Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton

Without further ado I humbly present:

Compendium of Vampire Typological Traits and General Characterization in Contemporary Fantasy Novels
Part 1

Laurell K. Hamilton ~ Anita Blake series
Please, note that I stopped reading the series after Book 9 - Obsidian Butterfly. All that smut just became too much.

What is vampirism?
Vampirism is considered a viral blood disease.

Becoming a vampire
Three consecutive bites from a master vampire. Properly unsupervised procedure can result in feral vamp.

Life expectancy
Immortal unless killed. Some metaphysical diseases apply.

Extermination methods
Heart cut out or shot to tiny bits, head chopped off, body burnt and, to be on the safe side, scattered across running water, preferably several.
Wooden stakes work as well as silver bullets and blades in contradiction to regular weapons. Can be destroyed by magic.
The older and more powerful vamp, the harder to kill.


Character in general
Vamps are cold-hearted manipulators with little if any morals; most of them are cruel and power hungry beasts with only their interests at heart.

Looks in general
They are gorgeous. All of them. Even those who are supposed to be ugly.
Bodies are at least room temperature. In most cases vamps are partial to clothing from era when they lived.

Breathing & heartbeat
Not required. Mostly employed by new vamps as a remnant of previous life thus underlining their status. Breathing needed for scenting only.

Feeding habits, int. al.: 1) solid food, 2) beverages, 3) alcohol, 4) intoxicating substances
Daily dose of live blood via biting, were-animals, magic users included and preferred. Effects from bite vary accordingly to vamp's special powers – from sexual pleasure to extreme discomfort.
Starving in some cases may cause irreversible madness. Packed blood can result in disintegration. Can become proprietary of a regular blood source.
1) no *** (top level master vampires feel the taste of food via human servant's taste-buds; no actual consumption transpires)
2) no *** (see previous comment)
3) yes, no info about intoxication
4) no info

Sleeping habits
Usual drill: sleep while the sun is up. Master vamps can be up during daytime but cannot be in direct sunlight. Heart stops while sleeping.

Mating
Can mate with anything that moves, in most cases are excellent at it. Prominent stamina. Lesser vampires are often used as sexual slaves by their masters and those who loan them from masters.
In some cases released sexual energy serves as food for vamps (incubus/succubus). Although, males can perform only after feeding.
Can become somewhat emotionally involved with their partners.

Abilities & Superpowers
Everything, from controlling animals (read were-animals) to flying, mind-reading, lie-detecting, terror-inducement, seduction-powers and so on. Say it, and she's written about it in some form.
Abilities vary depending on power level.
They all are very strong, resilient and fast. Supernatural perception (sigh, hearing, scent) applies. All vamps have hypnotic mojo to ensnare, bind and even harm potential victims.

Social structure
Finely defined covens with strict social placement depending on power level. Atop is blood-mother/father of the coven who governs the family and its business and is coven's life source.
Obedience is insured by blood ties and secured by lieutenants / executive management. Transferred vamps are sworn to obedience by blood.
Top authority – Council.

Interaction with humans
Humans are aware of their existence. Moreover, vamps have citizenship in some countries, including USA where events of the series take place. Vamps have legal businesses besides not so legal ones. Laws that regulate their actions are interwoven with human rights and laws.

Popular myths: 1) garlic, 2) holy items, 3) prayers, 4) sun, 5) coffins, 6) fangs, 7) animal form, 8) no reflection in mirror, 9) invitation into homes, 10) mist form? (true/false)
1) I will look it up***
2) true, works real well, leaves permanent scars
3) true, works for repelling
4) true, vamps melt in direct sunlight
5) true
6) true, are retractable
7) false
8) I will look it up***
9) true
10) somewhat true in some cases