20 Books Like Twilight
Are you still longing for the intense romance and thrilling adventures of Twilight?
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of vampire romance or simply seeking a new series to sink your teeth into, we’ve curated a list of some captivating books that capture the essence of this amazing series.
From forbidden love to supernatural intrigue, these novels promise to reignite your passion for the genre and transport you to worlds where darkness and desire collide.
Let’s go.
Books Like Twilight
1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
This series introduces Rose Hathaway, a half-human, half-vampire student at St. Vladimir’s Academy where she is training to be a guardian for her best friend, Lissa, a Moroi vampire princess. The story combines elements of fantasy, romance, and action as Rose navigates the complexities of vampire society, forbidden love, and her own dangerous abilities. Richelle Mead creates a dynamic and engaging world that explores themes of friendship, duty, and the nuances of good versus evil.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, Vampire Academy features a strong female protagonist entangled in a world of vampires, forbidden romance, and supernatural politics. Both series delve into the intricacies of vampire hierarchies and the tensions between different supernatural entities. The romantic elements, coupled with the action-packed plot and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, resonate well with fans of Stephenie Meyer’s work.
2. The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
The series follows Elena Gilbert, a high school student torn between two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. As Elena navigates the dangers and mystical elements of her town, Mystic Falls, she uncovers dark secrets about her family and the supernatural world. The narrative is rich with themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for power.
Major Similarities: Both The Vampire Diaries and Twilight centralize a love triangle involving human and vampire characters, set against a backdrop of supernatural conflict and mystery. The exploration of vampire lore and the moral complexities of immortality and humanity echo the thematic concerns of Twilight, making it a compelling read for fans of paranormal romance.
3. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
In Hush, Hush, Nora Grey, a high school student, finds herself drawn to the mysterious new student, Patch, who turns out to be a fallen angel with a dark past. As their relationship deepens, Nora becomes entangled in a centuries-old battle between the fallen and the immortal. The novel is a thrilling blend of romance, danger, and the supernatural.
Major Similarities: Similar to Twilight, Hush, Hush explores a forbidden romance between a human and a supernatural being, with a strong female lead who uncovers hidden truths about her own identity. The themes of danger, mystery, and the allure of the forbidden are prevalent in both stories, appealing to readers who enjoy the intertwining of supernatural elements with romantic tension.
4. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
City of Bones is the first book in The Mortal Instruments series, featuring Clary Fray, who discovers she is a Shadowhunter, a warrior tasked with protecting the world from demons. As Clary delves into this hidden world, she encounters vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings, along with complex family secrets and a budding romance.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, this series features a hidden supernatural world within our own, complete with a variety of creatures and intricate lore. The themes of love, identity, and the battle between good and evil are central to both narratives, making it a hit among readers who appreciate a rich, fantastical setting intertwined with personal discovery and romance.
5. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Shiver follows Grace Brisbane and Sam Roth, a boy who shifts between human and wolf forms with the seasons. Their love story unfolds with the backdrop of a small town’s woods, where the boundary between human and animal blurs. The narrative explores themes of love, belonging, and the sacrifices one must make for both.
Major Similarities: Both Shiver and Twilight explore the theme of forbidden love between a human and a supernatural being, set against the backdrop of a small, tight-knit community. The poignant exploration of identity, transformation, and the struggle to maintain love in the face of supernatural challenges mirrors the emotional depth and romantic elements found in Twilight.
6. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Set in the South, Beautiful Creatures tells the story of Ethan Wate, who dreams of a mysterious girl he has never met. When Lena Duchannes moves into his small town, Ethan is drawn to her and discovers that she is a Caster with powers beyond her control. The novel explores their forbidden love and the curse that haunts Lena’s family.
Major Similarities: The central theme of forbidden romance, coupled with the struggle against a predestined fate, links Beautiful Creatures closely to Twilight. Both novels delve into the complexities of loving someone from a different world, with a strong emphasis on destiny, supernatural elements, and the battle between light and dark forces.
7. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Written by the same author, The Host explores the story of Earth after an alien invasion, where humans become hosts for the invaders’ souls. One of these souls, Wanderer, is fused with a resistant human’s mind, Melanie. Together, they embark on a journey that challenges their beliefs about humanity, love, and coexistence.
Major Similarities: Although The Host steps away from vampires, its exploration of love, identity, and resistance against an invasive force shares thematic similarities with Twilight. Both novels showcase Stephenie Meyer’s ability to blend romance with speculative fiction, focusing on complex emotional relationships and the essence of what it means to be human.
8. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
A spin-off of the Vampire Academy series, Bloodlines focuses on Sydney Sage, an alchemist who works to protect the secrecy of the vampire world from humans. Sydney is tasked with hiding Jill Dragomir, a vampire princess, which leads her into a world of magic, politics, and forbidden romance.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, Bloodlines delves into the complexities of vampire society and the tensions that arise from forbidden romances between different species. The series also explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the moral dilemmas that come with living in a world divided by supernatural politics and prejudices.
9. Evernight by Claudia Gray
Evernight Academy is a boarding school for the supernatural, where Bianca Olivier, a born vampire, finds herself in a forbidden relationship with Lucas Ross, a vampire hunter. The series navigates their star-crossed romance, along with the secrets and dangers hidden within the walls of the academy.
Major Similarities: The forbidden love between a vampire and a human (or hunter), the setting of a supernatural school, and the exploration of vampire lore and society tie Evernight closely to Twilight. Both series captivate readers with the tension and drama of navigating love in a world where such relationships are fraught with danger and taboo.
10. Night World by L.J. Smith
The Night World series presents a secret society of vampires, witches, and werewolves who live among humans. The novels focus on different protagonists who find themselves falling in love with members of the Night World, challenging the society’s strictest rule: never to fall in love with a human.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, the Night World series explores forbidden romances between humans and supernatural beings, set against the backdrop of a hidden society with its own rules and conflicts. The series also delves into themes of destiny, the power of love, and the struggle to unite different worlds, appealing to readers who enjoy the mix of paranormal romance and societal drama.
11. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Moon Called introduces Mercy Thompson, a mechanic living in the Tri-Cities area of Washington who has the ability to shift into a coyote at will. Mercy finds herself embroiled in the local supernatural community, involving werewolves, vampires, and fae. The series blends urban fantasy with elements of mystery and romance, as Mercy navigates a world filled with danger and political intrigue.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, Patricia Briggs’ series features a strong, independent protagonist who lives in a world where humans and supernatural beings coexist. The themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of interacting with a variety of supernatural creatures are central to both narratives, appealing to readers who enjoy a blend of romance, action, and supernatural politics.
12. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
This novel follows Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch who discovers an enchanted manuscript in the Bodleian Library, drawing her into the heart of a dangerous mystery. Alongside vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, Diana uncovers secrets about their species and their history, while navigating the challenges of forbidden love between a witch and a vampire.
Major Similarities: A Discovery of Witches and Twilight share the theme of forbidden romance across species lines, coupled with a deep dive into supernatural lore and history. Both stories also involve a protagonist who is initially unaware of the full extent of their powers or heritage, leading to a journey of self-discovery and conflict within a hidden supernatural world.
13. The Immortals Series by Alyson Noël
Ever Bloom survives a car accident that kills her family, leaving her with the ability to see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. When she meets Damen Auguste, Ever discovers that he harbors his own secrets and is not what he appears. Their romance unfolds with the backdrop of mysticism and immortality.
Major Similarities: The Immortals series, like Twilight, explores themes of love, loss, and the quest for understanding one’s identity in the face of supernatural abilities. The forbidden and mystical romance between the protagonist and her love interest, along with the challenges they face from their supernatural worlds, mirrors the emotional depth and narrative intrigue found in Twilight.
14. The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series by Maggie Stiefvater
This series continues with the themes introduced in Shiver, focusing on the relationship between Grace and Sam, but expands to include new characters and challenges. As the seasons change, so does the nature of their love and the world around them, exploring the consequences of their choices and the sacrifices required to maintain love amidst supernatural challenges.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, The Wolves of Mercy Falls series delves into the complexities of a relationship challenged by supernatural elements, emphasizing themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggle for a normal life. The detailed exploration of werewolf lore and the impact of external forces on personal relationships resonate with the themes explored in Stephenie Meyer’s series.
15. The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward
This series focuses on a band of vampire warriors who protect their species against the Lessening Society. Each book centers on a different warrior and his romantic and personal struggles, blending elements of dark fantasy, romance, and action. The series is known for its complex characters, intricate world-building, and steamy romance.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, the Black Dagger Brotherhood series explores the lives of vampires, but with a more adult and darker tone. The themes of love, loyalty, and the fight against an encroaching evil parallel the narrative arcs in Twilight, catering to readers who enjoy detailed world-building and complex character dynamics within a supernatural setting.
16. The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa
Meghan Chase discovers she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and embarks on a journey into the Nevernever to save her kidnapped brother. Along the way, she faces challenges, forms alliances, and uncovers a prophecy about herself. The series blends fantasy, romance, and adventure, as Meghan navigates the dangers of the faery world and her own heart.
Major Similarities: The Iron Fey Series and Twilight share a young female protagonist thrust into a hidden supernatural world where she discovers her own power and destiny. The themes of forbidden love, the clash between different supernatural factions, and the journey of self-discovery are prevalent in both series, appealing to fans of fantasy and romance.
17. The Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Katy Swartz moves to West Virginia before her senior year and meets Daemon Black, her infuriatingly arrogant neighbor with a secret—he’s an alien. As Katy becomes entangled in Daemon’s world, she discovers the truth about the Luxen race and the dangers they face from their enemies. The series is a mix of romance, science fiction, and action.
Major Similarities: Twilight and the Lux Series both explore the theme of an ordinary girl discovering an extraordinary secret world through her relationship with a non-human male protagonist. The forbidden romance, combined with the threats from otherworldly enemies and the struggle to maintain their relationship, parallels the dynamic seen in Twilight, making it appealing to fans of young adult paranormal romance.
18. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
Expanding upon City of Bones, The Mortal Instruments series continues to follow Clary Fray as she delves deeper into the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders. With each book, the stakes get higher as Clary and her friends face off against powerful enemies, uncover family secrets, and explore complex relationships within a richly detailed supernatural world.
Major Similarities: Building on the similarities noted with City of Bones, the entire Mortal Instruments series offers a sprawling urban fantasy saga with themes of love, betrayal, and the quest for identity. The series’ focus on a hidden world within our own, populated with an array of supernatural beings and fraught with moral complexities, will resonate strongly with fans of Twilight.
19. The Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking
Wendy Everly discovers on her sixth birthday that she is not who she thought she was—she’s a changeling who was switched at birth. This revelation leads her into the world of the Trylle, a magical community with its own social hierarchies and powers. Wendy must navigate her new life as a princess while dealing with political intrigue, personal discovery, and an unexpected romance.
Major Similarities: Like Twilight, the Trylle Trilogy introduces readers to a hidden magical society with its own rules and conflicts. The themes of self-discovery, forbidden love, and the struggle between fulfilling personal desires versus duty to one’s community are central to both stories, appealing to readers who enjoy young adult fantasy with strong elements of romance and identity.
20. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Alina Starkov, a soldier in the war-torn land of Ravka, discovers she possesses an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free from the darkness. As she trains with the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling, Alina uncovers secrets that will change the course of her world.
Major Similarities: The Grisha Trilogy, like Twilight, features a strong female protagonist who discovers her own unique powers and faces a dangerous and mystical journey. The exploration of dark themes, complex relationships, and the line between good and evil, coupled with the elements of forbidden romance and the fight against a powerful enemy, mirrors the depth and intrigue of Twilight, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre.
