One underrated horror novel is 'The Ruins' by Scott Smith. It has a really creepy premise. A group of tourists visit an ancient Mayan ruin, and things start to go horribly wrong. The sense of isolation and the unknown is what makes it so terrifying. Another is 'The House Next Door' by Anne Rivers Siddons. It's about a haunted house that affects the lives of those around it in very disturbing ways. And 'The Fisherman' by John Langan. It combines elements of Lovecraftian horror with a unique and haunting story about fishing and the supernatural.
Some underrated horror novels include 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks. It has a really twisted and disturbing main character. 'Haunted' by Chuck Palahniuk is also interesting. It's a collection of short stories that are all interconnected and very dark. And 'Hex' by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. It's set in a small town haunted by a witch, and the way the horror unfolds is both unique and spine - chilling.
I'd recommend 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters. It's set in post - World War II England and has a slow - building sense of dread. The atmosphere of the decaying manor house is palpable. 'Let the Right One In' by John Ajvide Lindqvist is also great. It's a vampire story, but not like the typical ones. It delves deep into the relationship between the vampire and a young boy, and it has a really dark and cold atmosphere. Then there's 'Bird Box' by Josh Malerman. The idea of not being able to see without risking going insane is a truly terrifying concept.
One great underrated graphic novel is 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. It's an autobiographical work that gives a unique look into life in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. The simple black - and - white art style is very effective in telling the complex story of a young girl growing up in a changing society.
One great underrated fantasy novel is 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It weaves together the stories of a golem and a jinni in turn - of - the - century New York. Another is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It has a unique take on magic and a captivating heroine. And 'Mistborn' by Brandon Sanderson is also underrated. It features an intricate magic system and a complex plot.
A really good coming of age horror novel is 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs. It's about a boy who discovers a strange home full of children with special abilities. He has to grow up fast as he uncovers the secrets and the horror within. 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks is also worth reading. It's a disturbing and thought - provoking story about a young man's life and the strange and often horrifying things he experiences. And 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman is a unique take on the genre. A boy is raised in a graveyard among the ghosts, and as he grows, he learns about the world of the living and the dead.
I also recommend 'Uzumaki' by Junji Ito. This manga is filled with disturbing and nightmarish imagery. It tells the story of a town obsessed with spirals, and the horror unfolds in a very slow - burning yet terrifying way. The art is detailed and really adds to the overall sense of unease.
Another is 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin. This classic horror novel delves into the idea of a cult surrounding a young woman's pregnancy. The slow build - up of paranoia and the sense of something sinister lurking in her apartment building makes it a must - read. It shows how the cult subtly influences Rosemary's life without her fully realizing it at first.
One of the top horror novels on Ranker is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It's a classic that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its spooky hotel setting and a family slowly being driven mad.
One of the best is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It's set in an isolated hotel with a haunted past. The slow build - up of the horror as the main character, Jack, descends into madness is truly terrifying. Another great one is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. The classic vampire tale with the eponymous count is full of suspense and dread. Then there's 'It' also by Stephen King. The shape - shifting Pennywise the clown preys on children's fears in the town of Derry.
One of the best Xianxia novels is 'Coiling Dragon'. It has a great story with a protagonist who gradually grows stronger. The world - building is detailed, full of various magical beasts and powerful cultivators. Another good one is 'A Record of Mortal's Cultivation to Immortality'. It follows the journey of an ordinary mortal as he overcomes countless difficulties on his path to immortality.
Some great fantasy novels from 2018 include 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik. It's a richly detailed retelling of fairytales with strong female characters. Another one is 'Children of Blood and Bone' by Tomi Adeyemi. It has a unique magic system and a story of revolution in a fantasy world.
Some great Android novels include 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It's a thrilling story about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his fight for survival. The science and humor in it make it really engaging.