I want to read vampire fiction, but the bulk majority of what passes my feeds seems to draw heavily from Vampire: The Masquerade vibes. They have an underworld aristocracy, if they haven't already converted the planet into a blood farm. Vampires lord over humans and hunt them and the vampires themselves? Elegant, self-assured. Perfect beauties that exude pure sexuality and fight other vampires for their confused little life-mate human. Like, it's been fun and all, reading those sorts. But.
I want something with a different angle, please.
I'd prefer a novel that treats vampirism as an affliction our MC has to struggle with constantly. One where they may hate themselves and their barely-contained hunger, and have to be cared for and goaded into taking blood offered by their human companion. Just one novel where the human is the more certain and self-assured one, helping out someone they love. I want a quieter side to vampires, focused on the world and life of two people trying to navigate a new life.
Bonus points if it's lesbian but I realize what I'm asking for seems rare enough as it is.
by Liana_de_Arc