What are some characteristics of smart horror novels?

Smart romance novels often have complex characters. They're not just about love at first sight but explore the psychological and emotional depths of the characters. For example, the characters may have to overcome personal traumas or career challenges while falling in love.

Well, they usually feature modern settings and themes. This could include dealing with the pressures of a high - tech work environment, or the challenges of modern - day dating in the age of social media. They also tend to have smart dialogue. The conversations between characters are not just fluff but can be thought - provoking and witty.

Well, in smart girl romance novels, the female protagonist usually has a great sense of self. She doesn't just blindly follow the male lead. She has her own goals and dreams and uses her intelligence to pursue them. Also, the romance often develops in a more cerebral way, with conversations and shared interests playing a big role. For example, they might bond over books or a particular academic subject. And the conflicts in the story may not be just about love triangles or petty jealousy but could involve more complex issues related to career, family, and personal growth that the smart girl has to figure out.

Smart women in romance novels are often independent thinkers. They don't just follow what others say or do. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennet forms her own opinions about Mr. Darcy despite the gossip around him. They are also usually well - read and cultured, which allows them to have interesting conversations with their love interests, like in 'The Time Traveler's Wife' where the female lead has a rich inner world due to her knowledge and experiences.

Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great one. It plays with the psychological state of the characters and the concept of a haunted house in a very smart way. Another is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski, which has a very unique and complex structure that adds to the horror. And 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson also has a lot of smart elements in terms of the characters' relationships and the underlying mystery.

Some, like 'The Girl with All the Gifts', combine horror with a sense of humanity. The main character, a child zombie, makes you feel empathy while still being in a horror - filled world.

In another instance, a smart door lock failed. A family member was locked out of the house in the middle of the night. They had to call a locksmith, but it took a long time for the locksmith to arrive. Meanwhile, they were left standing outside in the cold and dark, feeling very vulnerable and scared.

One horror story is that some smart meters have had issues with inaccurate billing. People received bills that were much higher than their actual usage. For example, a family that usually had a monthly bill of $100 suddenly got a bill for $500 without any change in their consumption habits. Another is the privacy concern. There are fears that the data collected by smart meters could be misused. Hackers might be able to access the information about when people are at home or not, which is a security risk.

One horror story is about a smart speaker randomly turning on in the middle of the night and playing creepy music. It startled the family and they couldn't figure out why it happened at first.

Goblin horror novels often feature goblins as menacing creatures. They might be depicted with grotesque appearances, like sharp teeth and beady eyes. Their behavior is usually cruel and unpredictable, which creates a sense of horror. For example, they could lurk in the dark forests and attack unsuspecting travelers.