The Greatest "Horror" Books Since 2010

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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. 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 10059th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Infidel by Pornsak Pichetshote

    "Infidel" is a gripping graphic novel that delves into the themes of xenophobia and racism through the lens of supernatural horror. The story follows an American Muslim woman and her multiethnic neighbors who live in a building haunted by malevolent entities that feed on and are fueled by bigotry. As the hauntings become increasingly violent and bizarre, the protagonist must confront both the specters of hatred manifesting around her and the real-world prejudices that pervade her community. The narrative weaves a chilling tale that examines the insidious nature of fear and intolerance, while also delivering a compelling and terrifying ghost story.

    The 10098th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. 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 10115th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. 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 10142nd Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. 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 10246th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto

    The book is a dark fantasy manga that follows the life of a young man burdened with crippling debt, who finds himself entangled in a brutal world of devil hunters after merging with a devil dog he names Pochita. This transformation grants him the ability to transform parts of his body into chainsaws, which he uses to fight malevolent devils in exchange for money. As he becomes more involved in this violent and morally ambiguous society, he navigates through complex relationships, his own desires for a better life, and the sinister machinations of those who seek to use his unique powers for their own ends.

    The 10301st Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami

    In this dark fantasy manga series, a high school student is thrust into a hidden world of sorcery and spectral horrors when he swallows a cursed object to protect his friends. This act binds him to a powerful curse, and he must join a secret organization of Jujutsu Sorcerers to fight malevolent entities and collect the scattered pieces of the curse to prevent its malevolent power from wreaking havoc. As he undergoes rigorous training and battles, the student navigates a treacherous realm of sorcery, discovering his own latent abilities and the complex moral landscape of using curses to combat curses.

    The 10301st Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. 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 10308th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. 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 10354th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. The Ritual by Adam Nevill

    This novel is a gripping tale of four old university friends who reunite for a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness, only to find themselves lost and stumbling upon an ancient evil lurking in the forest. As they delve deeper into the woods, they encounter a series of increasingly terrifying phenomena, including pagan symbols and unsettling artifacts, which suggest that they are not alone. Their journey quickly turns into a nightmare as they are hunted by a sinister presence, forcing them to confront not only the dark forces pursuing them but also the personal demons that have driven them apart over the years. This story masterfully blends elements of horror, suspense, and the supernatural, creating a chilling and unforgettable experience.

    The 11061st Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. Last Days by Adam Nevill

    This horror novel plunges readers into a chilling narrative centered around Kyle Freeman, a struggling filmmaker commissioned to document the activities of a notorious cult known as The Temple of the Last Days. As Kyle delves deeper into the cult's dark history, marked by gruesome rituals and the mysterious disappearance of its members, he finds himself ensnared in a terrifying web of supernatural forces. The story masterfully intertwines elements of suspense, cult dynamics, and the supernatural, leading to a harrowing exploration of fear and the unknown. The protagonist's journey is not just a quest for footage, but a descent into a nightmarish realm where the past and present collide with dire consequences.

    The 11065th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

    This novel is a gripping thriller that intertwines the lives of a time-traveling serial killer and one of his survivors, who is determined to bring him to justice. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Chicago, the narrative follows the killer as he uses a mysterious house to travel through time and target young women with bright futures—his "shining girls." After one victim survives a brutal attack, she embarks on a relentless quest to find her assailant, uncovering a trail of similar murders stretching across decades. The story masterfully blends elements of crime, horror, and science fiction, creating a chilling and suspenseful tale of resilience and retribution.

    The 11073rd Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Nevill

    This horror novel plunges readers into a chilling narrative centered around a young woman's harrowing experience in a dilapidated house she rents in a desperate attempt to start anew. As she navigates her impoverished circumstances, she quickly realizes that the building harbors dark secrets far beyond its decaying walls. Sinister forces and inexplicable occurrences escalate, ensnaring her in a terrifying struggle for survival. The story masterfully intertwines psychological terror with supernatural elements, creating a gripping atmosphere of dread that questions the very nature of reality and the possibility of escape from a malevolent past that haunts the present.

    The 11078th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. Rawblood by Catriona Ward

    This novel is a chilling gothic tale set in early 20th century England, revolving around a haunted estate known as Rawblood. The narrative weaves through generations of the family living there, who are cursed to die if they ever fall in love. The story masterfully blends multiple perspectives and time periods, revealing the dark secrets and tragic fates of its characters. Through its atmospheric setting and intricate plot, the book explores themes of love, madness, and the inescapable nature of family curses, delivering a haunting and complex exploration of human vulnerability and the terror of the unknown.

    The 11084th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. Little Eve by Catriona Ward

    This novel unfolds on a remote Scottish island, where a cult under the enigmatic leadership of a man known as Uncle resides. The narrative delves into the lives of the cult members, particularly focusing on a young girl named Eve and the harrowing events leading up to a fateful New Year's Eve. The story is a chilling exploration of faith, family, and the dark secrets that bind them together. Through a series of flashbacks and shifting perspectives, the novel reveals the grim realities of life within the cult and the extreme measures Eve must take to seek liberation. Combining elements of horror, mystery, and historical fiction, it offers a gripping tale of survival and the quest for freedom.

    The 11098th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. The Reddening by Adam Nevill

    This novel delves into the heart of horror, set against the backdrop of the eerie English coastline. It weaves a tale of ancient folklore and modern nightmares, where a sinister discovery unearths the blood-drenched history of a forgotten community. As characters are drawn into a web of primal fear and dark secrets, they face a malevolent force that threatens not just their sanity but their very survival. The narrative masterfully combines elements of psychological horror with visceral terror, creating a chilling exploration of the depths of human depravity and the power of ancestral legacies.

    The 11103rd Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward

    This novel is a gripping psychological thriller that delves deep into the mysteries surrounding a secluded house at the edge of a forest, where the reclusive Ted lives with his daughter Lauren and a cat named Olivia. The narrative intricately weaves between their perspectives, revealing the dark secrets and traumatic pasts that bind them. As the story unfolds, the arrival of a new neighbor seeking answers about her sister's long-ago disappearance sets off a chain of events that leads to shocking revelations. The book masterfully blurs the lines between reality and illusion, exploring themes of memory, identity, and redemption, ultimately revealing that nothing is as it seems in this haunting tale of horror and suspense.

    The 11117th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer

    "Acceptance" is the final installment in a science fiction trilogy that delves into the mysteries of Area X, a surreal and ever-changing landscape that defies explanation and has claimed the lives and sanity of many who have ventured into it. As the narrative shifts between multiple characters and timelines, the novel explores the fates of the expedition members, the origins of Area X, and the secretive agency attempting to understand it. The story weaves together the past and present, blending elements of horror, environmental science, and psychological drama to reveal the profound and often terrifying transformations wrought by this enigmatic zone. Through the eyes of a lighthouse keeper, a former director of the agency, and others deeply affected by Area X, the book examines themes of identity, the human impact on the environment, and the unknowable nature of the world around us.

    The 11130th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

    "Authority" is the second book in a trilogy that delves into the mysteries of a clandestine government agency tasked with investigating an enigmatic and dangerous region known as Area X. The narrative follows a character brought in to oversee the agency after the tumultuous events of the first expedition. As he attempts to assert control and understand the strange occurrences within Area X, he encounters uncooperative staff, cryptic notes left by his predecessor, and the unsettling realization that the contamination thought to be contained within Area X may have more influence over the agency than previously believed. The protagonist's journey is one of psychological unraveling, as he grapples with the opaque hierarchy of the organization and the increasingly blurred lines between reality and the otherworldly phenomena associated with the area he is supposed to manage.

    The 11130th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King, Owen King

    In a small Appalachian town, an extraordinary event unfolds: women who fall asleep become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If disturbed, they awaken in a violent, primal state. Meanwhile, in this bizarrely evolving world, Evie Black, a mysterious woman with a unique immunity to the sleeping phenomenon, emerges as both a potential savior and a harbinger of doom. As tensions between men and women escalate, the town becomes a battleground for a deeper societal confrontation, with Evie at its center. This novel weaves a rich tapestry of character and conflict, exploring themes of gender, power, and survival in a world teetering on the brink of an unfathomable transformation.

    The 11332nd Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

    This novel follows the journey of a woman who, while clearing out her deceased grandmother's home in rural North Carolina, stumbles upon a chilling journal entry that hints at a dark family secret involving sinister beings in the woods. As she delves deeper, she discovers that the horrors described in the journal are not just figments of imagination but are terrifyingly real. With the help of her dog, a quirky neighbor, and a newfound friend, she confronts these ancient, twisted entities. Blending folklore with suspense, the story masterfully weaves a tale of terror, resilience, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth and protect those they love.

    The 11337th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

    This novel follows a young woman who, after a personal upheaval, moves in with her uncle to help run his quirky museum of oddities. When she discovers a mysterious hole in the museum's wall, it leads her into a series of surreal, alternate realities filled with terrifying creatures and endless, hollow spaces. Teaming up with a fellow traveler, she embarks on a harrowing journey to find her way back home, facing not just the physical dangers of these other worlds but also confronting her deepest fears and insecurities. The narrative weaves a tale of adventure, horror, and self-discovery, as the protagonist learns the true meaning of courage and resilience in the face of the unknown.

    The 11343rd Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. The Book Of Accidents by Chuck Wendig

    This novel is a riveting blend of horror and suspense, weaving together the lives of a family who moves to rural Pennsylvania in hopes of a fresh start, only to find themselves in a house with a sinister past. As they navigate their new life, they encounter a series of eerie events and characters, including a mysterious figure with malevolent intentions. The narrative delves deep into themes of fate, redemption, and the cyclical nature of evil, all while exploring the complex dynamics of family and the lengths to which one will go to protect their loved ones. With its intricate plot and richly developed characters, the story masterfully combines elements of supernatural horror with psychological depth, resulting in a gripping and thought-provoking read.

    The 11346th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

    In "A House With Good Bones," readers are plunged into a gripping tale of suspense and horror that revolves around Sam Montgomery, who returns to her childhood home only to confront unsettling family secrets and a sinister presence lurking within. As Sam delves deeper into her family's past, she uncovers dark truths that challenge her understanding of her mother's eccentric behavior and her own identity. Set against the backdrop of a seemingly ordinary house that harbors malevolent forces, this story masterfully blends elements of psychological horror with the complexities of familial relationships, leading to a chilling conclusion that questions the very nature of home and heritage.

    The 11353rd 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