As someone who has made the transition from non-horror reader to horror enthusiast, I believe it’s essential to dispel the misconception that horror is solely defined by gore, monsters, and supernatural entities. While these elements can certainly be part of the genre, they are just one aspect of a broader spectrum. Horror can also be characterized by themes of obsession, dread, and psychological tension, which can be equally unsettling and thought-provoking.
The boundaries of horror are actually quite fluid, and its influence can be seen in various literary genres, including fantasy, literary fiction, and mystery-thriller. I don’t think it’s fair to reduce the genre to a single, narrow definition. Throughout history, horror has served as a powerful vehicle for social commentary and critique, offering a stark reflection of our world’s darkest realities.
The origins of monster horror can be traced back to Romanticism, with Gothic horror emerging shortly after. In contemporary horror, the ‘monster’ or villain often represents a societal problem, much like the villains in Scooby-Doo. Ultimately, the most crucial element in any horror novel is creating an atmosphere of emotional unease that resonates with the reader. This can manifest as dread, obsession, or even ice-cold terror.
It’s a delicate balance that requires a deep understanding of human psychology and emotions.
Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
In this spine-tingling YA horror novel, Lady Hazel Sinnet’s quest for surgical knowledge takes a dark and unexpected turn. Denied access to anatomy courses due to her gender, Hazel forms an unlikely alliance with Jack, a black-market corpse dealer, to help her achieve her goal of passing medical exams. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of the lecture hall, they uncover a sinister plot that threatens to upend their lives.
With just the right balance of gruesome details, pulse-pounding adventure, and romantic tension, this book is sure to leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
Prior to the release of The Hunger Games, a precursor in the form of Battle Royale had already captivated audiences. This 1999 Japanese film, directed by Kinji Fukasaku, presents a hauntingly familiar premise: a class of junior high students is transported to a remote island and forced to engage in a brutal fight-to-the-death, with only one survivor emerging victorious.
Battle Royale’s dark, violent, and thought-provoking nature serves as a scathing commentary on the human psyche, fear, and the consequences of unchecked aggression.
A House At The Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman
As James and Amelia’s first date descends into chaos, their initial nervousness gives way to outright dread when an entire home materializes at the bottom of a secret lake. With no choice but to confront the unknown, they embark on a thrilling adventure that plunges them into a realm of unsettling eeriness and unanswerable questions, perfect for those looking to dip their toes into the horror genre.
Revenge by Yōko Ogawa
In a collection of unsettling tales, retribution takes center stage as the focal point for eerie unease rather than outright terror. The first narrative follows a writer who relocates to an abandoned apartment, only to uncover that her new landlady is a murderer with a dark past. As her stepson begins sharing disturbing anecdotes about his stepmother, the writer’s uneasiness grows.
A surgeon, meanwhile, encounters a woman whose heart lies outside her body and vows to perform the necessary repairs. However, their encounter takes an unexpected turn as they’re confronted by an individual with unconventional desires. Throughout these 11 interconnected yet disparate stories, the reader is left with a sense of foreboding, as if tracing the subtle yet sinister threads that weave them together.
Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
In a peculiar blend of imagination and graphic design, this unsettling book will captivate readers’ attention. The Orsk furniture store in Ohio becomes a hub of mystery and chaos as items vanish, furniture is destroyed, and security footage remains mysteriously absent. To unravel the enigma, three employees take turns working the night shift, only to discover that the truth is far more sinister than they could have ever conceived.
By cleverly merging elements of parody and social commentary, this book offers a unique spin on the classic haunted house story.
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
Jake’s high school experience was already a daunting challenge, but his unique ability to perceive the spirit world made everyday life even more precarious. The arrival of Sawyer, an irate and vengeful ghost with unresolved issues, only exacerbated Jake’s problems. As he navigated the treacherous landscape of adolescence, Jake found himself in the crosshairs of supernatural forces that threatened to upend his already fragile existence.
This thought-provoking young adult novel deftly balances weighty themes with spine-tingling tension, crafting a compelling narrative that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt
For fans of true crime, a fictionalized account of the infamous Lizzie Borden case offers an intriguing alternative. Author Schmidt delves into the dark, inner workings of the Borden household, rendering vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the intense, even brutal atmosphere. The writer’s unflinching portrayal of life within the Borden walls provides a gripping and unsettling experience.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
In the opening installment of a chilling alternative history duology, the most unsettling elements don’t stem from the apocalyptic zombie threat that has ravaged the country. Jane’s backstory reveals she was schooled in combat tactics since childhood, driven by her ardent desire to reunite with her loved ones. However, this mission is foiled when she and Kate, her fellow trainee, are whisked away to a lawless, treacherous settlement shrouded in mystery.
As the stakes escalate, their battle for survival has only just begun.
I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
With its dual narratives expertly woven together, this gripping novel masterfully crafts a sense of unease that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Three friends, embarking on a renovation project in the isolated Icelandic wilderness, are initially oblivious to the ominous presence lurking around them. As strange occurrences escalate and they realize there’s no escape from the growing malevolence, their initial excitement turns to dread.
In parallel, a doctor delves into the mysterious death of a woman, only to uncover a chilling truth that further heightens the tension. Through its alternating storylines, this fast-paced thriller expertly balances pace and suspense, leaving readers with a haunting sense of unease.
The Good House by Tananarive Due
As Angela stepped back into the comforting confines of her grandmother’s iconic Good House, a sense of nostalgia washed over her. The tragedy that had befallen her was still raw, but she hoped that by delving into her own past, she might uncover some long-buried secrets. Her quest for answers led her down a rabbit hole of shocking revelations about the town’s troubled history – could these events be linked to the mysterious Good House?
The stakes were high; Angela needed to unravel the truth behind the house before it was too late, not just for herself, but for her family as well.
Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour
For those seeking a subtle introduction to the horror genre, this book is an ideal starting point. The story follows Mila, who leaves her tumultuous past in the foster system behind when she secures a job at a secluded farm on California’s rugged coastline. Amidst the eerie fog that shrouds the landscape, the farm’s youthful residents find solace and companionship as they navigate their collective grief and the mystical energies that seem to stir in the mist.
Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow
Cherish and Farrah, two Black girls in a predominantly homogenous community, formed an unbreakable bond from their earliest interactions. As Farrah’s family struggled to make ends meet, she found solace in the wealthier family of Cherish, where a sense of security and stability awaited. However, beneath the veneer of tranquility, a simmering tension began to build, threatening to upend the delicate balance that had been established.
The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous
In this thought-provoking dual timeline novel, readers will find themselves entwined in a mystery that’s as much a psychological thriller as it is a nuanced exploration of human relationships. The story begins in 1988 when protagonist Beth is sent to live at Raven Hall, where she forms an instant connection with Nina.
As the narrative unfolds, Beth finds herself growing more and more comfortable within her new surroundings, only for her world to be turned upside down when the family makes a shocking request of her. Fast forward thirty years, and actress Sadie Langton is brought in to play a key role in a peculiar game at Raven Hall. But as the evening takes an increasingly dark turn, Sadie’s curiosity gets the better of her, and she sets out to unravel the truth behind her mysterious host’s motivations.
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
In this gripping dark contemporary novel, a protagonist devoid of a name leaves behind a promising career as a pianist to pursue a path in a high-end spa. As she immerses herself in the spa’s enigmatic ambiance, her fixation on the next treatment, the next elixir for beauty, intensifies. The story delves into the complexities of obsession, assimilation, and manipulation, raising thought-provoking questions about the true costs of our desires.
The Long Walk by Stephen King
For those looking to dip their toes into Stephen King’s horror genre without being bombarded by gory monsters or cheap jump scares, I highly recommend a particular novel that embodies the author’s darker side. The premise is straightforward: survival. One hundred boys are pitted against each other in an annual competition where only one can emerge victorious. For Ray, this year is his chance to claim the top spot and achieve his lifelong dream.
What sets this story apart from King’s typical fare is its poignant blend of humor and glimmers of hope, which serves as a stark contrast to the growing sense of unease and desperation that permeates every page.
The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro
As Alejandra navigates the challenges of a cross-country move and the arrival of her third child, she finds herself grappling with debilitating depressive episodes. The sudden appearance of La Llorona, the mythical Mexican folk demon, only exacerbates her fears, as visions of drowning her children haunt her nightmares.
In a desperate bid to break free from this dark cycle, Alejandra delves into her family’s rich cultural heritage, searching for ancient secrets and mystical clues that can help her shatter the curse that threatens to consume her and her loved ones. Through her perilous journey, this powerful story showcases Alejandra’s unyielding determination to reclaim her strength and secure a brighter future for herself and her children.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind
In the dark alleys of 18th century Paris, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille’s extraordinary sense of smell sets him apart from the rest. As an apprentice perfumer, he delves into the art of distilling peculiar scents: the pungent aroma of brass, the earthy tang of wood, and the putrid stench of rotting food. But beneath his fascination with these unusual fragrances lies a singular obsession – the intoxicating scent of one young woman.
Driven by an insatiable desire to capture her essence, Grenouille’s pursuit becomes an all-consuming quest, with no moral or ethical boundaries too low for him to cross.
Coyote Songs by Gabino Iglesias
In a region where the U.S.-Mexico border stretches out like an open wound, the realms of the supernatural converge to exact a toll of vengeance and retribution. This complex, multi-threaded narrative weaves together disparate storylines, as plot threads intersect and entwine in unexpected ways. Iglesias masterfully blends elements of horror, noir, and crime fiction to craft a novel that is at once haunting and mesmerizing.
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
Vera’s homecoming is met with a sense of unease as she returns to her childhood abode, only to find it being transformed by an enigmatic artist residing in the guest house. The air is thick with tension as Vera stumbles upon cryptic messages scrawled across the walls, yet the artist insists he’s not responsible for the ominous notes.
As Vera delves deeper into the mystery, she becomes increasingly entangled in a web of unsettling and claustrophobic revelations that will leave her – and readers – questioning what’s real and what’s just a product of her own paranoia.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
In this enchanting YA fairy tale retelling, the stakes are lower but the atmosphere is just as captivating. Highmoor Manor serves as a prison of sorts for Annaleigh and her sisters, who were locked away to protect them after the tragic loss of their four eldest siblings. As night falls, Annaleigh receives eerie visions, which prompt her sisters to sneak out and attend ethereal, sparkling galas.
With a determination to safeguard herself and her family from the curse that’s been plaguing them, Annaleigh will stop at nothing to break the cycle. If you’re looking for some guidance to start your horror reading journey, consider shining a light with daylight horror, exploring the history and context of horror through nonfiction, or diving into the best horror releases of 2023.