Queer horror, as a genre, has been around for a long time. (Case in point: the oldest book on our list is from the 19th century!) The reasons for that are fairly obvious: queer people have existed since the dawn of humanity, and human beings have always been drawn to scary stories.
Nowadays, we are living through an absolute renaissance in the genre of queer horror, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
In case you, like us, are on the prowl for a few new reads, we’ve put together this rundown of 15 of our favorite queer horror books that will keep you up all night long.
Note
Updated April 27th, 2025: We’ve updated this article with new books released in 2025 as well as in the last few years to keep it relevant for the readers.
15. Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
Hollywood adores Misha, a successful screenwriter who’s just snagged his first Oscar nod. But when executives pressure him to kill off the two most popular gay characters on his hit TV show, he puts his foot down.
In this queer horror book, however, magical realism is blended with terror tropes when the fictional characters harass Misha and his loved ones from his past work, suddenly come to life.
Can Misha put a stop to the violence before it’s too late?
Why we recommend it: I loved the social satire in this novel, and the audiobook is extremely vividly produced. A perfect choice for fans of I Saw The TV Glow.
14. Cuckoo by Gretchen Felker-Martin
This queer horror novel follows a group of seven queer teenagers who are forced into a conversion camp by their parents.
The horror of the camp extends far beyond the abuses they suffer at the hands of the camp leaders: there is an evil being lurking in the desert, waiting to consume them.
As the friends reunite sixteen years later, they are forced to confront their traumatic past. A queer horror story perfect for anyone who loves dystopian teen romance.
Why we recommend it: This graphic, violent queer horror novel is angry, impassioned, and full of beautiful character development. If you like Stephen King, you’ll love this.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter13. The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
Set in 1920s Appalachia, this queer horror story centers on Leslie, a trans man and nurse who is sent to a remote town for work.
When Leslie arrives, he’s confronted with hatred and bigotry, until he meets Stevie. Stevie, a young trans man himself, longs to escape.
But an entity more powerful than the townspeople might be keeping him stuck. The surrounding woods are full of darkness, after all…
Why we recommend it: I loved the blend of historical fiction and horror in this queer novella, which is perfect for a weekend read.
12. Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
Miles is a trans, autistic teen living in West Virginia. The night he comes out to his parents, he decides to expose the local Sheriff for an ‘accident’ that killed numerous residents in their small town.
This queer horror novel explores what happens when you try to enact social change, and the dangers of speaking out for what’s right.
Why we recommend it: This novel explores issues of class conflict, generational trauma, and systemic oppression, making it a stellar choice for politically involved YA readers.
11. The Lamb by Lucy Rose
Margot lives alone with Mama in the forest. Mama lures unsuspecting travelers into their cottage, where she kills them and eats them.
But when Eden arrives, everything is changed. Mama becomes bewitched by the beautiful stranger, welcoming her into the family.
But can Margot and Mama maintain their bond as this new guest worms her way into their lives?
Why we recommend it: This queer horror novel is as much a coming-of-age tale as it is a sapphic romance, exploring in particular the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship.
10. Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
Julia Armfield’s gorgeous debut novel is one of our favorite recent queer horror books. With poetic prose, Armfield tells the story of a lesbian couple whose lives are forever changed when one of them returns from a deep-sea mission as a seemingly different person.
This queer horror novel won numerous prizes upon its release, including the 2023 Polari Prize, and it was nominated for the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction.
Why we recommend it: I loved the blend of grotesqueness and emotional depth in this book. A moving story!
9. Wilder Girls by Rory Power
In this young adult queer horror novel, protagonist Hetty is a student at the Raxter School for Girls. One day, a mysterious infectious disease strikes the school, and the community is quarantined.
After months of learning to adapt to her new environment, Hetty’s best friend goes missing, and she must look unflinchingly at the true nature of their relationship.
Why we recommend it: I loved the politics and suspense in this novel. It reminded me of Yellowjackets (season 3 can’t come soon enough!).
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8. Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
Benji, a trans boy, escapes from a cult in this young adult queer horror novel. When he is rescued by a new community, Benji’s darkest secrets slowly come to light.
This novel is no doubt up there with our favorite books featuring queer characters.
Why we recommend it: I enjoyed this book’s exploration of identity and oppression.
7. Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
Shesheshen is a shapeshifting creature whose life is upended when monster hunters disturb her peaceful rest. Rescued by a compassionate human named Homily, Shesheshen falls in love.
As the unlikely pair grows closer, Shesheshen decides to reveal her monstrous identity to Homily. But when Homily unknowingly admits that she’s hunting the shapeshifter, their perfect relationship is thrown into jeopardy. Can their love survive?
Why we recommend it: I loved how this novel subverted the trope of the monster, giving us an unlikely lovable protagonist in a dreamy, queer fantasy-horror story.
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6. Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
This Southern Gothic horror novel is a perfect choice for a hot summer read.
It tells the tale of Andrew, a young man in Nashville who’s investigating the sudden death of his best friend Eddie. As he discovers the truth about Eddie’s death, Andrew is forced to confront his own grief and feelings about his late friend.
Why we recommend it: I loved the atmosphere! It is an amazing Southern Gothic.
5. The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez
First published in 1991, this novel is a pivotal work in queer horror. It’s about an unnamed black lesbian who leads multiple lives across different eras in time after becoming a vampire.
Despite being rejected by numerous publishers for its queer themes and unconventional storylines, this novel went on to receive to prestigious Lambda Literary Awards.
Why we recommend it: I loved how original this novel is. It is a great choice for fans of queer horror novel Interview with the Vampire, whose series adaptation is coming to Netflix!
4. My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
In this queer horror romance novel set in the post-World War II Netherlands, Roos is a young woman with a spirit companion named Ruth.
Roos’ mother decides to exploit her psychic abilities and host false seances in order to prey on grieving attendees. But when Roos meets Agnes, who rescues her from her mother’s evil, she is introduced to a world of spirits and ghosts that she never thought possible.
Why we recommend it: The central romance between Roos and Agnes was undeniably exciting, and the writing style of this novel is gorgeous.
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3. Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
A modern retelling of the classic Carmilla, this sapphic horror novel follows Lenore, who is unhappily married to a wealthy man in Victorian England.
When the couple unexpectedly rescues Carmilla from a carriage accident near their home, Lenore is transfixed by her beauty. As they grow closer, young girls in local villages begin to disappear. And why is it that Carmilla only seems so vibrant at night?
Why we recommend it: I loved the atmosphere in this novel, which was moody and seductive. The blend of feminist themes and gothic horror makes it a great choice for any queer horror fan.
2. Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt
Frankie is a survivor: she survives the aggression she receives from the world as a trans woman, for starters, and she survives a bombing at her job by a transphobe.
While Frankie struggles to cope with the aftermath, she meets Vanya, a beautiful and mysterious nonbinary person who fascinates her. But is Vanya really who they say they are?
Why we recommend it: I loved the fearless way this book tackled societal issues of transphobia. It is a shocking read, not for the faint of heart, but excellent for fans of so-called body horror.
1. They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran
Set in Louisiana, this queer horror novel follows Noon, a Vietnamese-American teenager grappling with her traumatic past, as well as her gender identity.
When Noon and her mother are forced to hunt a sea monster in order to pay off a debt, Noon is abruptly confronted with the ghosts she’s been running from.
Why we recommend it: I loved this book! A satisfying exploration of ideas like gender identity, the immigrant experience, and coming-of-age.
What are your favorite queer horror books? Let us know in the comments so we can update our own TBR.
As always, happy reading!
