Spooky season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with some chilling reads? Whether you’re looking for haunted houses, supernatural creatures, or eerie otherworldly adventures, this Halloween Book Roundup has you covered.
Ready to get in the Halloween spirit? Check out these books with all the spooky vibes you need!
The Witch’s Compendium of Monsters by Genoveva Dimova
Genoveva Dimova’s The Witch’s Compendium of Monsters duology, inspired by Slavic folklore, is the perfect read for Halloween season. Beginning with Foul Days, this fast-paced fantasy is packed with dark magic, mythical creatures, and eerie battles that bring a chilling atmosphere perfect for fans of The Witcher and Naomi Novik. The world Dimova creates is teeming with witches, monsters, and dangerous secrets, making it an ideal spooky read. With the highly anticipated conclusion, Monstrous Nights, coming out on 10/22, there’s no better time to dive into this haunting tale of witches and dark creatures—just in time for Halloween!
The Cerulean Chronicles by TJ Klune
TJ Klune’s The Cerulean Chronicles may seem heartwarming, but it’s also packed with magical intrigue that makes it a great Halloween read for those who love a mix of whimsy and wonder. Beginning with The House in the Cerulean Sea, we follow Linus Baker, a caseworker sent to a mysterious orphanage filled with magical children who could either destroy the world—or become the family he never knew he needed. The sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, continues this enchanting, queer-centered tale, blending magical realism with themes of love, acceptance, and found family. With its blend of magic, mystery, and heart, this series offers a perfect mix of warmth and Halloween vibes!
The Green Creek Series by TJ Klune
TJ Klune’s The Green Creek Series is an ideal pick for Halloween, blending supernatural elements with heart-pounding romance. This completed saga follows the Bennett family, a tight-knit pack of werewolves, as they navigate love, loyalty, and betrayal in a world filled with danger and mystery. The series delivers all the moody, atmospheric vibes that make for perfect Halloween reading—complete with werewolves, pack dynamics, and emotional stakes that run deep.
The Naming Song by Jedediah Berry
The Naming Song by Jedediah Berry is a perfect read for Halloween, steeped in eerie magic and unsettling atmospheres. In this post-apocalyptic world, words have vanished, and a nameless courier joins a traveling theater troupe that reminds people of the power words once held. Oh, and did we mention the freaky power machines? Berry weaves a haunting, imaginative tale filled with deep secrets and strange adventures.
Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-il Kim; translated by Anton Hur
In an Empire run on necromancy, dead sorcerers are the lifeblood. Their corpses are wrapped in chains and drained of magic to feed the unquenchable hunger for imperial conquest. Born with magic, Arienne has become resigned to her dark fate. But when the voice of a long-dead sorcerer begins to speak inside her head, she listens. There may be another future for her, if she’s willing to fight for it…
With necromancy, murder, and sinister magic coursing through its veins, this book is perfect for readers seeking a gripping, haunting tale to devour during the spookiest season.
Usurpation by Sue Burke
After her rollicking standalone Dual Memory, Sue Burke returns to her Semiosis series and the world of Pax in Usurpation, which combines the thrill of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening with the eco-empowerment of VanderMeer’s Dead Astronauts.
With its eerie, dystopian atmosphere and unsettling themes of control and rebellion, Usurpation offers the perfect mix of sci-fi suspense and Halloween-worthy vibes, making it a must-read for fans of thrillers and dystopian horror. Out on 10/29!
Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson is a perfect fit for Halloween with its dark, sweeping tale of vengeance, power, and the rise of the Bene Gesserit.
It is 83 years after the last thinking machines were destroyed in the Battle of Corrin, after Faykan Butler took the name of Corrino and established himself as the first Emperor of a new Imperium. The war hero Vorian Atreides has turned his back on politics and Salusa Secundus. The descendants of the disgraced Abulurd Harkonnen have sworn vengeance against Vor, blaming him for the downfall of their noble family. Raquella Berto-Anirul has formed the Bene Gesserit School and, through a terrible ordeal, has become the first Reverend Mother. The descendants of Aurelius Venport and Norma Cenva use mutated, spice-saturated Navigators who fly precursors of Heighliners. And Gilbertus Albans, ward of the hated thinking machine Erasmus, is teaching humans to become Mentats…while hiding an unbelievable secret. Led by the fanatic Manford Torondo, the Butlerian movement, fiercely opposed to all forms of “dangerous technology,” sweeps across the known universe in mobs, millions strong, destroying everything in its path.
Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil by Ananda Lima
Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil by Ananda Lima is an eerie, thought-provoking collection perfect for Halloween reading. At a Halloween party in 1999, a writer makes a deal with the devil, and from that moment on, she writes surreal, haunting stories for him throughout her life. With its mix of humor, horror, and magical realism, Lima’s stories explore themes of fear, ambition, and identity, offering a hauntingly unique collection that’s perfect for fans of modern, eerie storytelling this spooky season.
Masters of Death by Olivie Blake
Viola Marek is a struggling real estate agent, and a vampire. But her biggest problem currently is that the house she needs to sell is haunted. The ghost haunting the mansion has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on. With its quirky supernatural elements and playful take on life, death, and everything in between, Masters of Death is a spooky, witty, and fun read for Halloween!
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu offers a chilling, thought-provoking tale perfect for readers seeking a sense of cosmic horror this Halloween. Set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, this Hugo Award-winning novel explores humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization—and the terrifying consequences that follow. As Earth faces the threat of invasion from an advanced and desperate species, the novel delves into deep moral questions, human corruption, and the unknown dangers of the universe. With its sense of foreboding and vast, unsettling scope, The Three-Body Problem is a masterful exploration of fear, science, and the eerie vastness of space—perfect for Halloween reading.
