The Twilight Saga, by Stephenie Meyer, was one of the most widely popular book series of its time. It spawned a huge following, gained devoted fans that argued fervently for either Team Edward or Team Jacob, and generally started an entire young adult vampire craze. It was also a sign to many that teens could still become obsessed with books—and not just obsessed, but obsessed on a widespread, global level. But after Twilight came to an end, many younger listeners (and the adults they grew into) were left wondering what next series could fill the void. Luckily, a plethora of authors stepped up with content sure to satisfy any Twilight fan’s thirst for a new listen.
The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris shares many of the same elements as Twilight, but with a completely different vibe. Is there a vampire boyfriend? Yes. Is there a telepath? Yes. Are there werewolves? Well, also yes. But what makes this series stand out from the bunch is Sookie herself. Sookie is a spunky, lively character with a sharp mind and a quick sense of humour. She is dynamic, takes action, and is at the heart of all the goings-on of the otherworld, a contrast to the more passive, soft-spoken Bella of the Twilight Saga. The Stackhouse series does use many of the classic YA tropes but adds a dash of murder mystery, supernatural characters, and most importantly a heavy helping of satire to set it apart.
Tracy Wolff's series Crave also features a female lead, and a vampire love interest, two of the key elements in many fantasy-based young adult series that will speak to Twilight fans. Crave takes place in a boarding school where everyone is a little out of the ordinary. The style of the series is addictive, with an irresistible hook. With characters and language sure to appeal to fans ranging from teens to adults, Crave immediately grabs your attention and won’t let go. From there, Wolff unfolds a twisting story with a mystery at every corner. Just when you think you know where it's all going, a new surprise is revealed. This series is completely ‘bingeable’ and enigmatic characters such as Jaxon Vega only add to the intrigue.
The Beautiful series by Renée Ahdieh is a New York Times and Indie bestseller. The story is set in 19th-century New Orleans and mixes classic fantasy components with elements of mystery and sultry vampire romance. The Beautiful is a storytelling masterpiece that dives into the darkness that accompanies falling under the charm of a dangerous lover. From serial killers to Parisian dressmakers, vampires and a carnival setting, this series plays up the drama and allure of vampire stories with a fitting and equally dramatic storyline and setting.
The first three titles in the series: The Beautiful, The Damned, and The Righteous, are narrated by Lauren Ezzo who brings a stellar performance and emphasises the conflict and passion at the heart of these stories. Ezzo takes a great story and brings it to a new level with her strong, emotional and truly powerful performance.
The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh takes a different approach to the popular vampire tales in the form of Elena, a vampire hunter who is a bit more Buffy than Bella. When she is tasked by the archangel Raphael to take out a fellow rogue archangel, the tale takes on a dark and dangerous air. The first book in the series, Angel's Blood, is full of passion and looming threats which give this series the excitement and allure it needs to pull in audiences and keep them coming back for more.
The Guild Hunter series is an extensive collection, with several core novels and accompanying stories which follow the evolution of Elena. These audiobook adaptations are narrated by Justine Eyre who performs the voices and illustrates the personalities and accents of each character with ease.
The Mortal Instruments is one of the most renowned and loved series to follow in the wake of Twilight. An international bestseller, movie and hit TV series, Cassandra Clare's supernatural teen drama is wildly popular. The story follows seemingly normal high school student Clary Fray only to discover that she can see things no one else can—the world of immortals and the Shadow Hunters. This revolution sends her on a path into the secret underworld of New York City, where otherworldly beings live, fight, and practice magic on a regular basis. This series has all the excitement, pull and character development that makes YA literature so good—it’s a coming-of-age story, a romance and an entrancing sci-fi fantasy all in one.
Let Me In starts with a bang, and continues to build momentum and suspense as it goes. After a brutal and mysterious murder, the story shifts to the arrival of a strange new child in town. What follows is a mysterious tale of darkness and danger, mixed with budding feelings and young romance. Let Me In takes everything you think you know about paranormal fiction and spins it darkly and horrifyingly, with heavy social commentary and dark domestic themes along the way. For those that read Twilight and have since moved on to grimmer, more adult stories, Let Me In is the perfect listen.
Like Twilight, Hush Hush explores the idea of an improbable love story in a high school setting. Instead of Edward Cullen, though, author Becca Fitzpatrick presents the fallen angel Patch. The story has all the markers of a good fantasy book paired with the thrilling suspense and tension that paranormal stories inherently have. Hush Hush is also an exceptionally good listen, as it is narrated by the impressive voice artist and actress Caitlin Greer. Greer's performance adds so much to the story itself, helping to bring the main characters to life and engage the listeners through each of the story’s turns. Her narration makes the series pop and makes this listen to a must for any supernatural YA fan.
The Vampire Academy takes a refreshing take on the classic vampire love story, focusing instead on half-vampire Rose Hathaway and her best friend (and vampire royalty) Lissa. Fearing there is a sinister danger at their academy, they run away, only to be caught and returned by Dimitri. Though there is an underlying romantic tension, the series does well to focus on the connection between the two friends, and their psychic connection—which turns out to be both a blessing and a curse. Vampire Academy is also narrated by several strong female voices, including Audie winner Khristine Hvam, adding to the appeal and power of the story.
If you’re desperate for a new vampire book to sink your teeth into, The Vampire Diaries audiobooks are a must-listen. The Vampire Diaries by L.J Smith has all the trademarks a Twilight fan will swoon for: paranormal romance, an ever-shifting love triangle, a female lead character, and of course, an irresistible male vampire (or two). The Vampire Diaries series is a drama-filled YA series that was adapted into a hit TV show, growing a strong and dedicated fanbase. Fans of the show who haven't yet stepped foot into the novel's world will find all the drama, danger and excitement they loved in the show, all the while falling deeper into the world of The Vampire Diaries.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is a best-selling YA gothic fantasy series. This story has forbidden love interests, magic spells, family legacies and romantic rivals. The series originally consisted of four novels but has expanded to include a spinoff series, and the story was even made into a movie adaptation due to the immense popularity of the original story. Beautiful Creatures has become hugely popular with listeners, and the Audible adaptations narrated by experienced reader Kevin T. Collins are no exception. Collins brings this story to life with all the tension and drama it needs to hook the listener and keep them interested through the series.
Last on the list is Canadian author, Tanya Huff, with her thrilling Blood Books series. When a series of vicious attacks hit Toronto, detective Vicki Nelson must align herself with a former partner she hoped to never deal with again who is, incidentally, a vampire. This fantasy fiction series blends procedural-style cop drama with a dark world crafted by the likes of Dracula in a vampire/detective team-up you simply have to experience for yourself. Add to this dynamic a history as King Henry VIII's illegitimate son, and you have the wild makes of an intense and action-packed vampire series.
