So you love The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, and you’re looking for more books you might love just as much. You’re not alone. Many listeners are returning to the series with the recent release of Midnight Sun, the new companion novel to Twilight that’s told from Edward’s perspective. But after you’ve heard the new book, marathon-listened to the whole series again, and rewatched the movies for the 100th time, what next? Here's a list of standalone novels and series similar to The Twilight Saga to help you with your withdrawals.
Crave series by Tracy Wolff
Are you a fan of Twilight and magic? Do you wish someone would write a novel that mixes the two into one really fun-to-hear story? Well, Tracy Wolff’s Crave is the beginning of a new series that is reminiscent of beloved YA favorites yet takes a fresh direction.
Grace’s life changes forever when her parents die in a car accident, and she is forced to move to Alaska to live with her Uncle Finn and his daughter Macy. Uncle Finn is the headmaster of Katmere Academy, and from the moment Grace joins the academy, she gets the feeling that she just doesn’t fit in. And then there’s the mysterious and handsome Jaxon Vega, who is quick to tell Grace that she’s in danger and should never have come to the school. Oh, and did I mention Jaxon is a vampire? Crave is set to be the first audiobook in a series, so after you listen to this one, stay tuned for more. It's narrated by Heather Costa and Tim Paige, who work well with one another to create not only the voices of our main characters but also the tension and intrigue to keep listeners gripped, audiobook after audiobook. Here’s hoping they’ll be back for the second installment!
The African Immortals series by Tananarive Due
For something a bit heavier than The Twilight Saga that still has the supernatural and romance story elements you know and love, try Tananarive Due’s African Immortals series. In My Soul to Keep, the first book in the series, we meet Jessica, who has recently married David. David seems like everything Jessica could want in a husband. He’s smart, attentive, and extremely attractive. But when people close to Jessica begin to die mysterious, violent deaths, David has a shocking confession: he is more than 400 years old. Many years ago, he traded his humanity for immortality. Peter Francis James narrates the first two audiobooks in the series; Patricia Floyd narrates the third; and Lizan Mitchell narrates the final installment.
Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Also known as Let the Right One In, this Scandinavian novel is practically already a classic. If you want a teen vampire story reminiscent of Twilight that leans heavier into horror than romance, this is the listen for you. Set in 1983, it tells the story of Oskar, a young boy who is fascinated by the strange new girl who’s moved in next door, Eli. As the two begin to form a friendship, Oskar can’t help but be suspicious about her behavior. For instance, she only comes out at night. This gripping novel is made all the more so by the expert narration of Steven Pacey, described by one Audible listener as among the best.
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
If one of your favorite things about Twilight was Stephenie Meyer’s development of a whole vampire society and its inner workings, then you’ll love Octavia E. Butler’s Fledgling. This book puts a lot of the focus on the way vampires create communities, laws, and feuds with one another. At the center of the story is an amnesiac girl—who’s actually a 53-year-old genetically modified vampire on the hunt to discover who took away her memories and stole her life. But if she’s not aware of who she is and where she came from, how can she protect herself from those who are still out to destroy her?
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
No, it’s not about vampires—but it is another really great Stephenie Meyer novel. So, if you love Twilight, give it a listen! The Host imagines a version of Earth invaded by a species that takes over the minds of humans while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, an invader, has been given the body of a human, Melanie. But Melanie’s thoughts still remain with Wanderer, especially the memories of Jared, the man Melanie loves. Unable to separate herself from her body’s strange human desires, Wanderer finds herself yearning for a man she’s never met—a human who lives in hiding. This is a love triangle between three minds and two bodies—so if you thought you’ve already heard every type of love triangle possible, think again. Narrator Kate Reading does a wonderful job of voicing competing minds living in one body.
If you’re familiar with the HBO television series True Blood, then you’re already familiar with its inspiration: the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery series. Even if you were an avid fan of the show, you’ll find plenty of surprises in Charlaine Harris’s novels. And if you don’t know anything about True Blood or Sookie Stackhouse, get ready for a whole lot of fun.
Sookie Stackhouse is a telepathic barmaid who’s down to earth, funny, and tough as nails. And it’s a good thing she’s tough, because her hometown of Bon Temps, Louisiana, is teeming with werewolves, shape-shifters, and, of course, vampires. In each book, Sookie gets caught up in different mysteries, supernatural stories, and deliciously sexy entanglements. But Sookie’s romance with her vampire boyfriend Bill is the heart of this series. So, if you love The Twilight Saga for its fun supernatural stories and its focus on romance, this series will be perfect for you. All 13 books are available in audio for your listening pleasure, and actress Johanna Parker narrates nearly every installment, bringing all the characters, especially the unforgettable Sookie Stackhouse, to life with her slight Southern drawl.
