A wide range of supernatural creatures appear in horror books, and zombies are especially terrifying villains to read about. This is partly because they start out as humans, meaning almost anyone can transform during a zombie apocalypse. This truth forces readers to confront their own mortality, as well as the harsh reality that even loved ones can turn into monsters.
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With such dark messages, it’s no wonder zombie narratives are so popular within the horror genre. Some of the scariest horror books out there focus on the undead. There are also plenty of great stories that put more unique spins on this common concept.
10 Pride, Prejudice and Zombies (2009)
Written by Seth Grahame-Smith
Pride and prejudice and zombies is a fun take on the zombie subgenre, especially for fans of classic literature and, more specifically, Jane Austen. Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2009 book expands on the original story of Pride and prejudice, adding a lot of zombie activity for Elizabeth Bennet to squash.
A film adaptation of
Pride and prejudice and zombies
came out in 2016.
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Fans of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy need not worry, as the duo still have a romance in this book, just with a zombie slaughter aside. It’s an engaging and fun ride, perfect for horror fans, even if it’s not that scary.
9 American Rapture (2024)
Written by CJ Leede
CJ Leede is best known for writing Maeve flybut his 2024 zombie book is worth it. American Rapture go on “a good catholic girl” named Sophie as she travels through a United States devastated by a virus that turns people into monsters. These are not the zombies you are used to; Not only are they wild, but they have uncontrollable sexual urges.
There’s a reason the book has an average rating of 4.34 on Goodreads, with readers praising its unwavering approach to purity and trauma.
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Sophie’s journey seems destined to test her beliefs, and the religious commentary adds an interesting layer to American Rapture. There’s a reason the book has an average rating of 4.34 on Goodreads, with readers praising its unwavering approach to purity and trauma. It is a must-read 2024 horror book.
8 World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War (2006)
Written by Max Brooks
World War Z is an oft-recommended zombie horror story, and there’s a good reason why Max Brooks’ book is so popular. The 2006 novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world that has been nearly wiped out by the devastating Zombie War. The book uses an epistolary format to tell the stories of those who experience and survive the horrific event.
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10 Related Horror Books That Are Perfect Fall Reads
Fall is a spooky and chilling time, and these fantastic horror books are absolutely perfect reads to curl up and enjoy while staying out of the cold.
A modern classic in its own right, World War Z is an obvious choice for readers who want to see how a zombie apocalypse would unfold in our world and affect everyday people. The book is disturbing and manages to insert a lot of intelligent social commentary into its pages.
7 feeding (2010)
Written by Mira Grant
Mira Grant Feed is another zombie horror book that has been around for a while and is worth reading. The first book of News The series begins with a zombie outbreak in 2014 and continues 20 years later. Two bloggers are determined to uncover a conspiracy around the infected, no matter the risk.
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|
Newsflesh series books in order |
Release year |
|---|---|
|
Feed |
2010 |
|
Deadline |
2011 |
|
Blackout |
2012 |
|
Comment |
2016 |
Feed It is not a traditional zombie novel, as it focuses more on information management during the crisis. Still, its depiction of the response to such a momentous event is a horror story that feels relatable.
6 The Girl with All the Gifts (2014)
Written by MR Carey
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Fans of the last of us you will appreciate the fungal infection in the heart of The girl with all the gifts, although the central character of the book is not immune like Ellie. In fact, Melanie spends much of her life locked in a laboratory, not knowing why the people around her seem so afraid.
MR Carey wrote a prequel to
The girl with all the gifts
in 2017 called
The boy on the bridge.
Melanie is one of the children infected with the virus, but she is special. MR Carey takes readers on a gripping journey to discover why, exploring themes of humanity in this heartbreaking and disturbing story.
5 Scary Nation (2018)
Written by Justina Ireland
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One of the most unique approaches to zombie fiction, scary nation It takes the concept of the undead and combines it with the Civil War era. Set in a world where zombies interrupted the Civil War, scary nation It follows a 15-year-old black girl forced to attend combat school to fight zombies, a legal requirement.
|
Dread Nation Series Books |
Release year |
|---|---|
|
scary nation |
2018 |
|
Immortal Division |
2020 |
scary nationThe alternate historical setting is a highlight of the book and allows Ireland to explore serious topics such as racism and classism. The narrative is full of action and great character moments, but its setting is what really sets it apart.
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4 Fever House (2023)
Written by Keith Rosson
With a mysterious severed hand that announces the apocalypse, Fever House It has a different beginning than other zombie stories. However, the madness caused by the severed hand is definitely reminiscent of a zombie outbreak and puts our main characters in the middle of a gruesome, high-stakes adventure.
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Fever House Series Books |
Release year |
|---|---|
|
Fever House |
2023 |
|
The devil by name |
2024 |
Those looking for unique zombie stories won’t want to miss Keith Rosson’s release in 2023. Stephen King even praised this fast-paced thrill ride, and he even has a sequel to show readers what happens after all the chaos.
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3 Dead of the Night (2011)
Written by Jonathan Maberry
Jonathan Maberry is no stranger to the zombie subgenre, and the author Dead of the night It’s a solid addition. Dead of the night It begins with a prison doctor injecting a murderer with an experimental drug that is meant to kill his body but not his consciousness. Unfortunately, it turns him into a zombie.
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Dead Of Night books in order |
Release year |
|---|---|
|
Dead of the night |
2011 |
|
nightfall |
2014 |
|
quiet of the night |
2018 |
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Cue the zombie apocalypse and Maberry makes sure it’s well-paced, exciting, and full of genre lore. Readers who want a zombie horror book that will keep them on edge from start to finish should consider this.
2 The Uprising (2003)
Written by Brian Keene
The uprising imagine zombies that are capable of intelligence and speech, which makes their voracious desire to feed more complicated. It also makes the next steps for survivors in Brian Keene’s world much more difficult. Despite this, the book’s hero sets out to find his son, even if it means traversing a dangerous landscape.
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|
The rising books in order |
Release year |
|---|---|
|
The uprising |
2003 |
|
city of the dead |
2005 |
|
The Rising: Selected scenes from the end of the world |
2007 |
|
Release |
2010 |
Keene’s approach to the undead makes The uprising a standout in the zombie subgenre. The zombies pose a real challenge to the human survivors, making this book even more suspenseful than zombie stories usually are.
1 Armageddon day by day (2004)
Written by J.L. Bourne
JL Bourne’s Armageddon day by day unravels the zombie apocalypse through the diary of its main character, a naval pilot who watches it all unfold. The situation presents difficult decisions and the reality of this is masterfully captured throughout the story.
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|
Armageddon series books day by day in order |
Release year |
|---|---|
|
Armageddon day by day |
2004 |
|
Beyond exile |
2010 |
|
Shattered hourglass |
2012 |
|
ghost race |
2016 |
Armageddon day by day is a quick and exciting read, and is perfect for fans of World War Z. It brings some interesting conversations to the table and its epistolary format really immerses readers in the horror of the narrative.
Source: Goodreads