Dark Winter Reads to Tap into Your Gothic Side
Is there anything better than a dark gothic read in the dead of winter? I say nay. And seeing as how I’m always looking for and/or reading a moody book, I figure I would share my knowledge with all ye poor, unfortunate souls looking for your own eerie tale! So here is a list of some of my favorite dark reads perfect for dark winter nights!
A Room Away From the Wolves
Nova Ren Suma is a master of atmospheric, gothic storytelling, and I can think of no better author to start this list with! Set in New York City, this gorgeous ghost story is about Bina, a girl who finds herself going to Catherine House – a young women’s residence in Greenwich Village. But Catharine House is not all it seems, full of tragic history and dark, magical secrets. As Bina’s lease begins to run out and memories tangle with nightmares, she will be forced to reckon with the reasons she’s come to Catherine house – and what it will cost her to leave.
A Season of Sinister Dreams
This dark fantasy is full of apocalyptic magic and political double-crossing, perfect to curl up with beside a fire or a hot cup of tea! Evra is a country girl and has watched every one of her friends and family come into their own magic save her. Until Evra begins seeing visions – visions that mean she is a once-in-a-generation clairvoyant destined to serve the crown. Annalise meanwhile is cousin to the prince and her own magic is so powerful it will take all her strength to control. When the two are thrown together at court, they find their magics at odds with one another even if their goals align. I don’t want to say more, because truly the twists and turns in this one had my jaw on the floor! If you’re ready for a good plot twist, this is the book for you!
Two Truths and a Lie
by April Henry
April Henry is a master when it comes to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, and this wintery locked-room mystery is perfect for a dark, snowy night! When an unexpected blizzard traps a high-school acting troupe in a creepy motel, they meet a group of strangers from another school and decide to play a game of Two Truths and a Lie. But the game turns dangerous when someone writes “I like to watch people die. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed,” suddenly a night of harmless fun turns deadly.
Belladonna
by Adalyn Grace
Did you really think I could write a list about gothic reads perfect for winter and not include the Belladonna series? As you may have guessed, I am obsessed with this romantic tale full of ghosts perfect for fans of Crimson Peak! It’s got everything a good gothic tale needs – a creepy manor, a masquerade ball (or two!), and a love interest who is quite literally Death himself! The best part? It’s a trilogy that is out in full! So if you fall in love with book one, you don’t have to wait to jump into books two and three!
Immortal Dark
by Tigest Girma
Vampire romance, dark academia, and enemies-to-lovers fans REJOICE! And if you love all three, let me say you will be FED! Immortal Dark is the perfect read if you need to fall into hallowed, ancient halls full of students and vampires trying to back-stab and double cross one another. Oh, also, there’s a murder mystery – need I say more? Find your favorite cozy, dark corner and do yourself a favor by diving right on into Immortal Dark!
An Outbreak of Witchcraft
by Deborah Noyes, illustrated by M. Duffy
If you need a horrifying tale of witchcraft to chill you to the bone this winter, you can’t do any better than An Outbreak of Witchcraft. The scariest part? It’s a true story. This graphic novel tells the true story of the Salem Witch Trials with vivid illustrations that will keep you hooked from the first page. Plus, it provides much needed historical context for the mass hysteria and fear that swept Salem at the time while respecting the victims and telling their stories.
Stalking Jack the Ripper
Who doesn’t love a serial-killer-thriller? And who doesn’t love a misty, gothic horror set in the streets of Victorian London? And that’s how I know you’ll love Stalking Jack the Ripper! Daughter of lord, Audrey Rose Wadsworth is destined for a life of wealth, privilege, and tea parties. But what her high-society friends don’t know is she has a penchant for forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses puts her in the cross-hairs of London’s most famous serial killer, she may find the murderer is already closer to her than she thinks…
Our Shadows Have Claws
edited by Yamile Saled Mendez and Amparo Ortiz
If you love short stories and you’re looking for something to frighten you this winter, Our Shadows Have Claws is exactly what you’re looking for! This collection of monster stories features short tales from over a dozen superb YA authors from across the Latin American diaspora features tales for every monster fan! From zombies to cannibals to star-crossed, shapeshifting lovers, you’re sure to find your next favorite monster story here!