Vampire Slayers

“In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness.” There may be only one slayer, but luckily for us readers, there are many books about them. I’ve long been a Buffy fan and enjoyed all these books about characters fighting against the darkness that invades their worlds. Sure, vampires are mysterious with their nocturnal habits and longevity and blood lust, but I’ve generally been more interested in those who fight against the vamps than the demons themselves.

Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare (started in 2007)

Clary witnesses a murder. If that weren’t horrifying enough, she discovers that the culprits are Shadowhunters, or demon slayers, and part of a hidden world. When she tries to learn more about them, she learns that her family may already have ties to them.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Picture Book by Kim Smith (2018)

Yes, I know this is the kind of picture book that no one really reads. You give it as a gag gift to an adult Buffy fan or to the kids of Buffy fans, and it sits on the shelf and makes you laugh. But what’s wrong with that? In this cute story, Buffy tells how she was afraid of the dark when she was eight years old. Her friends help her face the creepy noises coming from her closet. Some familiar villains from the TV series make cameo appearances.

Slayer series by Kiersten White (started in 2019)

White’s writing always impresses me. (If you haven’t already, pick up her And I Darken. It’s an enveloping book set in the ancient Ottoman Empire that I loved.) Here, she takes on the world of slayers and watchers and weaves a suspenseful story of a teen who needs to choose between her plans and her destiny.

The Vanquishers series by Kalynn Bayron (started in 2022)

Malika, whom everyone calls “Boog,” has overprotective parents. The rest of the world is sure that all the vampires are gone, but her folks act as if one might be around any corner. They spray vampire repellent on all their windows, don’t invite strangers in the house, and won’t let Boog out after dark. When a new kid moved into the neighborhood, he quickly joins Boog’s squad. When he disappears, the friends are determined to find him. What if her parents are right to be cautious? What if there are still vampires in the world?

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting series by Roseanne A. Brown (started in 2022)

I’ve already written about this fantastic Rick Riordan Presents book, and I had to include it in my vamp slayer post. Serwa’s parents are teaching her the family traditions of Adze hunting. But when a big threat appears, they make her stay with a family friend instead of helping them fight. Even worse, they make her go to middle school! When she discovers that there may be a threat at the school, she decides that this is her chance to prove to her parents that she can handle vampires on her own.