Books like Carmilla
29 fantasy books to read after Carmilla, by Fanu, Joseph Sheridan Le, the closest match first.
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1. Carpe Jugulum
by Pratchett, Terry
- On the same lists
This cleverly named comic fantasy novel from the 'Witches' subseries of the 'Discworld' novels, is an oddity amongst the dark, dangerous and terrible world of popular vampire novels today. This...
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2. Vampire
by Steakley, John
- On the same lists
From the moment you jump into Vampire$ to the moment you finish, it’s vicious action without apology. Steakley makes the vampire myth completely believable within the realms of his novel....
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3. Children Of The Night
by Simmons, Dan
- On the same lists
I’ve heard it said that it’s impossible for Dan Simmons to write a bad novel; I agree. A man with many talents (his Hyperion is considered one of Science Fictions...
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4. The Last Vampire
by Pike, Christopher
- On the same lists
If you've read Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, and company take note, this is the novel you ’ve been looking for. It is in fact one of the best...
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5. Fledgling
by Butler, Octavia E.
- On the same lists
For a powerful vampire novel that tackles some of life’s important issues. Fledgling is not your standard vampire novel. So if you are expecting Twilight 7, don’t waste your time....
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6. The Vampyre
by Polidori, John William
- On the same lists
If you're looking to retrace history back to the roots of the dark and alluring vampire mythology, then Polidori's novella is the book for you. Accredited as one of the...
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Necroscope book 1 Start here
7. Necroscope
by Lumley, Brian
- On the same lists
A Russian psychic who speaks to the dead and a British secret service, the vampire novel that began Lumley's Necroscope.
Penned by British author, Brain Lumley, this series of horror novels blur the line between fantasy and reality. First and foremost a vampire novel, Necroscope follows the story of man...
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8. The Passage
by Cronin, Justin
- On the same lists
In a pastiche of sci-fi, fantasy and horror, Justin Cronin's novel 'The Passage' explores an apocalyptic universe where a secret government experiment gone wrong leaves vampires ruling the world while...
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9. They Thirst
by Mccammon, Robert
- On the same lists
With such a chilling title, it's easy to think 'They Thirst' is going to be another gory addition to vampire fiction. To some extent, this is true as the city...
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10. The Twilight Saga
by Meyer, Stephenie
- On the same lists
It was inevitable that Myer's corny, teen vampire romance would be one of the best-selling fantasy series of this day and age. After a quite lull in the vampire fantasy...
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11. Dracula Unbound
by Aldiss, Brian Wilson
- On the same lists
The original Dracula had become firmly cemented in society as the novel that placed the spotlight on vampires, kick-starting a whole sub-genre of fantasy and horror. In 'Dracula Unbound', Brian...
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The Strain book 1 Start here
12. The Strain
by Toro, Guillermo Del
- On the same lists
As the source material behind the hit TV shows of the same name, Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's vampire horror novel has received massive publicity after the TV show's...
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13. Anno Dracula
by Newman, Kim
- On the same lists
A novel based on an alternative history usually make for a peculiar and enticing read and this series by Kim Newman is no exception. The Anno Dracula series, inspired by,...
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14. The Historian
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- On the same lists
'The Historian' is a clever take on the modern vampire mythology, entwining the tale of the Romanian Prince, Vlad Tepes, and his vicious, vampiric personality…Count Dracula. Blurring the line between...
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15. The Vampire Diaries
by Clark, L. J. Smith, Aubrey
- On the same lists
Few people know that the popular television series, 'The Vampire Diaries', actually originated with a passionate series of the same name. Although there are some notable differences between the popular...
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16. The Vampire Tapestry
by Charnas, Suzy Mckee
- On the same lists
Carnas' 1980 novel is a truly enlightening read, giving an unusual insight into the existential identity crisis of a deranged and murdering vampire. Based on a vampire whose condition stems...
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17. The House Of The Vampire
by Viereck, George Sylvester
- On the same lists
This inventive interpretation of the vampire myth, with vampires feeding on more than just blood, was one of the first psychic vampire novels of its time. Considered a classic among...
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18. Varney The Vampire: Or
by Prest, Thomas Preskett
- On the same lists
This 19th Century novel epitomizes the Gothic genre, centering on the dark, eccentric story of a bloodthirsty vampire and his crumbling aristocratic family. It has been an endless source of...
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19. The Blood Of The Vampire
by Marryat, Florence
- On the same lists
Despite being published around the same time as Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, Marryat presents a vastly different and original tale. The ‘vampire’ in this novel has been argued to be a metaphor...
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20. Sunshine
by Mckinley, Robin
- On the same lists
This exceptionally entertaining novel features a highly likable and relatable protagonist and a bunch of vampires that are a far more accurate representation of the blood sucking fiends, in comparison...
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21. House Of Night
by Cast, P. C.
- On the same lists
This 12-part series took the teenage vampire sub-genre to new levels with its relatively original and relatable plot line. The authors of this series took a tired and overused genre...
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22. Vampire Earth
by Knight, E.e.
- On the same lists
Humans have been conquered and now the vampires rule. That’s the premise of E.E. Knight’s wonderful Vampire Earth series. Vampire Earth is a skillful blending of different genres. It's one...
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23. Salem's Lot
by King, Stephen
- On the same lists
Vampires come to a small Maine town, King's classic of creeping dread, inspired by Dracula.
Coming in at a close third, well-known thriller and fantasy author, Stephen King, shocked readers with another enthralling fantasy novel, inspired by Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. In his 1975 novel, Salem’s...
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24. I Am Legend
by Matheson, Richard
- On the same lists
One of the first to make vampirism or zombies have a scientific origin with plenty of medical inquiry and rational causation provided.
This is the story that influenced the zombie genre and popularized the concept of a worldwide zombie apocalypse. Robert Neville is the last human on the earth. He is immune...
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25. Dracula
by Stoker, Bram
- On the same lists
Though this book is not the first instance of vampires in literature, it is a defining story. It features more than just chilling storytelling; elements of horror, the gothic novel, sexual conventions, colonialism/post-colonialism, and immigration are all woven into this classic epistolary tale.
Dracula will always reign as the true master vampire, the one creature in horror and fantasy who can simultaneously seduce and terrify. And don't let yourself think this is an...
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26. Interview With The Vampire
by Rice, Anne
- On the same lists
A now classic tale of confession, this is the first book in Rice's Vampire Chronicles series. A complex story that blends the supernatural with the human condition; it will mesmerize readers. Particularly compelling amongst its pages is the story's philosophical inquiry.
There was Dracula. And then there was Brad Pitt… err… Louis – the main character in what is one of the founding books of the genre. Before you read this...
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Vampire Academy book 1 Start here
27. Vampire Academy
by Mead, Richelle
- On the same lists
While we've given a selection of some of the more serious works of Vampire fiction, sometimes you want a more low brow read, one full of teen angst, young adults,...
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28. Fevre Dream
by Martin, George R. R.
- On the same lists
A lesser known novel by the Game of Thrones creator that is a fine example of a more mythic take on vampirism. Fevre Dream is a steamboat sailing up the antebellum Mississippi River, which just so happens to be carrying the lord of the vampire race. It is a blend of history and myth.
He writes stories where castration, rape, skull-crushing, and child sacrifice are parred for the course. So it should come as no surprise that George R.R. Martin conquered the sub-genre of...
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29. The Coldfire Trilogy
by Friedman, C.s.
- On the same lists
Influenced by Isaac Asimov, the magical force in these novels is derived from natural forces and governed by consistent rules, a force that humans must learn to control.
There are few things harder to control than emotion and this makes magic in The Cold Firetrilogy immensely difficult. The planet Erna is controlled by a force known as the...
Matches come from series and authors, from the lists the books share, and from the books readers open together. They are rebuilt every night. Back to Carmilla.
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