The characters in these books are usually in a state of constant fear and dread. Their lives are turned upside down by the presence of the demons. In the 'Hellraiser' books, the people who encounter the demons are subjected to the most horrifying and torturous experiences, which adds to the overall sense of horror.
They may also include elements of the supernatural that are not just limited to the demons themselves. There could be strange rituals, otherworldly settings, and the blurring of the line between the physical and spiritual realms. In 'Good Omens', the world is filled with all sorts of strange supernatural occurrences related to the demons and angels.
Well, demons in fiction books can vary greatly. Some are highly intelligent and can speak multiple languages. They might be associated with certain elements, like fire or darkness. They are typically portrayed as immortal or very difficult to kill. Their forms can range from human - like with some demonic features to completely inhuman and monstrous. And their presence often brings a sense of dread and danger to the story.
Often, they involve a battle between good and evil. The angels typically represent the good side, with their purity and connection to a higher power. Demons, on the other hand, are usually associated with chaos and temptation. For example, in 'Good Omens', the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley have different natures but also find common ground.
They might have had a strong sense of atmosphere. In 1988, horror books often created a really spooky and oppressive mood, like dark, foggy settings or creaky old houses. This helped to draw the reader in and make them feel the horror.
The horror fiction books from 1986 probably had vivid descriptions to create a spooky atmosphere. They would use details like the creaking of old floorboards in a deserted house, or the howling of the wind on a desolate night. These descriptions were used to draw the reader into the terrifying world of the story.
Horror books fiction often has a build - up of suspense. Authors slowly reveal the horror elements to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Take 'Dracula'. Stoker gradually shows the power and threat of the vampire. Also, a lot of horror books play with the unknown. They introduce concepts that are not easily understood, like the otherworldly in 'Lovecraft's works. This makes the readers feel unease as they try to figure out what's going on.
Horror fiction books often have a sense of the unknown. They create an atmosphere of fear and dread. For example, in 'The Shining', the readers don't really know what lurks in the hotel corridors at first. Another characteristic is the use of grotesque or disturbing elements, like the monster in 'Frankenstein'.
One great horror book about demons in fiction is 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty. It's a classic that tells a terrifying story of a young girl possessed by a demon and the attempts to exorcise it. The descriptions are very vivid and it has a very spooky atmosphere.
Some might have a strong sense of psychological horror. For example, like in 'The Silence of the Lambs', it plays on the fears and the mindsets of the characters and the readers. The idea of a serial killer on the loose and the complex relationship between the hunter and the hunted is a characteristic that makes it so engaging.
Some of the books in that list likely had a strong sense of atmosphere. For example, they might have created a really gloomy and oppressive setting, like a haunted house or a desolate forest. This helps to build up the fear factor.
The characters in these books are often faced with extreme situations. They might be isolated, either physically like being trapped in a desolate place, or emotionally, having no one to trust. This isolation amplifies the horror because they have to face the terrifying events all alone. And the pacing is usually fast - paced in the parts where the horror is intensifying, to keep the reader's heart racing.