What are the characteristics of the best 2023 horror novels?

They often have complex characters. In 'The Final Girl Support Group', the characters are not just one - dimensional victims. They have their own backstories and motives that add depth to the horror. It's not just about the scares, but also about the human element in the face of horror. And the settings in these novels are often used effectively to create a sense of unease. Whether it's a small town in 'My Heart Is a Chainsaw' or an isolated place in other novels, the setting becomes a character in itself, adding to the overall horror atmosphere.

Good horror novels usually have a great setting. It could be an isolated place like in 'Pet Sematary' which adds to the sense of helplessness. Suspense is key too. In 'The Exorcist', the slow build - up of the girl's possession keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. And they play with the readers' fears, whether it's the fear of the dark, the fear of death or the fear of the supernatural. In 'It', the fear of the unknown entity lurking in the sewers is what makes it so scary.

Many Swedish horror novels often have a very bleak and cold atmosphere, which is perhaps influenced by the Scandinavian climate. For example, in 'Let the Right One In', the wintry setting adds to the overall sense of isolation and dread.

Existential horror novels at their best often deal with mortality. In 'Pet Sematary', the idea of death being perverted is a key element. They also create a sense of being lost. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the narrator is lost in her own mind as she is trapped in the room. Moreover, they can have a sense of the uncanny. In 'The Exorcist', the possession is an uncanny event that challenges our understanding of the world and our place in it, creating a strong sense of existential horror.

Well, often they have a strong sense of atmosphere. For example, in 'Dracula', the misty and foreboding Transylvanian setting really sets the mood. Another characteristic is the creation of memorable and terrifying characters like Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. They also play with psychological fears, such as in 'The Shining' where the main character's slow mental breakdown is a big part of the horror. And many of them use elements of the unknown, like the strange and unholy in 'The Exorcist'.

The best 70s horror novels often had a sense of the unknown. For example, in 'The Exorcist', the concept of demonic possession was something that was both feared and not fully understood. They also played on psychological fears. 'Carrie' was not just about a girl with powers, but about the cruelty of her classmates and the isolation she felt, which many readers could relate to on a psychological level. And they were often set in ordinary places like small towns in 'Salem's Lot' to make the horror seem more relatable.

They often have very vivid and disturbing descriptions. For example, in 'The Shining' by Stephen King, the descriptions of the haunted hotel are so detailed that you can almost feel the cold and the malevolence. It makes the horror seem more real.

Character development is a big part of the best new horror novels. You get to know the characters well, their hopes, fears, and secrets. This makes it more terrifying when they are put in horrible situations. Also, the use of modern cultural references is common. They might incorporate current events or trends to make the horror more relatable. And a lot of new horror novels are not afraid to be experimental. They might use non - linear storytelling or different narrative voices to keep the reader on their toes and create a truly unique horror experience.

The best Spanish horror novels often have a strong sense of place. For example, they might be set in old, spooky Spanish buildings like castles or abandoned mansions. They also tend to blend historical elements, like the Spanish Civil War or medieval times, with the horror. Characters are usually complex, facing not just the external horror but also internal demons. And the use of the Spanish language itself adds a certain flavor, with words that can create a more intense and spooky atmosphere.

The 50s horror novels that are considered the best usually had unique concepts. 'I Am Legend' with its post - apocalyptic world full of vampires was very original. They were also good at making the reader feel unease. In 'The Haunting of Hill House', the house itself almost becomes a character, with its creaking floors and cold spots. And 'The Fly' used the idea of body horror in a way that was both shocking and thought - provoking.