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Still craving queer horror reads? Try these

Costa B. Pappas

Whether your taste leans toward slasher stories that deliver gut-wrenching scares or psychological thrillers that keep you awake at night, there’s never a wrong time to indulge in a taste for horror. This genre has long proven to be a unique lens through which we can explore deeper themes of identity, belonging, and transformation—key timeless aspects of the LGBTQ+ experience that resonate across generations.

Horror allows us to confront our fears and desires, often reflecting societal anxieties while also offering a space to understand the basis of our nightmares. If you’re on the hunt for some queer-centric horror novels that provide fresh perspectives on love, loss, morality, and self-discovery, look no further. 

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Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu

Published in 1872, Carmilla is one of the earliest vampire novels. Created twenty-five years before Dracula, it has since become a foundational text in sapphic literature. The chilling novella follows Laura, a young woman who falls for the mysterious allure of Carmilla, a vampire. The quick-read—a mere 108 pages—explores themes of desire, sexual awakening, and femininity, making it a must-read for those interested in the intersection of horror and sapphic storytelling.

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Plain Bad Heroines offers a modern, sapphic twist on the gothic genre. Set in the 1900s and the present day at a historic girls’ school, the narrative follows two actresses filming at the same location as they uncover the mysterious curse surrounding the school. Themes of queer love, friendship, and the power of the past shape the story, with Danforth’s novel acting as both a love letter to queer history and a chilling read.

Primal Animals by Julia Lynn Rubin

Primal Animals dives into the world of teenage angst and self-discovery within the enchanting yet unsettling and eerie summer camp setting. When the protagonist, a young queer girl, discovers that her fellow campers are part of a secret society with a mysterious connection to her mother, she must confront her own identity and shadowed desires if she hopes to escape alive. Rubin crafts a YA horror novel against the backdrop of queerness, mystery, and cultish societies, creating a chilling narrative where homophobia and other forms of bigotry are not tolerated or even mentioned. Instead, the real horrors manifest as frightening monsters, somewhere between literal and metaphorical, that force the protagonist to navigate an isolated landscape where the stakes might cost her love.

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Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

In this groundbreaking short story collection, Machado blends horror, fantasy, and realism to explore the complexities of womanhood and queer identity. Each story navigates desire, trauma, and societal expectations. Like with her other award-winning books, Machado’s work invites readers to confront the darker aspects of the human experience, making it an essential read for those seeking a blend of horror and introspection this season.

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

The story follows Andrew, who grapples with the death of his best friend, Eddie, and the questions he leaves behind. As Andrew uncovers secrets about his friend’s life and death, the narrative intertwines themes of grief, friendship, and queer identity. With its atmospheric writing and exploration of masculinity, the novel offers a unique take on the Southern Gothic genre.

Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin

In a post-apocalyptic world where gender and survival collide, the debut follows two trans women as they navigate a society that has turned against them. The award-winning novel explores themes of violence, identity, and resilience, challenging the boundaries of horror literature from a transgender lens.

Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen

This genre-bending horror-comedy with a sapphic touch follows a group of reality TV dating contestants who find themselves trapped on an island with a mysterious Big Foot-esque character named Patricia. As the contestants confront their own insecurities and desires, Allen crafts a narrative that examines identity, the need to perform, and the search for love. With its sharp wit and playful take on horror tropes, this novel offers a refreshing take on the genre.

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