20 Creepy Young Adult Books Guaranteed To Keep You Up at Night
Picture yourself curled up under the covers, heart racing, as you turn the pages of a spine-chilling young adult novel.
Whether you're a horror enthusiast or just seeking a good scare, there's something uniquely thrilling about diving into the world of terrifying tales designed for young minds.
Let’s dive into the realm of horror literature with a list of the top 20 scariest young adult books. From ghostly apparitions to blood-curdling creatures, these stories will send shivers down your spine.
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Horror literature for young adults has surged in popularity in recent years, offering readers a diverse array of spine-tingling stories that explore themes of fear, survival, and the supernatural. With their gripping narratives and relatable protagonists, these books resonate with audiences of all ages, tapping into our deepest fears and darkest imaginations.
Top 20 Young Adult Horror Books
Delve into the eerie world of Coraline as she discovers a parallel reality with sinister secrets lurking behind every door. Recommended for its atmospheric storytelling and imaginative premise.
Follow Jacob as he uncovers the mysteries of a secluded orphanage filled with children who possess extraordinary abilities, blending vintage photography with a haunting narrative.
Set in 1888, this novel follows a young apprentice as he assists a monstrumologist in studying and battling horrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows.
Three teenagers attending a summer program at a former asylum must confront dark secrets and terrifying occurrences within its walls, in this gripping psychological thriller.
Prepare for a chilling ghost story as a teenage ghost hunter confronts the vengeful spirit of Anna, whose haunting presence terrorizes a small town.
Join Nobody Owens as he navigates the supernatural dangers of a graveyard filled with ghosts in this dark and imaginative tale of life and death.
In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, a young bounty hunter embarks on a dangerous journey beyond the safety of his fenced-in town, uncovering the truth about the undead.
Join Alexis as she navigates the eerie occurrences in her suburban home, where her sister begins to exhibit disturbing behavior after acquiring an antique mirror. As Alexis delves into the dark secrets of her family's past, she must confront the sinister forces at play before it's too late.
In a world overrun by zombies, a young girl dreams of finding the ocean and escaping the confines of her village surrounded by a forest filled with the undead.
This anthology features a collection of chilling tales inspired by classic horror stories, urban legends, and folklore, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Set in the 1920s, this novel follows a group of teens with supernatural abilities as they investigate occult-related murders in New York City, blending historical fiction with supernatural horror.
Inspired by Japanese folklore, this eerie tale follows a vengeful spirit who becomes entangled with a teenage boy, seeking justice for innocent souls in a chilling exploration of revenge and redemption.
In a village overshadowed by the cursed forest and its bone houses—where the dead don't always stay dead—17-year-old Ryn, a gravedigger, and Ellis, a mapmaker, join forces to uncover the truth behind the ancient curse. As they delve deeper into the forest's secrets, they must confront terrifying creatures and their own fears.
A small town is rocked by a series of gruesome murders, leaving residents terrified and suspicious of one another, in this heart-pounding thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Delve into a modern fairy tale as a girl uncovers the mysteries of her grandmother's dark fairy tales, embarking on a journey to save her mother from a sinister world of magic and mayhem.
Two sisters seek refuge with their aunt in a remote manor house surrounded by a sentient forest, only to discover that the darkness lurking within may be more terrifying than they ever imagined.
In a dystopian Ireland where teenagers are hunted by bloodthirsty faeries, one girl must fight for survival in a brutal and unforgiving landscape in this gritty tale of courage and resilience.
Set in the late 1800s, this novel follows a family seeking solace in a remote cabin, only to encounter a malevolent presence threatening to consume them all, in a chilling exploration of isolation and madness.
This psychological thriller blurs the lines between reality and nightmare, unraveling the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a girl from a boarding school through a combination of diary entries and transcripts.
When a boy discovers an ancient book that unleashes creatures from nightmares into the real world, he must race against time to stop the darkness from consuming everything he loves in this pulse-pounding adventure that will leave you breathless.
I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts on these books in the comments below, and let me know if you have any recommendations of your own.
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You might also be interested in this post about the best books for teens: “What Are the Best Books for Teens? 20 Best Books for Young Adults”
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