.
- Style of writing: Historical romance with supernatural elements.
- Length: Around 100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2010.
- Emotional impact: Romantic, with emotional depth and adventure.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A good choice for fans of historical romance mixed with supernatural fantasy.
20. The Vampire's Club Series
- Author: M.R. Polish
- About: A dark fantasy series where a group of vampires with unique abilities band together in a secret society to protect their kind.
- Style of writing: Action-packed, dark, and filled with suspense, with a focus on the relationships between the characters.
- Length: Around 75,000–100,000 words per book.
- Year written: First published in 2015.
- Emotional impact: Tense and exciting, with themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A fresh take on vampire fiction with a focus on teamwork, action, and darker themes, perfect for readers who like fast-paced and thrilling supernatural stories.
