Crisp October nights, glowing jack-o’-lanterns, and a stack of YA horror books, we can’t think of a better recipe for getting into the Halloween spirit! There’s something about this season that makes even the smallest creak in the house sound suspicious, and the best way to lean into those eerie vibes is with the right kind of story. 

Whether you love gothic fantasies, paranormal mysteries, or thrillers that keep you guessing, YA Halloween books deliver the perfect balance of chills and fun. And the best part? You don’t have to go ghost-hunting to find them as we’ve put together a great list of recommendations!

YA fiction is fantastic and growing in popularity with adults and young adults alike. Our  YA Book Subscription Boxes are packed with immersive, atmospheric reads that make every month magical!

Why YA Books Make the Perfect Halloween Companion

YA books strike the perfect balance for Halloween; they’re eerie enough to give you goosebumps but light enough that you won’t need to sleep with the lights on (well, most of the time). They’re made for teens, but let’s be real, adults who love a good thrill will find themselves just as hooked. 

Whether it’s witches, ghosts, haunted houses, or unreliable narrators, YA horror and thrillers have a knack for turning ordinary nights into unforgettable ones. And according to the School Library Journal, horror in YA isn’t a passing trend; it’s a staple of the genre. So, if you’re looking for an excuse to stay up late, October may just be your sign to grab a YA Halloween read.

7 YA Reads to Put You in the Halloween Mood

A Paranormal Mystery Full of Haunted Secrets

Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith

When Meg is invited to spend Halloween weekend at Wren Hall, the ancestral Irish estate of the wealthy Wren twins, she sees it as her one chance to fix her ruined reputation and win back her spot at Greyscott’s, the exclusive British art school. But Wren Hall is not the idyllic retreat she imagined. 

Drafty rooms, covered mirrors, and a lake drowning in sinister legends set the stage for a weekend that feels cursed from the start. As old sins rise to the surface and secrets refuse to stay buried, Meg begins to wonder how well she really knows her once-close friends—and whether any of them will make it out alive. Perfect for Halloween, this atmospheric YA horror is brimming with haunting vibes and literary chills that will keep you up long past midnight.

A Witchy Fantasy That Screams October

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Twin sisters Emilia and Vittoria are witches hiding their magic in plain sight, until Vittoria is brutally murdered, and Emilia vows revenge. Her hunt for the killer forces her to embrace forbidden dark magic and partner with Wrath, one of the Wicked princes of Hell. Together, they navigate a dangerous world where nothing is as it seems. 

This book combines murder, magic, and an intoxicating romance, making it one of the best YA witch books to curl up with in October. If your Halloween reading list isn’t complete without spells, curses, and a dash of danger, Kingdom of the Wicked is the perfect pick.

A Creepy Thriller with Unsolved Mysteries

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Iris Hollow and her sisters, Grey and Vivi, have never been ordinary. After vanishing as children and returning with no memory of where they’d been, their once-normal appearances gave way to unsettling changes: white hair, black eyes, and a presence that draws people in but leaves them disturbed. 

Ten years later, Iris just wants to graduate, but when Grey goes missing, she and Vivi uncover bizarre clues that suggest their past is catching up to them. Dark secrets, eerie transformations, and a world that doesn’t play by the rules! This is a YA thriller with gothic flair that’s perfect for readers who like their Halloween books strange, chilling, and impossible to put down.

A Gothic Tale of Monsters and Romance

Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews 

Andrew Perrault has always been drawn to twisted fairytales, but when his friend Thomas’s abusive parents disappear and monsters from Andrew’s stories come to life, reality becomes stranger than fiction. Along with his twin sister Dove, Andrew is pulled into nightly battles against creatures that grow stronger with every secret and obsession. 

At its core, this is a gothic YA novel about friendship, love, and monsters both real and imagined. With its macabre sketches, nightmarish forests, and heart-wrenching stakes, Don’t Let the Forest In is a chilling yet romantic read that captures everything we love about October … haunted forests, dangerous creatures, and the kind of story that lingers after you close the book.

A Monster-Filled Adventure with Dark Humor

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

Abby and Gretchen have been inseparable since childhood, but when Gretchen starts acting strangely after a fateful night of skinny-dipping, Abby suspects something more sinister than teenage mood swings. What unfolds is an outrageous mix of teen angst, devilish possession, and laugh-out-loud ‘80s nostalgia. 

Imagine The Exorcist with friendship bracelets, mixtapes, and acid-washed jeans—that’s the ride Hendrix delivers. If you’re looking for a YA horror book that balances genuine scares with campy humor, My Best Friend’s Exorcism is the perfect Halloween binge.

A Haunting Small-Town Story with Big Secrets

Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall 

Once a year, a road appears in the woods leading to Lucy Gallows, a ghost whose game lures in the brave and the desperate. Sara knows her missing sister is trapped there, and she’s determined to bring her back, even if it means risking her own life. 

When she and her friends step onto the road, they find themselves facing vengeful spirits, twisted creatures, and horrifying trials where every mistake comes at a cost. Written in a faux-documentary style reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project, Rules for Vanishing is a chilling YA psychological thriller that feels tailor-made for a Halloween reading list.

A Halloween Classic Retold for YA Readers

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron 

Charity Curtis has the dream summer job: playing the “final girl” at Camp Mirror Lake, where guests pay to live out their slasher fantasies. But when the crew starts disappearing for real, Charity realizes the danger isn’t scripted. 

Now she and her girlfriend Bezi must figure out what’s happening before they become the killer’s next victims. With its camp setting, nods to horror classics, and pulse-pounding twists, You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight is one of the best YA Halloween books for teens who want the thrill of a slasher story wrapped in a modern package.

 

Make Reading Part of Your Halloween Tradition

Why stop at costumes and candy when you can turn reading into part of your Halloween celebration? We think hosting a Halloween reading session is the perfect way to go. Let your imagination run wild! Ghostly snacks, trivia quizzes, take turns reading your favorite parts out loud, swap ghost stories, and you can even add in a movie adaptation for extra fun.

Gifting a YA Book Box as a Halloween surprise adds an extra layer of fun and lets the magic continue. And if you want more seasonal chills, our “Murderous Austen Mystery” Box, “Nantucket Mysteries” Box, or “Star-Crossed Monsters” Box will keep you happily immersed all season.

Turning the Final Page on the Halloween Season

YA books are the ultimate way to get into the Halloween mood; they’re fun, thrilling, atmospheric, and perfect for sharing with friends or savoring on your own. Whether you’re drawn to witches, haunted houses, or slasher-style thrills, there’s something here for every reader looking to add a little fright to their fall. 

And remember, while costumes may only last for one night, the stories you discover in October can stay with you forever. Treat yourself to a YA Book Subscription Box or explore chilling past boxes like “Mystery at the Manor” for an October adventure that’s just the right mix of eerie and enchanting. 

After all, nothing gets you into the Halloween spirit quite like a book that makes your heart race, your imagination spark, and your snacks disappear faster than you meant them to.

In need of some extra horror? Check out our blog, The OUABC List of Halloween Horrors! Happy Halloween from all of us at OUABC, and don’t forget to let us know what kept you awake at night!

 

Sources

Kelly Jensen. (2013, September 13). Horror in YA Lit is a staple, not a trend. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/horror-in-ya-lit-is-a-staple-not-a-trend