by Dan Simmons
First published 2019
This anthology presents seventeen stories that reimagine vampirism beyond fangs and capes. An empath bleeds as he flees into a nightclub, pursued by creatures that feed on emotions rather than blood. A Broadway performer discovers she can steal the feelings of her castmates, draining their theatrical energy for her own gain. Two beach strangers echo Lewis Carroll's walrus and carpenter as they lead drunk picnickers toward an unusual feast. The collection spans from Gothic tradition to contemporary satire, exploring vampires that consume willpower, life force, and human essence. Authors including Harlan Ellison, Dan Simmons, Gahan Wilson, Tanith Lee, and Fritz Leiber contribute variations that trace vampire literature's path from Bram Stoker through Anne Rice and into new territory. These stories dig into the inner experiences of both predator and prey, expanding the vampire concept to encompass psychological and spiritual consumption. The anthology moves beyond neck bites and black capes to examine what happens when the most human parts of us become food for something else.
Genres: short-stories, anthologies, fantasy, horror
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: expanded-mythology, psychological-thriller
415 pages · Kindle Edition · Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Content warnings: violence