The things that go bump in the night are probably your neighbors.
It's the spookiest month of the year. The one month where ghosts, goblins, witches, and other scary things get to come out of the darkness and play. It's also that time of the year when we at the Book Whisperers get to share with you all our favorite stories of Horror, Gore, and thing that go bump in the night.
To start this weeks monster list I'm posting our favorite Vampire Books by catagory.
1. Spookiest novel: 'Salem's Lot' by Stephen King
Ben Mears returns to Jerusalem's Lot in the hopes of casting out his own devils and gaining inspiration for his new book. That all changes when two young boys venture into the woods and only one comes out alive. Mears begins to realize that there may be something sinister at work and that his hometown is under siege by forces of darkness far beyond his control.
Why you should read this book: If you want to be too scared to turn the page, if you want to sleep with all the lights on too afraid to be in the dark, then you need to read this book. Stephen King's mastery of horror really shows in this scary vampire tale.
2: Classic Novel: 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker
Johnathan Harker, a young English Lawyer, travels to Castle Dracula in the Eastern European country of Transylvania to conclude a real estate transaction with a nobleman name Count Dracula. As Harker wends his way through the picturesque countryside, the local peasants warn him about his destination, giving him crucifixes and other charms against evil and uttering strange words that Harker later translates into "vampire". While Johnathan Harker is the overall narrator in Dracula the story itself is mostly a love story between Dracula and Mina. Dracula was one of the first "Gothic Romances" to ever be published and it's a classic for a reason.
Why you should read this book: Dracula is one of those tales that just gets better with each re-read. This is the hallmark of what makes a book of fiction a "classic" it never goes out of style. If you love Vampire stories then you owe to yourself to read the original and find out why Dracula spawned an entire counter culture.
3: Snarkiest Series: 'Vampire Academy' by Richelle Mead
St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school. It's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir and her best friend Lissa is a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run but they're caught and brought back to St. Vladimir's, the place they escaped because of the danger to them, Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene (mean girls with pointy teeth) and disturbing nighttime rituals. The one thing the Dhampir and Moroi fear most are the Strigoi, the worlds fiercest and most dangerous vampires.
Why you should read this series: Rose Hathaway is every snarky teen that lives inside us all. She's a perfect protagonist who has witty banter down to an artform. She's also kind of a badass and she makes this series a fun read for everyone. Who doesn't love a snarky badass vampire slayer? If you're a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan you'll love this series.
4: Goriest Series: 'The Strain Trilogy' by Guillermo Del Toro
Come on you knew Guillermo was going to make this list under Goriest didn't you? Guillermo Del Toro is one of the best thriller writers out there. Horror movie fans know him by name as the director of such movies as Pan's Labryinth and Hellboy. In this trilogy Guillermo Del Toro teams up with Chuck Hogan to reinvent the vampire novel. Terrifying, blood chilling and unputdownable, the Strain is a nightmare of the darkest order.
Why you should read this trilogy: If you love Slasher flicks and heaping helping of blood and guts and gore along with a compelling story then you'll love this trilogy. I'm more of the old school horror movie fan club and I found this trilogy to be equal parts gruesome and page turningly compelling. You will find yourself jumping at the slightest noises...you have been warned.
5: Best Vampire Partners: 'Night Huntress Series' by Jeaniene Frost
Half-Vampire Catherine Crawfield (but my friends call me Cat) is going after the undead with a vengeance in the hopes that one of these deadbeat (pun intended) guys is her father. Cat blames him for ruining her mother's life and by extension her own. She's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership. In exchange for Bones's help in tracking down her father Cat agrees to train with him until her reflexes and strength are as terrifying as Bones's fangs. Cat is amazed she doesn't end on the pointy end of Bones's fangs but she's more surprised to find out that not all vampires are evil. Bones shows Cat that not being half-dead doesn't have to all the way suck.
Why you should read this series: There's nothing more angst ridden or compelling than the heat from a working relationship. Just think of Buffy and Spike it's the "will they or won't they?" that will keep you coming back for more.
6: Best Lighthearted series: 'Undead' by Maryjanice Davidson
First Betsy Taylor loses her job, then she's killed in a car accident, but what really bites is that she can't seem to stay dead. Now her new friends have the crazy idea that Betsy is the prophesied vampire queen and they want her to help in overthrowing the most obnoxious, power-hungry vampire in five centuries.
Why you should read this series: If you're looking for comedic horror in book form this is the one for you. This series is light, refreshing and most of all it's hilarious. You may need to read this away from public places unless you don't mind strangers wondering what's got you laughing so hard you're crying.
7: Best Dystopian Trilogy: 'Blood of Eden' by Julie Kagawa
In the future a disease known only as Red Lung has decimated the human population. Vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities. Madmen seek to destroy what little civilization remains. Only Allison Sekemoto, former fringer-turned-vampire stands against them.
Why you should read this trilogy: If you like Dystopian Y.A. novels such as The Hunger Games, Allegiant, and the Maze then you have to read this trilogy because it sets the standards for this genre of fiction. Be warned though once you read a Julie Kagawa book your standards will be so high it may ruin you for other YA authors.
We love Vampires and stories about them if you have a vampire story you'd like us to read and review leave it in the comments below.
Stay spooky my friends!
To start this weeks monster list I'm posting our favorite Vampire Books by catagory.
1. Spookiest novel: 'Salem's Lot' by Stephen King
Ben Mears returns to Jerusalem's Lot in the hopes of casting out his own devils and gaining inspiration for his new book. That all changes when two young boys venture into the woods and only one comes out alive. Mears begins to realize that there may be something sinister at work and that his hometown is under siege by forces of darkness far beyond his control.
Why you should read this book: If you want to be too scared to turn the page, if you want to sleep with all the lights on too afraid to be in the dark, then you need to read this book. Stephen King's mastery of horror really shows in this scary vampire tale.
2: Classic Novel: 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker
Johnathan Harker, a young English Lawyer, travels to Castle Dracula in the Eastern European country of Transylvania to conclude a real estate transaction with a nobleman name Count Dracula. As Harker wends his way through the picturesque countryside, the local peasants warn him about his destination, giving him crucifixes and other charms against evil and uttering strange words that Harker later translates into "vampire". While Johnathan Harker is the overall narrator in Dracula the story itself is mostly a love story between Dracula and Mina. Dracula was one of the first "Gothic Romances" to ever be published and it's a classic for a reason.
Why you should read this book: Dracula is one of those tales that just gets better with each re-read. This is the hallmark of what makes a book of fiction a "classic" it never goes out of style. If you love Vampire stories then you owe to yourself to read the original and find out why Dracula spawned an entire counter culture.
3: Snarkiest Series: 'Vampire Academy' by Richelle Mead
St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school. It's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir and her best friend Lissa is a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run but they're caught and brought back to St. Vladimir's, the place they escaped because of the danger to them, Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene (mean girls with pointy teeth) and disturbing nighttime rituals. The one thing the Dhampir and Moroi fear most are the Strigoi, the worlds fiercest and most dangerous vampires.
Why you should read this series: Rose Hathaway is every snarky teen that lives inside us all. She's a perfect protagonist who has witty banter down to an artform. She's also kind of a badass and she makes this series a fun read for everyone. Who doesn't love a snarky badass vampire slayer? If you're a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan you'll love this series.
4: Goriest Series: 'The Strain Trilogy' by Guillermo Del Toro
Come on you knew Guillermo was going to make this list under Goriest didn't you? Guillermo Del Toro is one of the best thriller writers out there. Horror movie fans know him by name as the director of such movies as Pan's Labryinth and Hellboy. In this trilogy Guillermo Del Toro teams up with Chuck Hogan to reinvent the vampire novel. Terrifying, blood chilling and unputdownable, the Strain is a nightmare of the darkest order.
Why you should read this trilogy: If you love Slasher flicks and heaping helping of blood and guts and gore along with a compelling story then you'll love this trilogy. I'm more of the old school horror movie fan club and I found this trilogy to be equal parts gruesome and page turningly compelling. You will find yourself jumping at the slightest noises...you have been warned.
5: Best Vampire Partners: 'Night Huntress Series' by Jeaniene Frost
Half-Vampire Catherine Crawfield (but my friends call me Cat) is going after the undead with a vengeance in the hopes that one of these deadbeat (pun intended) guys is her father. Cat blames him for ruining her mother's life and by extension her own. She's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership. In exchange for Bones's help in tracking down her father Cat agrees to train with him until her reflexes and strength are as terrifying as Bones's fangs. Cat is amazed she doesn't end on the pointy end of Bones's fangs but she's more surprised to find out that not all vampires are evil. Bones shows Cat that not being half-dead doesn't have to all the way suck.
Why you should read this series: There's nothing more angst ridden or compelling than the heat from a working relationship. Just think of Buffy and Spike it's the "will they or won't they?" that will keep you coming back for more.
6: Best Lighthearted series: 'Undead' by Maryjanice Davidson
First Betsy Taylor loses her job, then she's killed in a car accident, but what really bites is that she can't seem to stay dead. Now her new friends have the crazy idea that Betsy is the prophesied vampire queen and they want her to help in overthrowing the most obnoxious, power-hungry vampire in five centuries.
Why you should read this series: If you're looking for comedic horror in book form this is the one for you. This series is light, refreshing and most of all it's hilarious. You may need to read this away from public places unless you don't mind strangers wondering what's got you laughing so hard you're crying.
7: Best Dystopian Trilogy: 'Blood of Eden' by Julie Kagawa
In the future a disease known only as Red Lung has decimated the human population. Vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities. Madmen seek to destroy what little civilization remains. Only Allison Sekemoto, former fringer-turned-vampire stands against them.
Why you should read this trilogy: If you like Dystopian Y.A. novels such as The Hunger Games, Allegiant, and the Maze then you have to read this trilogy because it sets the standards for this genre of fiction. Be warned though once you read a Julie Kagawa book your standards will be so high it may ruin you for other YA authors.
We love Vampires and stories about them if you have a vampire story you'd like us to read and review leave it in the comments below.
Stay spooky my friends!
"Salem's Lot" is a good choice for spookiest. Scared me half to death first time I read it. :)
ReplyDelete