7 spooky queer horror books to read this Halloween • GCN

With October in full swing, we’re sure you’ve already embraced the fall weather and spooky scenery. But maybe you’re missing something…something scary…a book maybe? But not just any old read, we’re talking spine-chilling, stomach-churning, queer horror books that will have you keeping the lights on when you fall asleep.

Sounds like your kind of thing? Well, read on and choose your poison from our list of the most captivating and chilling queer horror books released this year!

ecstasy by Claire Legrand

We start our list with a lesbian horror fantasy filled with witches, cults, and dystopian religious themes. The blurb lets us know that the main character, whose name is kept secret at first, is to become one of the Four Saints of Haven who will save his people from destruction. Many readers comment that the book focuses heavily on religious trauma, with allusions to the main character struggling with the ritual of becoming a saint and attempting to control her powers. And if that short description didn’t get you hooked instantly, one honest reader commented, “Claire Legrand really said: you can have witches and lesbians…. like a milking.”

Our women under the sea by Julia Armfield

This is another book about lesbians featuring the main character, Miri, and his wife, Leah. Leah recently returned home from a mission on the high seas that ended in disaster and soon after, Miri feels like Leah isn’t the same as before. As Miri feels like the woman she loved is slipping away from her, this book focuses on love, loss, grief, and the deep blue. With the point of view alternating between worried Miri and haunted Leah, this book features plenty of ocean horror and is a perfectly chilling book for those who suffer from thalassophobia. We hope you haven’t booked any cruises after reading this story!

Manhunt by Gretchen Felker Martin

If you’re a fan of graphic depictions of gore in novels, Manhunt is definitely one to add to your list of queer horror books! As described in the presentation text, Manhunt is “an explosive post-apocalyptic novel that follows trans women and men on a grotesque survival journey”. Many readers have warned others not to eat while reading this, as the author does an amazing job of visceral portrayals of body horror when the main characters have to kill infected men to harvest their organs. A reviewer gave his summary of the book saying, “It’s violent, erotic, challenging, visceral…did I mention erotic?”

My dearest darkness by Kayla Cottingham

In this book, we follow a bizarre fantasy story between Finch Chamberlin and Selena St Clair as they close in and release otherworldly creatures into their town. The carnivorous creature they summon promises to grant the girls their greatest desires with only one cost, human body parts. The book features mild body horror (though not as intensely as the previous book on this list). There are plenty of romance moments, and a handful of readers have shared how they swooned over scenes between Finch and Selena discovering their sexualities amid the paranormal mishaps happening in their town. When you arrive on the ballet stage, you will understand.

The honeys by Ryan La Sala

In this novel, we experience a fluid main character, Mars, who recovers from the grief of losing his sister and spends time at a prestigious summer camp trying to learn more about death. of his sister. Themes of gender identity and sexuality sit perfectly alongside various moments of insect horror and twisted mystery. With some readers comparing the atmosphere of the book to the film MidsommarLa Sala’s melodic writing style will make it difficult to lay down this masterpiece.

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falcon mountain by Conner Habib

Conner HabibThe first novel of is a novel not to be missed. Focusing on the story of Todd and his high school bully Jack, this novel tackles “subjects of bullying, abuse, mental health, gender identity, manipulation, and grief,” as quoted by a reader. The twists and turns the characters face in this book range from sudden surprise to “oh my god, what’s going on?!” and we are totally here for it. This fast-paced story makes for an epic read paired with gory scenes, with one reader declaring, “The horrific times took my breath away.” If you want to know more about the development of the novel written by Conner Habib, read our interview here!

Hell followed with us by Andrew Joseph White

Described as “A furious, queer debut novel about embracing the monster within and unleashing its power against your oppressors”, we experience the hardships told by Benji, a 16-year-old trans boy, who flees a cult that has raised. This book has an array of LGBTQ+ portrayals while still having everything a horror book should have, and many readers raved about this book in hell (see what we did there?) A stunning quote from a review on the book reads: “This book. It challenged me. It made me squirm. It made me uncomfortable. But it left me with a sense of hope. So if you’d like to be scared while walking out of the novel with mixed, but good emotions, read Hell followed with us!

These are just a few of our top picks for queer horror books coming out this year, and we hope you’ve found one to snuggle (or shiver) with this October!

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