Bitchery reader Jennifer is a student at Davidson College who is focusing her research on the romance genre, and she comes to the Bitchery with a query.
She’s looking for vampire romance, specifically those that do ti differently, or did it over but better the second time:
I’m putting together a list of what I think are vampire romances that are both representative of the genre and ones that break, subvert, or rewrite vampire romances. But I’m afraid I’m going to leave an important book out!
Is there any way you could get a thread started so I could mine the brains of your readers for suggestions? I’m looking for romances that are both representative of the vampire romance genre, and those who break away from it.
If you doubt the mad power of Jennifer’s brain, take a look at her online essay Intertextuality and the Vampire Romance. A key quote in her examination of the “Death and the Maiden” motif in art, and the sexuality and inevitability inherent in those portrayals:
On another note, how eerie is it that the Death and the Maiden Paintings echo some romance novel covers in the way the two figures are positioned? Am I the only one seeing the similarity?
Do you know how hopping-in-my-chair giddy it makes me to see the power of big brainfulness applied to the themes of romance, especially when they are so intrinsically linked with similar themes in art and other subgenres of fiction? WORD TO YOU, JENNIFER.
So anyone got any ideas of vampire romances she absolutely should not miss, the ones that subvert the genre and/or the themes within it?
I’m just seconding Sunshine and Meredith Ann Pierce’s Darkangel series.
I think Charlaine Harris’ very Southern, very real vampires qualify her vampires as divergent—they were dark and deadly, but they were also Southern cozy characters, and she was one of the first to really do the ‘personable, everyday vampire.’ (And I’ll be the nth person to say that Robin McKinley’s Con was exceptionally original as well.)
I don’t think anyone’s mentioned these so far, but they stick in my mind as some of the first vamp books I read. They’re solidly in the YA range, and I’d say they’re more traditional, in the sense of the beautiful, brooding and dangerous vamp and the characteristics of vampirism. Honestly, the details are a little fuzzy – it’s been a while since I’ve read them.
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Demon in my View, Midnight Predator – first few are nothing special, although they fascinated me at 14. later ones really get into characterizing individual vampires and how they deal with the prospect of drinking blood for all eternity, and she builds a fairly rich vampire subculture. demon in my view deals with the concept of a vampiric pregnancy – the main character is half vamp, i think. the titles are taken from various poems – Blake’s “Tiger, Tiger” and a few Poe pieces, among others. On a semi-related note, Poe’s short stories also had a fascination with the death of young, beautiful women – The Oval Portrait, etc.
Vivian Vande Velde, Companions of the Night – one of her stronger books, I think. deals with vamps in an urban setting, and how a human girl gets caught up in their affairs. other than that, I couldn’t say.
Annette Curtis Klause, The Silver Kiss – I think maybe someone mentioned this before. similar to the one listed above, but intriguing in that her mother is facing death(cancer, if I recall), and he is on a quest for vengeance against his mother’s killer.
Pete Hautman and Brooke Williams, Sweetblood – interesting in that the protagonist theorizes a link between vampirism and diabetes. I don’t believe there are any real vamps in this, but she does have a relationship with an older man who at least poses as a vamp. also deals with the existing vampire subculture.
So glad to see that some other people mentioned Lynn Viehl’s Darkyn series. Her world building, characters, mythology, science, and emotion are top notch!!! I was lucky enought to win a copy of Stay the Night. It is a wonderful ending to this series. Ms. Viehl has said she will be writing more in the same world but it will not be about the Darkyn we have met already. I am sad that we will be leaving all these wonderful characters but I am excited to see what she will be giving us next.
I was also glad to see Yarbro’s Saint Germain brought up. I discovered him years ago (won’t say how long ;)) and have loved him ever since.
Shelby Reed’s Midnight Rose. Best. Vampire. Book. Ever.
I can’t be the only one who is amused by the title “The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance”, can I?
Fascinating essay. Other than in the first world in the twentieth Century, a young woman always courted death when she was courted by love, through the almost inevitable subsequent pregnancy and childbirth. “Death and the maiden” just cuts out the middleman (middlebaby?), as too does becoming a vampire’s mate.
Is there a social/psychological history in the spread of anodyne romance in the twentieth century (as childbirth became safer), followed by firstly more erotic romance and then fantasy romance (to bring back that element of danger, now that unsafe reality is at a comfortable distance for most of us lucky readers)?
Lots of gay vampires in ebooks (Ellora’s Cave, Torquere, etc.), if “alternative” is what’s wanted. Written mostly by and for women, as I understand. Presumably on the principle “Girl bits? Why would I want to read about girl bits? I’ve GOT girl bits.”
No one has mentioned the Hannah Howell/Lynsay Sands colabs about highland Scotts vampires, the MacNachtons and their cousins the MacAdies, who are trying to mate with non vamps to thin the vampire genes so that their clans can survive in the ever encroaching world.. There are:
Highland Thirst
The Eternal Highlander
My Immortal Highlander
Highland Vampire and Nature of the Beast also contain Hannah Howell’s MacNachton stories.
There’s an article on the Wall Street Journal’s website today about the conventions of vampires in romance.
I’m not sure anyone has mentioned these yet, but Shannon Drake did a vampire series and most of them were really good. I remember tearing through those pages. When Darkness Falls was definitely my favorite.
I just started Charlaine Harris’ books yesterday and I am loving those as well.
And you can never go wrong with a little Nora Roberts. Circle Trilogy was bomb.
I came across this NPR article about vampires in popular culture that may be of some use to your in your project:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96356392&ft=1&f=1008
Although I’m not a huge fan of mainstream vampire books, I heartily agree with the recommendations of the following authors:
– Robin McKinley’s “Sunshine” (wonderful fantasy world literature that includes vampires)
– Charlaine Harris “Sookie Stackhouse” series. (I would consider these mystery with some romance.)
– Christopher Moore’s “Blood Sucking Fiends” and “You Suck”. (His books are hilarious and totally off-the-wall.)
– Jim Butcher’s Dresden series. (Great urban fantasy. Lots of action, not much romance. Definitely vampires & etc. from a male POV.)
Here’s a weird rec that I don’t think anyone else has mentioned:
“Fat White Vampire Blues” and its sequel “Bride of the Fat White Vampire” by Andrew Fox. These books are very hard to categorize but definitely have unique characterization and use of vampires. They are mysteries set in a gritty New Orleans (I think) and funny/odd. The main protagonist is not typically sympathetic. (I have seen comparisons to “A Confederacy of Dunces” if that tells you anything.)
I always forget to include things in my posts!
I agree with recommendations for Lynsay Sands Argeneau series. I would call them cozy vampire romantic humor. They are reliable comfort read and re-reads for me.
Here’s a cute link for anyone like me who enjoys vampire-inspired humor:
http://www.kaila.pl/rpg/vampire.htm
I like to read/buy authors who incorporate vampires in intriguing, out-of-the-box, working & functioning worlds like those I’ve mentioned in this and previous post.
Authors, please note: If you have your “world” set up, then consistently break your own rules, (like LKH’s Anita series), then you have FAILED as far as keeping me as a reader/customer.
If it’s vampires as objects of romance then I’ve got to put forth Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s Grave series. The mythos there is fairly interesting with vampires having very few vulnerabilities, little angst and a heap of emotional honesty.
Also, Karen Chance’s latest Midnight’s Daughter furthers the exploration of vampire culture and such found in her Cassandra Palmer books. However, I think it’s a fairly traditional pov on vampires. In fact a lot of the more recent forays into vampire literature share as much with the traditions as they buck them.
For something obscure but interesting, can I recommend The Cowboy and the Vampire: A Very Unusual Romance, by Clark Hays & Kathleen McFall? If nothing else, it does gender reversal and is the oddest combination of modern western, vampire fantasy, and romance…
Might I suggest that the whole medieval death and maiden connection has to do with the importance of the young woman in society in regard to continuation of the species? Especially in light of the mass extictions from the plague and harsh living conditions during the Dark Ages and from the little Ice Age. Just a thought.
I’d also like to add a thanks to all of those who supplied the excellent links to some fatastic vamp/paranoraml sites.
And add my vote for Feehan’s Carpathians, which first introduced me to the genre; Kenyon’s Dark Hunter’s; Sand’s Argeneaus; and the books of Shayne and MacAlister. – Grace
Almost forgot Dean James’ cozy mystery series about a gay American vampire who moves to a small English town. Little romance, although I’m sure Giles would have eventually worn him down, if Dean’s publisher hadn’t bailed on the series. The first book (of four) is “Posted to Death”. The series is a hoot, although James could have easily dropped the whole vampire conceit. It often seems a bit superfluous.
Just remembered Kassandra Sims. I’ve read one of her books—The Midnight Work, I believe—and it was neither old-school nor chick-lit-silly. The heroine (Sophie?) was quick-witted and not at all dependent. Her creator, Olivier, wasn’t an alpha male, and none of the vampires displayed angst over being a blood-sucker. As I recall, the vampires’ history was grounded in the Knights Templar era.
Michele Bardsley’s vampire series is worth a mention here. In Michele’s first book, the heroine is a single mother raising two children when she is turned. The heroine now has to figure out how to raise her kids while learning to be a vampire.
It is a light, funny read similar too MJD’s Betsy series in feel.