The characters often face extraordinary and terrifying threats. In many horror novels, there are supernatural elements such as ghosts, vampires, or demons that the characters must deal with. This creates a sense of powerlessness and horror as the characters struggle against these forces they don't fully understand.
In the category of best space horror novel, 'Leviathan Wakes' by James S.A. Corey is a great pick. It has a good mix of space adventure and horror elements. For best horror fiction, 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is superb. The way it plays with the idea of a haunted house and the psychological impact on the characters is a masterclass in horror writing.
One of the best space horror novels is 'Alien' by Alan Dean Foster (based on the movie). It's terrifying as it combines the isolation of space with a deadly alien creature. For best horror fiction in general, 'The Shining' by Stephen King is a classic. It creates a sense of dread within the haunted Overlook Hotel.
One great horror Antarctica novel is 'At the Mountains of Madness' by H.P. Lovecraft. It takes readers on a terrifying journey through the frozen Antarctic wastes, with Lovecraft's signature blend of cosmic horror and the unknown. The strange and grotesque creatures that the characters encounter add to the sense of dread.
Some top body horror novels include 'The Troop' by Nick Cutter. It's about a group of boy scouts on an island who encounter a parasitic horror that takes over their bodies in the most gruesome ways. 'The Shuddering' by Ania Ahlborn is also good. It tells a story set in a small town where a strange and terrifying force begins to affect the bodies of the residents. 'Carrie' by Stephen King can also be considered a body horror novel in a way, as it shows the telekinetic powers of Carrie causing extreme and bloody destruction to the bodies of those who wronged her.
One of the best horror novels in 2017 was 'The Changeling' by Victor LaValle. It combines elements of horror with themes of fatherhood and race. Another great one could be 'The Honeys' by Ryan La Sala, which has a unique and disturbing take on a summer camp setting. And 'Gather the Daughters' by Jennie Melamed is also notable for its dark exploration of a cult - like society.
Some of the best 2016 horror novels include 'The Fireman' by Joe Hill. It tells a story in a world where a spore causes people to spontaneously combust. Another great one could be 'The Girl With All the Gifts' by M. R. Carey, which offers a unique take on the zombie apocalypse genre.
Some of the best horror novels include 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley is also great, exploring the creation of a monster. And 'The Shining' by Stephen King, which takes readers into the terrifying Overlook Hotel.
Some of the best 2021 horror novels include 'The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires' by Grady Hendrix. It combines horror with a touch of southern charm and female empowerment as a group of women take on a vampire. Another great one is 'My Heart Is a Chainsaw' by Stephen Graham Jones, which has a unique take on the slasher genre with a complex and interesting protagonist.
Some of the best 2022 horror novels include 'My Heart Is a Chainsaw' by Stephen Graham Jones. It has a unique take on the slasher genre with a complex and engaging protagonist. Another great one is 'Sundial' by Catriona Ward. It's a dark and twisted story full of family secrets and psychological horror.