14 years after the first Twilight book was published, it feels like the famous vampire book series is a relic of the past. The hype died down, but the vampires did not (they’re immortal, remember?) Jokes aside, vampire lovers don’t have to look far for another book series filled with all things blood and fangs. Here are 10 book series that any Twilight fan will want to sink their teeth into.
1. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
If you fell in love with the story of Bella and Edward, this book may be the first on your list. Hush, Hush is part of a 4-book series that starts out with the story of Nora Grey, a 16-year-old who lives in a desolate part of town with her single mom. She often has a sneaking suspicion that she’s being watched, but she chalks it up to her deceased father’s presence as a guardian angel. Everything changes when Nora realizes she’s been saved one time too many by the mysterious Patch Cipriano. Sound familiar?
2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Humans, vampires, and half-vampires star in this series. The drama takes place at St. Vladmir’s Academy—think Gossip Girl but for fantastical beings. The academy is made up of vampires and their guardians-in-training, who are half-vampires called dhampirs. In Vampire Academy, the vampires and dhampirs go hand in hand (er, fang in fang), and eventually they begin to stir up trouble among the students. This series is a great read for anyone who loves meddlesome headmasters, prep school gossip, and rule-breaking vampires.
3. The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
You probably know The Vampire Diaries as a hit TV series featuring shirtless, handsome vampires and the entanglement of their love triangle with the one and only, Elena Gilbert. Believe it or not, the show is based on a book series from the ‘90s. Like the show, the book series takes place in the dark, mysterious town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. It’s a battle similar to that of Edward vs. Jacob, as the two main characters are pining over Elena. But these vampy dudes couldn’t be more opposite: Stefan is selfless and compassionate, and Damon is an edgy bad boy. Looks like you’ve got a choice to make, Elena!
4. The Blood Books series by Tanya Huff
Nancy Drew meets Dracula. In this 6-book series, author Tanya Huff introduces private detective Vicki Nelson and her partner, Mike, to a well-hidden vampire by the name of Henry. Here’s the catch: Without the vampire, Vicki’s life would be a whole lot easier. Not only is she caught up in a love triangle involving Henry and Mike, but she’s also thrown into a new set of crimes… supernatural crimes. These books go beyond the vampire world, as Vicki and her partner meet an entourage of superhumans—demons, werewolves, and mummies, to name a few.
5. Christoper Moore’s Vampire Trilogy
The first novel of the series, Bloodsucking Fiends, opens with 26-year-old Jody Stroud, who is attacked and left in an alley. Come to find out, she’s been converted from human to vampire with nothing but a wad of cash and a new nocturnal lifestyle. Jody attempts to adjust to the night-time living, but being nocturnal is harder than she thought. She welcomes the help of Tommy Flood, who takes care of her daily responsibilities while she’s forced unconscious throughout the day. The pair quickly takes on more than life responsibilities when they learn of a thread of murders that sound oddly familiar to her vampire attack. Like any good vampire story, this one has love, fantasy, and drama—and many chuckles along the way!
6. Evernight by Claudia Gray
Evernight begins with Bianca, a new student at the Evernight Academy. It feels like a typical gothic academy, so being the new kid, Bianca feels pretty isolated and outcasted. That is, until she meets the school maverick, Lucas. We won’t say their dynamic completely mirrors that of Bella and Edward, but the two will face many obstacles that feel pretty familiar to those found in Twilight. This series takes readers on a journey of love and fantasy, with some cold-blooded nonsense along the way!
7. The House of Night series by P.C. Cast
This 12-book series is based at—you guessed it—a dim, creepy boarding school. It begins with Marked, when we learn that 16-year-old Zoey Redbird is marked by a vampire tracker who imprinted her forehead with a crescent, denoting her as a “fledgling vampire.” She has no choice other than to head over to the House of Night boarding school where all the other vampires go. Shortly into her adventures, she realizes she’s not an ordinary vampire, because she has a special affinity for the five elements. It’s important to note that these books are geared toward a teenage/young adult audience. It’s still a great series and is ranked on the New York Times Children’s Bestseller list, so have no fear if you’re looking for a captivating saga. It’s one for the books! (Pun intended)
8. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Are there vampires? No. Are there intense, passion-filled scenes throughout the series? Absolutely. In case you haven’t heard, Fifty Shades of Grey was written by a die-hard Twilight fan who just couldn’t get enough of the tantalizing dynamic between Edward and Bella. Although this series is an R-rated, human version of their relationship, there are parallels between the two series that can’t be denied. It’s one wild ride, but it’s worth a read if you’re interested in venturing beyond the world of vampires and into the even scarier world of human relationships.
Out of all of these fang-tastic books, one of them is sure to make your blood boil. Happy reading!
