Whether they are hero or villain, vampires have always been the prime monster of choice. Charismatic, elegant, and strong, they are powerful creatures with irresistible sex appeal.
And when it comes to modern vampire fiction, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga has made some significant ripples despite extremely polarized public opinion. There’s no denying its involvement in sparking a YA craze for stories that involved supernatural romance and teenage growth.
Books Similar To Twilight
Following Twilight’s popularity, many writers began putting out similar stories of mere mortals getting caught up in supernatural plots heavy with romantic elements. While many of them follow the same vein of vampiric love, some feature other supernatural creatures from our myths, legends, and folklore.
1. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
There are two kinds of people in this world: Silver-blooded superhumans and the Red-blooded mortals who serve them. Mare is a Red, barely living as a thief in the poorest of villages.
Her life is thrown upside down when she manifests powers of her own, right in front of every noble in court. Forced to play a long-lost Silver princess, she risks everything she now has to assist with a rebellion that will put her against the most surprising foes.
2. Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Laurel always knew she was different. Then a flower blooms on her back and she learns she wasn’t human all along but a faerie.
Thrown in the midst of an age-old war, she must find a way to save the fae without losing touch with her old world. It’s not easy, especially with two guys fighting for her attention.
3. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Nora Grey is a high school sophomore whose uneventful life is derailed when she’s seated next to Patch Cipriano in biology class. Soon after, a series of terrifying events leaves her unable to determine who to trust.
Trying to find answers leaves her with a truth that she can barely comprehend. To survive, she must quickly choose sides between the faithful and the fallen.
4. The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
Forced to flee from her life in Paris, seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau finds herself in New Orleans—a city ruled by the dead. Taken in by Ursuline convent, she is enraptured by the city’s vibrance.
Then she comes face-to-face with the city’s darker side. A serial killer is on the loose and it might be the guy she’s strongly attracted to. Taking matters into her own hands, she delves deep into a feud that has gripped the city for ages.
5. Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
26-year-old Jody Stroud is attacked and left in an alley. Coming to, she finds herself turned into a vampire. And though she tries her best to adjust, the nocturnal life is harder than she thought.
That’s where C. Thomas Flood comes in. While the sun forces Jody to sleep, he’s there to take care of her daily needs and responsibilities. The pair’s relationship takes a sudden turn when they learn of a series of attacks oddly similar to the one that turned Jody into a bloodsucker.
6. Marked by P.C. Cast
Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird is marked as a fledgling vampire and is forced to leave her life behind and join the House of Night—where all the other vampires go.
Turns out, she’s not just any vampire. Blessed by the goddess Nyx, she demonstrates a special affinity for the five elements. When all is not right in the vampire world, she must rely on her newfound powers to make sure she and her friends stay safe.
7. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
For years, Grace has watched the wolves from the woods at the back of her house. She knows them like the back of her hand, even thinking that the yellow-eyed one was hers.
Little did she know that Sam stares right back at her during the winter time, waiting for the summer months to become human again. Everything changes when the two meet one summer day, with Grace instantly recognizing those yellow eyes.
8. Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Horror grips a suburb in Sweden when a teenager is found emptied of blood. Everyone suspects a ritual murder. Twelve-year-old Oskar secretly hopes that this means his bullies are finally getting what they deserve.
But then a girl moves in next door. There’s something strange about her and Oskar’s determined to learn what. As the two become closer, he begins to realize what exactly his newfound friend is.
9. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
16-year-old Ethan Wate has recurring dreams of a girl whose face is always covered. And when his town’s newest resident arrives, he’s certain she’s the one he has been dreaming of.
Meanwhile, Lena Duchannes struggles to keep a secret that has haunted her family for generations. But in such a small town, no secret can remain hidden forever.
10. Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Domingo scrapes a living by collecting garbage in Mexico City, the last place free from vampires. Then a vampire swoops into his life and he is quickly mesmerized.
Pursued by her fellow vampires and crime bosses, Atl is desperate to survive. Together, the two dodge vampires and mortals, cops and criminals from the ever-darkening streets of the city.
Why Twilight Became Popular
There are a lot of reasons why Twilight captivated an entire generation. From the timing of its release to how it presented certain stereotypes, many people at a formative age saw something they could relate to within the story.
Bella acts as a blank slate for every teenage girl’s fantasy. Instead of being gorgeous, sociable, and confident, she’s introduced as a lonely, ordinary-looking woman with no special features or abilities.
Despite that, she’s able to catch the attention of the hottest guy in school—who is also rich and has dangerous powers. They end up together, have a kid, and have a happy ever after.
It’s a fantasy that people can easily get into despite the series’ many criticisms. Add the rising popularity of books being turned into movies, and you get a story that captures young imaginations riding a massive wave of public interest.
What other books like Twilight do you recommend? Share them in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- A Brief History of Vampires: Legends, Literature, and Real Life
- 15 Vampire Novels for Lovers of the Supernatural
- 12 Paranormal Fiction Books to Give You Chills
- Monster Literature: Definition and Examples
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
