YA Horror Books to Keep You Up All Night

“The Lake House” by Sarah Beth Durst is a YA horror book that will leave you with chills. Claire arrives at a remote summer camp, expecting a fun-filled experience. However, she finds a burned-out lodge and no other campers except for two late arrivals, Reyva and Mariana.

When they discover a dead body in the woods, they realize they’re not alone. Something sinister lurks in the shadows, hunting them down one by one. The girls must rely on each other and their wits to survive this nightmare. If you enjoy suspenseful stories with a side of survival horror, this book will keep you up all night.

“The Unfinished” by Cheryl Isaacs is a chilling YA horror novel steeped in Indigenous folklore. Avery, a young athlete, stumbles upon a strange pond during her morning run, unaware that she’s awakened an ancient evil. The townspeople of Crook’s Falls have long forgotten the tales of the black water and the Unfinished beings that dwell within.

However, as the black water haunts Avery’s dreams and people start disappearing, she must confront the terrifying reality of these legends. She turns to the Elders of her Kanien’kéha:ka (Mohawk) community for answers, facing a choice between saving her town or rescuing her best friend from the clutches of the Unfinished. This haunting tale explores themes of cultural identity, loss, and the power of ancient stories.

“Full Tilt” by Neal Shusterman is a chilling YA horror that will test the limits of your imagination. Blake receives a mysterious invitation to a carnival in the dead of night. He reluctantly accepts, hoping to save his troubled younger brother, Quinn, who’s become entangled in this eerie place.

However, this is no ordinary carnival. Its rides are designed to exploit your deepest fears, pushing you to the brink of madness. As Blake navigates this twisted amusement park, he confronts his own anxieties and the dark secrets that bind him to his brother. This suspenseful and psychologically thrilling novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

“The Merciless” by Danielle Vega is a terrifying YA horror novel about the dark side of teenage friendships. Sofia Flores transfers to a new school and quickly becomes entangled with the popular clique, The Fearless Five. They seem perfect, but there’s a sinister undercurrent to their friendship.

When the girls decide to perform an exorcism on a classmate they believe is possessed, Sofia gets caught up in their dangerous plan. The lines between good and evil blur, and Sofia must confront the horrifying truth about her new friends. This chilling tale explores themes of peer pressure, manipulation, and the lengths people will go to fit in.

“House of Furies” by Madeleine Roux is a gothic YA horror novel with a chilling premise. Seventeen-year-old Louisa Ditton escapes a harsh life to become a maid at Coldthistle House. She seeks refuge and a fresh start, but this isn’t the haven she imagined.

Coldthistle House harbors dark secrets and sinister judgments. Louisa uncovers a terrifying truth: the guests are being punished for their sins. She must navigate a web of secrets and danger to protect a fellow guest while confronting the horrors within the house. If you love gothic atmosphere, eerie mysteries, and a dash of romance amidst the darkness, this book will keep you turning the pages.

The Taking of Jake Livingston” by Ryan Douglass is a chilling YA horror novel that blends supernatural terror with the harsh realities of racism. Jake Livingston is a teenage medium, burdened with the ability to see and interact with ghosts. He navigates the challenges of high school while also dealing with the constant presence of the dead.

However, his life takes a terrifying turn when he encounters the vengeful ghost of Sawyer Doon, a school shooter seeking to continue his reign of terror through Jake. As the lines between the living and the dead blur, Jake must confront his own fears and fight for his survival. This suspenseful and thought-provoking YA horror novel will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s not.

“The Ravenous” by Amy Lukavics is a chilling YA horror novel that explores the dark side of family and grief. The Cane sisters seem to have the perfect life, but beneath the surface, their family is falling apart. When their youngest sister, Rose, tragically dies, their world shatters.

However, Rose is mysteriously brought back to life. But, she’s not the same. A strange hunger consumes her, leading to horrifying consequences. The sisters must confront this terrifying new reality and make impossible choices to protect their family. If you crave a suspenseful read that explores the boundaries of love and sacrifice, “The Ravenous” will keep you up all night.

“Slasher Girls & Monster Boys,” curated by April Genevieve Tucholke, isn’t just a single YA horror book, but a chilling collection of short stories. These tales, penned by acclaimed authors like Leigh Bardugo and Kendare Blake, delve into the darkest corners of teenage fears and anxieties.

From creepy summer camps to haunted forests, each story delivers a unique blend of suspense, psychological thrills, and supernatural twists. If you’re looking for a diverse collection of YA horror that will keep you up all night, this anthology is a must-read.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight” by Kalynn Bayron takes the classic summer camp slasher trope and turns it on its head. Charity lands her dream job as the “final girl” at Camp Mirror Lake, where guests pay to experience a simulated horror movie. However, the lines between fiction and reality blur when her coworkers start disappearing.

Suddenly, the scares become all too real, and Charity finds herself fighting for her life. With a masked killer on the loose, she must unravel the mystery and survive the night. This YA horror novel delivers heart-pounding suspense and a thrilling twist on a familiar trope.

“Extasia” by Claire Legrand is a chilling YA horror novel set in a secluded, isolated village. Three girls serve as the village’s protectors, chosen to keep the darkness at bay. However, when one of the girls dies under mysterious circumstances, the delicate balance of their world begins to unravel.

The remaining two girls, Elfie and Syd, must confront their deepest fears and the unsettling secrets hidden within their community. As they uncover the truth about their roles and the forces that threaten their village, their bond is tested. This dark and atmospheric tale explores themes of sisterhood, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

“The Honeys” by Ryan La Sala is a chilling YA horror novel with a queer twist. Mars has always been surrounded by the Honeys, the popular clique at his prestigious summer camp. However, when his twin sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Mars suspects the Honeys are not what they seem.

Determined to uncover the truth, Mars infiltrates their inner circle. But the deeper he goes, the more disturbing the secrets become. This atmospheric thriller blends elements of horror and mystery with themes of identity, belonging, and the dark side of privilege.

“The Weight of Blood” by Tiffany D. Jackson is a chilling YA horror novel that confronts the dark legacy of racism in a small Southern town. Maddy, a biracial teenager, has been passing as white her whole life. However, a viral video exposes her secret, and suddenly, she’s at the center of a racially charged storm.

When the school decides to host its first-ever integrated prom, Maddy is thrust into the spotlight. But, the night takes a horrifying turn, leaving several students dead. Maddy becomes the prime suspect, and she must fight to clear her name and uncover the truth. This suspenseful and thought-provoking novel explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the lingering ghosts of the past.

“What Stalks Among Us” by Sarah Hollowell is a mind-bending YA horror novel that’ll leave you questioning reality itself. Best friends Sadie and Logan ditch their school trip for an impromptu adventure, stumbling upon an abandoned corn maze. However, their fun quickly turns into a nightmare when they discover a corpse that looks exactly like Logan.

Trapped in a labyrinth of twisting paths and shifting realities, Sadie and Logan must uncover the maze’s deadly secrets. They confront their deepest fears and the unsettling echoes of their past traumas. If you love psychological thrillers with a touch of the supernatural, this YA horror book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Forest Demands Its Due” by Kosoko Jackson is a dark academia horror fantasy that’ll totally keep you up at night. It follows Douglas, a student at Regent Academy in Vermont, who just wants to survive the pressures of boarding school. But then, a student is murdered, and everyone forgets about him except for Douglas and the groundskeeper’s son, Everett.

Douglas dives into the mystery, uncovering a terrifying secret connected to the forest surrounding the school. There’s a vengeful creature demanding payment for an ancient debt, and it’s threatening to consume the entire town in darkness. Plus, there’s that whole forbidden romance thing brewing between Douglas and Everett… If you’re into spooky mysteries, creepy forests, and a touch of forbidden romance, this YA horror book is perfect for you.

“The Girl from the Well” by Rin Chupeco is a chilling YA horror novel inspired by Japanese folklore. Okiku is a vengeful spirit, brutally murdered and thrown down a well centuries ago. She now wanders the world, seeking justice for those who suffered like her.

However, when she encounters Tark, a boy haunted by a dark spirit, she sees a chance to help. Together, they face a malevolent entity that threatens both the living and the dead. This haunting tale blends Japanese mythology with spine-tingling horror, creating an unforgettable reading experience.

“Monstrous” by Jessica Lewis is a YA horror novel that’ll give you those small-town chills. Latavia’s stuck spending her summer in Sanctum, Alabama, with her aunt. It seems like a typical small town, but her aunt’s got these weird rules – like, don’t go out after dark and definitely stay away from Red Wood.

Latavia’s trying to make the best of it, even flirting with a cute girl at the ice cream shop. But the longer she’s there, the more she realizes something’s seriously off. There’s something lurking in Red Wood, and the townspeople are hiding it. If Latavia doesn’t play by their rules, she might be trapped in Sanctum forever.