A lot of the 90s horror novels were also influenced by the cultural trends of that time. There was an exploration of different sub - cultures and taboos. This added an extra layer of edginess to the stories. For instance, some novels delved into the underground music or drug scenes and incorporated the horror elements within those settings.
Many of them had a focus on psychological horror. For example, in some novels, the real horror came from the minds of the characters rather than just external monsters. It made the readers feel more involved as they could relate to the psychological states.
Many of them play with the sense of the unknown. For example, they might have settings like abandoned asylums or old, haunted houses where there are things lurking in the shadows that the characters (and readers) don't understand at first.
Many of them would likely play on the psychological fears of the readers. This could include things like the fear of losing one's mind, or the fear of being alone in a menacing situation. They might also use elements of the supernatural in a way that was believable within the context of the story, blurring the lines between the real and the otherworldly. This was a time when horror was exploring different ways to terrify its audience, and these novels from 1976 were part of that exploration.
Some, like 'The Girl with All the Gifts', combine horror with a sense of humanity. The main character, a child zombie, makes you feel empathy while still being in a horror - filled world.
Well, in the horror fiction novels of 1990, a common characteristic was the use of vivid and often grotesque imagery. Take 'Clive Barker's Books of Blood' for instance. His descriptions are so detailed and extreme that they create a very intense and disturbing reading experience. Also, a lot of these novels explored themes of the unknown and the otherworldly, such as in 'The Witching Hour' which dives deep into the world of witches and the supernatural.
Many of the 1977 horror novels likely had a focus on creating a sense of dread. They probably used elements like spooky settings, such as old mansions or desolate landscapes. For example, a novel might have a dilapidated cemetery as a setting which immediately sets a spooky mood.
Many of them often had a strong sense of atmosphere. For example, they would create a spooky setting like an old haunted house or a desolate forest.
Many of the 1970 horror novels often had a strong focus on the psychological aspect of horror. They would play on the fears and insecurities of the characters, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where the main character's fear of the unknown regarding her pregnancy was a central part.
Many of them might have had a sense of mystery. For example, they could start with a strange event and slowly unfold the horror behind it.
The horror fiction novels from 1985 probably also delved into psychological horror. This means they played with the characters' and readers' minds, creating fear through the exploration of madness, paranoia, or the unknown within the human psyche. For instance, a novel might have a character slowly losing their grip on reality, which can be very unsettling for the reader. Another aspect could be the use of gore and shock value. Some novels may have had graphic descriptions of violence or grotesque scenes to horrify the audience.
The horror fiction novels from 1978 could feature a lot of atmospheric settings. Think of old, decrepit mansions or dark, fog - covered forests. These settings added to the overall sense of dread and unease in the stories. Also, the use of foreshadowing was probably common to hint at the impending horror.