Daughters Of Darkness is a compilation of lesbian, vampire stories from Cleis Press. It is edited by Pam Keesey who has done a number of vampire related books. While I am a fan of vampires, lesbians and erotica, this is in my opinion not strong on any front. I am a bit unsure of how I feel about this book.

There is virtually no sex in the books, mostly sex is just suggested or assumed. Maybe I have gotten spoiled but if I am going to read a book of erotica, I expect for there to be some steamy sex in it that will leave me ready for more. That was not the case in this book.

There are 10 stories in this 248 page book. Some are very short (4 pages) and some are very long (60+ pages) and seem to lack in substance for me. While they are worth reading, it is only for the vampire enthusiast. If you are simply looking for short vampire stories then this book is fine, some of the stories do draw you in for a short while.

The stories include:

Dracula Retold - by Zana
I, Vampire - by Jody Scott
Carmilla - J. Sheridan LeFanu
Daughter Of The Night - by Elaine Bergstrom (I have comments about this one below)
Louisiana: 1850 - by Jewelle Gomez
Lilith - by Robbi Sommers
Virago - by Karen Marie Christa Minns
The Vampire - by Pat Califia
Oh Captain, My Captain - by Katherine V. Forrest
Minimax - by Anna Livia

The cover is discreet enough to read in public. It depicts two female vampires with mouths open facing eachother as if to kiss, with the title. No nudity.

I have a teenaged daughter and was a little disturbed in Daughter Of The Night where a grown man was forced to have sex with a 13 year old girl. I realize that it is just a story but in my opinion, I could have lived without that.