Top 5 horror novels – From Hauntings to Monsters

When was the last time you were thrilled, excited, and horrified at the same time? It was probably while watching a horror movie or reading a horror novels. 

Why do you think we love these stories even after they are chilling and terrifying? The answer is in the way these stories are written. The authors who write horror stories have a different way of thinking about paranormal imagination.

Here are the top 5 writers and their great novels from the genre called “Horror.”

1. IT by Stephen King

“IT” from Stephen King has to be at the top of the list of the horror novels. Stephen King, more famously known as ‘King of Horror’. He has crafted a suspenseful atmosphere and relatable characters masterfully in this novel. King has tactfully woven the themes of childhood bonds, friendship, and confronting fear into this novel. It is about a group of children known as losers who reunite and face a terrifying entity when they’re grown up. 

Seven kids in a small town come together to expel the terror that stalked Derry (a small town in Maine, U.S.). But after a few years, a horrifying reminder makes the story twist—their (the children’s) victory wasn’t as final as they’d hoped. Now grown, they should come back to Derry to face the past and confront the evil they thought they’d buried. 

This book is a must-read to experience what horror is, along with the highest level of imagination.

2. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

In Georgetown (South Carolina, U.S.), an actress named Chris MacNeil watches her sweet daughter Regan plunge into a nightmare. A chilling transformation grips the readers with the fear of the unknown of the future. 

The once-sweet child starts suffering from attacks of shivers and trimmers, blackouts, and horrifying curses. Doctors are clueless and unable to reach any point of reasoning for this.

Strange occurrences escalate to horrifying convulsions, physical contortions, and even foul language. Desperate, Chris, the divorced mother, turns to a troubled priest, Damien Karras. He gets the feeling of an evil presence, unlike anything he’s encountered in the past. He calls upon the church to bring in Father Merrin, a seasoned exorcist. Together, they face a battle against a dreadful force that threatens to take away Regan’s soul.

3. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The Haunting of Hill House is a fascinating, creepy tale! The story revolves around characters. Dr. Montague, who is obsessed with the paranormal, lures a peculiar group to Hill House, a mansion steeped in whispers of haunting. There’s Luke, the reluctant heir; Theodora, the spirited assistant; and Eleanor, a woman yearning for escape. As they settle in, Hill House unveils its malevolent agenda, targeting one of them to become its permanent guest.

Hill House is not one more typical creaky old mansion story. In this, icy winds blow through empty halls, doors slam shut on their own, and hidden creatures quietly share secrets late at night. The chills won’t just creep down your spine; you’ll feel them settle deep in your bones.

Readers have considered “Haunting of Hill House” one of the best horror novels ever.

4. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Something Wicked This Way Comes is not bound to any classification. In a sleepy Midwestern town, best friends James Nightshade and William Holloway are days shy of their fourteenth birthdays. But as October chills the air, a sinister carnival rolls in, a spectacle far darker and more magical than anything they’ve ever encountered.

Now, to save their town from the clutches of this encroaching evil, they must face the fears of their lives. This American masterpiece has thrilled readers for generations. 

A simple tale that starts with the arrival of a Halloween carnival progresses deceptively. The carnival’s chilling presence has a big influence, particularly on James Nightshade and William Holloway, two twelve-year-old boys on the cusp of adolescence.

Yearning for adventure and straining against the boundaries of childhood, they’re not quite ready to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood. Tempted by the promise of granting wishes, they find themselves face-to-face with not-so-good experiences and forced to deal with their deepest fears of life. Don’t miss this unique, haunting story that you’ll remember long after you finish reading it.

5. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

The story centers on a young woman who works as an assistant in Monte Carlo. There, she meets a dashing widower named Maxim de Winter. He’s everything she’s ever dreamed of—handsome, wealthy, and worldly. An instant connection is formed between them, sweeping them up in the world of romance.

Soon enough, Maxim proposes, and the naive young woman finds herself excited about the idea of getting married to this older yet charming man. She agrees to become his wife, leaving behind her old life. Together, they travel to Manderley, Maxim’s grand estate, where they’ll begin their new life together.

The story unfolds at Manderley, Maxim’s grand estate. The author skillfully got readers to see that this place is seemingly haunted by the memory of his deceased first wife, the beautiful and enigmatic Rebecca.

Rebecca’s presence , Everywhere you go. It is in the whispers of the staff, the elegant furnishings, and the constant comparisons that are penned by Daphne du Maurier.

The manipulative housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, fuels your insecurity by constantly praising Rebecca and hinting at your inadequacies. As you delve deeper, you uncover shocking secrets about Rebecca and Maxim’s past, leaving you questioning everything you thought you knew.

Conclusion 

Get into the chilling world of horror! Both seasoned readers and those who are new to the genre will experience a spine-tingling masterpiece.

For those who love to step into a world of shadows and secrets, explore the gothic suspense of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier or the atmospheric dread of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. If the unknown terrifies you, then dive into the depths of Stephen King’s IT or William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist, where psychological torment awaits.

So, what are you waiting for? A good horror novel lingers long after the last page. So, take a chance on a new fear and start with a thrilling journey into the darkest corners of your imagination.

Also Read: Top 5 Agatha Christie