The entertainment editor of Polygon, Austen Goslin, recently wrote an article about vampires in pop culture using Ryan Coogler’s successful passion project, Sinners, to uplift George R. R. Martin’s unrelated book, Fevre Dream. It pissed me off so much I decided to make a “books like Sinners” companion reading guide for horror fans looking for more Black vampire reads and more. The article made me see red because I was shocked at the lack of cultural competency an entertainment editor can have in this particular moment and time.

First and foremost, Fevre Dream is a historical fiction drenched in one of Martin’s characters, obsessed with the n-word. Even if you honestly felt that was a logical comparison to you(it ain’t), as an editor, why wouldn’t you use the opportunity to highlight other under-the-radar, marginalized books?

Let’s focus more on Black authors

Active erasure of our culture and history is happening all around us. As consumers, I think we owe it to ourselves to be more intent with how we spend our money. Between burning and banning books and the biases against Black and other global majority citizens. Support the voices you want to see and tell a friend about it. And don’t forget to shop at indie bookstores like Sistah Scifi whenever you can.

Black Books Like Sinners For Those That Want More Black-Centered Reads

This is not a complete list, so for the sake of time, I have left off the queens Octavia E. Butler, Toni Morrison. I also did not include Victor LaVelle, as well as Tananarive Due. Many bookish accounts have taken to their platforms to do what mainstream consistently fails to do( and have included the authors not included on this list). Over on IG, accounts such as @blerdlibrary, @conjuringliteracy, and @scaryblackfolks. Over on Bluesky, accounts such as @emmaraeempowered.com, @blerdymassacre.bsky.social, @takemeawayyy.bsky.social, @discobooks.bsky.social, and @justjennm.bsky.social. Follow them to find more Black book recommendations.

Jook Joint by Tee Franklin

Photo credit: Teefranklin.com

Everyone seems to be blown away by that juke joint scene. Tee Franklin, first dared readers with her southern-conjuring comic Jook Joint. Unfortunately, the series disconnected mid-series, so fans were only able to cop a few issues. However, you can support Tee and all her work on her website, TeeFranklin.com

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker 

Photo credit: Reactor.com

If you need a new Black fantasy series to jump into, this duology needs to be on your TBR list. While this series doesn’t have vampires, it does have ancestral magic.

Slay: Stories of the Vampire Noire Edited by Nicole Givenz Kurtz 

Photo credit: Amazon

Here’s an indie Black horror favorite brought to you by Mocha Memoirs Press. It’s a spectrum from jump scares to rhythmic vampires that will make you sleep with the lights on.

This Cursed House by Del Sandeen 

Photo credit: Amazon

We need more Southern Black gothic reads and when this was first announced, I knew I had to have it. Our main character, Jemma, leaves Chicago to accept a job in New Orleans in the 1960s. However, she does not know she is being lured by an eccentric, passe-blanc family.

Ours by Phillip B. Williams

Photo credit: Amazon

This is a hefty book, and even though it took me almost 6 months to finish, I loved every minute of it. Saint reminds me of that grandmother every knew not to mess with because she had “powers”.

Bitter Root by David Walker, Stanford Greene and Chuck Brown 

Photo credit: Amazon

Believe all the hype, and since y’all love Sinners so much, y’all might as well read this since Regina King and Coogler are still working on adapting this graphic novel.

The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez 

Photo credit: Amazon

The OG, classic, sapphic Black vampire story is still chilling years later. This book includes lots of trauma, so please read with caution.

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark 

Photo credit: Amazon

I find this to be an excellent reading companion with Bitter Root, the graphic novel. You’ll follow a group of resistance fighters that is led by the brave Maryse Boudreaux.

Killadelphia by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

Photo credit: Amazon

Another Sistah SciFi Graphic Novel Book Club, this horror story blends mystery and horror right in the mix of Philadelphia. The vampires in this ghoulish, graphic novel want more than blood.

Workin’: The Old African American Hoodoo System by Katrina Hazzard-Donald

Photo credit: Amazon

I’ve seen some of the rumblings about the attack on religion as a plot device for the movie. All I will say is, read the word from the horse’s mouth, okay?

Meet Me at the Crossroads by Megan Giddings

Photo credit: Amazon

Michael B. Jordan’s twin characters are on everyone’s lips and if that is your type of thrill, you are going to want this upcoming book in your home library. Even though this book doesn’t come out until 6/3 this year, you can pre-order now.

Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

Photo credit: Amazon

Here’s another book that does not center vampires, but if paranormal themes are something you need, here it is. You’ll love how a clairvoyant Black woman who can talk to spirits, puts together a magical heist to take an enchanted ring.

The Conjure-Man Dies by Rudolph Fisher

Photo credit: Amazon

While this book is not a horror story, one of the main characters involves the death of an eccentric conjure man in Harlem, NY. This is considered the first Black mystery in traditional publishing.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings 

Photo credit: Amazon

If you know me, you know how hard I go up for this book! I described this book previously as Bitter Root meets Buffy the Vampire.

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

Photo credit: Amazon

Dive into this dark academia where unlikeable girls and vampires cross paths. Kidan is an orphan, but she suspects that a vampire, who is bound to them, has kidnapped her.

The Paradox of Blackness in African American Vampire Fiction by Jerry Rafiki Jenkins

Photo credit: Amazon

Here’s a little bit of non-fiction for a more balanced book list for your library. There aren’t many books that focus on Black vampires. This book examines how Blackness and vampire lore co-exist from an academic and cultural perspective and no “Black books like Sinners” list would be complete without it.

The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears

Photo credit: Amazon

Travel back in time to Timbuktu, where a disgraced princess is caught up in a sadistic, courting game led by her father, Emperor Sulyeman. For every man who wants her hand in marriage, they must come out as a winner in the trials her father puts forth.

Minion: A Vampire Huntress Legend by L.A. Banks

Photo credit: Amazon

If we are talking about vampires, we can’t forget about vampire killers. Last, but certainly not least, Banks is legendary for her Vampire Huntress series. Dive into a dark, magical world where killing is oftentimes tempting.

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