Fevre Dream, by George R.R. Martin

Author George R.R. Martin is most famous for his series of novels that's collectively referred to as A Song of Ice and Fire, which contains A Game of Thrones (1996), A Clash of Kings (1999), A Storm of Swords (2000) and A Feast for Crows (2005).  Next in line for the series are the forthcoming A Dance with Dragons, The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. Prior to the Ice and Fire series, Martin wrote the novels Dying of the Light (1977), Windhaven (1981), Fevre Dream (1982), The Armageddon Rag (1983) and Dead Man's Hand (1990).

The novel Fevre Dream centers around steamboat captain Abner Marsh, who is caught between feuding vampire bloodmasters Joshua York and Damon Julian.  Specifically, York concots a drink that suppresses a vampire's bloodlust, or "thirst," which could enable them to peacefully coexist with humans. However, Julian wants no part of the vision since he believes that vampires are thoroughly superior to humans and that the idea of sharing the world with them is ludicrous. As a result, much blood is shed as Marsh, York and their associates square off with Julian and his group. Also, Martin does a splendid job of using the inevitable ruin of anything that's beautiful as a theme throughout the story.  He also never fails to deliver in terms of delivering gorgeous imagery, such as "In autumn, leaves of a thousand colors drift past lazily in the river's blue embrace."

All things considered, anyone who enjoys a good vampire story will likely enjoy Fevre Dream.