I have only read the Twilight series (as far as vampire books go) and am really hesitant to begin another vamp series because I don't want to hate it or waste my time. I've heard about the Morganville vamps, Melissa De La Cruz's series (Blue Bloods, etc.), House of Night series, and many more. I've also heard about Sookie Stackhouse, but I'm not into graphic romance scenes—I'm more the fade-to-black kind of girl.

*SO*, my question to you is...
1) Which series should I read next?
2) What are your thoughts on the other vampire series?

Angee wrote: "1) Which series should I read next?
2) What are your thoughts on the other vampire series? "

1) The only one I have liked so far is Evernight, but only because

a) Claudia Gray gives it a good plot twist,

b) it gets better as the series goes along (Stargazer is a better book), and

c) she doesn't dumb down her writing, which I feel some of the others do by

x) lazy characterization through brand-name dropping (i.e. she was wearing Hollister, he was wearing Dolce & Gabbana, she had Pam-Anderson boobs),

y) dropping SAT words in and then laughing stupidly about it, and

z) using "it just is, it has always been" as motivation for whatever conflict is driving the story.

To be completely truthful, I didn't like Evernight at first, even trash-talked it at my Adult-YA book club meeting, then read some other vampire series which were *much worse* in comparison, then read the sequel (which was pretty good) and thought better of it. The secondary cast of characters really begins to stand out in Stargazer (Buffy fans would dub them the "Scooby gang") and I think it's one of the series' better elements. This will also give you the PG-13 "fade to black".

2) The only other vamp series I can speak about through experience are Marked and Blue Bloods.

Both have poor writing (sorry, authors, if I'm hurting your feelings, but it's true, and I hope that if you read this it makes you just want to get better at it) but interesting stories (?) enough that I am willing to slog through the rest of the bad writing in order to find out the story without resorting to Wikis or hearsay.

Blue Bloods in particular has *excellent* vampire mythology worked into it. It's the only reason I'll read them all.

Over these other two, I would recommend
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow, which has better writing, an interesting story, and well-put-together motivations/mythology. I didn't think of it first b/c there's only 1 book out so far.

I'm also reading Sunshine right now, which is not a series, but which is refreshing after all the trash I've just subjected myself to.

(Side note: I know you love Cassandra Clare--I'm reading Mortal Instruments now, and really enjoying it! More than I thought I would!)

I can't really help you wtih a wide range of YA vampire series because I just started getting into vampires, but I do remember liking the Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan, though I haven't finished the series yet. It's a different twist on vampires, it's about a boy who gets turned into one and ends up living with a traveling "freak" circus.

Off topic, but why was another "General" forum created? I'm going to ask Shannon to move this thread into the "YA General" forum, it's pretty much the same. xD

I think "general" is a default folder... yes please, have the Mod move it!

Oh, and I read Evermore--not strictly a vampire series although it makes you think that. It was bloody awful. No kidding. -1 stars.

Really? I just won Evermore from Goodreads giveaways. I haven't gotten it yet, but it sounds good.

Have you read Scott Westerfeld's Peeps series? It's a twist on vampires, and one of my favorites.

Nozomi wrote: "I haven't gotten it yet, but it sounds good."

I had hopes for it but I should have known by the fact that the author Brian L. Weiss (author of Many Lives, Many Masters) -- if you are into The Secret, Paolo Coelho (The Alchemist), metaphysical kind of stuff, you might enjoy it. It has almost nothing to do with vampires at all! I don't agree with metaphysical babble, the closest I can come to it is probably "What the Bleep Do We Know".

av read the house of night series and it is really gud altho not as gud as twilight.
there is another book series that i absolutely luv the mortal instruments (i seem 2 recommend it 2 every1) its not a vampire series but it does have a bit in it about vampires its more about 'demonhunters' but it does have mythical creatures in it that u wud expect 2 hear about in a fantasy book!

Katie- I absolutely LOVED the Mortal Instruments! The House of Night series is ok, but, as I said in a review of them, they can get kind of annoying and repetitive.
I currently started reading a series called Blue Bloods. It's about vampires but it ties in our natural history, such as Plymouth and early settlers so that it almost feels realistic! So far so good- although I'm only done with book one.

Shoshanah wrote: "Katie- I absolutely LOVED the Mortal Instruments! The House of Night series is ok, but, as I said in a review of them, they can get kind of annoying and repetitive. "


i agree wiv u on the repetitive side of the books as they always do a recap which then cums away from the story

Nozomi wrote: "I can't really help you wtih a wide range of YA vampire series because I just started getting into vampires, but I do remember liking the Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan, though I haven't fin..."

There I moved it. Sorry about that. I thought I had highlighted the subfolder.

Angee, try L.J. Smith's Vampire Diaries series and also her Nightworld series. Nightworld is especially good vamp fiction. It's actually pretty hard to find quality YA vamp stories since Twilight exploded on to the scene.

For the record, I'm currently reading the Sookie Stackhouse series and so far the eroticism has been at an extreme low (I just finished reading a scene that ended in a fade-to-black, actually) - unlike Hamilton's Anita Blake. They're not YA at all, but I do recommend you at least give them a chance. If they're too much for you, you can always stop reading. :]

So far I have to say Twilight

My fave vampire series is Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. The series is not complete as there are three more books yet to come, but I'd have to say I prefer them much more than the Twilight series at this point.

Some good vampire YA books that i have read so far are:
House of night (more for people 13 and up)(P.c And Kirstin Cast)
The Vampire Diaries (L J. Smith. TERRIFIC AUTHOR!)
Night World (L.J Smith) (Also has Witches, Werewolves, and shape-shifters)

Angee wrote: "*SO*, my question to you is...
1) Which series should I read next?
2) What are your thoughts on the other vampire series?
"
I'm going to answer # 2 first - I haven't even come close to reading all of the vampire books out there, but Ive read a few. I used to like Anne Rice a lot, but when I tried to read The Vampire Chronicles as I got older I found I wasn't as into them anymore. As I keep reading I find just like anything some are good, some are bad. Also I'm learning you cant judge a series by it's first book. Lately I've been finding they are the weakest in the series.

# 1 - I will have to say definitely The Mortal Instruments series. Even though it isn't strictly a vamp series, it has that magical way of pulling you into the story. It is by far one of my favorite series to date.

I have to agree with Arlene about the Vampire Academy. I just finished the third book in the series and wow! That one really put me on a roller coaster ride. I have to admit, I only rated the first in the series a 3, but I think it's because it was kind of confusing at first and it took a while for the characters to get built up. I am now eagerly awaiting the fourth in the series which comes out at the end of the month.

hey i thought that about the 1st va book 2 carrie but afta they explained things i thought it wasnt bad so r the rest even betta then?

Yeah Katie, I think they get better as they go. Seriously, I couldn't sleep last night after I finished the third one at 3 am. I would definitely recommend them.

I read all of The Vampire Diaries, Vampire Academy, House of Night in a little over a week. They were all very quick reads and fun stories. I'm so excited for the next Vampire Academy book to come out on tuesday - ahem Dmitri! =D

I really like the Blue Bloods series. I really enjoyed Evermore. I found it quite addictive. Blue moon (the next book in that series) wasnt quite as good but i still enjoyed it

A couple of my favorites are:
Vampire Academy and Morganville Vampire Series

Yeah, I have to agree about the Morganville Vampires. I LOVE them. I would put them above Vampire Academy.

I liked the first Morganville book and i read the next two but then i got bored. Might go back and read the rest of the series one day

Jo, you should read the rest of the series, they get better with each one!!!!

Yeah i heard that they get better. Maybe i will get the next one soon. I have loads of books to read at home though

The blue blood series is actually good it does not have the same input of every other vampire history. hope you enjoy it :)

I love the Blue Bloods series too! I can't wait for The Van Alan Legacy next month! I am also a fan of Christopher Pike's series "The Last Vampire". These were published in the early 90's and were recently rereleased. There are 6 books in the series and they are released like LJ Smith's books (Night World, Vampire DIaries and Secret Circle) and the first one is called "Thirst No.1" and contains the first 3 books in the series. The second (Thirst No.2) is due for rerelease in January and will contain the last three books. I really enjoyed the first one! The story is refreshingly original. It was written pre-Twilight (although I am a HUGE fan of the series- there have been loads of vampire books that mirror that story line now) and the story line is different from any I have read before! If you haven't checked out this book yet...Do it now!!!!

I am looking forward to The Van Alan Legacy too!!

HI, can anyone tell me if the morganvill vampire book series is any good? What are they about, ive read vampire academy, and other vampire series and looking for another book to pick up? Any advice :)

Cindy wrote: "HI, can anyone tell me if the morganvill vampire book series is any good? What are they about, ive read vampire academy, and other vampire series and looking for another book to pick up? Any advice :)"

i love the morganville series its one of my favourite vampire series, its about a town run by vampires but only a few of them are actually good there is more to it than that but i cant think of how to explain it but it is good although not everyone likes them. house of night series is also a good series to try.

The thing about Morganville is that it's hard to explain. It never comes out very well when I try to do so. I will say that I love the books, and even more important is that I adore the characters. I feel like they have become family, or like I'm reading about real people. I think the friendship and bond between the main 4 characters in the series is what draws me in so much.

Cindy wrote: "HI, can anyone tell me if the morganvill vampire book series is any good? What are they about, ive read vampire academy, and other vampire series and looking for another book to pick up? Any advice :)"

It is an awesome series... It is about a town of Vampires, and it is a college town....There are those who are with the vamps and against them... I can't tell you more because it would spoil it.. I highly suggest you read them all, the newest one is coming out in October. GREAT series.....

I really enjoyed the Morganville Vampire books and can't wait for the next one to come out next month.
When I start reading one of those books I just can't stop, I had many a late night reading them, lol.

The Blue Bloods Series is great too.

I like that series!

Thanks for the reply :) Actually what some said of the morganvill series made me want to pick up the first book, Thanks again

Yeah i just picked up the
but as soon as i finish it im going to try the morganvill series thanks again :)

I really want The Van Alen Legacy but i can't get hold of it in the UK :(

^^ Really, that stinks. It's only like $9.99 US on amazon.com, would it be worth it to have it shipped?

I was looking into getting it shipped from US but the postage prices were insane. I will keep my eye out for a better deal though

You should read vampire academy series by Richelle Mead. My aunt loves twilight and i got her hooked on the Vampire Academy series. She could hardly put the book down and neither could I.

Like the author of this thread, I'm in search of my next "adult" YA vampire series. Until Twilight, I steered clear of scifi/vampire books but now I'm hooked. I'm looking for something that has similar qualities as twilight i.e. romance (a must for me but I don't like the adult vamp romance, just a bit too much!), suspense, sustainable plot, strong & believable character development, realistic reactions & emotions. I'm not one of those that thinks Twilight is flawless but it is addictive and that's what counts. What I've tried so far:

1. Vampire Kisses: quit after the first book, much too juvenile
2. Morganville Series: decent--liked the romance & action but the plot got a little old--the whole "I just can't leave even though I want to" in order to drive the plot ran out of gas FAST.
3. Vampire Diaries--love the romantic aspect, the genuine fear/emotions of the characters were much better than the other YA vamp books. I hated Elena--she was a bit tough to identify with which kept me from getting sucked in! The tv show is better than the books--mostly because the Elena character on tv is much deeper and more sympathetic than in the novels.

I don't want to waste my time getting started on a series and then wind up disappointed halfway through. So, knowing my preferences, what do you recommend?

Have you tried the Blue Bloods series? Its YA but not too juvenile. Its got original ideas and is well written.

Oh, to the fellows who heart blue bloods, I HEART YOU. I'm super addicted to it. can't wait for van alen legacy. I also liked the house of nights series, currently reading betrayed. and oh, ofcourse, I've read the twilight saga. ;D

I ordered the Van Alen Legacy. Can't wait!!

Carrie wrote: "The Blue Bloods Series is great too. "

super girl. super. ;D

Jo wrote: "I am looking forward to The Van Alan Legacy too!!"

same here. ;}

girls, have you read dark visions by l.j smith? is it good? :)

Carla wrote: "girls, have you read dark visions by l.j smith? is it good? :)"
Hi ive read dark visions its actually pretty good, has a love triangle, starts of kinda slow but gets intresting as you read :) hope you enjoy it

You should try Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, this series is my latest addiction.

It would not disappoint you especially if you enjoyed Twilight.

Morganville Vampires was the next vamp series which I read after Twilight and fell absolutely in love with that as well.

House of Night is an awesome and addictive read.

I recommend them all. I have read heaps other from this genre but these to me where my favourites.

I am in love with the HON (house of night) series. Just finished Tempted Sat. morning. Loved it, but it keeps you hanging that's for sure.

I see you all love the VA (vamp academy, I started reading the first book and got to page 60-something and I couldn't finish it. Looks like I am going to have to give it another try.

Happy Monday to you all!!!