This article contains mention of violence.

Summary

• Fantastical horror books thrive on the blend of supernatural elements, gothic influences, and engaging narratives that capture the darkness of storytelling.
• While violence isn't essential, the anticipation of the unknown is key for a horror fantasy book to be effective in creating a fully immersive experience.
• From medieval quests with angels and demons to modern dark academia tales, horror fantasy books push boundaries through the exploration of magic and terrifying themes.

Fantasy books are a favorite within the genre of speculative fiction, and while horror doesn't necessarily need to have supernatural or mystical elements, it thrives when it does. This makes a blend of fantasy and horror a perfect match when it comes to stories that can engage viewers who are looking for a magical plot that goes further into the most terrifying aspects of storytelling. Gothic influences are found in most of the strongest fantasy and horror books, as this establishes the world of the story without too much unnecessary exposition.

Violence isn't necessary for a horror fantasy book to work, but anticipation and the threat of the unknown must be present for the reader to get the full experience.

While some must-read fantasy books are cozy and inviting, others lean into the terrifying side of magic and monsters, creating an atmosphere on par with any great horror book. These types of narratives must establish more lore than a typical scary story while also engaging with potentially more serious and graphic themes than classic fantasy. Violence isn't necessary for a horror fantasy book to work, but anticipation and the threat of the unknown must be present for the reader to get the full experience.

8 Between Two Fires (2012)

Written by Christopher Buehlman

The demons and angels of heaven and hell play a major role in Christopher Buehlman's Between Two Fires, a Medieval story set during the height of the Black Plague. Thomas, the protagonist, is a knight who embarks on a dark and religious quest with a young girl, Delphine, across Europe. Like many period books that deal with Christianity and the Dark Ages, there's a sense of chaos and desperation in every character, and everyone goes through significant trials, facing violence, torture, and coming into with their worst nightmares.

With religious influences and the confirmed existence of hell and heaven within the story, the fantasy aspects come in through possession and the character's journey into hell.

Though Between Two Fires doesn't have the love story of some of the best period romance TV shows, it fully captures the visuals and style of the Medieval period through the written word. With religious influences and the confirmed existence of hell and heaven within the story, the fantasy aspects come in through possession and the character's journey into hell. Conversely, the experiences in hell and the intense darkness and violence that the characters experience throughout the story are firmly rooted in horror.

7 Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962)

Written by Ray Bradbury

Famed writer Ray Bradbury was known for touching upon relevant social and political topics in his works throughout his career. In Something Wicked This Way Comes, the young boys who serve as the protagonists face their worst fears when a traveling carnival appears in their bucolic Midwestern town. Both about the transition from childhood to adolescence and the internal fight between good and evil impulses, Something Wicked This Way Comes is as terrifying as any horror book meant for adult audiences despite being about children.

However, the upsetting aspects of the story are balanced by a true and compelling narrative about the power of friendship and family. One of the biggest powers of the wicked carnival in the novel is its ability to tempt the characters with their deepest desires, only to trap them with a hidden catch for granting the wish. Today, Something Wicked This Way Comes is considered one of the most influential horror fantasy books of all time and has served as the inspiration for modern contributors to the genre.

6 Ninth House (2019)

Written by Leigh Bardugo

Ninth House is one of the most sinister takes on dark academia within the genre.

Though Leigh Bardugo is best known for her YA series that was adapted into a TV series, Ninth House is an amazing foray into the adult fiction genre. Despite Netflix's Shadow & Bone cancelation, there's still hope that further Bardugo adaptations could hit screens, and Ninth House would be a great choice for a screen iteration. The novel tackles the intersection between the cycles of abuse and the influence of the rich and powerful as Alex enters the world of Yale's secret societies. Ninth House is one of the most sinister takes on dark academia within the genre.

The story would already be compelling and mysterious without the fantasy elements, but Bardugo ups the ante by incorporating magic and ghosts into the already complex world. Ninth House blends many genres and incorporates looks of intertextual references into its pages, expecting the reader to be in conversation with the larger literary canon. However, the book still connects with readers who are only experiencing horror and fantasy stories for the first time with the great main character of Alex.

5 The Year Of The Witching (2020)

Written by Alexis Henderson

The history of early puritanical societies and the Witch Trials are frequently touched upon by horror fiction, and the addition of real magic into the story makes The Year of the Witching an excellent addition to the fantastical canon. Alexis Henderson touches upon feelings of isolation and alienation in the novel as Immanuelle is ostracized from her strict society because of her mixed-race heritage and her mother's secret history. As much in conversation with feminism as it is with the dangers of ignorance, The Year of the Witching is a stirring work of literature.

Immanuelle is a fantastic heroine who refuses to be silenced by the controlling church and community that threatens her and the larger world. Though it takes place hundreds of years ago, The Year of the Witching feels just as relevant and immediate as any other contemporary work of fiction. The book stands out because of how brilliantly the author brings the interworkings of magic to life and how realistic Immanuelle's society feels compared to the actual history of the period.

4 Starling House (2023)

Written by Alix E. Harrow

Starling House rounds out its Southern Gothic narrative with a touch of romance between Opal and Arthur. They are an unlikely pair who have to team up to save their small town. Everything in the book comes down to the titular house that Arthur lives in, and Opal finds herself inexplicably drawn to it. The setting is vital to the story, as the haunted mansion is just as much of a character as the people in the story. It takes place in Eden, Kentucky, and is firmly set in the context of contemporary issues of politics and environmental hardships.

For readers who are looking for an atmospheric first impression of horror fantasy, Starling House is the perfect choice.

This connection to real life allows the reader to draw comparisons between magic and horror with real-world issues. On the scale of how terrifying a horror book is, Starling House is on the lighter side, scaring the audience with the implication of horror rather than actual events. For readers who are looking for an atmospheric first impression of horror fantasy, Starling House is the perfect choice. Opal and Arthur capture every facet of the mysterious house from their dual perspectives.

3 Gideon The Ninth (2019)

Written by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon's world is one full of cruel nuns, fights to the death, and an all-powerful Emperor who demands her fealty. However, all Gideon wants is to escape with her freedom and never see the tombs of the Ninth House again. It doesn't take long for this plan to be foiled by Harrowhawk, Gideon's rival, groomed to become a necromancer for the Emperor but can only ascend if she has Gideon's trusted sword. These events incite the events of Gideon the Ninth, a combination of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror that chronicles a new type of adventure.

The fact that Gideon lives with a death cult who are guarding the worst monster in the universe doesn't bother the novel's fearless protagonist, who's driven by her intense need to forge her own path. Halfway through the book, there's an intensely dramatic and violent realization about the truth of Gideon and Harrowhawk's upbringing, but it ultimately brings the two young women closer together. Though the moments of horror can be dark and overwhelming, Gideon the Ninth expertly balances them with humor and quips.

2 Smoke And Stone (2019)

Written by Michael Fletcher

Much of Smoke and Stone interrogates the caste system that rules the city, not unlike the oppressive nature of real-life social and economic class structure.

Smoke and Stone is the first book in Michael Fletcher's City of Sacrifice series that follows the residents of Bastion, the fading city that Nuru and Akachi live in. Though they both are from Bastion, the two characters couldn't have more different experiences and perspectives on the world. Much of Smoke and Stone interrogates the caste system that rules the city, not unlike the oppressive nature of real-life social and economic class structure. Due to her position, Nuru allies herself with the long-forgotten god, Mother Death.

Though Smoke and Stone is typically grouped into the dark fantasy genre, there are enough thrills to make it a great blend with horror. This is because the cursed city is ringed by a wasteland full of dead souls and vengeful gods who all want a taste of power and influence in the troubled city. This is not the first series by Fletcher to delve into similar dark fantasy territory, but he goes even deeper with the City of Sacrifice series. As Nuru and Akachi's paths bring them closer together, they find themselves locked in an epic battle for the city's fate.

1 Bunny (2019)

Written by Mona Awad

Mona Awad's Bunny is female revenge, horror, and fantasy done right and features one of the most complex and compelling protagonists of its far-reaching genre. What begins as realistic fiction soon transforms into a candy-coated nightmare as Samantha gets entangled with the clique of women in her MFA program, who she's dubbed the Bunnies. However, the Bunnies want something from Samantha, something she doesn't even know she has, and the women will take each other down if it means getting it.

The fantasy elements of Bunny are grotesquely shocking and funny, as Samantha finds herself equally disgusted by and drawn to the web of the Bunnies. For much of the novel, Samantha is in a haze as she's desperate to be accepted by others but only truly connects with her friend Ava. Bunny believes in the power of imagination and is interested in writing as a concept, using elements of absurd humor to demonstrate how far removed from reality the Bunnies are.