A century and a quarter ago, Bram Stoker unleashed the unbridled horror of Count Dracula upon the world. We can only wonder if he ever imagined the impact his creation would have on not only the horror world, but across the globe.
Vampires have become a foremost staple of horror stories and have been represented in both print and film countless times over the decades – and their mythos has grown unchecked, evolved, and taken root in the collective consciousness of old and young, horror fans and non-horror fans alike.
There’s just something about the immortal bloodsucking monsters that appeals to the ghoulish and the romantic individuals, and who has not mused upon the vampire’s lot in (after) life? To be free of the shackles of death, to fly unseen in the darkest of night, to seek sustenance from the blood of the living…
We have, within the pages of this superlative anthology, the most fitting homage to the vampire legend – a selection of tales by some of the very best independent horror authors writing in the genre today, each one with a unique spin on vampires and their deadly ilk.
Featuring:
Michael Zimecki, Trev Hill, Albert N. Katz, Paul Wilson, Ken Goldman, Eamonn Murphy, Judith Newlin, Jack Nash, Jerry Purdon, Terry Stock, Sam Fletcher, Anthony Regolino, Rose Strickman, Elaine Pascale, Holly Saiki, Gregory Von Dare, Helen Mihajlovic, Kay Hanifen, Stephen Patrick, Stephen Loiaconi, Josh Darling, Ravenna Blazecroft, Loki DeWitt, and Denise Ciencin and Dr. Chris McAuley
Dark bleatings, my beloved tribe! Today we’re discussing a vampire anthology. I love vampire stories – books, movies, TV – I consume them verily! This first thing I’ll tell you about Dracula’s Guests is that you get your money’s worth, because this is a big book packed with a variety of vampish tales, with plenty to sink your teeth into.
I do usually prefer to say a little about each story when I talk about an anthology or a collection, but there are two dozen stories this time so I’ll have to limit it to just a few favourites when I get specific. Overall, there is a very good mix of styles and subgenre subjects, with no two stories really alike, plot-wise. Though there were a few stories that didn’t work for me (generally speaking, I find this with just about every anthology, as I’m sure we all do), I mostly enjoyed the whole book.
My top 5 favourites are:
5. An Interview in the Garden of Earthly Delights – by Albert N. Katz
A little Interview with the Vampire mixed with a little Carmilla, but in an original story. Atmospheric and wonderful to read!
4. All the Missing – by Paul Wilson
A glorious mixed homage to Salem’s Lot, and The Lost Boys. A girl goes missing and returns home, but… oh no!
3. Feeder – by Rose Strickman
This one is really different, even for out-of-the-box thinking for an anthology with this sort of theme. Set in a brothel, you can’t possibly predict what might happen!
2. A Final Summer – by Trev Hill
This was almost in the 1st spot, and it’s a great story. A vampire hunter slays a nest and rescues a boy, but that’s not the end of that particular battle. It’s really vicious and sort of mean-spirited, but in a thrilling way!
1. Be Like You – by Jack Nash
Mark, an actor who plays a sexy TV vampire, has a stalker. You might think you know where this is going, but you don’t. Totally took me by surprise and in horrifically delicious ways!
Overall, I’d recommend this to fans of vampire fiction (of course) – a great addition to any fanged collection! If you’d like to get the book or check out the press, the links you need are below:
Happy Goat Horror 
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