Shauna from my Facebook page started this “discussion”, and this was one list I was thrilled to make! So here it is. My top ten favorite vampire-centric series.
Already, I have a confession. I tried to number them in order of favorites, but really, that was too hard since I liked so many of them equally. So, I “tied” many at the same number, and even still, I second guess my placement of them. Oh and, yeah ok, I also cheated cause there are more than 10 😉
(this is also a discussion on my Facebook page, so comment here, or join me there, and maybe we can change this list even more!)
1.) J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series One of the first series I obsessed over, and each and EVERY brother made me swoon. This is one series that I can easily read again and again. Warrior vampires that protect the human race from an evil group of “turned-soulless” humans that are just plain gross. Each one has a personal struggle, and getting past their emotional barriers is hard work, but oh so worth it! Oh and as you already know, since I keep reminding you, “Z” (Zsadist) is my favorite vampire of all time (and the angriest of them all, too). My mom likes Rehv most (hee hee! I find that so funny). Why? Read his book and you’ll see 😉 But first, read all the others, and I promise. You won’t be disappointed. Then, tell me who your favorite is.
2.) Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse Series) This was the second series I read in the genre, and I hesitated because I didn’t think it was possible to ever love any vampire more then Edward. I was wrong. DEAD wrong. Eric weaned me off of Twilight. From sweet and innocent to bad-ass and hungry, my vampire tastes have changed significantly because of Eric.
3.) Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters I *crushed* over and over again. While only a few of the heroes have a “vampire-y bite” in this series, they are all fighting a war against a certain kind of evil vampire. Greek gods and goddesses (and then some other gods on top of that), shifters, demons and humans and again, swoon-time! I lived in this world for a few weeks, and loved every moment of it.
4.) Lynsay Sands Argeneau Vampires Extremely romantic, and funny – loved almost every one of them. Vampires that are turned via advanced technology from the time of Atlantis (some nano-thingie that constantly heals them, but requires “extra” blood to work properly). These “vampires” are only allowed to turn one mate. Luckily, they don’t have to guess or hope they made the right choice, since they “know” who that mate is when they meet them. (again, cause of those smart “nano-thingies). But here’s the kicker. That someone may take decades, and even centuries to show up. Why I love this series? It’s beyond hilarious! Living in our world, blending with humans, and my favorite part? The whole “You love me too? Great! By the way, I’m a vampire” part – LOL!!
5.) Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress Series Cat (half human/half vampire and EXTREMELY rare) hates vampires. Kills them even. Until she meets Bones, and he teaches her a few things about what a vampire really is. Hrmmm..how to sum up this series? AWESOME. Secret government agencies, cover-ups, vampire wars (and you might as well add ghosts and zombies to the mix) and you get non-stop action, and heartbreaking moments and plenty of funny (although more like snarky-funny). Bones is just plain hot, and the jealous reactions from both main characters make for some seriously steamy scenes.
5.) Kerrelyn Sparks’s Love at Stake Series Pure candy! Easy reads that always have a moment or two of danger but mostly just funny and super romantic. Shifters, or vamps, they all work together to protect Roman Draganesti’s empire, a genius vampire who has come up with all sorts of ways to keep vamps happy without having to feed directly from humans (which makes them a little too primal 😉 Ha! They think that’s a bad thing! Anyway, more of my favorite moments (in the closet “vampires” that fall for unsuspecting humans – always ALWAYS fun!)
5.) Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy Very risqué! A world where a large society of “good” vampires exist, and half human/half vampires are trained to protect and guard them. Vampire Academy is where all those young’ns grow. Lots of action but even better, some very thought provoking romantic angst. Non-stop enemy attacks from “true/turned” vampires who want to take over, and one of the most intriguing aspects of the series – an illicit romance that both blooms and spirals onto risky terrain.
6.) Jill Myles’s Succubus Diaries Jackie, a normal human female, suddenly turned into a gorgeous succubus is struggling. How did she get this way? Why? And how does she handle her heart (and body) that seems to want it all. Does she want Noah – a gorgeous fallen angel with a heart of gold or his bad-boy counterpart, Zane, another fallen angel now turned vampire who made a deal with devil just to get his wings back. Well, that’s not all of it, but it sure is what kept me reading. Basically a story of good vs. evil, where “good” isn’t always “good”, and “bad” isn’t always evil.
7.) Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed – this series helped me when I needed a Black Dagger Brotherhood fix. Another group of male vampire warriors protecting their species, and the human population from evil (and there is plenty of it). Awesome “brotherly” feel with the typical testosterone induced spats and worries, and their insistence on resisting romance. But you all know how that goes. A good male needs his mate, and in this series, the mates are gifted human females that are “specially marked” just for the Breed. Of course, the girls don’t know that, so imagine their surprise 😉 Good times hehe!
8.) Kathy Love’s Bourbon Street Trilogy (a little danger, but mostly just romance). It’s the whole “love at first site in a bar” thing, but that’s actually what hooked me. I think that “start” makes this series more real for the readers. More tangible. The what if? It’s about a trio of girlfriends on vacation in New Orleans. One evening, as they peruse the bars, the singer of the band playing that night, catches her eye, and he is bold enough to let her know he’s interested too. Against his better judgment (he’s got a few vampire-y secrets up his sleeve), he brings her home for a one night stand, but…well can they keep it to just one night? Good series if you’re just looking for that camaraderie feel, and some very steamy romance too. And it’s not just romance. As the series progresses, paranormal danger threatens in the background…
You know what’s also fun about this series? They’re REAL!!! Imagine my surprise when I “tweeted” with “Ren” (the main character of book#1). And not just “role-playing” real. This series was actually based on a real band in New Orleans that inspired the author. Of course…the whole “vampire” thing might be made up. Or maybe not… 😉 *giggle*
9.) Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga No explanation needed cause I’m sure you’ve all heard about it. This series is what introduced me to vampires and werewolves and captured me fully for weeks. It really deserves to be at the top for me, because of all I have gained from this series. Great initiation to a genre that I know I will never stop reading.
10.) Laurell K Hamilton’s Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series Anita Blake. Hard-ass tiny little thing, loved by many of the sexiest paranormals and yet, in constant danger from them, too. She’s tough though, and has powers that can control the dead. All the dead (which is why many of them want to rid themselves of her). Caught in an emotional roller coaster between Jean-Claude (vampire) and Richard (werewolf), the three of them must try to work it out. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. But one thing’s for sure, I can’t help but wonder how badly they wish they could back to to the beginning of the series, when it was just the three of ’em. Like I do. Okay, maybe with the occasional “Asher” thrown in for fun 😉 I guess I might be able to deal with that. But the way it is now, it’s just wayyyyy too many love/sex interests for me to be able to connect to. it’s too much…it’s just too much.
So up to a certain point – I enjoyed the series. Even past Obsidian Butterfly (which happens to be a cut-off point for many). But, yes, I too have had to cut myself off. The last 4 or 5 books have not entertained me in the least. Jean-Claude was awesome, once upon a time… so I’ll just reminisce about those days.
Ok, who’s next? What’s next?
Check out my other “favorites” lists:
- What to Read After Beautiful Disaster
- What to Read After Fifty Shades
- My Top Thirteen Most Illicit Bad Boys
- My Best Books of 2011 List
- What to Read After Twilight
- My Top 10 Paranormal Series
- My Top Five Summer Reads
- 8 Books That Made Me Cry…
➔➔➔ Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? Browse our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.
