If you know me a little bit, you know I’m scared easily. I don’t watch or read horror books or movies, they’re just not my thing. That being said, I do like a little spooky, atmospheric YA book every now and then… especially for the Halloween season.
Today, I thought I’d compile for you a little list of, hopefully, some underrated (and some other well-known, most likely!) YA books for the season A LOT of people are fans of. Stories that give you the chills, not because they’re SCARY, really, but because there’s this spooky ambiance. Whether it’s because of the setting, the mystery happening or a little bit of both.
I find these YA books perfect for Halloween and I can only hope that you will, too!
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Halloween YA Books: Spooky & Atmospheric Recommendations
We Speak in Storms, Natalie Lund
We Speak in Storms is a stunning debut told through 3 different point of view. It’s about these 3 teenagers, with very different lives, about to become friends in this small Illinois town that was touched by a tornado 20 years ago. The atmosphere, between ghosts of the past and present, is spooky and so intriguing and I loved the whole ambiance of the story. plus, it focuses on friendships!!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Broken Things, Lauren Oliver
I love Lauren Oliver’s books and Broken Things was no exception. It’s been 5 years since Summer was murdered in the woods and yet, her ghost still haunts her two best friends… who are still suspected of the murder. On the anniversary of Summer’s death, new elements appear and the two former best friends get back together to try and solve the mystery… A thrilling read with twists and turns. I loved it.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Accident Season, Moïra Fowley-Doyle
Every year towards the end of October, Cara’s family becomes accident-prone…. a strange curse she’s known and feared her whole life. This unsettling tale captivated me from page one and I couldn’t wait to know what would happen next. It’s a perfect YA book for Halloween, that’s for sure.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Sullivan Sisters, Kathryn Ormsbee
Three days before Christmas, three sisters receive a letter letting them know about an inheritance from an unknown uncle… Family mystery, spooky tale in grand mansions, complicated sisters bond: this story has all three in a slow-paced, intriguing book from page one.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Before I Disappear, Danielle Stinson
What do you do when your entire city and your brother suddenly vanishes into thin air? Before I Disappear is an captivating read about four teenagers, caught in between the real world and a ghost town and trying to find their way back. I really enjoyed the mystery, the strong siblings’ bonds and the twists and turns of this story!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Wicked Deep, Shea Ernshaw
I couldn’t not mention a story about witches for Halloween, could I! Every summer, three sisters sentenced for witchery centuries ago, come back for revenge, stealing the body of three girls… The Wicked Deep is a compelling story with incredible twists and turns and oh, it’s so perfect for the Halloween season, really.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Walls Around Us, Nova Ren Suma
If you’re looking for a strange, unsettling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat: you got it right here. The Walls Around Us is about Violet, an eighteen years old dancer, so close to reach her dream and even closer for a truth to explode… It’s also about Amber, locked in a juvenile detention center and the girl that links both of their story… it’s best to go into this blind and be dazzled, really.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Disappearances, Emily Bain Murphy
Oh this is such an underrated little gem, friends. After her mother’s death, Aila and her younger brother miles are sent to live in a small rural town where their mother grew up…a strange place when, every seven years, something disappears. At the heart of this story is a mystery, but it’s also a beautiful story with siblings, a whole lot of emotions and it’s REALLY good okay.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Michelle Hodkin
I can’t not recommend Mara Dyer in a blog post like that, friends, I’m sorry. I remember the days I was obsessed with this series because it’s spooky and addictive and SO mysterious, too. Mara wakes up at the hospital with no memory how she wind up there. She’s the only survivor of an accident that killed her friends…. but what really happened? It’s a really good book.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Sanctuary Bay, Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz
Sarah receives an opportunity to attend the most elite prep school of the country, Sanctuary Bay. Yet, behind tall fences, there’s a whole world of privilege and secrets to be discovered… terrible secrets that might change everything. Sanctuary Bay was such an exciting read that kept me on the edge of my seat. With a spooky island prep-school setting, it’s a perfect Halloween read!
For more YA book recommendations, check out these blog posts:
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Did you read any of these books? Do you want to?
What kind of books do you like to read for the Halloween season? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
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MARIE! I never would have guessed you’d do a spooky list, but here it is – right in front of my eyes!! So cool <3
Ahh so happy you like it!! <3
Great list! I haven’t heard anyone talk about The Accident Season and The Walls Around Us in such a long time! I read both of them years ago and remember really enjoying them! 😃
Right? They’re a bit “old”, but they’re such great books, perfect for this season! 😀
Yes! Timeless for this time of year!
Broken Things sounds so interesting!
It was so addictive. I hope you’ll give it a try someday!
I haven’t read any of these yet but I’ve been eyeing The Walls Around Us for a while now👀 But Broken Things and The Sullivan Sisters also sound right up my street so maybe I’ll have to add those to my evergrowing TBR too!
Ohh I hope you will and that you’ll enjoy them! Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
I need to read some ‘Halloween’ books, definitely an area I need to check out more 🍁🎃 I hadn’t heard of most of these books so it was great to hear about them!! Especially we speak in storms, the sullivan sisters and before I disappear – – they all sound really interesting!! 🥰
Ooh yay, so happy to make you discover some new reads, Sophie! I hope you’ll enjoy them 😀
I haven’t read any of these books, but I did read other books by Moïra Fowley-Doyle and Kathryn Ormsbee. Spellbook of the Lost and Found was really good and it’s also an atmosheric story. So I want to read The Accident Season too. And we speak in storms is a great title for a book and the story also sounds intriguing!
Ohh, I need to look up Kathryn Ormsbee’s books! I loved Spellbook, just as well, it was such a great read 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your comment! <3
I’m such a scaredy-cat as well but I love the aesthetic of Halloween 🎃 I also love The Wicked Deep, it gives off such Hocus Pocus vibes and I loved how atmospheric it was 🥰 The Walls Around Us sounds really interesting and thrilling, I’ll have to add it to my TBR! 🧡
Ahh Caro, I hope you’ll read The Walls Around Us! It’s so atmospheric and strange and it was SO addictive, really.
I haven’t read any of these books, though I’ll definitely have a closer look at The Accident Season and Broken Things! I’m not much for any thrillers/mysteries/spooky books but I recently read The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino which I really enjoyed (despite being too scared to leave the bathroom at night :D) I’d definitely recommend it for Halloween season though!
Ahh I hope you’ll give these books a try, Kat, they’re amazing! Ooh 👀 I’m intrigued, a little bit scared as well ahah, but intrigued 👀
Ooh, this post was really fun to read and you included multiple books I love! The Accident Season, The Walls Around Us and The Disappearances deserve more love than they’ve gotten imo, as they are really unique and well-written. 😀
Ahh thank you Veronika, so happy you enjoyed it! <3
The Accident Season is so atmospheric. I love that kind of book this time of year, but this year I am really into straight horror. Great list!
I agree, I love atmospheric books like this one. I admire you ahah, I can’t read horror, I’m too scared haha! Thank you so, so much Alicia! 🙂
my spooky books of choice this year are a due reread of hp :’) & i’m enjoying it immensely so far! x
yay I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!! <3
I haven’t read any of these but I definitely should. Thanks for the recs, Marie! 😀
Oh yay! Thank you so, so much, Louise 🙂
Loved The Accident Season and Before I Disappear. I wouldn’t have thought to recommend them for Halloween, but they’re a great fit with that creepy/atmospheric vibe!
Thank you so, so much Nicole! So happy you like these 🙂
Omg how have I still not read The Wicked Deep 🙈 I was so, so excited for that book!! I’m seriously going to have to try and get the Mara Dyer books out of the library next year too. And I can’t believe I forgot about The Disappearances!! I’m also adding the last of these to my TBR as I’d never heard of it, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I finally read Broken Things last year though and thought it was fantastic. Such an unusual story really with the way it blended another fictional story into it.
Ahhh yes, I hope you’ll give Mara Dyer a try, I loved this series so, so much. I’m so happy you enjoyed Broken Things! It’s such a great, unique read, I agree! 😀
I’ve been meaning to for ages. I majorly need to start catching up with my TBR. And thank you.