Monster movies, slasher flicks, spooky campfire stories–the scary story is a staple of the teen years, and young adult books are no exception. Check out these wicked YA tales, and remember, don’t fall in love with vampires.
1. The Infects by Sean Beaudoin
Like the best horror stories, this takes place in the woods. Juvenile delinquents set out on a hike when their leaders turn into zombies. From there, the kids have to figure out how to survive. And there is plenty of humor along the way despite the tense circumstances.
Buy now.
2. Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
A teenage girl with a brain tumor, a young soldier and an eight-year-old team up when the world is hit by an electromagnetic pulse that breaks electronics and turns some humans into some sort of monsters.
Buy now.
3. A Midsummer Night’s Scream by R.L. Stine
The man behind Goosebumps tackles the young adult genre in this horror retelling of the similarly-titled Shakespeare play. Years ago, a horror movie was shut down when it appeared the set was cursed and actors died. Now, new actors are venturing back onto set. Nothing could go wrong, right?
Buy now.
4. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Mary lives within the Sisterhood in a fenced community blocked from the terrible forest. She believes she is safe until she begins to learn too much about the Sisterhood. When the community is breached, she finds herself in chaos, trying to face the truth and figure out which path to choose.
Buy now.
5. Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender
Everyone wants to believe the sound down the hall is just creaky floorboards and the wind is opening and closing door. But when weirder things start happening. Alexis is forced to face the fact that her problems aren’t those of a typical teenager and something much more sinister is afoot.
Buy now.
6. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
R has a problem. He’s dead. And he’s a zombie. But he’s not like other zombies. When he meets a girl, he finds himself compelled to protect her rather than eat her, which, of course, complicates things quite a bit.
Buy now.
Which YA book will give you wicked nightmares?
