The horror genre has been popular for a long time, with classics as far back as the 19th century. Many argue that new-generation writers aren’t as crafty when creating horrifying books. In fact, some readers cannot even fathom how people will love a story that each paragraph reeks of fear.
However, fans of horror novels will argue that these books give an adrenaline rush as the heart races in anticipation of the next event. Moreover, it allows readers to face their fears safely.
Whatever your reason for enjoying this genre, this article discusses five of the best horror books across different times. Let’s get right into it.
Top 5 Books to Read for Horror Literature Enthusiasts
The horror genre has several books spanning across different decades, even centuries. However, after careful examination, we have curated five of the best this genre has to offer.
Our list, though in no particular order, goes thus:
- IT, by Stephen King
- Bird Box, by Josh Malerman
- Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
- The Pit and the Pendulum, by Edgar Allan Poe
- Fever Dream, by George R. R. Martin
If you are a horror book fan and need a comprehensive book that keeps you engaged, with heart pacing throughout, you should check out one of the five. Below is a detailed overview of each book.
IT
It’s unlikely you come across a list of the best horror books and not find one of the works of Stephen King. He’s one of the best when discussing this genre. “IT” is a large book, spanning an astonishing 1200 pages! However, it is beautiful, profoundly captivating, and rewarding to readers. Little wonder, even though it was published almost 40 years ago, fans are still returning to this classic. In fact, IT has now been made into a movie, which is one of the most significant in the horror genre.
Plot
The plot easily entices readers: In the fictional town of Derry, Maine, five young misfits fight a malevolent evil around the 50s. This went on through a long summer; however, decades after (the 80s), they returned as adults and had to engage in this fight again. This might be your cue if you fancy yourself a horror book lover and have yet to read this.
The book follows a dark theme of fear and trauma, including sexual abuse, racism, child murder, and homophobia. However, it also portrays love and friendship and focuses on pitching good against evil rather than evil itself.
Bird Box
Like “IT”, “Bird Box” is already adopted into motion pictures, which was an immediate hit. However, like many movies from novel adaptations, the film failed to deliver up to the standard of the book. The novel will keep you engrossed as you read through the pages till the end.
Plot
The plot follows a 2014 post-apocalyptic world, where there’s something out there that, upon seeing it, can make you go mad! This psychological thriller introduces the story of a woman, Malorie, who must navigate this world with her kids as she tries to find safety. Josh Malerman did justice to this story by telling it in a series of flashbacks, as it follows three different timelines. One is the present time, another a recent past, and the third discusses a near-distant future.
Besides the nerve-wracking tension, this novel tends to evoke raw emotion as you immediately begin to root for Malorie. You may feel tense, even holding your breath with a pacing heart as you read each page. The writer paints a picture shrouded in fear; you still feel chills down your spine even after reading. It is a must-read for all horror book lovers!
Frankenstein
Listing the best horror books without including Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” will be challenging. It’s a classic! A book written by a 19-year-old in the 19th century, yet still relevant. Frankenstein is sometimes called The Modern Prometheus, linking the story with the mythological Greek figure Prometheus.
Plot
The book tells the story of a young, ambitious scientist – Dr. Victor Frankenstein. It focuses on the horrors associated with the doctor’s works as he explores the secret of life. Ultimately, the result was the miscreation of a malformed and lonely murderous human-like creature that exceeded his control. This novel by Mary Shelley is arguably the first science fiction novel in the modern world.
This novel is a classical horror tale, as it digs deep into our imaginations, revealing one of human deepest fears. It showcases the subtle difference between life and lifelessness. Besides the creature’s story, it also takes readers through emotional episodes as the writer delves into the human psyche. The story leaves you with empathy and a lesson on our actions’ consequences and humanity’s essence.
The Pit and The Pendulum
All lovers of horror novels are familiar with the name Edgar Allan Poe, Mr. Horror himself. “The Pit and the Pendulum” is one of his most famous works.
Plot
The story describes the horrors and tortures of an unnamed narrator, imprisoned and condemned to death by the Spanish Inquisition. Though the book failed to give us insight into the cause of imprisonment, Poe used his mastery of storytelling to pique readers’ interest. Initially, the narrator was in a dark prison-like dungeon with a pit at the epicentre.
The narrator manages to survive this prison, and soon after, he finds himself bound to a wooden frame with a sharp pendulum that threatens his life, slowly descending upon him. The book uses the different ordeals the prisoner faces as they battle for their survival to keep readers busy and engaged.
The story talks about how humans can endure dire and dreadful circumstances and continue to endure, persevere, and fight to stay alive. In the end, Poe showcases his mastery again as the narrator receives liberation at the eleventh hour.
Fevre Dream
The blockbuster TV show – Game of Thrones – will be familiar to George R. R. Martin. You are probably surprised that he has sometimes engaged himself in horror-filled books, like “Fevre Dream”. If you are familiar with his works, you’d agree that he’s a brilliant writer, and we assure you he didn’t disappoint in this piece.
Plot
“Fevre Dream” is a unique vampire-themed novel that perfectly blends historical fiction and the supernatural. It’s set aboard a steamboat sailing across the antebellum Mississippi River. As you read through the book’s pages, you discover an unexpected alliance resulting in a defying bond between the boat owner and the creature.
The author used his crafty storytelling to tell a beautiful story of a horror creature with a heart like a human being. As you read, you see the vampire struggles through his villainous nature and the motivations for his actions that blur the line of morality. Therefore, if you are searching for a story that paints vampires in a good light beyond the cliche of these creatures being all dark.
Summary
A good horror book, like the ones in this piece, should provide readers with an emotional purge, something you can describe as cathartic.
The table below summarises all the books discussed in this article.
| S/N | Book Title | Author | Original Publisher | Year Published | Theme or Storyline |
| 1 | IT | Stephen King | Scribner | 1986 | A group of friends face a monster as kids and adults. |
| 2 | Bird Box | Josh Malerman | Ecco Press | 2014 | A mother tries to save herself, and her kids in a post-apocalyptic world blindfolded. |
| 3 | Frankenstein | Mary Shelley | Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones. | 1818 | A scientist creates a creature that exceeds his control through unconventional experiments. |
| 4 | The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe | The Gift | 1842 | A prisoner sentenced to death by Spanish Inquisition narrates his ordeals. |
| 5 | Fevre Dream | George R. R. Martin | Poseidon Press | 1982 | A struggling riverboat captain partners with vampires to build a steamboat. |
The Allure of Fear: What Fascinates Readers About Horror Books?
As briefly mentioned, horror books allow readers to face their fears in a safe and controlled environment. Authors exploring this genre use their artistic mastery to blend fictional narratives to create something that explores fear and terror while keeping readers engrossed in their seats.
Below are other credible reasons why people enjoy horror literature
- Appreciation of the art of scary and suspenseful storytelling.
- Feed their curiosity into darker places of human nature.
- To confront and explore that which they dread.
- Gush of adrenaline and pleasure from the controlled fear.
- Get an insight into the unknown and the supernatural world.
As they read through each page, even as fear lurks around the dark corners, they should get an exhilarating experience that leaves them thrilled.
However, besides the general themes of fear and horror, these books should be able to shed more light on the mind’s curiosity and the fiction it tells.
Conclusion
Through this piece, we provided insight into some of the best horror books you can enjoy. Even though all the books fall under the same genre, they follow different storylines.
