Halloween and the month of October have become known as the month of horror. We have haunted houses all around. Horror movies and TV shows abound on streaming services and TV channels. Novels of horror are found on shelves in bookstores and libraries.
What makes horror so appealing? For many, it’s the rush, the thrill that comes from being scared. For others, it may be that horror let’s them feel like they’ll be able to survive anything. Whatever the reason, be it character, plot, danger, tension, horror remains a fascinating genre, especially during the Halloween season, with which we associate monsters, both supernatural and human.
So we’ve gathered some great horror novels for you to read this Halloween. Get your scare on with any one of these reads.
DB 75503 Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake
Since his father's untimely death, seventeen-year-old Cas and his Wiccan mom have continued the family trade--hunting down vengeful, murdering spirits. But when Cas goes after ghostly Anna, an unexpected occurrence changes everything. Violence and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2011.
DB 91635 Dread nation by Justina Ireland
After the dead rise on the battlefields of Gettysburg, America passes the Negro and Native Reeducation Act, that requires children of color attend combat schools to battle the undead. Jane McKeene, trained to protect the elite, gets caught up in a conspiracy. Violence and some strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2018.
DB 97971 Into the pit: five nights at Freddy’s: Fazbear frights, book 1 by Scott Cawthon
Three novellas from the world of Five Nights at Freddy's. Oswald, Sarah, and Millie's deepest desires have a terrifying, and unexpected cost. Some violence. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2019.
DB 102466 Clown in a cornfield by Adam Cesare
Quinn and her father believe they've moved to a boring town. But during a charming town holiday, Frendo, a creepy clown mascot, goes on a killing spree, culling the rotten crop of kids who live there. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2020.
DB 93057 Sawkill girls by Claire Legrand
After girls mysteriously disappear on the island of Sawkill Rock, three unlikely friends come together to destroy the Collector, a monster from another world who grows stronger with each kill. Commercial audiobook. Contains some explicit descriptions of sex, some strong language, and violence. For senior high and older readers. 2018.
DB 71902 The enemy by Charles Higson
London. A virus infects everyone over the age of sixteen, killing them or turning them into zombies. The remaining young survivors scavenge for food and battle the flesh-eating, decomposing adults from inside barricades at Buckingham Palace. Violence and strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2009.
DB 85817 Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Kaniscalco
In Victorian-era London, privileged seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose leads a secret life studying the practice of forensic medicine. She finds herself embroiled in the investigation of a gruesome serial killer. Contains some strong language and some violence. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2016.
DB 75810 Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
Sixteen-year-old Alice Bell believes her father, who forbids the family from leaving the Bells' fortified house after dark for fear of monsters, is mentally unbalanced. But when a tragedy strikes, Alice learns the horrifying truth. Some violence and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2012.
DB 92323 You may now kill the bride by R. L. Stine
An ancient family curse follows the Fear family through generations. In two Fear family weddings decades apart, the curse takes a toll in unexpected ways, and allows a dark history to repeat itself. Contains some violence. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2018.
DB 105465 Within these wicked walls by Lauren Blackwood
As a debtera, nineteen-year-old Andromeda performs exorcisms to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. But when she agrees to work for handsome young heir Magnus, her job becomes truly terrifying. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2021.
DB 99590 Burn our bodies down by Rory Power
Determined to uncover her family history, Margot finds a clue that leads her to a town called Phalene. Only the town and her relatives are full of secrets and more dangerous and deadly than Margot ever could have bargained for. Strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2020.
DB 91886 Scream all night by Derek Milman
Legally emancipated from his father, Dario never thought about going back to Moldavia Studios, home to dozens of classic B-horror movies. But when his estranged brother invites him home for closure, Dario gets sucked back into the world he left behind. Contains some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2018.