I love October. It’s my favorite month of the year. And one of my favorite passtimes (besides dressing up and gorging on candy) is picking up a scary story to help me enjoy the season! If you’re looking for a spooky read, here are three suggestions to get you in a festive mood!
1) This Monstrous Thing
All I need to say is steampunk retelling of Frankenstein! You’re going to love this wildly creative Gothic fantasy retelling by fellow Fearless Fifteener and debut author Mackenzi Lee. It’s perfect for fans of retellings such as Cinder by Marissa Meyer, fantasy by Libba Bray and Cassandra Clare, and alternative history by Scott Westerfeld.
Synopsis: In an alternative fantasy world where some men are made from clockwork parts and carriages are steam powered, Alasdair Finch, a young mechanic, does the unthinkable after his brother dies: he uses clockwork pieces to bring Oliver back from the dead. But the resurrection does not go as planned, and Oliver returns more monster than man. Even worse, the novel Frankenstein is published and the townsfolk are determined to find the real-life doctor and his monster. With few places to turn for help, the dangers may ultimately bring the brothers together—or ruin them forever.
2) Ashes
They don’t call ’em zombies in this book, but that’s what they are! I’m not usually a fan of the Zombie Apocalypse, but this novel had me riveted. I fell in love with the characters and couldn’t stop turning the pages!
Synopsis: An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions. When it happens, Alex was hiking in the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom―a young soldier―and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP. For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.
3) Daughter of Smoke and Bone
If you’re not interested in monsters and gore, I highly suggest Daughter of Smoke and Bone for an adventure that’s wickedly magical. This original fantasy masterpiece will sweep you away with masquerades, mysterious doorways, and beasts that are part human, part ram, part reptile, and more.
Synopsis: Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages–not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When one of the strangers–beautiful, haunted Akiva–fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
4) BONUS READ: Frankenstein
This is not a YA book, but it’s totally worth your time! It’s always fun to re-read Frankenstein (or read it for the first time), but this version is going to knock-your-socks-off with its illustrations! Bernie Wrightson is known for illustrating the Swamp Thing comics, and he’s created a absolute masterpiece with the detailed pen and ink illustrations in this edition.
Happy haunting (and reading) everyone!
This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on these links and making a purchase, you’ll be supporting our writing community, my blog, and the creation of future content. Yay, more content!
Tags: YA Book Suggestions
Some good ones here, Ingrid!! I’ll have to put Ashes on my tbr list.
You won’t be disappointed! 🙂