Horror Novels for Teens & Adults

 I enjoy horror but don't read a lot (as I am also picky about what I like....and if I can finish)

Here is the podcast link if you'd like to listen alchemy of genres

This is a quick YA story about a boy mysteriously drawn toward a pond in the woods.  Arnie looks to old Native American tales for guidance about the dangerous monster hiding in the water.

This is a short story written for middle schoolers but able to be enjoyed by any age.

Children are disappearing and those few that return tell impossible stories of monsters.  Erica Slaughter comes into town determined to stop the deaths and destroys the monsters, but it's hard to slay monsters that usually only children can see....especially when law enforcement is determined to solve these crimes and Erica is their chief suspect.

This series isn't written for teens, but if violence isn't a problem; can likely be read by teens or adults (but it is violent so if that's a trigger, avoid this).

First book in the series is your introduction to everything happening and the major players; second book is a look at continuing problems and betrayals.

Coldtowns are walled cities where quarantined monsters (i.e. vampires) live, along with various humans.  It is a bloody mix of predator and prey and once you enter, you can't ever leave.  

After waking up as one of only a few survivors of a party (some of whom are now infected because someone let in some vampires).  Tana decides the only way to save herself and the others is to go to Coldtown and figure something out .....or die trying.  Tana is a strong, smart heroine and this is an exciting and suspenseful story, written for teens but able to be enjoyed by anyone.

Shetani are beings of awesome power--a swarm of spirits stealing into our world from The Out Of in order to destroy the fabric of reality.  One man, an elder of the Maasai people, Olkeloki, has the knowledge to fight shetani but he needs help.  U.S. Government agent, Joshua Oak and Merry Shadow, a random woman drawn into the fight but perhaps fated to be a part of the group soon join in the fight.  They will all need to go Into the Out Of and defeat the shetani in their own world....they probably won't make it back alive.

Coraline is creepy & awesome.  It is a story written for kids (and having won awards for the writing); but very effective as a scary story for teens and adults.....(button eyes...on people.....*shudders*)

The books are always better than the movie....so whether or not you have seen the movie, definitely check out the book.

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation.....he kills the dead; as his father did before him, at least until a ghost caught and killed him.  So, Cas travels the country with his mother and their cat, following legends and stories to find and destroy murderous ghosts.  When Cas finds "Anna dressed in blood", he finds something very unusual....a girl entangled in curses and rage and who kills everyone who enters her home....but she spares Cas's life.  He has to figure out why.  He also finds himself wanting to put down roots and make friends...which he has never allowed since he thought it would weaken him, but does it?  

Such a good, tense read with lots of action and a creepy mystery to solve.

Another book written for teens but able to be enjoyed by anyone.

June visits her boyfriend Liam on Brody Island for a relaxing end of summer weekend.  After an escaped group of criminals breaks into the house they are watching, Liam is taken after providing a distraction so June can get away.  June grabs a strange Viking axe and flees, when one of the attackers finds her, she swings the ace and takes off his head (kind of a shock!) which then rolls away and begins to babble in terror.  For June to uncover the truth about what is happening she'll need to hear the facts straight from the mouths of her attackers....with or without their bodies attached.

This is a classic horror/sf story that many of you have likely read....but in case you missed it, it is awesome.  This is the story of a haunted/cursed carnival and a boy who is trying to break the curse/figure out the problem and escape with his life.   There are a lot of these now, but this is the original....so check it out.

This is another classic horror story, an amazing ghost story done in Stephen King fashion.  King mixes paranormal abilities with supernatural elements and general "evil"....and voila!  A story that is still being talked about 30 years after it was published.....

Also, the book is MUCH better than the movie, but if you want a movie, check out the mini-series remake released in 1997....so good!

I have definitely spoken of this book series before, so....quick summary if you are new.  The cure for colds & for cancer is found but means that the dead don't stay dead.  Grant writes a multi-faceted scary/horror/political story about disease and fear and the political corruption which results when those in power want to keep the populace blind and fearfully willing to do as they're told (sounds familiar eh?  sigh...)  Every time I read this, I find more levels or things I missed, which is not usual with most horror novels; so enjoy extraordinary literary talent combined with original horror ideas.

Written for adults, but enjoyable at any age (but be aware of the violence).

Parasite is a different kind of terrible horror idea with very different zombies as well.  This time Grant has taken on corruption and power in the pharmaceuticals & military and those who are determined to never let anyone know what is in the "magic pills" which enable a person to survive previously deadly traumatic injuries.  As the truth about the pills comes out, the horror of the choices they made and can't undo will definitely creep you out and make you think about the world we live in.  

Written for adults, but enjoyable at any age (but be aware of the violence).

This is a creepy ghost story combined with old photos and psychic (maybe?) gifts.....Roux has several Asylum books and all are well written stories to read while hiding under the covers and reading with a flashlight.  Roux writes atmospheric and well executed ghost stories that are things of beauty and terror.

These are horror cousins to the well known Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, written for teens but fun for any age.

Odd Thomas sees ghosts, and they usually need help moving on.  Now though, something big is happening and Odd is determined to stop it, as he is sure too many will die and he can't just let that happen.

This is a really good book, and a great audio as well, and is the first of a series following Odd from adventure/terrible situation to the next.  Odd is a sweet guy who seems to have horrible luck but is determined to always stay positive.  

Bring tissues, and maybe a cuddly thing for comfort as the ending will pounce on you and make you cry & squeal.  Koontz does a stellar job of mixing paranormal and horror in a story that is compelling and suspenseful.

Written for adults, and has adult situations but mature teens may enjoy it.

Another unusual zombie story, this one is told from the point of view of a young zombie girl.  She doesn't appear to be really undead (as she is growing and maturing), yet she definitely feeds on flesh and fits all the markers for a zombie.....but she has a brain and feelings.  Follow along with the story for a crazy ride that reminded me of an updated version of I Am Legend.

Written for for adults, but able to be enjoyed by all.

Rot & Ruin is a kind of scary story (because, duh, zombies!) but is also more about what it IS to be a human vs just a human shaped monster.

Am I really talking about an existential horror novel examining why we are worse than any monsters trying to kill us?  Why yes. And it is written for teens, so it's not as graphic as some can be.

The story centers on two brothers; one who hunts zombies and gets needed supplies; and his younger brother who hero worships all zombie hunters....except for his brother (because he is obviously weak and sad due to his hatred of violence).  Maberry brings us through adventures as the younger brother learns the reality of their world,  who and what monsters are, and realizes some of the rubbish he has believed for his entire life.

Thornhill is the story of a house, told in the past and the present.  The story is told in alternating voices and formats between diary entries (past girl) and comic/visual storytelling (present).  As the reader, you see the two stories connecting before the present girl does and are powerless to stop the ending.....which makes it a really cool ghost story and shows some wicked storytelling in action.

This is a story written for teens but able to be enjoyed by anyone.

I read this book when I was a teen (before I ever saw the movie) and found it truly terrifying and so well done.  So many people have watched the movies, and so few have read the book that started it all; so check out the original source material (but remember it's fiction and don't be mean to sharks!)

This wasn't written for teens, and probably hasn't aged well (I did read it a LOOOONG time ago); but give it a try.

This is another oldie but goodie (and a terrible movie from the 80s).

Basically scientists are trying to make super soldiers out of animals, and the genius dog they created has escaped .....and is followed by a horrible monster who kills everyone who gets near the dog.  A man who finds the dog, discovers the horror but is determined to get to the bottom of it.

All together, a fun, campy but creepy book, written for adults and likely another that may not have aged well, but a fav.

This is one I call Stephen King for kids (ok, teens, but still).  A girl is lost in the woods and has to do what is needed to survive....and so many terrible things keep happening.  This is a quick read and one of my favorite kind of horror stories, survival stories about the truly terrible things people do to stay alive.

This is a brand new book, written for teens and is a really great story but I hate that it ends so abruptly.....it feels so jarring and uncomfortable and leaves a bad taste after such a good story.

So, what is it about?  Six characters are at a fat camp (one counselor & five teens) when the food bars they were instructed to eat (but didn't) seem to have turned all of the other campers into zombies.  

DeVos does some fine storytelling with short chapters and each character getting a voice.  Her idea of genetically modified zombies is cool and different, so even if you aren't a lover of zombie novels; give it a shot.

It is a terrible cover though.....

Orsk (a Cleveland Ikea-like box store) is experiencing some strangeness---employees arrive in the morning to find broken shelves, shattered glasses, smashed wardrobes and foul smelling muck on floors and furniture.  The supervisor (who wants to move up the Orsk corporate ladder) convinces (or blackmails), two employees to stay overnight with him to catch the "vandals"; and two other employees sneak in to film  and hopefully prove it's all ghosts (and thus launch their youtube fame).  Turns out it IS ghosts, but they are not passive or quiet and what waits after dark has no problem with adding the employees to their "to do" list and adding to their ranks of restless dead.

This is a truly horrific book not really good for kids (very violent); and if you are reading it, pay attention to the furniture diagrams that are at the head of every new chapter.....trust me!   Love this book!

This is another phantom creepy carnival story....this one may be inspired by Bradbury's story (maybe not, who knows?) but is different in so many ways and is equally unsettling and enthralling.

Shusterman has a gift for diving into a story and pulling you along for the ride, so definitely check this out. Written for teens but able to be enjoyed by anyone.

Slice of Cherry is the story of two daughters of a famous serial killer who long to follow in dear old dad's footsteps (but without the whole getting caught and executed part).  When they find a portal to another world, it's like a gift from the universe.....now they have a secret place to kill in, and a place where no on can find the bodies in either.

This is a dark, creepy story that is like horror fluff (meaning it's not the best story ever written, but oh! what a guilty pleasure to read!)  It was written for teens, but I would suggest only older teens and definitely will appeal to adults.

Ito is a master of horror comics for a reason.  Shiver, Smashed, Spiral Into Horror are all manga translations available at the library or bookstores and are really good but super creepy (both stories and art)

I always have trouble finishing them in one go....because I end up having to put it down just to escape the ick factor for a bit.

Written for adults, and definitely using a lot of gross/ick factors in the horror.....but if you enjoy scary, you have to try Ito books.

The Devil's Engine is a machine from the darkest parts of history.  It can make any wish come true....as long as you are willing to put your life and soul on the line.

When Marlow Green finds himself trapped in a surreal fight between nightmarish creatures in his NYC neighborhood, he discovers a squad of secret soldiers dedicated to battling the legions of the Devil himself.  Faced with monstrous apparitions, ancient weaponry, and his own hellish existence, Marlow submits to a demonic deal with the infernal device that enables him to join the battle; if it doesn't kill him first.

These are suspenseful, creepy and fun to read; written for teens but the series can be enjoyed by anyone.

Told in many voices, this is the story of the post-apocalypse but is also 

each characters memories of "the before time".  This story is written as if it's a report or a journalistic historical account incorporating multiple points of view about humanity's fight against the zombie hordes.

This is nothing like the movie, and may not be everyone's cup of tea as it is told in a dry, no nonsense voice; but I found it interesting and different.

Written for adults, some older teens may also enjoy it.

Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth, but he is not alone.  Everyone else is a vampire and they are all out for his blood.  By day he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization.  By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for dawn.

This is NOT the move.  It is older, and scarier and the ending makes you truly think about what makes a monster.

A classic horror book I highly encourage everyone to read.

You cannot have a horror list without the true master (and one of the creators of the genre)...Edgar Allan Poe.  If you haven't read the Tell-Tale Heart, or any of this other stories (long stories, short stories, all the stories!) you need to.  His stories have been made into movies a bunch of times and have influenced so many other writings because he is a master.

So many people have watched the tv show and not many have read the books (technically comics but nonetheless...BOOKS!). I prefer them over the show but that's just me maybe.  Definitely horrible and beautiful and heartbreaking to read, so maybe try it?

Written for adults, lots of violence.

This is a creepy paranormal detective story with ghosts, written for teens but oh! so good.  It is so many things and all very well done.  It is the story of teens and children who alone can see spirits and ghost but they are still children and adults still run the world.....which is awkward and terrifying.

I highly recommend this series to everyone who enjoys creepy stories done light (i.e. not much violence).