Remember the good ol’ days when a book would involve just a few things: friendship, parents, school, and homework? Maybe some extra-curricular activities, or maybe a family holiday thrown in for good measure?
These days, it seems that books are filled with all of the above, but also include things like vampires, angels, zombies, mer-people,witches, werewolves, demons, gods, etc., etc.
Not that I’m complaining — I love a good supernatural/paranormal/mythical read now and again. They seem just a little less like real life and more like fiction. I mean, I know that I can’t relate to falling in love with a vampire, or getting chased by a werewolf — can you? But books that involve fighting with your best friend, or maybe a family member having health issues — those are things that might be more easily relatable with readers.
Out of all of the “creatures” I find in my reads, I have to say that I think vampires are my favourite. My least favourite? Zombies.
I know it seems a little weird during Zombie Week to praise my favourite supernatural creatures, but there is also much attention (albeit, negative) given to zombies. To make things clear, I’ve added a chart comparing my favourite supernatural creature to my least favourite supernatural creature. Vampires vs. zombies.
Vampires
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Zombies
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- Good looking. Vampires seem to get better looking, the deader they are. When ISN’T a vampire good looking?
- Resourceful. Vampires use their head. They’ve been around forever, so they know how things work and use history to their advantage.
- Able to show restraint. This may not be true of the fledgling vampire, who is usually lusting over blood after they are first awoken as a vampire, but once they learn the basics, they can control their urges to eat everyone in sight.
- Well-spoken. Again, since vampires have been around for years, they’re able to form complete sentences, often using the dialect of years long-passed. They can be sweet and charming and can fool just about anyone with their wit and humanness.
- Able to control your mind. Ah, the ability to glamour is something that I’m sure EVERYONE would want. Kill someone’s parents? Just glamour them so they think their parents are on vacation. This is the best way for a vampire to show society that they haven’t been around for hundreds of years.
- Sexy times, anyone? When a vampire sucks your blood, it apparently can be quite arousing.
- Able to blend in. There are so many novels where a vampire not only just lives in society, but where they go to school, make friends, and play a role in the community’s affairs. They are the picture of normalcy.
- Devoted to their clan. When a vampire makes you a vampire, you are part of their clan. If that vampire’s family is also vampires, they’re more likely to protect their family.
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- Ugly. Zombies are always covered in scabs and blood with dangly arms or other limbs. Definitely NOT attractive.
- Stupid. Prior to death, people can do simple tasks – open doors, climb stairs – once they’re zombies, all of that goes out the window.
- No willpower. Once zombies die, it’s like there’s no one there to teach them the ropes. They want to eat everything and everyone in sight and nothing is going to stand in their way (Well, almost nothing. See “stupid” above.)
- No speaking. From my experiences, all zombies do is grunt, grunt, grunt. And grunt. And then they might grunt some more. Most zombies are at least able to walk, so I would think that if they can still walk, they would still be able form complete sentences. Just sayin’.
- Awkwardness. See the zombie eat your best friend? Well, you better run because that zombie is going to come after you. There’s no time for glamouring when flesh is there to be eaten! If you didn’t want to see something, you can’t wait for a zombie to glamour you – you should’ve just stayed in your house.
- Ew & Ouch. When a zombie eats you, it feels like … you’re being eaten.
- The big elephant. Zombies do NOT blend in. What point is school when all they can do is grunt, and when they don’t even have the dexterity to hold a pencil, let alone write down a coherent thought?
- Not devoted to anything. When a zombie makes another zombie, they immediately go after their next victim. They tend to follow the smell of blood.
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There you have it. The reasons why I prefer vampires over zombies. Of course, this might just be because I haven’t found my zombie book yet — you know, that book that makes me fall in love with zombies? I have read a few zombie books and they’ve been okay, but nothing spectacular. But vampire books? I have fallen in love with MANY vampire books!
Vampire book recommendations:
Vampires in school:
Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1), by Richelle Mead
Marked (House of Night, #1), by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Sexy Vampires:
Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, #1), by Jeaniene Frost
Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1), by J. R. Ward
Vampire Friendships:
Hearts at Stake (The Drake Chronicles, #1), by Alyxandra Harvey
Let the Right One In, by John A. Lindqvist
Scary Vampires:
The Tale of the Vampire Bride (Vampire Bride, #1), by Rhiannon Frater
Pretty When She Dies (Pretty When She Dies, #1), by Rhiannon Frater
Zombie book recommendations:
(NOTE: If you want more recommendations, I say check out Ashley’s blog. I really haven’t read a lot of zombie books!)
Zombies that aren’t really zombies:
Dearly, Departed (Gone With the Respiration, #1), by Lia Habel
Funny zombies:
Married with Zombies (Living With the Dead, #1), by Jesse Petersen
Zombies for Kids:
The Smoky Corridor: A Haunted Mystery, by Chris Grabenstein
What do you think — can anything else be added to my list? What are some of your favourite fictional creatures?
© 2012, Reading In Winter. All rights reserved.
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Have to admit that I’ve never read a zombie book. They just don’t appeal to me; the smell, the decaying flesh etc etc. Now alluring powerful vamps are another story entirely
I know, right? I LOVE a good vampire! Zombies and I are slowly working our way to a good relationship. Slowly, but surely.
I’m edging towards Vampires as well, but I have yet to find a really good book to get me hooked on them. I have Halfway to the Grave on my shelf and Pretty when she Dies on my Kobo that I do hope to read very soon, so who knows maybe I’ll fall in love with them more! Will have to check out all your recommendations
I think I’ve been spoiled with good vampire books — Pretty When She Dies was awesome, as is what I’ve read of the Jeanniene Frost books! I still need to find THAT zombie book that makes me love them!
I’m definitely on the same team as you – Team Vampire (and not just because of Damon Salvatore!). I love the idea of vampires – cultured, full of history, eloquent and just overall attractive. Only exception, personally? Edward Cullen.
Ha ha … agreed! Edward Cullen should not be the Team Vampire spokesperson.
I too like vampires better, but there’re a few zombies book I liked.
And it set in Paris!!
Warm Bodies is amazing! Best zombie book I’ve read.
And Die for Me is also good, but it’s in the “Zombies that aren’t really zombies” category
Oooh … I’ll have to check out Warm Bodies — I’ve heard of that one! And *maybe* Die For Me, though I’m still unsure of the zombies-who-aren’t-zombies thing.
Oh, you are throwing down the gauntlet here, aren’t you.
If you are evaluating your monsters based on who you would like to date, then maybe I could agree with you. But, these are supposed to be monsters. With what you write about Vampires, you could be talking about a pretty effective school teacher, except, occasionally they like to drink your blood.
Zombies are disgusting, maggot ridden, putrid bags of flesh whose sole purpose is to eat you. You are not supposed to like them. You are not supposed to hope the lone zombie in your school asks you to the school dance. If you stop to swoon at the sight of a zombie, he’ll probably be chewing on your entrails very soon.
Vampires can also be scary, but they are far too often shown to be romantic heroes, instead of predatory monsters. Now, if I find out a horde of vampires are coming, I am worried they may try to seduce my sister. If I find out a horde of zombies are coming, I’m out of there.
It all comes down to what you want out of your literature. As a fan of horror and post apocalyptic fiction, I don’t want to like my monsters. I want to be scared of them. i want the emotional impact knowing I may have to behead my mother, stab my girlfriend through the eye with an icepick, and set my neighbor on fire, in order to live another day.
This is why I prefer zombies.
Come on, Bob — who DOESN’T evaluate the date-worthiness of their monsters? *scoffs*
OK, I get what you’re saying and I commend your efforts of defending your favourite monster.
BUT …
ZOMBIES ARE ALL THE SAME? At least the vampires differ in books — even when they’re not swoon-worthy male vampires you’d take home to meet mom. All zombies do is eat people. How can there be so many books available about them when this is all they do?!?! From what I see, the setting is always the same — “Oh no! The zombies are after us! Run! Or we may get eaten!”
Give me a vampire!
While there is variety to Zombies, I agree with what you say in essence. Often (not always) Vampire novels dwell on Vampires as individuals. This is why if you want monsters you can relate with, you will go the Vampire route. They aren’t much different than superheroes but with the added morality of their predatory nature.
With Zombies, the focus is more on dealing with them, in mass. Zombie novels are less about Zombies and more about Survivors. Sure, there are exceptions. Warm Bodies, Dust and Zombie, Ohio are all written from the Zombies perception.
A good Zombie novel works because it accepts the fundamental fact that we are the true monsters of the story. Not just in the fact that it’s changed humans we are facing, but that the stress of the situation can bring out the words in us as a species.
*eyes you suspiciously*
You make a good point.
When I look back at the zombie books I’ve read, it IS about the other characters. Like Married with Zombies, it’s not about the zombies per se, but about the relationship between Sarah and David. Gotcha.
I think I may have to continue my search for my perfect zombie book, though I do kind of like how when it comes to relationships in books, vampires can be a part of them. They’re not just out for the kill (well, not ALL of them).
Yeah, yeah … I’m a girl.
Those are most excellent reasons for vampires’ superiority over zombies. I’ve never been a fan of zombies, and you’ve clearly outlined many reasons why. I mean, they’re good for nothing besides making you want to get away from them. I heard Warm Bodies (by Isaac Marion) was a different kind of zombie novel, but I still haven’t brought myself to read it yet.
Although, I have to say… I’m not a huge fan of vampires, either. I think I’m just tired of seeing them and reading about them.
Quite true, Kelley. When it comes down to it, some monsters are just getting overused. Or maybe I’m just picking up the wrong books.
Go #TeamZombie!
Mmmm, Vampires are sexy. *drools over Eric, Damon and Adrian* I can’t think of a sexy zombie.. I mean, their body parts fall off.. Doesn’t make for fun sexy times.
I’m definitely a vampire girl!
Awesome post!
Yes, yes, and yes.
BODY PARTS FALLING OFF!
Nope, no sexy times have EVER come from that!
If anyone can do it, E.L. James can. So please (for the love of all that is holy), don’t give her ideas. :-p
We’ll keep it hush hush.
So here’s my thing with zombies: You don’t EVER love the zombies. Ever. Why I’m such a fan of zombie apocalyptic fiction is the humanity that either lives or dies when the dead start to walk. Seeing people work together to survive, or lose their minds, is fascinating to me. It’s all about the psychopathology at that point.
Plus, I love blood and gore and well, you spelled that out quite well.
Oh yea, I wanted to mention a series that does the above brilliantly is Frater’s As The World Dies trilogy. It’s character-driven with zombies as the catalyst. SO GOOD.
I like blood and gore, but what about the ROMANCE? ASH … THE ROMANCE!!!!!!
There is always time for romance!
LOL! You totally made me giggle with your list
I’m not much of a fan of vampires, but I HATE zombies! Zombie books aren’t my kind of books, they’re gross, they’re stupid and there is nothing sexy about them. Also, they totally creep me out! Things that are dead should stay that way unless they come back prettier and intelligent 
Ha ha … so true! And really, ALL THE VAMPIRES are pretty, so they should win!
I once asked Kelly who would win in a battle between zombies, werewolves, and vampires. This was her response.
When it comes to vampires versus zombies, though, I am definitely team vampire.
And to think! I didn’t even take #NakedWerewolves into account!
EXCELLENT POST!!
To me? Zombies are gross (and it’s purely a looks thing. If I can judge a book by it’s cover, I can judge the undead by their appearance too!) and Vampires are so romanticized. (I mean, I can only think of one instance where zombies weren’t the bad guy!!) But if I’m looking for a good scare? Zombies, hands down!!
-Jac @ For Love and Books
You’re not the only one who judge the undead by appearance.
Zombies are great for a good scare! And clearly, the consensus is if you’re looking to be seduced, dated, or have sexy times, vampires are the way to go!
I’m team vampire mostly because I haven’t read zombie books. (Though I am intrigued). I think that is a great vampire and zombie list. I do like my vampires articulate.
Ha ha … don’t we all! Nothing worse than a vampire who doesn’t know proper old-timey English. And manners! They must have the most proper manners!
I have to say, neither of these is my favorite. Zombies give me the creeps (it’s the shambling and the body parts falling off) and Vampires are too perfect, and more often than not one-dimensional (and becoming overdone). I’m sick of the sparkly clones-of-Edward type (because really, Vampires are meant to be scary) but even the scary ones are too often taking a really mild approach. I love the vampire books that really acknowledge the danger of the vamp nature – the inability to control the hunger, and the insanity of being something you once despised. There was a story I read as a teen (that I’m of course remembering neither title or author of) that was about a “vampire” who was forced to drink the blood of 13 maidens and collect their souls in vials to complete a spell to be free of the wicked witch who cast a spell on him – a combination of Beauty and the Beast and vampires, I think. He hated what he had to do, and yet he couldn’t help it. THAT is better than these one-sided vamps (either weak and wimpy, or “I’m so badass I could be the next superman if it weren’t for the drinking blood thing”) we’re getting by the truckload these days. Not that those aren’t nice in small doses of course.
My true love when it comes to fictional creatures is Dragons. It’s too bad nobody much uses them anymore. Admittedly it’d be difficult in urban fantasy, which is like THE THING to write if you’re writing fantasy these days, but I’d love to see it more anyways.
I have to say that if I could find a zombie book that had a LOGICAL reason for zombies being zombies and they weren’t just a plot device (“I need a monster horde… hmmmmm…. let’s do zombies today!”) I would probably be okay with it. I kind of like the use of zombies in The Immortal Rules, for example. BUT, I would also say that since I don’t like straight up horror, which is usually the genre zombies come up in, it would have to be one freakin’ awesome book.
But how does a DRAGON fall in love?? (<– yes, this is my girly response)
I did really like Married With Zombies … it was more about the RELATIONSHIP and not the zombies. The zombies were totally terrifying, but not the focal point of the book.
Personally, I'd like to know where these zombies are coming from! There are very few books where this is explained. Oh, and so many people are like, "I want to become a vampire! Make me like you!" But who ever says, "Man, if I had one wish — it would be to become A ZOMBIE!"
NOBODY SAYS THIS!
I'm not sure I like straight-up horror either, but I've never tried anything. I usually get bored half-way through any book of great length.
Oh my god, I loved how you compared them!! Vampires: Sexy times, LOL
Leanne, you really *can’t* have a civilized conversation about zombies vs. vampire withOUT bringing up the sexy times!
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ANY BOOK! EVER! IN ALL OF HISTORY!
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This was definitely the best post in Zombie Week so far!
Personally, it really all depends on the book. I feel like vampires have just flooded the book market so these days, I tend to run away screaming at the mention of a vampire or angel. However, if you hand me a unique vampire story, I’ll surely gobble it up. Zombies aren’t as overdone, fortunately. So if I had to choose, I’d go with zombies (also, their lack of humanity is exactly what makes them perfect for a good, scary novel!)
Ana @ BookSpark
I agree — it definitely depends on the book!
I’ll have to try and find “that” zombie book that makes me like them more.
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My Life As a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland changes the playing field for zombies by giving them the chance to stay whole-looking and, yes, sexy, if they just take care of themselves properly!
I’ll have to give that one a try! I’ve heard that’s a good novel.
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