The Greatest Haitian, American "Horror, Fiction" Books Since 1990

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Horror

Horror is a genre of literature that is designed to evoke feelings of fear, terror, and dread in the reader. It typically features supernatural or paranormal elements, such as ghosts, monsters, or otherworldly creatures, and often explores themes of death, violence, and the unknown. Horror books can range from subtle and psychological to graphic and gory, but they all share the common goal of scaring and thrilling their readers. Whether it's a classic ghost story or a modern slasher novel, horror books offer a unique and thrilling reading experience for those who enjoy being scared out of their wits.

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  1. 26. Minion by L. A. Banks

    In this urban fantasy novel, the protagonist is a young woman with a unique heritage who is destined to fight against supernatural forces threatening humanity. Trained as a vampire huntress, she navigates a world filled with danger and darkness, where vampires and demons are very real and very lethal. With the help of her friends and allies, she must embrace her destiny and use her skills and powers to protect the innocent and battle the evil entities that seek to spread chaos and destruction. Balancing her personal life with her responsibilities as a huntress, she confronts the challenges of her calling while uncovering deeper secrets about her own mysterious past and the complex world she is a part of.

    The 8578th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. John Dies At The End by David Wong

    This book is a comedic horror novel that follows two college dropouts who gain psychic abilities after ingesting a mysterious drug known as "Soy Sauce." This substance opens their eyes to a bizarre and terrifying parallel universe, leading them on a surreal adventure as they confront an array of supernatural creatures, ghosts, and otherworldly threats. With a blend of humor, philosophy, and horror, the narrative takes readers on a wild ride through existential crises and the nature of reality, all while the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

    The 9102nd Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. The Bone Key by Sarah Monette

    "The Bone Key" is a collection of interconnected short stories centered around the character of Kyle Murchison Booth, a socially awkward museum archivist with a penchant for the supernatural. The tales are steeped in gothic horror and follow Booth as he encounters a series of eerie and otherworldly mysteries that he must solve. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of ancient artifacts and the occult, Booth navigates through hauntings, curses, and the restless undead, all while grappling with his own personal demons and the loneliness that pervades his life. The stories are rich in atmosphere and evoke the style of classic ghost stories, offering a modern homage to the genre with a unique, introspective protagonist.

    The 9149th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. The Imago Sequence And Other Stories by Laird Barron

    "The Imago Sequence and Other Stories" is a collection of nine dark tales that blend the genres of horror and noir, delving into the cosmic and the occult. The stories are characterized by their atmospheric tension and psychological depth, exploring the human psyche and its vulnerabilities against a backdrop of supernatural and existential dread. Each narrative in the collection is meticulously crafted, featuring complex characters and intricate plots that often culminate in chilling and thought-provoking conclusions. The eponymous story, "The Imago Sequence," serves as a standout piece, inviting readers into a world of arcane mysteries and the relentless pursuit of forbidden knowledge, encapsulating the thematic essence of the entire collection.

    The 9171st Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. The Red Tree by Caitlín R. Kiernan

    The book is a haunting narrative that delves into the psychological turmoil of an author struggling with grief and writer's block. After retreating to a secluded house in the countryside, she discovers a manuscript by a previous occupant that tells of a sinister tree with otherworldly powers. As she becomes increasingly obsessed with the manuscript and the tree's dark history, the boundaries between reality and nightmare begin to blur, leading her down a spiraling path of madness and despair. The novel masterfully intertwines themes of loss, the supernatural, and the fragility of the human mind.

    The 9343rd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Rotters by Daniel Kraus

    The novel delves into the dark and macabre world of grave robbing, following the journey of a teenage boy who, after the death of his mother, is sent to live with his estranged father. He discovers that his father lives a secret life as a "digger," unearthing corpses for profit. As the boy is drawn into this grim and morally ambiguous underworld, he grapples with complex themes of family, identity, and the nature of legacy, all while navigating the challenges of high school life and the haunting allure of the grave-robbing subculture. The story is a chilling exploration of the bonds between father and son, set against a backdrop of decay and the search for redemption.

    The 9488th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. The Weird by Ann VanderMeer

    "The Weird" is a comprehensive anthology that delves into the strange and uncanny realms of speculative fiction, featuring a diverse collection of stories spanning over a century. This tome curates a wide array of tales from various authors around the world, each contributing their unique voice to the genre of weird fiction. The stories within its pages explore the eerie, the surreal, and the bizarre, often blurring the lines between reality and the fantastical. The anthology serves as both a celebration of the genre's rich history and an introduction to its most compelling voices, offering readers a labyrinthine journey through the many facets of weird literature.

    The 9521st Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. Those Across The River by Christopher Buehlman

    In this gripping horror novel, a disillusioned World War I veteran moves with his partner to a small, seemingly idyllic town in Georgia to write a book about his family's history. However, they soon discover that the town is haunted by a dark and violent past that refuses to stay buried. As they delve deeper into the town's secrets, they encounter strange rituals and a menacing presence in the woods across the river, which the townspeople are desperately trying to appease. The couple's presence stirs the ancient evil, leading to a terrifying struggle for survival against a force that challenges the very nature of humanity and morality.

    The 9522nd Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Bird Box by Josh Malerman

    In a post-apocalyptic world, an unseen terror drives society to madness and suicide upon sight, leading survivors to navigate their lives blindfolded. The story follows a mother who must guide her two young children to safety on a perilous river journey to what she hopes will be a sanctuary. With the ever-present threat of the unseen horrors and the challenges of survival in a collapsed society, the novel is a tense exploration of fear, the unknown, and the lengths one will go to protect their family.

    The 9664th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. The Devil In America by Kai Ashante Wilson

    "The Devil in America" is a haunting novella that intertwines African folklore with the brutal history of post-Civil War America. It follows the story of a young African American girl and her family, who are grappling with the lingering horrors of slavery and the malevolent forces that seem to follow them. As the family confronts the racism and violence of their time, they also face supernatural threats that are tied to ancient powers and the dark legacy of their ancestors. The narrative weaves a tale of generational trauma, the cost of survival, and the struggle to protect loved ones from the evils both human and otherworldly.

    The 9701st Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. The Passage by Justin Cronin

    "The Passage" is a gripping post-apocalyptic novel that follows the journey of a young girl named Amy, who holds the key to humanity's survival. Set in a world ravaged by a government experiment gone wrong, the story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the fight for redemption. As Amy grows older, she embarks on a perilous quest to find her purpose and confront the sinister beings known as Virals, while a group of survivors battles against the darkness that threatens to consume them all.

    The 9707th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

    The book is a chilling psychological thriller that blurs the lines between reality and supernatural horror. It revolves around the Barrett family, whose lives are turned upside down when their eldest daughter exhibits signs of acute mental illness—or perhaps demonic possession. As their situation grows increasingly dire, the family agrees to participate in a reality television show, with cameras documenting the exorcism of their daughter. The story is recounted years later by the younger sister, who reflects on the traumatic events and the impact of public scrutiny, leading readers to question the true nature of the horror that befell the Barretts.

    The 9719th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. Please, Momma by Chesya Burke

    "Please, Momma" is a poignant short story that delves into the complexities of family dynamics, mental health, and the enduring bonds between a mother and daughter. The narrative follows the daughter's perspective as she grapples with her mother's mental illness, which manifests in hoarding behavior and creates a challenging living environment. The daughter's internal struggle is palpable as she seeks to reconcile her love and empathy for her mother with the frustration and embarrassment caused by the disorder. The story thoughtfully explores themes of compassion, understanding, and the difficult choices one faces when caring for a loved one with mental health issues.

    The 9775th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. The Devil All The Time by Donald Ray Pollock

    "The Devil All The Time" is a dark and gritty novel that weaves together the lives of several deeply flawed characters in a small town in Ohio. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the story follows a troubled young man named Arvin Russell, whose path intersects with a corrupt preacher, a serial killer couple, and a corrupt sheriff. As their lives intertwine, the novel explores themes of violence, religion, and the consequences of one's actions, ultimately painting a disturbing portrait of the human condition.

    The 9776th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand

    In this gothic novel, a 1970s British acid folk band retreats to an ancient country house to create their next album, only to find themselves enveloped by supernatural occurrences. As the young musicians are drawn into the eerie atmosphere of Wylding Hall, the strange environment fuels their creativity, leading to the creation of a legendary album. However, the summer takes a dark turn when the lead singer mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind a tangle of haunting memories and unanswered questions that persist for decades, until the surviving band members reluctantly confront their past in a series of interviews, revealing the chilling truth behind the disappearance.

    The 9796th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. Furnace by Livia Llewellyn

    "Furnace" is a collection of dark and surreal short stories that delve into the depths of human depravity, desire, and despair. The narratives, rich with grotesque and erotic imagery, explore the boundaries of horror and fantasy, often blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. The tales within this anthology are characterized by their lush prose and haunting themes, taking readers on a journey through twisted landscapes and the darkest corners of the psyche, where the monstrous and the beautiful intertwine in a disturbing dance of the macabre.

    The 9827th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. The Ballad Of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

    The book reimagines the early 20th-century horror landscape by centering on a Black protagonist, Charles Thomas Tester, in 1920s Harlem. Tester, a street musician and hustler, becomes entangled in the dark and supernatural underbelly of New York City when he delivers an occult tome to a reclusive sorceress. His actions catch the attention of malevolent forces, leading to a series of events that expose the racial tensions and eldritch horrors lurking beneath the city's surface. As Tester's involvement with these arcane powers deepens, he is transformed in ways that challenge the very fabric of reality, culminating in a confrontation with otherworldly consequences. The narrative serves as both a critique of Lovecraftian racism and a compelling tale of cosmic horror and societal injustice.

    The 9875th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh

    "Spirit Hunters" is a gripping tale of a young girl who moves into a new house with her family, only to discover that it harbors dark secrets and restless spirits. As eerie events unfold and her younger brother's behavior becomes increasingly strange, she must confront the chilling truth about the supernatural forces at play. With the help of her grandmother and her own burgeoning abilities as a spirit hunter, she embarks on a perilous journey to save her brother and put the troubled spirits to rest, uncovering her family's hidden past and her own connection to the spirit world in the process.

    The 10003rd Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. Forget The Sleepless Shores by Sonya Taaffe

    "Forget The Sleepless Shores" is a collection of speculative fiction and poetry that weaves together a tapestry of haunting tales and lyrical explorations. The works within this anthology traverse the landscapes of myth, history, and the supernatural, delving into themes of memory, loss, and longing. Readers are invited into worlds where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur, where ancient gods and mortals interact, and where the echoes of old tragedies reverberate into the present. The prose is rich and evocative, challenging the reader to embark on a journey through eerie and otherworldly narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.

    The 10036th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. The Hunger by Alma Katsu

    In this historical horror novel, a perilous journey unfolds as a wagon train bound for California faces not only the brutal realities of the American frontier but also a terrifying supernatural force preying upon them. As members of the group begin to disappear or show signs of an insidious illness, paranoia and fear escalate among the survivors. The travelers' dire situation is compounded by their own secrets and the mysterious backgrounds of their companions, leading to a harrowing struggle for survival that blurs the line between man and monster, hunger and horror.

    The 10092nd Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. Alice by Christina Henry

    In this dark and twisted retelling of a classic fairytale, Alice finds herself trapped in a nightmarish version of Wonderland. With the help of a mysterious man named Hatcher, she embarks on a dangerous journey to escape the clutches of the sadistic ruler known as the Rabbit. As they navigate through the grotesque and violent world, Alice and Hatcher uncover the truth about their own pasts and must confront their inner demons in order to survive.

    The 10119th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

    "Lovecraft Country" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that seamlessly blends elements of horror, science fiction, and historical fiction. Set in the 1950s, the story follows a young African American man named Atticus Turner as he embarks on a dangerous journey through the racially segregated United States. Along the way, Atticus and his friends encounter supernatural forces, face institutional racism, and confront the horrors of Lovecraftian mythology. With its richly drawn characters and exploration of racial tensions, the book offers a unique and compelling perspective on both the genre of horror and the complexities of American society.

    The 10223rd Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. Lost Boy Lost Girl by Peter Straub

    In "Lost Boy Lost Girl," a haunting narrative unfolds around the mysterious disappearance of a teenage boy shortly after his mother, a troubled novelist, commits suicide. The boy's uncle, a writer, delves into the dark and unsettling history of the family's home, uncovering secrets that blur the lines between fiction and reality. As he investigates, he encounters stories of a malevolent presence and a hidden room that may hold the key to the family's terrifying and tragic past. The novel explores themes of loss, the impact of trauma, and the possibility of the supernatural.

    The 10234th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. The Lamb Will Slaughter The Lion by Margaret Killjoy

    In a small town filled with anarchists and magical creatures, a group of friends embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden appearance of a mysterious and vengeful spirit, known as the "Lamb." As they delve deeper into the dark secrets of the community, they must confront their own beliefs and ideals, challenging the very essence of their existence. With tension rising and danger lurking at every corner, the friends must navigate a treacherous path to find the answers they seek, all while facing the inevitable clash between power and freedom.

    The 10285th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 50. The Cabin At The End Of The World by Paul Tremblay

    "The Cabin At The End Of The World" by Paul Tremblay is a gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller that follows a family's vacation turned nightmare. The story revolves around a group of strangers who invade a peaceful cabin in the woods, claiming that the world is about to end and they need the family's help to prevent it. As tension rises and trust is tested, the family must make impossible decisions to protect themselves and their daughter. With its intense atmosphere and thought-provoking themes, this book explores the depths of human nature and the lengths one will go to survive.

    The 10331st Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download