10 Vampire Series Bursting With Tension

Series About Vampires: Our 10 Picks

8 Great Vampire Movies

1. Dracula (1931)
2. Blade (1998)
3. 30 Days of Night (2007)
4. Let the Right One In (2008)
5. Thirst (2009)
6. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
7. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
8. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Fun Activities for Horror Fans

For some of us, Halloween is a year-round event. Whether you want to prepare for next October, or always enjoy bringing a little spookiness into your life, here are some fun ideas you could try:

• Read horror books and Creepypastas
• Get a fog machine and make your own haunted house
• Bake spooky desserts, like zombie gingerbread men
• Decorate with cauldrons and skeletons
• Use a Ouija board to hold a seance
• Make a spooky playlist on your favorite music app

How Did Dracula Become the World's Most Famous Vampire?

In Depth

Vampires first appeared in popular literature sometime during the 18th century. Since then, writers have taken up their pens and put their own spin on the monsters and their mythology. If you're a fan of these blood-thirsty creatures, check out these ten vampire series bursting with tension, presented here in no particular order.

For #1, we have "Twelve Stakes" by Thomas M. Hewlett. When private eye Jack Strayhorn dies a grizzly death in the 1940s, he's reborn as a vampire. His second life is spent struggling against his new urge to attack humans while still working to solve crimes committed against them. It's only through the help of a vampire support group masquerading as Alcoholics Anonymous that he can reconnect with his humanity and combat the supernatural disease that has taken control of him.

At #2 is "Succubus Diaries" by Jill Myles. Once a quiet museum docent, Jackie Brighton is transformed into a sex-hungry succubus after unknowingly having a one-night stand with a fallen angel and being bitten by a vampire shortly afterward. Despite having the powers of both, Jackie can never fit in with either group, because vampires and angels have been waging a secret war for years. She wants to lead a normal life, but must first cope with her insatiable lust and the powers she now has over men.

She wants to lead a normal life, but must first cope with her insatiable lust and the powers she now has over men.

Coming in at #3, we have "Melabeth the Vampire" by E.B. Hood. After fifteen-year-old Melanie's life is cut tragically short, a vampire named Nick takes pity on her and performs a ritual to make her immortal. However, instead of returning from her grave five days later, it takes her fifteen years. Uncertain of what has happened, but with clear memories of how she died, she sets out on a quest to avenge her own death while mastering the strange abilities she now possesses. Throughout the series, she is torn between wanting to enact vengeance against those who wronged her, and wanting to show others the same compassion that gave her a second chance at life.

For #4 we have "Vampyr" by K.M. McFarland. Quinn Forrester was a world-famous rock star, but in 1989 he was attacked by a vampire, becoming transformed himself. Since then, he's become a powerful figure in Bourbon Street's club scene, and through many love affairs has fathered several children. He comes to accept this as the new normal, but his world is thrown into chaos when his mortal daughter Nadia crosses his path and pulls him back to his old life. As time goes on, he must choose between bringing his two lives together or keeping them separate for the safety of the people he loves.

For our #5 entry, we have "The Colony" by Regina Morris. Vampires around the world topple communities and entire countries, looking to feed and consolidate their power. The United States government hides their existence from the public, and has their own covert team of blood-suckers called The Colony to protect the president. But the coven's integrity and efficiency may be compromised when a mortal woman is appointed their director.

The United States government hides their existence from the public, and has their own covert team of blood-suckers called The Colony to protect the president.

For #6 we have "Sunset Vampire" by Jaz Primo. This series puts a unique twist on the paranormal romance genre by making the hero a strong alpha female. Vampire Katrina has lived a long life filled with betrayal and suffering. It's only when she comes across a mild-mannered history professor named Caleb that she feels she might be ready to trust again. But if she wants to keep him, Katrina must tap into her inner monster and protect him from her many enemies.

Our #7 entry is "Black Swan Rising" by Lee Carroll. Garet James's world begins to take a new form when she opens a mysterious antique silver box. Not only is New York City suddenly home to vampires, fairies, and other beings she used to think were fictional, but she discovers that she's part of a strange prophecy to keep these creatures at bay. Though vampires and fairies each have a desire to overthrow humankind, they must rely on Garet to keep themselves safe from even greater dangers.

For #8, we have "Afterlife Saga" by Stephanie Hudson. Twenty-year-old Keira leaves England and moves to a small town in America to escape her troubled past. The centerpiece of her new home is the wealthy yet rarely seen Draven family. They take an unusual interest in her, and reveal that they are spiritual entities tasked with maintaining the balance between good and evil, and that she is destined to join their clan. But by embracing her role in the Draven family, Keira puts herself in the sights of their rival, the Vampire King Lucius.

Twenty-year-old Keira leaves England and moves to a small town in America to escape her troubled past.

Coming in at #9 is "Talia" by Christy King. When the king of Aerie passes away, his teenage daughter Talia is made to take the throne. Unfortunately, Aerie was under threat from werewolves and vampires when the king passed, and now Talia is in charge of defending her people. Overwhelmed by the responsibilities suddenly thrust upon her, and desperate for a quick solution, she accepts a peace agreement with the vampires. Unbeknownst to her, it may lead to the fall of the kingdom.

And finally, at #10, we have "The Watcher" by Robin Woods. After a young woman named Ali breaks up with her boyfriend, she finds herself targeted by his friends. She's rescued from their attack by a stranger, but he himself is a vampire and drinks her blood. Now transformed, Ali sees a whole new side of reality. Not only are the creatures described in old myths real, but they still exist, living in the shadows and fighting one another. As a vampire, Ali is pressured to choose a side, but she wants nothing more than to hang on to her humanity.