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Quick answer: If you loved Empire of the Vampire, try Kristoff's Nevernight, then Prince of Thorns, Red Sister, The Blade Itself and Interview with the Vampire. All mix grim fantasy worlds, sharp humour and violent, morally gray heroes.
Jay Kristoff's novel follows a vampire hunter in a world where the sun has failed and the undead rule. It is dark, bloody and told with a gravelly voice. These books share its gothic mood, brutal action and flawed protagonists, so they are best for adult readers.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevernight | Jay Kristoff | Adult | more Kristoff |
| Prince of Thorns | Mark Lawrence | Adult | brutal antiheroes |
| Red Sister | Mark Lawrence | Adult | assassin schools |
| The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie | Adult | grimdark fantasy |
| The Lies of Locke Lamora | Scott Lynch | Adult | capers and thieves |
| The Last Wish | Andrzej Sapkowski | Adult | monster hunters |
| The Black Company | Glen Cook | Adult | military grimdark |
| Fevre Dream | George R.R. Martin | Adult | vampire fiction |
| Interview with the Vampire | Anne Rice | Adult | gothic classics |
| 'Salem's Lot | Stephen King | Adult | horror fans |
| Dracula | Bram Stoker | Adult | the original vampire |
| Gideon the Ninth | Tamsyn Muir | Adult | gothic humour |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | magic systems |
| A Darker Shade of Magic | V.E. Schwab | Adult | parallel worlds |
| The Way of Shadows | Brent Weeks | Adult | assassin stories |
1. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Mia trains at an assassins' school in a city with three suns. Dark, sarcastic and violent, it is the closest match for Kristoff's style.
Best for: more Kristoff.
2. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
A young prince leads a gang of outlaws on a path of revenge. Extremely dark, with a cold narrator.
Best for: brutal antiheroes.
3. Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
Nona is a girl saved from execution and trained in a convent that teaches deadly skills. Moody with a strong sense of place.
Best for: assassin schools.
4. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
A torturer, a barbarian and a vain swordsman are drawn into a war. Gritty, funny and full of morally gray characters.
Best for: grimdark fantasy.
5. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
A band of thieves in a fantasy Venice runs elaborate cons until a rival ruins them. Witty and clever.
Best for: capers and thieves.
6. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
Short stories introduce Geralt, a monster hunter who lives by his code. The inspiration for the Witcher games and show.
Best for: monster hunters.
7. The Black Company by Glen Cook
A mercenary company serves a dark empire, told by its tired chronicler. A founding work of gritty fantasy.
Best for: military grimdark.
8. Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin
A steamboat captain partners with a mysterious man who is not what he appears on the Mississippi. A brooding vampire novel by Martin.
Best for: vampire fiction.
9. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Louis tells his life story to a reporter and recounts his time as a vampire. Lush, melancholy and influential.
Best for: gothic classics.
10. 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
A writer returns to his hometown, where vampires have taken over. Classic small-town horror.
Best for: horror fans.
11. Dracula by Bram Stoker
The original vampire novel told through letters and diaries. Atmospheric and still a good read.
Best for: the original vampire.
12. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
A swordswoman and a necromancer compete in a haunted, decaying palace. Sharp, funny and gothic.
Best for: gothic humour.
13. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A thief joins a crew to overthrow an immortal ruler. Inventive magic and big plot twists.
Best for: magic systems.
14. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
A traveler can move between versions of London and meets a thief in the dark. Stylish and fast.
Best for: parallel worlds.
15. The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
A street orphan becomes an assassin's apprentice. Violent, fast and full of moral choices.
Best for: assassin stories.
How to Choose
For the closest match in voice and violence, start with Nevernight, Prince of Thorns or The Blade Itself. If vampires are the draw, pick Interview with the Vampire, 'Salem's Lot, Fevre Dream or Dracula. For clever, funnier dark fantasy, choose The Lies of Locke Lamora or Gideon the Ninth. For fewer gruesome scenes, try Mistborn or A Darker Shade of Magic. All of these are adult and contain violence. Pace yourself if you binge, as several of these are dark and bleak and can be heavy in a row. Gideon the Ninth and The Lies of Locke Lamora offer humour to balance the gloom. If you want a more modern, faster feel, Nevernight and The Way of Shadows read quickly, while The Black Company and Dracula are slower and more atmospheric.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Empire of the Vampire about?
Gabriel de Leon, a hunter of vampires, tells his story in a world where vampires have taken over the empire.
Is it a series?
Yes, it begins The Empire of the Vampire series.
Is Empire of the Vampire very violent?
Yes, it has graphic violence and mature themes.
Do I need to read Nevernight first?
No, they are separate series.
What is a good gentler dark fantasy?
Mistborn and A Darker Shade of Magic are less bleak.
Who is Jay Kristoff?
He is an Australian author who writes dark fantasy, science fiction and young adult novels, often with Amie Kaufman.
Is it okay to read Dracula first?
Yes. Reading the original makes the genre references in Kristoff's book more fun.
Is Empire of the Vampire a standalone?
No, it is the first part of a planned series, and the second book continues the story.
Are there any lighter vampire books?
The Vampire Diaries and Twilight are lighter, but Interview with the Vampire is the classic.