Horror is a genre of literature that evokes fear and dread within the reader. It is often used to tell stories of the supernatural, such as ghosts, vampires, or other creatures that exist outside of our realm of understanding. The 21st century has brought a resurgence of horror, with authors exploring new and creative ways to create spine-tingling tales. This article will explore the top 10 horror novels of the 21st century, covering the authors, plots, and reception of each book.
10. The Cabin at the End of the World (2018)
Overview
The Cabin at the End of the World is a 2018 horror novel by author Paul Tremblay. It follows a family of four who are living a quiet life in rural New Hampshire when they are visited by four strangers who demand that they make a life-altering decision.
Author
Paul Tremblay is an American horror fiction writer and editor. He is the author of five novels, including The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts, which was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Novel.
Plot
The story follows a family of four who are living a peaceful life in a cabin in New Hampshire when they are visited by four strangers. The strangers tell the family that they must choose to either abandon their home or face a “terrible consequence.” The family is forced to make a difficult decision that will have far-reaching consequences.
Reception
The Cabin at the End of the World was well-received by critics, with the New York Times calling it “a gripping, wily novel of anxiety and survival.” It was also nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Novel and the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel.
9. The Troop (2014)
Overview
The Troop is a 2014 horror novel by author Nick Cutter. It follows a troop of six Boy Scouts and their Scoutmaster who are stranded on a remote island after a camping trip gone wrong.
Author
Nick Cutter is an award-winning Canadian horror fiction writer. He is the author of seven novels, including The Troop and The Deep, which won the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel.
Plot
The Troop follows a troop of Boy Scouts and their Scoutmaster who are stranded on a remote island after their camping trip goes awry. They soon discover that the island is home to a mysterious creature that is capable of infecting humans with a deadly virus. The troop must find a way to survive the creature and make it off the island alive.
Reception
The Troop was well-received by critics and readers alike, with the New York Times calling it “a stunningly effective horror novel.” It was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel and the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel.
8. Bird Box (2014)
Overview
Bird Box is a 2014 horror novel by author Josh Malerman. It follows a woman and her two children who must navigate a post-apocalyptic world while blindfolded in order to avoid a mysterious entity that causes people to commit suicide.
Author
Josh Malerman is an American horror fiction writer and musician. He is the author of four novels, including Bird Box and The Night Siren, and his music has been featured in the Netflix series Black Mirror.
Plot
Bird Box follows a woman and her two children who are living in a post-apocalyptic world where they must remain blindfolded in order to avoid a mysterious entity that causes people to commit suicide. The woman must lead her family to safety while navigating this dangerous new world.
Reception
Bird Box was well-received by critics and readers alike, with the Washington Post calling it “a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller.” It was also adapted into a Netflix movie starring Sandra Bullock.
7. The Devoured (2013)
Overview
The Devoured is a 2013 horror novel by author Christopher Golden. It follows a group of friends who are pursued by a mysterious parasite that feeds on human emotions.
Author
Christopher Golden is an American horror fiction writer and editor. He is the author of more than thirty novels, including The Devoured and Snowblind.
Plot
The Devoured follows a group of friends who are being pursued by a mysterious parasite that feeds on human emotions. The group must find a way to survive the creature and make it out of the forest alive.
Reception
The Devoured was well-received by critics and readers alike, with the Chicago Tribune calling it “a gripping and terrifying tale.” It was also nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.
6. The Hatching (2014)
Overview
The Hatching is a 2014 horror novel by author Ezekiel Boone. It follows a group of people who must fight off a global invasion of ancient and deadly spiders.
Author
Ezekiel Boone is an American horror fiction writer. He is the author of four novels, including The Hatching and The Hive, which was nominated for the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel.
Plot
The Hatching follows a group of people who must fight off a global invasion of ancient and deadly spiders. As the spiders spread across the world, the group must find a way to survive the creatures and save humanity.
Reception
The Hatching was well-received by critics, with the New York Times calling it “an inventive, suspenseful thriller.” It was also nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.
5. House of Leaves (2000)
Overview
House of Leaves is a 2000 horror novel by author Mark Z. Danielewski. It follows a family who moves into a new house only to discover that it is larger on the inside than it is on the outside.
Author
Mark Z. Danielewski is an American horror fiction writer and poet. He is the author of four novels, including House of Leaves and The Fifty Year Sword, and his work has been adapted into a number of films.
Plot
House of Leaves follows a family who moves into a new house only to discover that it is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. The family must explore the mysterious house and uncover its secrets in order to survive.
Reception
House of Leaves was well-received by critics, with the Los Angeles Times calling it “a riveting, daring work of horror fiction.” It was also a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel and won the ALA Alex Award.
4. Horns (2010)
Overview
Horns is a 2010 horror novel by author Joe Hill. It follows a man who awakens one morning to discover that he has grown horns on his head, and he must use them to uncover the truth about his past.
Author
Joe Hill is an American horror fiction writer and comic book writer. He is the author of six novels, including Horns and NOS4A2, and his work has been adapted into a number of films and television series.
Plot
Horns follows a man who awakens one morning to discover that he has grown horns on his head. He soon discovers that the horns have supernatural powers, and he must use them to uncover the truth about his past.
Reception
Horns was well-received by critics and readers alike, with the New York Times calling it “a wild, gripping novel.” It was also adapted into a film starring Daniel Radcliffe.
3. The Ritual (2011)
Overview
The Ritual is a 2011 horror novel by author Adam Nevill. It follows a group of friends who are hiking in the Swedish wilderness and encounter a sinister presence that is stalking them.
Author
Adam Nevill is an English horror fiction writer. He is the author of nine novels, including The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive, and his work has been adapted into a number of films and television series.
Plot
The Ritual follows a group of friends who are hiking in the Swedish wilderness and encounter a sinister presence that is stalking them. The group must find a way to survive the creature and make it out of the forest alive.
Reception
The Ritual was well-received by critics, with the Guardian calling it “a brilliantly constructed, genuinely frightening horror novel.” It was also nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.
2. Dr. Sleep (2013)
Overview
Dr. Sleep is a 2013 horror novel by author Stephen King. It follows a grown-up Danny Torrance who must protect a young girl from a cult that feeds off the “steam” of children with psychic abilities.
Author
Stephen King is an American horror fiction writer. He is the author of more than fifty novels, including Dr. Sleep and The Shining, and his work has been adapted into a number of films and television series.
Plot
Dr. Sleep follows a grown-up Danny Torrance who must protect a young girl from a cult that feeds off the “steam” of children with psychic abilities. Danny must use his own psychic powers to keep the girl safe and defeat the cult.
Reception
Dr. Sleep was well-received by critics and readers alike, with the Washington Post calling it “a gripping, intense sequel.” It was also adapted into a film starring Ewan McGregor.
1. The Bird Eater (2012)
Overview
The Bird Eater is a 2012 horror novel by author Ania Ahlborn. It follows a young man who moves to a small town in Alaska only to discover that it is haunted by a sinister presence.
Author
Ania Ahlborn is an American horror fiction writer. She is the author of six novels, including The Bird Eater and Within These Walls, and her work has been adapted into a number of films.
Plot
The Bird Eater follows a young man who moves to a small town in Alaska only to discover that it is haunted by a sinister presence. The man must find a way to survive the creature and make it out of the town alive.
Reception
The Bird Eater was well-received by critics, with the San Francisco Chronicle calling it “a masterfully crafted horror novel.” It was also nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.
Conclusion
The 21st century has brought a resurgence of horror, with authors exploring new and creative ways to create spine-tingling tales. This article explored the top 10 horror novels of the 21st century, covering the authors, plots, and reception of each book. From The Cabin at the End of the World to The Bird Eater, these novels have captivated readers and critics alike with their gripping stories and imaginative plots.
References:
Ahlborn, A. (2012). The Bird Eater. New York: 47North.
Boone, E. (2014). The Hatching. New York: HarperCollins.
Cutter, N. (2014). The Troop. New York: Gallery Books.
Danielewski, M. Z. (2000). House of Leaves. New York: Pantheon Books.
Golden, C. (2013). The Devoured. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Hill, J. (2010). Horns. New York: William Morrow.
Malerman, J. (2014). Bird Box. New York: Ecco.
Nevill, A. (2011). The Ritual. New York: Macmillan.
Tremblay, P. (2018). The Cabin at the End of the World. New York: William Morrow.
King, S. (2013). Dr. Sleep. New York: Scribner.
