best halloween books
As Halloween approaches and the nights draw in, it’s the perfect time to pick up some spooky reads. To help you pick the perfect book to leave a chill in the air we’ve selected our favourite scary and spine-chilling books for you to choose.
Seven Ghosts – Chris Priestley (RAGE: 8-10)
Younger readers will enjoy this chilling story, which begins when Jake finds himself in a haunted manor after entering a scary writing competition. Along with the other finalists Jake is given a tour of the stately home, and the stories of the seven ghosts said to roam the halls. But is everything as it seems? Full of twists and turns, this book keeps you reading until the very last page.
Clockwork – Phillip Pullman (RAGE: 11-12)
Clockwork is a magical tale featuring an eccelctic mix of characters including a tormented clock-maker, a deadly knight in armour, a mechanical prince, and the sinister Dr. Kalmenius, who some say is the devil. This novella can be enjoyed in one sitting and is full of puzzles and riddles to keep readers captivated.
Deeplight – Frances Hardinge (RAGE: 11-12)
Deeplight is an unsettling underwater tale that follows 14-year-old Hark and his best friend Jelt. Set in a world where sea-gods once fought each other to the death, their demises have lead to the existence of ‘godware’ - the remnants of their bodies. Humans now seek out godware for its power and price. Hardinge’s novel combines fantasy with horror in a highly imaginative story of the danger of greed and obsession.
The Stuff of Nightmares – Malorie Blackman (RAGE: 13-14)
This story follows Kyle, who struggles with anxiety. When a horrific train crash occurs during a school trip Kyle is the only survivor in the wreckage, but he soon realises he can slip into the minds of the corpses around him. Faced with the horrors of death and blood but also isolations and loneliness, Kyle must learn to face his demons.
Coraline and The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman (RAGE: 11-12)
After moving to a new house Coraline becomes intrigued by a small door that at first appears to lead nowhere. Finding herself on the other side, she meets her 'Other Mother' and becomes involved in a quest to save the souls of three children who were entrapped before her, whilst trying to escape the same fate.
The Graveyard Book is a ghost story that hosts a whole range of ghouls and spectres, combining both humour and fright.
Labyrinth Lost – Zoraida Córdova (RAGE: 13-14)
Alex is a bruja and the most powerful witch in her family, but she hates magic. During her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. When the spell backfires her whole family vanishes and she is left with the task of travelling to Los Lagos, an in between land in order to try and get them back. Labyrinth Lost is a novel that explores magic, myth and familial bonds, and is the first in a trilogy.
Frankenstein – Mary Shelley (RAGE: 15+)
Frankenstein is an enduring and harrowing story about the dangers of science and ambition. This gothic tale focuses on Victor Frankenstein, who plays god when he gives life to a creature that could only ever be a monster.
Twelve Minutes to Midnight – Christopher Edge (RAGE: 15+)
Twelve Minutes to Midnight follows thirteen year old orphan Penelope Tredwell, the heiress to the bestselling magazine The Penny Dreadful. When Penelope receives a letter from a governor of the Bedlam madhouse about the havoc that occurs every day exactly 12 minutes before midnight, she is swept up in an adventure more terrifying than any of her stories.
The Girl from the Well – Rin Chupeco (RAGE: 15+)
A chilling novel that combines old legends and vengeful spirits, The Girl from the Well centres around Okiku, a spirit that seeks revenge on those who have harmed children, and frees the spirits of the murdered.
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