One key element is understanding the new themes. Modern horror often delves into contemporary fears like technology takeover or environmental disasters. Another is being aware of new voices. There are many emerging authors who bring fresh perspectives to the genre. Also, exploring different sub - genres within modern horror, such as psychological horror or body horror, is crucial.
Stephen King is still very relevant in modern horror. His works continue to influence the genre with their deep characterizations and exploration of human fears. Paul Tremblay is another great one. His books often play with the readers' expectations and blend psychological horror with real - world anxieties. And then there's Carmen Maria Machado, who brings a unique, often feminist perspective to horror with her innovative storytelling.
A great 2014 fiction book is 'We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves' by Karen Joy Fowler. It has an interesting plot twist that really makes you think about family, ethics, and what it means to be human.
Many modern British novels on Goodreads are critically acclaimed. Kazuo Ishiguro, who has lived in Britain for a long time, writes novels that are considered modern British in a sense. His 'Never Let Me Go' is a haunting exploration of identity and mortality. It's set in a dystopian Britain where clones are created for organ donation. The novel makes readers question what it means to be human and how society treats those on the margins.
'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is a well - rated horror novel. It's about a young woman who suspects that her unborn baby is part of a satanic plot. The slow - building tension and the feeling of paranoia are what make this book so engaging and scary.
The story 'Makdee' is quite good. It's about a girl who gets trapped in a world full of witches. The witches are depicted in a really creepy way and the girl has to find a way to escape. It has a lot of suspense and the settings are really dark and menacing.
Well, 'Athira' is a great Malayalam horror novel. It's really good at creating a sense of dread. You know, like you're waiting for something bad to happen all the time while reading.
A great Indian horror novel is 'Annihilation' which takes place in a strange, otherworldly setting in India. The sense of isolation and the unknown creates a terrifying atmosphere. Another one is 'It Follows' which has been adapted into a movie. In the book, it has an Indian backdrop and the idea of a menacing entity following the characters is really scary.
A notable Japanese horror novel is 'The Grudge'. It tells the story of a curse that haunts a house. The novel does a great job of building an atmosphere of unease. Every corner of the house seems to hold a dark secret, and the vengeful spirits within are truly frightening.
For 2019 LGBT fiction, you can't miss 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous' by Ocean Vuong. It's a beautifully written novel that touches on the experiences of a queer Vietnamese - American. It has themes of family, immigration, and queer identity woven together in a very poetic way.