Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, oh my! You need some spooky YA books to read this fall, and we’re here to help. Grab a warm drink and a flashlight and prepare to devour this stack of eerie YA novels. Whether you’re craving stories about monsters or murderers, you’ll find plenty of chills inside these books. From dark fantasy to haunting thrillers, these are the perfect spooky stories to curl up with when temperatures start to drop.
The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams
Esme wants to earn some extra cash babysitting, but she’s having a hard time controlling her new magical powers. When a girl named Cassandra buddies up to her, Esme learns she comes from a long line of witches tasked with saving the world from evil monsters. Filled with humor, spell casting, and magical rituals, this spooky story will keep you glued to the page.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
If ghosts are your thing, pick up a copy of the YA book House of Salt and Sorrows. This chilling fairy-tale retelling of “Twelve Dancing Princesses” will sweep you away to an island manor where ghosts roam and girls go missing. Ancient deities, mysterious suitors, and lavish balls await on the pages of this lush novel.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Keep your flashlight handy as you read this book. On a secluded island, everything touched by a disease called the Tox turns wild and strange. Hetty and the other students at Raxter School for Girls are under strict quarantine, but when her roommate goes missing, Hetty commits to finding her—no matter what horrors await. If you’re in the mood for a dark, scary book that will send chills racing down your spine, pick up a copy of Wilder Girls!
Killing November by Adriana Mather
When November’s father leaves her at an elite prep school for assassins and spies, she thinks there’s been a mistake. After a classmate is murdered, all fingers point at November. She must uncover the killer before she’s blamed for the crime—or becomes the murderer’s next victim. In a school filled with brilliant strategists, it won’t be easy. Killing November is a fast-paced, tense thrill ride you won’t be able to set down. Find out if you could outwit a killer by taking the quiz!
The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
Five years ago, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheerleading squad after five girls died. Now, Monica, the younger sister of one of the dead cheerleaders, starts noticing suspicious things happening again. But as she starts to ask questions, everyone else keeps their lips sealed. If you’re in the mood for a smart whodunit with plenty of secrets, grudges, and suspense, this is the perfect book! Check out this reading list for more YA thrillers to read.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
If you’re a fan of Mary Shelley’s classic horror story, you’ll love this retelling about a girl desperate to survive in a cruel world. Told from Elizabeth’s point of view, you’ll experience the chilling story of Victor Frankenstein, madness, and the monster. This spooky page-turner will keep you reading well past your bedtime.
The Lantern’s Ember by Colleen Houck
Ember’s witch powers go undetected until she meets Jack, a lantern tasked with guarding the portal to the Otherworld—a realm filled with monsters and magic. When Ember slips past Jack and enters the Otherworld with the help of a charismatic vampire, Jack abandons his post and chases after her. If you love monsters, magic, adventure, and pulse-pounding romance, The Lantern’s Ember is a must-read!
The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees
Looking for a lush, moody read? Look no further! Haunting visions fill Rhea’s waking hours while nightmares stalk her dreams. She longs to find out more about the eerie forest that appears in her visions. When the ghost of a boy promises to reveal the truth to her, she can’t say no. Told in alternating points of view between Rhea and the witch who rules the forest, this lyrical and spooky YA book will keep you reading all night long.
A Sorrow Fierce and Falling by Jessica Cluess
Don’t miss the final book in Jessica Cluess’s dark fantasy trilogy. Set in England, this series is about an orphan girl who joins an elite magical society working to save the world from terrifying creatures. If you haven’t read it yet, this fall is the perfect time to dive in and binge-read all three books. Filled with monsters, romance, and heart-stopping battles, the conclusion to this spooky book series is a must-read!
