Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Check out upcoming Top Ten themes on Jana’s blog!
I checked my old blog posts to see if I had already done a similar top ten list, and I was surprised to find that I’ve never talked about my favorite horror books on this blog! So today I remedy that, and I’m featuring some of the best horror stories that I’ve read in the past several years. Because, ’tis the season for horror! These are listed in no particular order, and you can click on the titles if you’d like to read my reviews:
The Suicide Motor Club by Christopher Buehlman. You guys, if you love well-written, gritty horror, then you NEED to read this book. My nitty-gritty quote: Mix the dark absurdity of Pulp Fiction with fast cars, set the story in the late 60s, add in a handful of bloodthirsty vampires and a young woman who is set on vengeance, and you have a stellar novel that is a MUST READ for horror fans.
We Are All Completely Fine by Daryl Gregory. Gregory is one of my favorite authors, and this very dark (and at times painfully hard to read) novella was stunning. In a nutshell: A short but powerful tale of six unusual people who form a support group, unexpectedly horrific and sad, which left me wanting more.
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix. This is one of the most recent reads from the list, so it’s still fresh in my mind. It’s also the best of the three Hendrix books I’ve read, and it’s seriously a must-read for anyone who is willing to take a walk on the dark side. Also, lots of music… My nitty-gritty: Grady Hendrix’s latest hums with frenetic energy, a dark and dangerous, pulse-pounding love letter to the power of music.
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This unusual vampire tale takes place in Mexico and is infused with unique world-building and sympathetic characters. I can’t wait to read more of this author! Dark and deliciously dangerous, with a unique take on vampires that will make jaded readers sit up and take notice.
Kill Creek by Scott Thomas. I was so surprised by this book! The story starts out as a typical haunted house story, but it morphs into something else entirely. I love being surprised! The nitty-griity: Clever, scary, entertaining and well written, Kill Creek is a slick and polished debut.
The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey. I was a big fan of The Girl with All the Gifts, and this prequel did not disappoint. Carey is such a solid writer, if you haven’t started reading his books, I urge you to start now! Scary, thrilling and full of heart and emotion, this is another winner from M.R. Carey.
The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp. Not only had I never heard of this book when I got a surprise copy in the mail from Orbit, but I wasn’t sure it was “my thing.” Thank goodness I took a chance, because it’s become one of my very favorite books ever. Here’s what I said about it in my review: Outrageous, terrifying, hysterically funny and completely original, this book will make you laugh and scream in the same breath.
Lost Boy by Christina Henry. Henry’s books are dark, but I love them. I loved Lost Boy in particular because it’s a Peter Pan retelling, but it’s not what you might expect… A dark retelling of Peter Pan, steeped in loss and heartbreak, with thrilling action and lots of surprises.
The Devourers by Indra Das. Das is an elegant writer, and he infuses his werewolf story with the culture and mythology of India. This story takes a little work, but it’s well worth it. Mesmerizing, beautiful, raw and shocking, The Devourers is a completely unique werewolf story that brings something new to the genre.
The Fifth House of the Heart by Ben Tripp. I’ve been waiting years for Tripp to write something else! I simply adored this book, and I fear it’s terribly underrated. I hope at least one of you takes a chance and reads it. The nitty-gritty: A stylish, horrifying and wryly humorous reading experience like no other.
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell. I just read this, after reading many rave reviews from fellow bloggers, and I’m so glad I did. Purcell does Gothic horror like no one else, and I already have a copy of her next book. An eerie and atmospheric Gothic ghost story with layers upon layers of secrets, gorgeously written.
The Hunger by Alma Katsu. I’ve read all of Alma’s books, and each one is very different from the last. The Hunger is her take on what may have really happened to the infamous Donner Party. Dark, complex and terrifying, The Hunger fuses historical events with a creeping, supernatural horror, making this a standout book of 2018.
Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant. Lots of bloggers have read Into the Drowning Deep, which is the sequel to this book, but due to limited availability, not a lot of readers have read the book that started it all. A short but highly entertaining—not to mention terrifying—tale about the dangers of the deep.
And there you have it! I’d love to hear if you’ve read any of these books:-D
I haven’t read any of these but I desperately want to read The Silent Companions.
Ooh so good, Stephanie! I just loved the atmosphere of that book.
Great list! Thank you for introducing me to Jack Sparks!
Hey, if you read it and love it, then my job is done;-)
Wow, I’ve surprisingly read quite a few of these. You know I love Suicide Motor Club and Certain Dark Things. I’ve also read and enjoyed Rolling in the Deep and Lost Boy is one of my favorites of all time. I won’t discuss the book-that-won’t-be-named but I was definitely the odd person out on it because others loved it. Great list!
Ha ha, I always think of you whenever I talk about “the book that won’t be named.” 🙂
Great list! The only one I’ve read is Rolling In The Deep. Both books in the series were awesome. Who doesn’t love killer mermaids! A few of these will be going on my list.
Laura Thomas recently posted…31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #30 ~ Short Tales Of Horror
Killer mermaids definitely rule, lol:-)
Terrific (terrifying!) list — so many great choices. I loved Rolling in the Deep. I have a copy of We Sold Our Souls, and just need to get started. I did really enjoy his two previous horror books as well. I definitely need to read The Hunger too!
I hope you love We Sold Our Souls, it really surprised me!
I’ve read Kill Creek, We Sold Our Souls & We Are All Completely Fine. It looks like I have some catching up to do!
I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the rest:-)
I failed at halloween reading since I didn’t read a single horror book this month…. I need to keep this list in mind going forward.
Oh well, horror could be a year round thing if you want:-)
Never thought of it that way haha. I usually don’t read horror since I have no imagination.
I agree with every single one on here that I’ve read. I need to get on and read the ones I havent!
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…GIVEAWAY: Lady Astronaut Books by Mary Robinette Kowal
There have really been some awesome horror novels lately, hopefully some of these authors will hurry up and write another book:-)
Both Kill Creek and The Fifth House of the Heart were so intense that at times I might have needed an oxygen bottle! 😉
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Review: THE AUTUMN REPUBLIC (Powder Mage #3), by Brian McClellan
Ha ha, yes they were intense! I think that’s one reason I love them.
Apparently publishers love to use red, white, and black for horror covers! I agree with so many here, such a great list. Still need to read the new Grady Hendrix, but I have a feeling I’m gonna love it!
I actually arranged these by color, but you’re right, most of them are red and black, lol. I’m excited to hear what you think of We Sold Our Souls:-)
The Suicide Motor Club sounds so awesome. And I really enjoyed Rolling in the Deep!
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Yes, read the Suicide Motor Club! You won’t regret it:-)
Great list. I haven’t read any of these although I’ve heard of several. I really don’t read a ton of horror, but I do enjoy it now and then. Maybe I’ll check out a couple of these. 🙂
I can say these are all really “good” horror, not the slashery type. I only read the good stuff, lol:-)
I haven’t read any of these yet, but I’m definitely curious about The Silent Companions and We Sold Our Souls.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – 10 Creepy & Atmospheric Reads to Get You in the Mood for Halloween
Both are fantastic!
I recently read Certain Dark Things and I agree with you so much! It really shows how versatile vampires are to write about since it breaks out of the traditional mould 🙂
Louise recently posted…10 Villains I Used to Love, But Now… Nah.
I keep hearing about Suicide Motor Club every so often, prob on your blog, haha, and I think also Barb’s, and I really need to read it. And I definitely plan to read Lost Boy! I think the original Peter Pan is quite dark and Peter terrifies me and Captain Hook was my favorite character in the book, so I feel like her retelling will be perfect for me.
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight recently posted…Comment on Bookish News: November/December 2018 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Releases to Get Excited About by Kristen Burns
Gah! I have to get to We Sold Our Souls and Kill Creek ASAP! Great list 🙂
Here’s mine: https://flaviathebibliophile.com/top-ten-tuesday-57/
I got a free copy of Lost Boy and was super excited to read it, but I am not a huge fan of dark books :/ so maybe I should reconsider? Haha Happy Halloween!!
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The Silent Companions has such a creepy cover. That makes me want to read it. The Hunger is on my TBR list.
Ahh I love how many of these have black and red covers! And I’ve been meaning to check out The Last Days of Jack Sparks–it seems so different from other horror books!
Kathy @ Pages Below the Vaulted Sky recently posted…Discworld Readathon Review: Mort
The Last Days of Jack Sparks really was fantastic and highly underrated. I can’t wait for him to publish something new! I just added The Silent Companions to my TBR after seeing you post about it. 🙂
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday – Phantoms: Haunting Tales from Masters of the Genre
Great list – and a couple that I long to pick up such as Jack Sparks.
Lynn 😀
I’ve heard such great things about Certain Dark Things. I really need to bump it up on my to buy list.
Annemieke recently posted…Book Review – Empress of All Seasons
I’ll have to give the Devourers another try. It hasn’t worked out so good so far and I’ve DNF’d it.
Hello, If you need anymore horror inspiration read some of these end of the world pandemic reads plenty of inspiration that will keep you awake at night. https://www.ramsburyraven.com/entertainment/books/grim-reading/
I can’t believe I haven’t heard of most of these. I’ve been trying to find more horror books to add to my TBR so I will be adding a few of these.