Summary: In this article, I have selected 20 of the best horror novels that are guaranteed to haunt you long after you finish reading. Here are my top 3 picks:
- Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
- The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
- The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
Horror novels are a wild ride, diving into our deepest fears and exploring the unknown and supernatural. They let us face fear in a safe way, giving us that rush without any real danger. Plus, horror often digs into the darker sides of human nature, offering a fresh look at psychology and morality. Whether it's the eerie atmosphere, the twisted characters, or the nail-biting suspense, horror novels pull you in and make you wonder what's hiding just beyond the everyday.
TOP 20: Best Horror Novels
- Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
- The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
- The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
- Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas
- Never Flinch by Stephen King
- House of Thorns by Lee Mountford
- Haunted: Perron Manor by Lee Mountford
- Slash or Pass by Tylor Paige
- The Imaginary Friend's Obsession by Skyla Gray
- Ushers by Joe Hill
- The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
- Intercepts by T.J. Payne
- The Rack by Tom Deady
- The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
- The Hospital by A.G. Twist
- Bird Box by Josh Malerman
- Horror: The 100 Best Books by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
- Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent by Jennifer Anne Gordon
- The Changeling by Victor LaValle
- The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
1. Phantasma
- Author: Kaylie Smith
- About: A dark fantasy romance that blends supernatural elements with gripping tension.
- Style of writing: Descriptive, atmospheric, with emotional depth.
- Length: 80,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Keeps you intrigued and invested in the characters’ dark journey.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (accessible to most readers).
- Why read it: If you're a fan of dark fantasy and romance, this book offers a thrilling and intense reading experience.
2. The Serpent and the Wings of Night
- Author: Carissa Broadbent
- About: A vampire fantasy set in a brutal world where ancient powers are at play.
- Style of writing: Engaging, fast-paced, with detailed world-building.
- Length: 100,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Strong character connections and a sense of growing tension.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (suitable for fantasy lovers).
- Why read it: A compelling mix of horror and fantasy with captivating vampire lore.
3. The Book of Azrael
- Author: Amber V. Nicole
- About: A dark fantasy exploring the boundaries between life, death, and everything in between.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and haunting, with rich prose.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Introspective, eerie, and leaves you reflecting on life and death.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully written exploration of the afterlife with horror elements.
4. Blood of Hercules
- Author: Jasmine Mas
- About: A dark romance set in a world of mythology, power struggles, and forbidden love.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, immersive with vivid imagery.
- Length: 95,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Passionate, intense with moments of heartbreak.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: If you love mythology mixed with romance and dark fantasy.
5. Never Flinch
- Author: Stephen King
- About: A thriller involving the psychological horror of fear and survival.
- Style of writing: Detailed, atmospheric, and full of suspense.
- Length: 100,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Captivating, with a long-lasting tension that stays with you.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A thrilling ride that immerses you in psychological horror.
6. House of Thorns
- Author: Lee Mountford
- About: A haunted house story filled with supernatural terror and mystery.
- Style of writing: Dark, tense, and filled with suspense.
- Length: 85,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Builds a feeling of dread and unease that lingers.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For fans of haunted house horror with a psychological twist.
7. Haunted: Perron Manor
- Author: Lee Mountford
- About: A chilling tale about an abandoned manor with dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Creepy, atmospheric, and suspenseful.
- Length: 95,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Keeps you on edge, making you feel the tension throughout.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a classic haunted house experience with modern thrills.
8. Slash or Pass
- Author: Tylor Paige
- About: A dark romance with elements of horror and twisted love.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced and gripping with suspense.
- Length: 70,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Shock and thrill with a mix of suspenseful romance.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: If you enjoy horror mixed with dark romance and psychological twists.
9. The Imaginary Friend's Obsession
- Author: Skyla Gray
- About: A psychological thriller about a haunting and obsessive presence.
- Style of writing: Gripping and intense with a focus on suspense.
- Length: 75,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Leaves you unsettled and questioning reality.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For fans of psychological horror with a chilling edge.
10. Ushers
- Author: Joe Hill
- About: A supernatural horror story set in a creepy old theater.
- Style of writing: Dark, atmospheric, and full of tension.
- Length: 85,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Uneasy, with a sense of foreboding that builds to a terrifying climax.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For its blend of horror, suspense, and dark imagination.
11. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
- Author: Stuart Turton
- About: A twisted mystery where the protagonist relives the same day in different bodies.
- Style of writing: Intricate, with puzzle-like storytelling.
- Length: 100,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Mind-bending and unforgettable.
- Difficulty level: Challenging (requires focus to keep up with the complexity).
- Why read it: A unique mix of mystery, horror, and mind-twisting narrative.
12. Intercepts
- Author: T.J. Payne
- About: A psychological horror novel that keeps you guessing with every twist.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, full of suspense and mystery.
- Length: 80,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Tense, with a lingering sense of unease.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a suspenseful, mind-bending experience that grips you till the end.
13. The Rack
- Author: Tom Deady
- About: A haunting story of revenge and terror involving a forgotten past.
- Style of writing: Dark, atmospheric, and eerie.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Thrilling, with moments of deep horror and unease.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: If you like revenge stories with a heavy supernatural twist.
14. The Exorcist
- Author: William Peter Blatty
- About: The classic tale of a young girl’s possession and the exorcism that follows.
- Style of writing: Gripping, emotional, and deeply psychological.
- Length: 120,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 1971
- Emotional impact: Terrifying, leaves a lasting impression on both mind and soul.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: One of the most iconic horror novels of all time.
15. The Hospital
- Author: A.G. Twist
- About: A psychological thriller set in a hospital with terrifying secrets.
- Style of writing: Creepy, atmospheric, with moments of shocking terror.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Keeps you on edge, with a sense of dread throughout.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A chilling exploration of fear and the unknown within the walls of a hospital.
16. Bird Box
- Author: Josh Malerman
- About: A post-apocalyptic thriller where people are driven to madness by what they see.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, gripping with a sense of dread.
- Length: 85,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Haunting, with a long-lasting feeling of tension.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a heart-pounding experience in a terrifying, blind world.
17. Horror: The 100 Best Books
- Author: Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
- About: An anthology of the greatest horror books, providing a comprehensive guide.
- Style of writing: Informative, critical, and insightful.
- Length: 250,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2001
- Emotional impact: Educational and fun for horror lovers, but not emotionally intense.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For those wanting to explore the best horror books ever written.
18. Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent
- Author: Jennifer Anne Gordon
- About: A gothic horror story about grief, love, and the supernatural.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, haunting, and deeply emotional.
- Length: 95,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Haunting, with deep emotional undertones.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A dark, gothic horror with deep emotional resonance.
19. The Changeling
- Author: Victor LaValle
- About: A modern horror novel that mixes folklore with psychological terror.
- Style of writing: Rich, atmospheric, with detailed character development.
- Length: 110,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Leaves a lasting emotional impact due to its themes of loss and grief.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a compelling mix of psychological horror and folklore.
20. The Cabin at the End of the World
- Author: Paul Tremblay
- About: A suspenseful home-invasion thriller that blends psychological and physical horror.
- Style of writing: Tense, suspenseful, with deep emotional depth.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Gripping and deeply unsettling.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: If you enjoy psychological tension and a blend of horror with emotional drama.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, if you're diving into horror novels, I think Phantasma, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, and The Book of Azrael are must-reads. Each one brings something unique to the table—whether it’s the dark, immersive world of Phantasma, the thrilling vampire saga in The Serpent and the Wings of Night, or the haunting journey through life and death in The Book of Azrael. Personally, I believe these books are sure to keep you hooked, offering unforgettable scares and a lasting impact long after you’ve finished reading.
