How do survival horror novels create a sense of fear?

IT horror novels often create fear by using the unknown aspects of technology. For example, in 'It', the entity Pennywise can manipulate technology in the town, like making the sewers seem even more menacing, which scares readers as it's something that could potentially happen in real life.

Horror gothic novels create fear through various means. The atmosphere is crucial. They build an atmosphere of gloom and doom, with elements like mist, howling winds, and creaking doors. The use of foreshadowing also plays a big role. In 'Dracula', there are many hints about the vampire's arrival and his evil deeds before he actually shows up. The characters' psychological states are another factor. For instance, the madness that overcomes Dr. Jekyll as he transforms into Mr. Hyde is terrifying. And the way these novels often isolate their characters, whether in a remote castle or on a lonely island, makes the reader feel their vulnerability and thus heightens the sense of fear.

Wilderness horror novels create fear through isolation. When characters are alone in the vast wilderness, far from help, it amps up the tension. For example, in 'The Ruins', the characters are trapped in the jungle with no easy way out. Also, the unknown elements in the wilderness, like strange noises or unseen creatures, play a big role. In 'Annihilation', the Area X is full of things that are not clearly defined, making the reader feel uneasy.

They often create fear by having the cryptids be unknown and unpredictable. For example, a cryptid that can appear and disappear suddenly. It makes the reader constantly on edge.

They often play on our primal fears. In many cryptid horror novels, the creatures are a threat to our survival. In 'The Ruins', the plant - like cryptid slowly kills and tortures the characters. The isolation of the characters in the face of these cryptids also adds to the fear. When the characters are alone or in a small group, like in 'The Troop', it makes the threat seem more overwhelming.

Horror graphic novels create fear through their visuals. The detailed and often grotesque drawings can be quite shocking. For example, in 'Uzumaki', the distorted and spiraling images are disturbing to look at. They also use pacing. By slowly revealing the horror elements, like in 'The Walking Dead' where the threat of the zombies builds up gradually, it keeps the reader on edge.

The use of military hierarchy and rules also adds to the horror. Soldiers are trained to follow orders, but in a horror situation, these rules might lead them into more danger. For instance, in a novel where they are ordered to stay in a haunted building for some strategic reason. They can't just run away like civilians would. They have to face the horror while still adhering to military discipline. This conflict between survival and duty is a great source of fear. And also, the military equipment which is supposed to protect them might fail in the face of the unknown horror, leaving them vulnerable.

They often use the unknown. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the house itself is full of secrets. We don't know exactly what's lurking in the dark corners or behind the closed doors. This lack of knowledge makes our imagination run wild and creates fear.

Zombie horror novels create a sense of fear mainly through the concept of the undead. The idea that the dead can come back to life and attack the living is inherently terrifying. Also, they often depict a breakdown of society, like in 'World War Z', which makes readers fear for their own safety in such a chaotic world.

Urban horror novels often use familiar settings like city streets, apartments, or office buildings. By making the setting something readers can recognize, it becomes easier to imagine the horror happening there. They also play with the idea of the unknown lurking within the normal, for example, a monster hiding in the sewers beneath a busy city.