Horror

Horror is meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse readers. The key focus of a horror book is to elicit a sense of dread in the reader through frightening images, themes, and situations. In a horror story, plot and characters are just as important as mood and atmosphere. Horror stories often pull ideas from real life and the author’s own experiences, hook the reader right away, use cliffhangers, add plot twists, and plant false leads in order to shock and provoke with its exploration of the unknown.

If you like this genre but are interested in stories that are largely told through pictures, remember that the graphic novel format can include ANY genre—not just superhero stories and manga. So be sure to check out that collection as well.