Daywalkers

by Emilia Mondragón, Aude Ziegelmeyer (cover_art)

“What makes a better hunter – a better soldier – for an organization of monster hunters, than the spawn of a monster itself? Two were worth more than their weight in gold.”

In a world where vampires live in the shadows of humanity, 24-year-old twins Eric and James MacNamara work for The Colectiv - a religious organization dedicated to hunting them down. They’re Transylvania’s best, hunting undead threats with pistol and blade alike, as well as the immortal blood that flows through their veins.

Eric, who left The Colectiv at 18 to pursue normalcy, is now seeking revenge after a near-death experience with a vampire lover and her possessive older brother. His return has made him into a ruthless killer who will do anything to acquire the information he so desires, even if it means doing something he is loath to do - reconnecting with his former flame, Emilia.

Emilia is a 70-year-old vampire and a dancer at a burlesque club called The Canary. After a bloody breakup and going no-contact with her big brother, she fled to New York City in search of peace. But when her ex-boyfriend, Eric MacNamara, comes crashing back into her life and demands to know her brother’s whereabouts, Emilia is left with no choice but to face the past she left behind.

But what else will they do now that fate and rage have thrust them back together again?

539 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2025

About the author

Emilia Mondragón is an independent queer author from Southern California. She is the daughter of Mexican-immigrant parents and is a lover of all things horror and fantasy. Over the course of her life, she has dipped her toes in many creative fields such as film, theater, singing, acting, and dancing, but ultimately decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an author. In spring of 2024 she decided to self-publish her debut novel, DAYWALKERS, and plans to publish the first of an adult epic fantasy called THE MOON PRINCE in 2025.

Reviews

[Kamarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh that ENDING!!!! Loved this story. I need more of it! It has all the tropes: lovers to enemies to lovers, forced proximity, FORBIDDEN LOVE!!! If you love vampires, this is for you!!

[reem.☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

so glad redacted slithered away was low-key rooting for him 🥰

[AJM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has such a refreshing outlook on vampires and I was addicted to the story from the very first chapter!

the characters are so well developed as they all have very distinct personalities and each are loveable in their own way even with their flaws. the romance was also amazing as it is truly a slow burn!!

I love the brothers so much they are just so different from each other and so loveable. I can't wait to read more of these characters and I'm kind of obsessed with Dante and Wade too 🫣🫣 I'm out to get you Michael watch yourself 🔪

The writing is also so descriptive. I felt like I was watching a movie and easily got lost in the story and characters.

The ending was incredible and I'm so ready for book 2!!! This really is such a great read 🫶

[Ruthie Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was brilliant. It was so well written and a quick read. It is refreshing and new, I loved that the older vampire was a beautiful, 70 year old burlesque dancing woman! I loved the queer representation and diverse characters, without it feeling like a trope. I NEED book two asap! For now I will be reading Moon Prince by the same author!! I am so excited to read every book this author writes! As a huge Fantasy lover I am excited to see where the future of Fantasy is heading!

[Jess Palacios · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What makes a better hunter for an organization of monster hunters, than the spawn of a monster itself? Two were worth more than their weight in gold.”

Daywalkers by Emilia Mondragón
⭐️:5 📚: 451 pages

Read it if you like:
🖤 Dark fantasy
🖤 Vampire x Vampire Hunter
🖤 Morally Grey Characters
🖤 Organization of monster hunters
🖤 Latina Vampire FMC
🖤 Twin Brothers (hunters)
🖤Forced proximity

My thoughts: I went in completely blind — I was immediately drawn in by the cover, and the moment I saw the word "vampires" in the description, I was sold. And wow, I’m so glad I picked it up! I discovered an amazing universe with incredible depth.

The Hunter brothers gave me major Supernatural nostalgia, but the story is so much more than that. There’s secrecy, fear, betrayal, love, power, political intrigue, passion, and desire. There's action, intense fights, and an overarching theme of duty vs. destiny.

Emilia (our fierce FMC) and the twins, Eric and James, have to work together — and the tension between them is palpable (in the best way!). The slow burn between Emilia and Eric is absolutely riveting. I’m obsessed! Also... I need more of my boy James in book two. I’m getting serious “dark side” vibes from him, and I am here for it. Overall, an amazing story — I can't wait for more!

[Biblioamory (Joyce) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't quite make up my mind about this book. It was pretty fun and engaging, and the character work is quite good.

I had some issues with word choice, at points, and verb tenses not always being quite on the nose. And, ultimately, I wasn't super interested in the original premise driving the plot, as such, the road trip culminating in a desired killing.

I don't read enough vampire stuff to be able to confidently say whether it's an original take or anything, but I was certainly interested enough in the different relationship dynamics. It was definitely the characters, and their respective dynamics, that drove it. You knew the thing was going to get unstuck, but you really wanted to be there when it happened to see how it unfolded.

[Dynisha Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good start to a duology! It does all of the heavy lifting as far as adding the fantasy elements to our existing world, and building these characters up into ones that are completely unredeamable, all the way to some of my favorite vamps and hybrids.

Eric and James are more similar than different which I enjoy because I do think sometimes folks write twins completely opposite for no other reason than to not get them mixed up. About halfway through is when things really start to get good and you see how even the similarities really start to matter - they're making different choices and those choices definitely impact the narrative in a TENSION building way. I also really enjoy the nuance to Dante and Emilia, and even though I didn't want to the levels to some of the Collectiv folks too.

Definitely Book 1 of a duology you should read!

[Annalise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I just watched a season of Supernatural and those last few chapters was the season finale😭 I really enjoyed the multiple points of view bc we really got to see the inner workings and history for each of the main characters. I think bc there was a lot of flashbacks for each character, it did seem a little slow at times, but tis the curse of the first book in a series🤷‍♀️😂 Now Emilia, I love you, but I’m TERRIFIED of what you are going to do to my sweet emo boy James in the next book (and Jaya too)🥲 If you love a good urban fantasy with Supernatural vibes and an amazing cast of diverse characters, I definitely recommend!!!

[Leilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that she included content warnings. It’s a mix of romance, drama, and action. genuinely enjoyed it and she wrote everything in such vivid detail it played like a movie in my head. It was so well written, I literally got sweaty palms during the third act when things started to escalate.

[Sam Desormeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a compelling story! I was hooked from the beginning, couldn't put it down. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel!

[anidayneow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I judge books by their covers and I am almost never wrong. Think "The Lost Boys" style and "Buffy"/"Blade" type of lore with a dash of "Supernatural". I'm a sucker for anti-heroes and angst.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing ride! I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

[Frommailenesbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slowburn was killing me, but in the BEST way possible 😫🖤 I was at the edge of my seat dying for Emilia and Eric! And the plot is SO good!

Eric and James are the twin brothers you want to be friends with 😆 and Emilia? Is there a way for me to go clubbing with her?

🖤 Vampire x Vampire Hunter
🖤 Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
🖤 Morally Grey Characters
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Latina FMC
🖤 Lovable, Idiot Brothers
🖤 Slowburn Romance