Where to Begin: The Recommended Reading Path
For most readers, the best starting point is Vampire Kisses (2003), the novel that kicked off Ellen Schreiber's highly popular gothic YA series. Reading the main series in publication order is straightforward, as the central books follow a clear chronological progression. However, things get interesting when you decide to integrate the illustrated manga spin-offs. If you want a complete, chronological experience that weaves the graphic novels and the prose books together, follow this recommended path:
- Vampire Kisses (2003)
- Kissing Coffins (2005)
- Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Volume I (2007)
- Vampireville (2006)
- Dance with a Vampire (2007)
- Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Volume II (2008)
- The Coffin Club (2008)
- Royal Blood (2009)
- Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Volume III (2009)
- Love Bites (2010)
- Cryptic Cravings (2011)
- Vampire Kisses: Graveyard Games (2011)
- Immortal Hearts (2012)
If you prefer werewolves over vampires, you can start directly with Once in a Full Moon (2010), which begins a separate self-contained trilogy. For readers looking for quick, light reads, Schreiber's standalone novels offer fun, self-contained stories that do not require any prior knowledge of her other worlds.
The Core Vampire Kisses Series (Novels)
The main prose series takes place in the small, quiet town of Dullsville and follows Raven Madison, a gothic teenager who does not fit in with her peers. Her life changes when a mysterious family moves into the local mansion, and she falls in love with Alexander Sterling, a handsome young vampire. The main nine-book series includes the following titles:
- Vampire Kisses (2003): Introduces Raven and her immediate fascination with the mysterious newcomers in the local old mansion.
- Kissing Coffins (2005): Raven searches for her missing vampire boyfriend, Alexander, leading her to the city of Hipster Haven.
- Vampireville (2006): Twin half-vampires, Jaguar and Luna, arrive in Dullsville, threatening to expose Alexander's secret.
- Dance with a Vampire (2007): Raven must deal with Alexander's younger half-vampire brother, Jameson, who arrives in town.
- The Coffin Club (2008): Fearing she has lost Alexander, Raven follows him to Hipster Haven and discovers a secret underground vampire hangout.
- Royal Blood (2009): Alexander's elite parents visit, placing Raven's relationship and safety under scrutiny.
- Love Bites (2010): A new kid arrives in Dullsville, claiming to be a vampire, which complicates Raven's social and romantic life.
- Cryptic Cravings (2011): Goth girl Raven continues her quest to be transformed into a vampire, while a new threat emerges.
- Immortal Hearts (2012): The final novel in the series, wrapping up Raven and Alexander's epic supernatural romance.
The Vampire Kisses Graphic Novels (Manga)
In addition to the prose novels, Schreiber partnered with TOKYOPOP and illustrator REM to expand the universe with illustrated manga spin-offs. These graphic novels feature original storylines and new characters, most notably Alexander's cousin, Claude Sterling, who acts as the primary antagonist of these arcs. Because these stories introduce subplots and characters that do not appear in the prose books, they are best read alongside the novels to flesh out the world, though they can also be enjoyed independently after reading the first few books.
Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives
This three-volume manga series introduces Claude Sterling and his half-vampire friends as they arrive in Dullsville looking for a vial that can turn them into full vampires.
- Blood Relatives, Volume I (2007)
- Blood Relatives, Volume II (2008)
- Blood Relatives, Volume III (2009)
Vampire Kisses: Graveyard Games
A standalone, single-volume graphic novel published in 2011. Despite sometimes being labeled as Volume 1 due to database layouts, it is a single-installment release that serves as a sequel to the Blood Relatives manga arc.
- Graveyard Games (2011)
The Full Moon Trilogy (Werewolf Series)
In 2010, Schreiber shifted focus from vampires to werewolves with the launch of the Full Moon series. This trilogy follows Celeste Parker, a popular high school girl in the town of Legend's Run, who falls for the mysterious new kid, Brandon. It is a separate universe from Vampire Kisses and should be read in publication order:
- Once in a Full Moon (2010)
- Magic of the Moonlight (2011)
- Full Moon Kisses (2012)
Standalone Novels
Before launching her major series, Schreiber published standalones that showcase her versatility in combining humor, fantasy, and coming-of-age issues.
- Teenage Mermaid (2003): A lighthearted fantasy story following Spencer, a teenage boy who saves a mermaid named Lily, leading to a charming adventure. This was Schreiber's debut published novel under Katherine Tegen Books.
- Comedy Girl (2004): A contemporary novel centered on a high school student named Babbie who aspires to be a stand-up comedian, drawing heavily on Schreiber's own experiences performing comedy in Chicago.
What to Know Before You Start
The prose novels and graphic novels maintain a light, fast-paced, and humorous tone. Rather than focusing on heavy horror elements, Schreiber's stories emphasize romance, gothic style, and the struggles of feeling like an outsider. The books are published by Katherine Tegen Books (an imprint of HarperCollins) and are highly recommended for reluctant teen readers who enjoy accessible, breezy supernatural romance.