I was slightly disappointed that Richard Matheson's I am Legend took The Vampire Novel of the Century award at The Stokers this year. I mean, that novel is a classic, a masterpiece. I first read it as a little boy and I loved it. It literally changed the way I felt about genre fiction.

Had King's Salem's Lot won, I wouldn't have been too disappointed either. It's a terrific novel that played a huge role in launching King's career.

I would have been disgusted had Interview With the Vampire won, despite how influential it was.

As for Anno Dracula, Hotel Transylvania, and The Soft Whisper of the Dead, they are solid novels, but did not deserve the honor.

My own choice would have been an easy one. My favorite vampire novel of all time is George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream. By a wide margin.

Fevre Dream is now back in print, no doubt due to the small screen success of Martin's A Game of Thrones. This should get people reading more of his work and they can do no better than giving Fevre Dream a try.

On the other hand, what do I know? I haven't read the Fantasy work of George R.R. Martin and I might possibly like it more than his Horror.

Nah.

Fevre Dream is a masterpiece, plain and simple. It works as well as a historical novel as it does a work of Horror. It's also an epic tale of friendship, of honor. The novel deals with a riverboat captain in 1857 who makes a deal with a curiously pale individual. Their union brings forth an adventure that spans many years and the length of the majestic Mississippi River.

For me, Fevre Dream makes the very shortlist of greatest horror novels ever published. So if you like A Game of Thrones, please, please consider buying and reading Fevre Dream. Best of all, it's an inexpensive paperback that should be available everywhere.

While you're at it, another great Horror title by George R.R. Martin is back in print: The Armageddon Rag, which deals with a demonic rock group. It's no Fevre Dream, but it's still better than 99% of the other stuff out there in the genre.

In the highly unlikely event that Mr. Martin is reading these words, please come home to Horror, Sir. We miss you.

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