I have always been super fascinated by vampires and all aspects of the lore surrounding them. So to say I was ecstatic going into this one is an understatement!

I have studied vampires extensively, and I wasn't sure whether this book would provide me with any new information. However, I was very wrong. Even though it is a shorter book, it explores various aspects of vampire lore, such as how the idea of the vampire came to be, while including lore from various cultures surrounding vampire-like creatures. It starts at the beginning of the written history of vampires and covers the medical components of body decomposition and how this process was misunderstood in the past and contributed to the formulation of the idea of the vampire. It also explores vampires in fiction, suspected vampires (like Vlad the Impaler and Mercy Brown), and creatures from global folklore.

I enjoyed the sections on vampire abilities, the different types of vampires (including energy/psychic vampires), and an analysis on why so many of us are fascinated with the undead. There was so much info packed into this book that I had a hard time not tabbing and annotating every single page. It was such an excellent resource for my writing, and I highly recommend it for other writers, as well as those hoping to expand their knowledge of vampire specific lore.

The book itself is gorgeous, the illustrations are divine, and I loved the antiqued pages and faux blood stains. I could go on and on about this book, but I won't. All I can say is, just pick it up for yourself! It is such a treat for anyone who loves the undead, and it is an essential resource for those who write about them.