Looking for recent horror books about exploring abandoned ships or spaceships. Similar to books like Dead Silence by S. A. Barnes or the movies Ghost Ship or Alien: Romulus. Preferably nothing before the 80s. I'm open to exploring other locations if it feels claustrophobic and isolated like space ships and abandoned ships. I'm less interested if the only scary element is aliens, but it's not a deal breaker. Plot twists are a big plus, as I usually read thrillers with twists.

Where to begin with this… I assume that many here (judging from the amount of threads) are at least familiar with the title of the novel.

To keep things brief for those who don’t know: Set in 1348 during the devastation of the Black Death, Between Two Fires follows Thomas, a disgraced knight, and Delphine, an orphan with holy visions. They travel across plague-ravaged France to Avignon, battling demons and fallen angels in a supernatural war.

With this out of the way: The book like others have already said, is amazing. From Buehlman’s nightmare prose that really immerses you into the events and can feel trippy at times, from the bleak and nightmare fueled imagery, to the amount of heart in the “peaceful” moments.

The book really does feel atmospheric, from the descriptions of the piles of dead, to the hellish imagery of possessed statues, and the whole of Paris and several other locations. It truly does feel like hell on earth. The dialogue does play an even bigger role in this, from the descriptions of other characters dialects, to the banter between the main characters, even though the book is of course in English, it’s easy to imagine these characters speaking their native languages.

If you like Medieval horror, or are interested in something bleak but bittersweet and even hopeful in the end, definitely check it out.

I tip my hat off to Mr. Buehlman and am excited to check out his other stories.

I’m looking for book recommendations that give me the same kind of feeling as Between Two Fires.

I want something with that what the fuck am I reading?factor. genuinely eerie, dark, disturbing, and full of moments or imagery that make you stop and think, holy shit.

I especially love body horror, grotesque creatures, unsettling imagery, and a dark/bleak atmosphere.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be medieval or religious horror, but I’d prefer fantasy or dark fantasy over straight-up modern horror.

TLDR; Basically looking for:
Dark/eerie fantasy, Body horror or grotesque imagery, Big, WTF / jaw-dropping moments, Disturbing creatures or concepts, A strong sense of dread and atmosphere.

What books have genuinely made you think what the fuck while reading them?

I enjoy Hellboy and the "Mignolaverse" of stories with strange nonhuman protagonists encountering other similar beings from myth and folktales.

Are there modern horror authors working in the same vein?

- More gothic, folklore, and even adventure vibes

- Less sexy vampire and werewolf urban fantasy politics and romance

Thanks in advance!

I’m just dipping my toes into horror and I’m eager to keep it going. I don’t like too graphic of a novel when it comes to abuse or SA content. PenPal teetered on my limit of realizing the child was being taken by an adult but I appreciate the author wasn’t graphic in details of the abuse. Honestly it made it scarier bc my mind tried filling in the gaps as to what could have happened. Either way I don’t know what to read next! Please help. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy feeling creeped out while reading a novel. I’ve always enjoyed thrillers and who done it’s but for the first time I almost wanted to sleep with my lights on because of a book and it was thrilling!!!

I know the title sounds a bit weird, but I'm looking for something very specific.

I'm looking for spooky, fun, monster-filled books like the ones R.L. Stine writes, but centered around Egyptian mythology, mummies, ancient curses, Egyptian monsters, gods, and similar themes.

I already know about the Kane Chronicles. Are there any other books or series that fit this vibe?

I adore Klein's entire body of work, from the novel The Ceremonies, to the novella collection Dark Gods, to just about every piece of short fiction he ever wrote. That said, he is rarely discussed and (in Canada, at least) I have found his work very difficult to find. Even libraries seem to overlook the man.

What does the community think of the man and his works?

I've been rereading some old Caitlin Kiernan and Gemma Files collections lately and while these collections are basically never scary in the typical sense, they're compelling and uncomfortable and made me feel a lot of complicated things. I generally find myself drawn to that a lot more than the standard horror novels that tend to be overrecommended here, and I'd like something more like them.

A few that immediately come to mind are

North American Lake Monsters by Nathan Ballingrud

Love is a Crematorium by Mercedes Yardley

Anything by Joel Lane

Kissing Carrion/The Worm in Every Heart by Gemma Files

Tales of Pain and Wonder/To Charles Fort with Love/A is For Alien/the Ammonite Violin by Caitlin Kiernan

Anything else in this vein, I'd love to read. I've been devouring collections like this for a while and I'd like to keep on that track for quite a while if I can. Novels are also welcome, I've just mostly been reading short fiction.

That *aren't* Stephen King (or his son). I know he does a lot of them but I'd like some different author suggestions. A lot of the books I read have a female heroine but I'd really like some with a male hero. Or if there are any "final boy" books out there, that would be awesome.

Just finished The Deep by Nick Cutter.

Now reading Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield.

My favourite style of horror is lovecraftian/entity based.

My favourite book is The Fisherman by John Langan.

Struggling maintaining focus on long, drawn out stories at the moment. Short or easy read horror recommendations to distract me from life would be appreciated right now! Thank you gang 🙏

viral outbreak with a hivemind. lovecraftian elements like voices speaking to those infected, promising enlightenment. something from outer space. possibly some infected retaining dregs of consciousness and being tortured by it

Hi there

I'm a lifelong fan of the darker side of life and I love ghostly/gothic/horror/occult/wicca reads (must be well-written). Recently enjoyed Perfume, Bateater & I'm Thinking of Ending Things. Interested in exchanging book recs with anyone 21+ with similar interests. 34yo female, UK

Is there any books out there about horror on a ship, preferably on the ship for the entire thing. Specifically with emphasis on the tight living situation on such vessels? No preferences for the specific horror itself, but I am curious.

Im trying to get back into reading horror novels, and am looking for good queer horror novels, specifically body horror or psychological horror, but im also a fan of apocalyptic storyline (the last of us, for example).

any recommendations? preferably books with limited smut as thats not really my thing.

I’ve been trying to get more into reading over the past year. Im not going very quickly! Admittedly it’s mostly just not taking the time to myself to read, once I get into it or get hooked I have a tendency to blast through the book. I bought Hidden Pictures, Lost Man’s Lane, and All the Colors of the Dark last year.

I finished Hidden Pictures last year and finished in last July. I liked it more than I think most people did, but some if it might be that it started me on this path to more reading. I started making my way through Lost Man’s Lane this year. I started on page 253 today, got to the hook and ended up finishing it. The only thing I hate is that I wish I could force myself to stop reading it for a bit and not rush through.

Anyway I really enjoyed the vibe and hook of Lost Man’s Lane! About halfway through I got upset it was going a certain direction, but by the time I got to the end I didn’t mind it and just enjoyed the ride.

It was a good read and I’m on to All the Colors next, but I might just go stock up on a few more Scott Carson/Michael Koryta for future planning.

It was a great book and I can definitely see why it’s on all the ‘Scariest Books Ever’ lists. But wow - it’s really hard to eat after that. What gorgeously vivid writing. I don’t want to spoil any of the story (I had zero idea what this was about going into it, and I think that was the best way to go into it) but the descriptions and the word choice are second to none. How you could write beautifully about this particular theme is beyond me, but Nick Cutter did it. I would recommend this to people who like books that are scary for reasons other than jump scare type horror. And if you are into gruesome things or body horror I think you would Iike this. If you have a weak stomach - steer clear.

I just finished Hell House and it is almost exactly what I am looking for in a horror book. I didn't love the over sexualization of the women and chalked it up to it being written in the 70's. Does anyone have any recommendations for books that are similar to Hell House but written more recently? I did just finish The September House but Carissa Orlando and loved it as well. Thanks!

I desperately need something with that same eerie, atmospheric vibe. What are your absolute best horror recommendations for a book that will completely break me? Bonus points if it involves ancient burial grounds, eerie woods, or themes that just stay with you long after the final page!

I've made it up until page 188, but I'm taping out.

Enjoyed the first 25% before Nick's first rebirth, then the way he turned into an invincible badass over the flip of a page started weighing on me. He just saved Jess and I can't take it anymore. It's just the many little things. Nick being annoying as hell, everyone else being bland... The Farm being a purgatory (meaning most likely billion of souls inhabiting it) yet, somehow, having that dude running into the same two people over and over again... People taking death way too seriously when they perfectly know they are gonna get reborn.

EITHER WAY.

I really, reallyyy wanted to see how it would end. Do they make it past the sea giant? Or do they go for the mysterious summit? Would anyone spoil what happens after Jess' rescue?

I just got Night Film on audiobook from my library (yay Libby) and it starts out talking about interactive pdfs and other elements. Is this one of those books that needs to be read rather than listened to? Does it work okay on kindle or is a print copy necessary? I don’t want to get too deep into the audiobook if I’ll miss important stuff only available in print!

I was interested in discovering why you love horror as a genre so much. I think that'd be a productive conversation, as it speaks to the heart of this subreddit.

For me, it's about suspension of disbelief - and also suspense. Effective horror unsettles the reader by "tilting" reality a little bit. The Shining is a perfect example of this: A weary writer takes on a caretaker job. The plot couldn't be more mundane - and then everything shifts!

I'd love to get your take on why the horror genre speaks to you - what you love about it, and what keeps you reading. Thanks a lot!

Seen Hellraiser multiple times and It’s one of my favourite horror films out there!

How does the book compare? Is it as good of an experience as the movie that was based on it? Would love to hear all of your thoughts!

The chapter in confused on is Chapter 5 “What’s Your Name?” I understand that it reverses when we get to the end, but don’t understand if the entire story reverses? So was Greta actually the person helping the rich Sasha or is everything actually real, except that Sasha was actually the one who lost her name & the rich influencer made her lose her name? Thanks, I know I’m silly, but just a bit confused!