It’s nearing the end of October! I can’t believe time flies. But as spooky season (which oddly enough seems to be all month long) comes to a close, I thought I’d use this time to highlight some books about witches and vampires I’ve come across over the years.
Witchy reads
Serpent & Dove series by Shelby Mahurin
By no means an unfamiliar series, Shelby Mahurin’s books have taken YA by storm since the first book’s release. Following a forbidden romance between a witch and a witch hunter, there’s magic, mayhem and a dose of emotional tears in this one.
The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard
Not your typical witch book, but it has “witch” in the title and plenty of intriguing witchery skills among the broad cast of characters in this high fantasy series.
Secret Circle series by L.J. Smith
Probably the lesser known series by author L.J. Smith (which ALSO became a TV show that was unfortunately cancelled after 1 season), these books follow a young girl as she moves to a new place across the country, falling into a crowd of popular teens who may just be a coven of witches themselves.
Night World series by L.J. Smith
One of my favourite series on all creatures paranormal, in this collection of 9 stories features plenty of witches including two I loved, Spellbinder and Witchlight. When witches try to blend in with humans, things can go so horribly awry, especially when one falls in love with a human.
Kingdom of the Wicked series by Kerri Maniscalco
Witches in historical Sicily face off with some less than savory characters slinking out of – well – literal hell. With plenty of forbidden romance vibes and a mystery surrounding a beloved twin’s death, this series only seems to get better and better.
The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith
The only one on this list I have yet to read, I have heard great things about this final witchy book and cannot wait to get to it on my TBR. Witch school AND set in early 1900s Manhattan? Sounds like everything I absolutely adore.
Vampire reads
Have to start off with an OG vampire series, regardless of what you think of it. Having taken the world by storm in the late 2000s, most people have heard of this name before and particularly changed the world of YA, especially in paranormal fiction.
The Beautiful series by Renee Ahdieh
Set in romantic New Orleans in the 1800s at a time where evil could literally lurk around any corner, this story is about a girl finding her way into the glitzy underworld where the attractive and mysterious guy who caught her eye may be more than meets the eye.
Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
While they technically go by different names in this series, let’s be honest, there’re vampires in this one, and they are just as attractive as the sparkly ones. Probably can’t say much more than that, but yeah, VAMPIRES exist in this world (somewhere).
Blood of Eden series by Julia Kagawa
Technically I didn’t quite manage to get through this series but in all honesty, it was too soon after the Twilight era to think more about vampires. But from what I’ve heard, this series follows a girl who turns into a vampire only to fight against something that can harm both human and vampire.
Night World series by L.J. Smith (again)
Okay, I had to put it in this list too since there’re some GREAT stories in the collection focusing more on the vampire protagonists. Some of my favourites include Daughters of Darkness and Huntress where one learns the cost of this immortal life, whether born or made into it.
The Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith
Expected this on the list too, right? Of course, can’t forget the series made popular by its TV show! With a love triangle at the heart of it, Elena finds herself mixed up with vampire brothers Stefan and Damon as some of their past catches up with them all.
Vampire Academy series / Bloodline series by Richelle Mead
Vampire families, boarding schools, royalty and all the drama that ensues when mixing these elements together, these 2 companion series dives into the world of full blooded vampires and their half vampire protectors as they navigate various threats against their way of living.
Winterhaven series by Kristi Cook
Wherein the beginnings sound a lot like Twilight, a new girl moves into a new city and starts school there where the hottest guy seems to make an instant connection with her. But this school is hiding more secrets than at first glance, and our protagonist may just have some secrets of her own too.
Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey
When a line of a vampire-born family has a girl born into it, new and old enemies come out against this tight knit family, while unexpected allies come to their rescue. Particularly interesting are the forbidden/enemies-to-lovers romances between the vampires and vampire slayers as we follow a different vampire sibling in each book.
There are of course loads more out there, but these were the ones that made an impression on me.
Do you have any witch or vampire reads you’d recommend not on this list? If so, please fire away in the comments below!
Down the Rabbit Hole 
oh my gosh, i love that you have all these recs because i feel like i don’t read enough witchy OR vampire books??? i’ve also been on the fence about kingdom of the cursed but it sounds so good from how you’ve described it!
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Haha I’d be happy to discuss all of these with you in more detail so you’re better informed 😊
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thank you!!
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So many witchy books that I want to read!! Serpent & Dove, Kingdom of the Wicked & The Witch Haven! I have just reread Vampire Academy, and can’t wait to carry on rereading the rest of the series. I still need to read the third book in the Blood and Ash series!
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Hope you enjoy those books! I want to do a reread of the Vampire Academy series soon too. I think the companion series Bloodlines was just as good ♥️
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