Books like Immortal: Love Stories with Bite

Immortal is an anthology of seven stories all revolving around vampires. Overall, it was entertaining, but there were some I enjoyed more than others. I liked how P.C. Cast provided a prologue that dived into the whole vampire phenomenon and explored the allure people have with vampires. She talks about how vampires represent immortality, youth and the possibility of forever, which is what most people find attractive because when it comes right down to it biting and blood is just gross, so there has to be more to it.Here’s a brief overview of each story:Haunted Love by Cynthia Leitich Smith – 4 StarsThis story was creepy, fast paced and full of suspense. The main character is a vampire who owns a haunted theatre. In the end the main character, Cody Stryker, finds himself intrigued by the ghost that inhabits his theatre and solves a mystery that’s haunted the town for decades. It was a good story that required a bit of suspended reality.Amber Smoke by Kristen Cast – 3 StarsThis story involves some creative creatures. There are Furies, Daughters of the Night, that give birth to a son names Alekos who was born eons ago from the womb of vengeance, conceived by jealousy and grown in constant anger. Wow! So dark, yet poetic! Despite Alekos’ beginning, he was bred to defend mortals. One fateful day, he comes to Jenna’s rescue a little too late after a deadly accident. He becomes her protector as she begins her new life as a vampire. The story was a bit choppy, but it was still entertaining and creative.Dead Man Stalking by Rachel Caine – 1 StarThis was my least favorite of the bunch. I didn’t care for this story maybe because the whole zombie concept doesn’t capture my attention, plus I didn’t really care to read about a parent/child abusive relationship. The story was all over the place and a bit confusing.Table Manners by Tanith Lee – 4 StarsI really enjoyed reading this story as it gives a creative spin on vampire lore. In this story, vampirism is genetic and called Being of the Blood. The vampires in this story can shape shift and are looked at as a variety of an evolving super race. In addition, they don’t require blood for sustenance. Lelystra Draculian (love the name btw) is a vampire and her father is a doctor that helps their kind. Lel goes on a hunt for a new born and ultimately helps him in his transition. The story was easy to follow, and l liked the characters and the lore.Changed by Nancy Holder – 3 StarsJilly Stepanek lives in NY and on her 16th birthday, the city is invaded by vampires of the worst kind. There are vampire birds and regular vampires that go on a killing rampage. Jilly goes on a hunt with Eli, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend, who’s now gay (followed that?) to find his boyfriend. The story was face paced and a little too gory and freaky, but it still held my interest.Blue Moon by Richelle Mead – 5 StarsI might be biased because she‘s one of my favorite authors, but I liked this story the best. It was enjoyable to read and the prophecy was clever and tied the story together nicely. I liked the two main characters, Lucy Wade and Nathan and the ending was perfect. Lucy is a vampire whose birth is tied to a prophecy stating there would be a vampire born during the blue moon, which is when the moon is long and has an extra full moon. This vampire would have the power to make it so humans can kill vampires. Her birth and her 18th birthday would fall on a blue moon. She is being hunted by her kind as well as a group of mortals that want to use her for her ability. Nathan comes to her aid and together, they fight the forces against them.Free by Claudia Gray – 4 StarsGray is another of my favorite authors, so needless to say I liked this story too. Patrice longs to escape the fate of her culture which is tied to slavery and service. She is not exactly a slave, but also not free to live her life as she chooses. One day, she makes plans with Amos, the man she loves to escape and try to make a life for themselves, but a stranger named Julien Larroux changes her plans forever and makes her into a vampire and kills the man she loves. Becoming a vampire is not quite the plan she had for herself, but it gives her the strength to find the freedom she’s longed for.