Ten Hidden Gems in The Horror Genre

Top Ten Tuesday is an awesome meme hosted by the lovely folks @ The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s theme is top ten:

Hidden Gem Books in The X Genre

My favourite horror classic IT by Stephen King is getting a well-overdue big screen adaptation which is (finally!) being released next week so I have decided to focus my attention on some less well-known but equally excellent horror novels for this week’s topic.

Horror was one of my favourite genres as a pre-teen/teen and although I do not read as much in the genre now, I still remain fond of some of the books I read back then. As with science fiction and fantasy, horror has often been overlooked as not being literary enough to merit much in the way of praise and although I definitely feel as though that perspective has shifted, especially in recent years, there are many books which I feel have not been as acclaimed as they perhaps should have been.

Here are some books which I feel classify as ‘hidden gems’ (there is a mix of adult and young adult selections):

1. Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon

This book is very underrated IMHO. It definitely seems to have more of an audience nowadays but back when I first read it (when I was about fourteen or so) no one I knew had ever even heard of it which is a darn shame because it is a fantastic story that really packs a punch. It has memorable characters and a truly frightening premise. Post apocalyptic tales are a dime a dozen now but I still feel that Swan Song has a lot to offer. | Goodreads |

2. Stranger With My Face by Lois Duncan

Anyone who has visited my blog would probably guess that Lois Duncan would feature at some point. Seriously though, Lois Duncan’s young adult thriller/horror novels were my jam when I was younger. Stranger With My Face has always been the most unsettling (in a good way) of her novels for me. The idea of a spectre watching your every move? Creepy. | Goodreads |

3. Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick

This list would not be complete without a Point Horror title now would it? Richie Tankersley Cusick was arguably the most talented of the PH writers (sorry R.L. Stine fans!) and Trick or Treat was one of her best. Although they are a little (okay, okay, a LOT) formulaic, there were some genuine scares to be found in these books and I read them ferociously alongside adult writers such as Stephen King or Dean Koontz. They may not ‘classics’ in the truest sense of the word but they definitely had a lot to offer a budding horror enthusiast such as myself and I am glad to have had such a wide variety on offer during my formative years. | Goodreads |

4. Darkhouse by Karina Halle

I adore Karina Halle’s contemporary novels but her Experiment in Terror series is by far and away my favourite. I don’t scare easily (anymore) but these books were absolutely terrifying to me and I adored every delicious moment of fear. 😉 | Goodreads |

5. Remember Me by Christopher Pike

Ah Christopher Pike, one of my most-read as a teen. His books were so addictive and downright off-the-wall but they were so fun at the same time. Remember Me was my favourite; just the whole concept of a ghost narrating the search for her killer really appealed to me. Good times. | Goodreads |

6. Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

I love Brenna Yovanoff’s writing – she really knows how to build tension and her books are all well-written and thrilling reads. My favourite though is Paper Valentine. This book really got to me. It was scary but not in an over-the-top way and the ghost subplot really added an extra layer of suspense and intrigue to the mix. | Goodreads |

7. The Darkening by Stephen M. Irwin

I picked this book up on a whim at my local bookstore because the premise sounded interesting and I really liked the cover. I was totally taken by surprise by the clever and genuinely frightening story that unfolded. Definitely an author to look out for and this book is definitely worth checking out. | Goodreads |

8. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Zombies. Need I say more? Okay, if you insist. 😉 The zombies in this book are frickin’ scary. I watch a lot of movies and television shows with zombies and this book managed to out-scare all of them! It is really that good. The characters are also really interesting and the setting is claustrophobic and conveys a real sense of dread which doesn’t let you out of its grip until the absolutely thrilling end. Read. This. Book. | Goodreads |

9. The Devil’s Metal by Karina Halle

I know I’m kind-of cheating by putting yet another Karina Halle series on here (which indirectly links to the Experiment in Terror series) but this two-part series is just so good that I have to show it some love as well. 😉 | Goodreads |

10. Sleepwalk by John Saul

I’ve always had a soft spot for John Saul (who never really seemed to reach the heights of King or Koontz) and this one was always my favourite. | Goodreads |

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