Heather Brewer, author of The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd, explains the allure of writing about vampires and suggests some of her favorites.
VAMPIRE BOOKS
To some people, vampires (pardon the pun) just won't die and take the trend with them. To others, myself included, the vampire genre is highly addictive and something we find ourselves returning to again and again.
My obsession with creatures of the night began at a very young age. I used to watch a television show as a child called Sesame Street, and became completely enamored with a vampire puppet known simply as "The Count." It was around that time that I found Count Chocula cereal and the fascinating story of BUNNICULA, by James Howe. I couldn't escape vampires. They had me completely under their spell.
As I became older, my love of these fanged monsters only grew, with such films as NOSFERATU and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (I adored the series as well), and books like Anne Rice's INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE and Stephen King's SALEM'S LOT. I'm thrilled that vampires are "in" again, but for me, they were never "out". The truth is, no matter how good or bad a vampire book or film is... I'm probably going to delve into it, if I haven't already.
Many people have asked me why I think that vampires are currently so popular, and to me, it's a mixed-bag of reasons. For one, in many ways, a vampire is the eternal bad boy. He's dangerous, sexy, and can offer us an escape that no one else can or will. Plus, nobody but we understand him, that beneath the fangs, he's something more. For two, people are inextricably drawn to The Thing Under The Bed. We fear It, but at the same time, we're peaking under there to see what It's up to.
Vampires are an excellent metaphor for many things, which contributes to people wanting to read about them in order to explore the human condition. But what it boils down to is that we, as a society, have tasted the dark side, and we liked the flavor of it so much that we can't stay away. This isn't the first trend of vampire love, and it certainly won't be the last. Vampires will always turn back to popularity over time.
My bookshelves are overflowing with various vampire tales, but one definitely stands out above the rest. It's a book that I nudge my Minions to again and again, and one that many younger readers have yet to discover. DRACULA by Bram Stoker.
While it can be argued that the book had issues, I love the story for what it is: a dark, twisted journey of corrupted innocence and the undead. But whether or not you will love it depends largely on what you're looking for in a vampire tale. Want to see more of Buffy? I recommend you read Mari Mancusi's BLOOD COVEN series. Looking for non-stop action? Check out Rachel Caine's MORGANVILLE VAMPIRE series. Need some more romance in your life? Richelle Mead's VAMPIRE ACADEMY series ought to do the trick. Whatever it is that you're looking for, I'm betting there's a vampire book out there that can fulfill your needs.
Seriously. Anything.
Don't believe me? If you're a foodie, check out Robin McKinley's SUNSHINE for a cinnamon roll recipe that's to die for, or Cynthia Leitich Smith's TANTALIZE for not-to-be-missed Italian food.
Are you a bit of a fashionista? Then don't miss Melissa De La Cruz's BLUE BLOODS series.
What about ninjas? Nothing makes ninjas better than a pair of fangs! Just ask Nick Lake, who writes the BLOOD NINJA books. Like I said, no matter what you're looking for, you can find it in vampire fiction.
But for me, it will always be DRACULA.
What are your lip lickin' favorites?
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