Horror novels have just as interesting and compelling a history as the genre does on film. Whether it be legendary horror writers who have been widely accepted into the literary canon, pulpy novels that succeed amongst the masses, or up-and-coming authors showing that horror is just as valid a literary genre as any others can be, they’re having a well-earned rise in popularity. Yet, many horror film fans have never checked out a horror novel. Here’s a list of 13 fantastic horror novels for genre fans to check out, that may compel you to read more of the wonderful genre we all love.
- Cabal by Clive Barker
Whilst most people will know him best for his stories or dark fantasy work, Cabal stands out as one of Clive Barker’s best novels, a short and exciting horror novel about madness, monsters, and healing from your pain by finding your family. A master of prose and characterization, Barker is well-regarded for a reason, weaving together brutal, tragic horror with wonderful, mystical worlds of magic.
2. Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
This visceral dystopian horror novel by acclaimed writer Agustina Bazterrica and translator Sarah Moses is a gut-wrenching look at what humanity descends into once robbed of the ability to consume animal meat. By far the most intense novel on this list in terms of sheer brutality, it leaves an indelible impression, searing itself into your memory and never leaving.
3. The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
This wonderful weird fiction novella by Victor LaValle blends detective-driven mystery, cosmic horror and beautiful fantasy in a reclamation of classic Lovecraftian storytelling but from a more diverse and multifaceted perspective. One of the most beautifully written novels on this list, LaValle is a phenomenal writer and can scare you just as much as he can bring worlds to life intimately.
4. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
Joe Hill’s epic vampire tale is one of generational trauma, chronicling one woman’s quest to both heal from her awful childhood and to try to prevent the same fate befalling her child. Featuring one of the most terrifying antagonists in all of horror literature, Hill is an exceptional character writer, and you’ll be fully emotionally invested in Vic’s story and all the turns it takes across its gargantuan story.
5. A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Blending satirical critique of reality television with a classic exorcism story, A Head Full of Ghosts is utterly fascinating. By letting itself live in the ambiguity its story creates, and featuring excellent character work that emphasizes the tragic center of the story, Paul Tremblay’s break-out novel is haunting and unsettling, and will linger in your mind long after you finish reading it.
6. The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
Taking from elements of literary and historical fiction, and inspired by the real life atrocities of the Dozier School for Boys, Tananarive Due’s epic horror novel explores racism and systematic oppression, whilst also telling an intimate and moving ghost story. Deeply personal and empathetic, it’s one of the most tragic and moving horror novels put to page, and will leave you emotionally devastated, in addition to simply scared.
7. Fever House by Keith Rosson
Combining hard-boiled crime fiction, grand governmental conspiracies, and bloody zombie carnage, Fever House knocks the door down in one of the most readable, exciting and thrilling novels of recent years. It never succumbs to the chaos, instead building to an explosive, brutal and tragic finish that you won’t forget. Fueled by a fire that keeps you on the edge of your seat, it’s perfect for genre fans new to reading and just a flat-out excellent time in general.
8. Come Closer by Sara Gran
Sara Gran’s demonic horror novella is a vivid portrayal of one woman’s crumbling mental health, aggravated by both supernatural outside factors and very real problems. A short, exciting read that you can potentially finish in one sitting, this is a great starter book for horror fans, re-inventing classical tropes into one scary, impactful and very modern story.
9. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
You could fill up an entire list with just the incredible novels of Stephen Graham Jones, but his latest may be his best yet. A historical horror novel with one of the most compelling takes on vampires I’ve read in years, with a powerful sense of importance due to its real world basis. There’s something special about this book, quite frankly, which sees a great writer working at an even higher level than normal, to tell a tragic and horrifying story.
10. Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
One of the most infamous and shocking horror novels of the 1990s, Poppy Z. Brite’s rumination on identity, victimhood and disease puts you right into the perspective of a cannibalistic, necrophiliac serial killer. A challenging novel, it may not appeal to everyone, but stands out as a landmark book in the history of horror literature and an important read for those who want to understand the genre’s history.
11. The Fisherman by John Langan
John Langan is a true artist and wordsmith, a master of the language who can weave spellbinding sentences with ease. His rumination of grief, combining elements of folklore and cosmic horror, is remarkable, playing with structure to craft a narrative simultaneously wide in scope and wonderfully personal, without ever feeling bloated or weak in the process.
12. We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson is the original psychological horror writer, and some would argue, still the best. Her final novel is possibly her masterpiece, capturing the perspective of a mentally ill young woman in vivid and haunting detail. Whilst it may not be as flashy as some of the other novels here, it hits deeper, acting both as one of the most important novels in the history of the genre, but also as a mesmerising gothic horror story that will leave you speechless.
13. Duma Key by Stephen King
No list of horror novel suggestions would be complete without Stephen King, and Duma Key is a late career delight from the most famous novelist in the genre. A strikingly emotional and intimate portrayal of rehabilitation, sobriety and recovery, King tells a wonderful southern gothic ghost story here, with the unique environment of Florida almost as important as the characters themselves. One of his most underrated novels in my opinion, it’s a great choice for those who may want to check out the King of Horror, without necessarily going for the big hits.
