Happy Spooky Season! Fantasy horror novels are a unique blend of two genres that offer readers a chance to escape from reality and delve into a world of supernatural terror. Here are five of the best classic fantasy horror books I think you must read!
- The Terror by Dan Simmons
This novel is based on the true story of the failed Franklin Expedition to the Arctic in 1845. Simmons takes the historical facts and adds his own supernatural twist, creating a haunting tale of dread and terror.
2. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
This classic novel follows a group of people who spend a summer in a haunted mansion that has a dark history. Jackson’s skillful writing creates an atmosphere of unease that will keep you on edge throughout the book.
The Haunting of Hill House is a 1959 gothic horror novel by American author Shirley Jackson. It was a finalist for the National Book Award and has been made into two feature films and a play, and is the basis of a Netflix series. The book is dedicated to Leonard Brown, Jackson’s English teacher at Syracuse University. (source)
3. The Fisherman by John Langan
This novel tells the story of two widowers who go on a fishing trip that takes a terrifying turn. Langan’s evocative prose and masterful storytelling will keep you glued to the pages until the very end.
4. What Moves the Dead
When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania. What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves. Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.
5. The Ruins by Scott Smith
This novel follows a group of friends who go on vacation to Mexico and stumble upon an ancient Mayan ruin. What starts as an adventure quickly turns into a fight for survival as they discover that something is living within the ruins.
Even though I am not the biggest horror fan out there, these five fantasy horror novels are must-reads for any horror fan! Each book offers a unique take on the genre and will keep you on edge from beginning to end. So grab a copy, turn off the lights, and prepare to be scared. Thanks for reading and remember:
Live. Laugh. Love.
