Teens all over the nation—not to mention quite a few adults—are suffering from symptoms of withdrawal. Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series is over, the fifth book is apparently not going to be published, and they have no idea what to read next.
If you or someone you know is suffering this terrible fate, the library wants to help. We hope the books below can help to fill the Twilight-shaped hole in your life, or the life of someone you know. If these don’t look quite right, you can always reach a Teen Services Librarian at teencenter@spl.org. We’re happy to create a list of reading suggestions for your teen based on his or her reading tastes—or for you, if you want to delve more deeply into all the wonderful books that are currently being writtten for teens.
PARANORMAL ROMANCES
For fans of brooding, mysterious Edward Cullen and his relationship with Bella, here are some similar paranormal romances to try.
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Seventeen-year-old Aislinn, who has the rare ability to see faeries, is drawn against her will into a centuries-old battle between the Summer King and Winter Queen. The survival of her life, her love, and summer all hang in the balance.
Tantalize by Cynthia Leith Smith
Did Keiren, the werewolf-in-training that Quincie has a crush on, commit the murders at her family’s vampire-themed restaurant? If you like this one, try the companion book, Eternal.
Raven by Allison van Diepen
High school senior Nicole is in love with Zin, her co-worker at a Brooklyn hip hop club. But does he return her feelings? And what dark secret is he hiding?
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Ever’s powers allow her to know much more about people than she wants to know . . . except when it comes to Damien.
Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne
Kayla is drawn to Lucas, but he is a leader of the Dark Guardians. Can she take the risk?
Need by Carrie Jones
Zara’s life has not been easy so far, and now she’s being stalked by . . . a pixie?
Evernight by Claudia Gray
Bianca is the new girl at Evernight, a creepy boarding school where the students seem eerily perfect—except for Lucas, who seems perfect in just the right way.
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
Soon the Samhain Gate will open, and Kelley must quickly decide who among the Faeries she can trust.
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
After benignly haunting a series of people for 130 years, Helen meets a teenage boy who can see her. Together they unlock the mysteries of their pasts.
Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
Deirdre finds herself caught between James, the friend who is falling for her, Luke, the Faerie sent to assassinate her before her music makes the Faerie Queen obsolete.
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VAMPIRE BOOKS
For those more interested in the vampire lore and mythology of Twilight, these vampire books (and also our Vampires Booklist and a three-parter vamp list here) may be just the thing:
Marked: House of Night, Book 1 by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Zoey lives in a world that accepts the existence of vampires. But when she is marked as a vampire fledgling with special powers, she finds that even at her special school for vampires, she is different from the rest.
The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
A mysterious teenage boy harboring a dark secret helps Zoe come to terms with her mother’s terminal illness.
Vampire Kisses (and sequels) by Ellen Schreiber
A family has finally moved into the creepy mansion on Benson Hill. Goth girl Raven is especially fascinated by dark, mysterious Alexander—could he really be a vampire?
The Awakening and The Struggle (Vampire Diaries 1 and 2) by L.J. Smith
Elena is torn between brooding Stefan and dangerous Damon, who share an ancient grudge, rekindled by their attaction to Elena.
Vampire Academy (and sequels) by Richelle Mead
Rose is bodyguard to Lissa, a vampire princess. Together they attend St. Vladimir’s Academy, where they become embroiled in danger and forbidden romances.
Thicker Than Water by Carla Jablonski
Kia lives in New York and joins a group who role play as vampires. But where does fantasy end, and reality begin?
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Sunshine wakes up chained to a wall–and she is not alone.
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism, and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected.
Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde
When sixteen-year-old Kerry Nowicki helps a young man escape from a group of men who claim he is a vampire, she finds herself faced with some bizarre and dangerous choices.
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Select teenagers from some of New York City’s wealthiest and most socially prominent families learn a startling secret about their bloodlines.
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DARK FANTASY
Some people enjoy Twilight as a dark, contemporary fantasy with great atmosphere. These books also depict teens dealing with dark forces in the modern world.
Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale (and sequels) by Holly Black
Sixteen-year-old Kaye, who has been visited by faeries since childhood, discovers that she herself is a magical faerie creature with a special destiny.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Clary Fray is witness to a murder. But the body has disappeared into thin air, and the murderers seem to be invisible to everyone by Clary.
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Lucy, a 17-year-old with two great foster parents and a homeless, mentally ill birth mom, discovers that she is from a long line of women who have been cursed by an Elf King.
Blue Girl by Charles de Lint
Imogene was trying to turn over a new leaf when she changed schools. Things were going well until she met a ghost named Adrian and attracted the attention of some very angry fairies.
Devilish by Maureen Johnson
Jane’s best friend has lost her soul through a deal with a demon, and it’s up to Jane to try to get it back.
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