The best blood-curdling, time travelling adventures you’ll want to sink your teeth into

Perhaps I’m being biased, because I’m Irish and live in Dublin, where Bram Stoker’s famous work was written, but this masterpiece is simply that. Stoker stirs the senses throughout his hauntingly, tragic tale, which is set in Transylvania, evoking feelings inside us of uncontrollable power, eternal love (the Count’s obsession with Mina will have you torn), all married together by the fear of death—and the undead—and all masterfully done through the eyes (or fangs!) of his Prince of Darkness. If, like me, you’re a lover of the dark and depraved world of vampires, Dracula will turn your blood cold and have you looking over your shoulder (yes, I found myself doing this, which means the author has done his job, superbly!), as well as checking in the mirror… A classic read that will not disappoint. 

With its mixed theme of fantasy and history, and set in Scotland (a place dear to my heart), I snatched up a copy of Outlander after it was recommended. Gabaldon’s descriptive writing style lures you into a different world, giving you a sense of ‘reality’, making you feel you are there. Outlander—the start of an epic saga—is centred around its two main characters, Claire Randall and James Fraser, who are brought together by a strange phenomenon when Claire walks through one of the mystical standing stones in Inverness, Scotland, and is hurdled back in time (two-hundred years). I absolutely love this blend of fact and fiction. While we’re enjoying the fantasy element attached to the story, wondering if Claire will ever get back to her time, we are also getting a wee history lesson of the goings on in the lives of Lairds, spies, and Jacobites. This is a thrilling ride of love, lust, hate, betrayal, etc. It has it all. Love it!

This is one book where, by the end, I was absolutely convinced that Abraham Lincoln actually hunted and killed vampires, on the side. It’s cleverly written, and the photographs (actual photos) were photo-shopped, to give the story an authentic feel to it. Gifted with his legendary height, and axe (of course!) Abraham sets out, hell-bent on revenge, after discovering that his beloved mother had actually been killed by a vampire when he was a boy. The book is full of facts, giving us a history lesson on Abe Lincoln’s life, from when he was a boy until his assassination, in 1865. It also tells us of his campaign to stamp out slavery and his rise to become the sixteenth—and one of the most influential—president of the United States of America. Thoroughly enjoyable, and believable! 

Ever seen the movie? The one with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt? If not, read the book first, then watch it. Anne Rice (who, sadly, is no longer with us) is up there with Bram Stoker. Interview begins when a modern-day journalist snaps up the opportunity to interview a ‘real’ vampire—Louis (Brad Pitt)—where he discovers the story, and truth, behind the sensual, immoral, and evil world of vampires. We are then enticed into Louis’ world, where he tells us about Lestat (Tom Cruise) a malicious vampire who ‘created’ the “beautiful Louis” by turning him into a vampire, purely for his own vanity. We then find ourselves embroiled in their sumptuous, and blood-thirsty, journey. However, as time goes by, Lestat and Louis soon find themselves constantly looking over their shoulder; they are being watched by other ‘creatures’ similar to them. But who are they? Only Lestat knows. A great read with a deep insight into the dark and disturbing world of the undead.

Frodo Baggins. Who doesn’t know Frodo Baggins, the wee hobbit who inherited a powerful gold ring from his uncle Bilbo, not realising the immense task placed upon him by the ‘trinket’. And so, along with his trustee pals, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, Frodo sets off on an adventure, leaving his home—The Shire—for the first time, to embark on what turns out to be the most treacherous and dangerous journey of his life. But Frodo isn’t alone. When a band of unusual characters, including a wizard, a dwarf, and an elf, are chosen to accompany Frodo, The Fellowship of the Ring begins their epic journey to the depths of Mordor, so Frodo can destroy the ring. But the evil Sauron, and his army of orks, stand in their way. I think Lord of the Rings is high up there on any readers’ list who loves a good, and well-crafted, tale. I’m a huge fantasy fiction fan, and LOTR, along with all my recommendations, was a huge influence on my own writing, which is why I chose to write in this similar genre: Historical Fantasy Fiction.