Which Horror Genre Should You Read?
Survive this quiz to find out what horror subgenre most appeals to your tastes.
At a party, your friends bring out an old Ouija board and convince you to play despite your reservations. Who wouldn't you mind contacting?
The serial killer that used to own this house
Ghosts from the nearby cemetery
Raalshefar, demon of the Abyss
The voices that always whisper to you. You'd love for your friends to hear them, too
Cthulhu
The creature they say you can summon on the winter solstice to take vengeance on your enemies
Your fingers heat beneath the planchette as your friends summon whoever is out there to join you. Before your eyes, the planchette veers wildly across the board, spelling a message: WE. ARE. HERE. JOIN. US. Everyone recoils. "That can't be real," someone chuckles. "Somebody was moving it." Nervous laughter smooths away the pinpricks of unease. Do you:
Agree. We're rational adults here. Someone was playing a prank--probably your best friend.
Disagree. You've always had an open mind, and something strange is definitely going on here--why was the planchette so hot all of a sudden?
An ominous growl barrels through the house. An instant later, the power cuts out, plunging the living room into shadow. Your nose wrinkles at the stench of decay and desolation that swaddles around everyone. Your best friend nudges you. “Must be the fuse box in the basement. Will you check it out?” What do you bring with you?
A crowbar--you're not taking chances.
A flashlight. You swear there was something standing there just before the lights went out...
A crucifix--didn't you hear that sound?
Nothing. It's just the fuse, after all.
Salt. Ghosts don't like salt, right?
A candelabra. You don't trust flashlight batteries.
Just as you reach the bottom rung, the power returns. Screams of terror reverberate down the staircase. Before you can decide whether or not to find out what's going on, your best friend stumbles down the stairs, eyes wide, clothes coated in gore. “Quick! Out the back!” Your friend drags you away from the house, babbling that something horrible crawled out the Ouija. Protesting, you stop in the driveway. You can't just abandon the others. Do you:
Insist you two go back inside the house to find out what's really going on.
Trust your blood-covered friend and remain outside.
Inside, the screams fade to ominous silence. You two stare at the house. Anticipation and dread glue your shoes to the pavement. The front door creaks open. You blink, struggling to focus but your gaze keeps turning aside, unwilling to see anything more than a misshapen silhouette. A silhouette that bleeds menace and terrible hunger. “Split up!” Your friend rasps before bolting. Where do you run?
The closest house
A remote cemetery
An abandoned asylum
Fetid marshland
The eerie forest
Follow your friend
Fear tangles in your chest and your breath comes in knife-sharp grunts. You can’t bring yourself to look back, but judging from the reek of decay, *it* is gaining ground. You fight down panic. You’re almost to your destination. Just—a—little—further. Cold blasts you from behind and abruptly, the ground beneath you recedes. You’re falling. Your arms pinwheel uselessly. Down, down, down. Unable to grab anything to slow your descent, you scream. At last you collide with something firm. Pain lances up your ankle. Moist soil and cobwebs infiltrates your lungs. It's a struggle to breathe; a struggle to absorb this sudden change. Around you, an underground corridor uncoils in either direction. You have a decision to make.
Left, which seems shorter.
Right, which seems longer.
“WE ARE HERE. JOIN US.” You clap your hands to your ears to block out the subsonic cacophony. It doesn’t work. The agonized wail of a dozen corpses rattles between your eardrums and you cry out, stumbling on your bad ankle. Your head jerks toward the hole in the ceiling where something terrible lurks. Predatory eyes glare down at you, gleaming with sepulchral hunger. You peel your gaze away. Your stomach twists, threatening to spill its contents. “Moments,” you rasp. You only have moments to find a place to hide. Moments before it swarms down the hole to consume you. You hobble in your chosen direction. Where will you make your last stand?
A bloody boiler room
A dining hall of dolls
A dark repository
A chilly cellar
A fetid infirmary
A flooded library
"I want to play a game."
Nothing fascinates you more than psychos, serial killers, and axe-murderers. Maybe you're a fan of slasher films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Nightmare on Elm Street, or Friday the 13th. Or maybe you've stumbled upon society's darkest secret: nothing is as scary as what man does to himself.
Slash your way through this lineup of Crime Horror.
Slash your way through this lineup of Crime Horror.
"When there's no room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth."
Long have monsters ruled the dark realms of horror. For centuries, mankind has been obsessed with vampires, werewolves, zombies and other terrors that call the shadows their home. You're no stranger to things that go bump in the night--and you have no problem bumping back.
Battle creatures of the night with this collection of Monster Horror.
Battle creatures of the night with this collection of Monster Horror.
"What an excellent day for an exorcism."
Candlelit pentagrams and occult summonings are the bones and marrow of the horror genre and you wouldn't have it any other way. You're perfectly at home with cackling witches and cursed objects, and can stare down a demon. You take dark delight in stories where scientific explanation fails and the beliefs of old reign supreme.
Grab your crucifix and holy water for these Supernatural & Demonic Horror titles.
Grab your crucifix and holy water for these Supernatural & Demonic Horror titles.
"We all go a little mad sometimes."
Fear isn't just found in ravenous monsters and vengeful ghosts. You know it lurks in the unexplored recesses of the mind. Tales of existential dread, unreliable narrators and characters who fight against insanity (or succumb to it) are just your style.
Delve deep into madness with these Psychological Horror titles.
Delve deep into madness with these Psychological Horror titles.
"It's not the house that's haunted. . . it's your son."
Every October, you can't wait to visit the local haunted house. You enjoy the solitude of roaming ancient cemeteries with nothing but the moon to guide your path. Or maybe you've always loved a good ghost story around the fire.
Help restless spirits find peace with this haunted compendium of Paranormal Horror.
Help restless spirits find peace with this haunted compendium of Paranormal Horror.
"Listen to them. Creatures of the night! What music they make."
A fan of the classics of horror--the Poes, the Shelleys, the Stokers--you're most likely to be found wandering a deserted castle, a candelabra in hand, its light failing to brighten the dark corners of your gothic domain. You bury yourself in history, and have never been one to shy away from its darker aspects.
Explore the archives of the past with these grimoires of Classic and Historical Horror.
Explore the archives of the past with these grimoires of Classic and Historical Horror.
"You play a good game, boy. . . but the game is finished. Now you die."
Your only hope of resurrection is to seek out the Great Librarian Oracles. Consult them with the Ask Us, Tell Us Ouija to gain a customized horror reading list or be resurrected and try again.
"A census taker once tried to test me; I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti."
Nothing fascinates you more than psychos, serial killers, and axe-murderers. But why settle for fictional killers when society offers the real thing?
Shudder at real world mayhem with this collection of Nonfiction Crime Horror.
Shudder at real world mayhem with this collection of Nonfiction Crime Horror.
"Whatever you do. . . don't fall asleep."
You know that, despite what you've been told as a child, sometimes there really is a monster lurking under the bed.
Investigate monster sightings, and explore the monster within with these Nonfiction Monster Horror titles.
Investigate monster sightings, and explore the monster within with these Nonfiction Monster Horror titles.
"We have such sights to show you."
You have only to turn on the news to know that evil exists. You're familiar with the horrors of society, but what keeps you up at night aren't things easily explained by science. It's something much, much older--and something that is far from human.
If you dare, become an apprentice exorcist and get up and close and personal with these Nonfiction Supernatural & Demonic Horror titles featuring real world possession and supernatural encounters.
If you dare, become an apprentice exorcist and get up and close and personal with these Nonfiction Supernatural & Demonic Horror titles featuring real world possession and supernatural encounters.
"Death has come to your little town, Sheriff."
What is reality, and what is fantasy? This question drives you, and though you consider yourself a logical person, you know that nothing is scarier than being unable to trust your own mind...
Study the twisted depths of the human psyche with these Nonfiction Psychological Horror titles.
Study the twisted depths of the human psyche with these Nonfiction Psychological Horror titles.
"They're here."
Tales of restless spirits, paranormal encounters and locations steeped in the Weird have always captured your attention. You're less interested in fictional ghost stories, preferring instead to sift through urban legends, alleged ghost sightings, and rumors of historical hauntings.
Use this compendium of Nonfiction Paranormal Horror to visit haunted homes and cities--and maybe snap a photo of a ghost or two.
Use this compendium of Nonfiction Paranormal Horror to visit haunted homes and cities--and maybe snap a photo of a ghost or two.
"It's Alive! It's alive!"
A scholar of all things Horror, you combine your love of history with reason and modern sensibilities. It leads you to wanting to know more about the origins of the stories you love, the writers who wrote them, and the culture that inspired them.
Go behind the scenes and uncover horror's eerie history with these Nonfiction Classic and Historical Horror titles.
Go behind the scenes and uncover horror's eerie history with these Nonfiction Classic and Historical Horror titles.
"Come and play with us, Danny. Forever. . . and ever. . . and ever."
It's not too late. Use Ask Us, Tell Us to consult the Great Librarian Oracles to find another way out, or to have a customized reading list for this subgenre.
"Be afraid. . . Be very afraid."
Long have monsters ruled the dark realms of horror. For centuries, mankind has been obsessed with vampires, werewolves, zombies and other terrors that call the shadows their home. You're no stranger to things that go bump in the night--and you have no problem bumping back.
For those who're short on time because the sun's setting and the vampires are coming, you'll have minutes to spare with this roundup of (shorter) Monster Horror.
For those who're short on time because the sun's setting and the vampires are coming, you'll have minutes to spare with this roundup of (shorter) Monster Horror.
"You know that part in scary movies where somebody does something really stupid and everyone hates them for it? This is it."
Fear isn't just found in ravenous monsters and vengeful ghosts. You know it lurks in the unexplored recesses of the mind. Tales of existential dread, unreliable narrators and characters who fight against insanity (or succumb to it) are just your style.
If your time is limited, we've got you covered--and for cheaper than a psych eval. Question your sanity on our couch with this collection of (shorter) Psychological Horror.
If your time is limited, we've got you covered--and for cheaper than a psych eval. Question your sanity on our couch with this collection of (shorter) Psychological Horror.
"When the music stops, you'll see him in the mirror standing behind you."
Every October, you can't wait to visit the local haunted house. You enjoy the solitude of roaming ancient cemeteries with nothing but the moon to guide your path. Or maybe you've always loved a good ghost story around the fire.
If you're short on time because you're packing to get out of a haunted cabin, we have just the collection of (shorter) Paranormal Horror titles to usher those restless spirits on their way.
If you're short on time because you're packing to get out of a haunted cabin, we have just the collection of (shorter) Paranormal Horror titles to usher those restless spirits on their way.
"Hi, I'm Chucky! Wanna play?"
Nothing fascinates you more than psychos, serial killers, and axe-murderers. But why settle for fictional killers when society offers the real thing?
If you're short on time because a chainsaw-wielding psycho is after you, we've got an impenetrable vault with your name on it. Shudder at real world mayhem with this collection of (shorter) Nonfiction Crime Horror.
If you're short on time because a chainsaw-wielding psycho is after you, we've got an impenetrable vault with your name on it. Shudder at real world mayhem with this collection of (shorter) Nonfiction Crime Horror.
"One thing about living in Santa Clara I could never stomach, all the damn vampires."
You know that, despite what you've been told as a child, sometimes there really is a monster lurking under the bed.
If you're short on time because tonight's a full moon and you aren't sure if that dog that bit you was "just" freakishly big or something worse, you're covered. Learn about monster sightings, or tame the beast within with these (shorter) Nonfiction Monster Horror titles.
If you're short on time because tonight's a full moon and you aren't sure if that dog that bit you was "just" freakishly big or something worse, you're covered. Learn about monster sightings, or tame the beast within with these (shorter) Nonfiction Monster Horror titles.
"I see dead people."
Tales of restless spirits, paranormal encounters and locations steeped in the Weird have always captured your attention. You're less interested in fictional ghost stories, preferring instead to sift through urban legends, alleged ghost sightings, and rumors of historical hauntings.
Is a poltergeist ripping up your house--leaving you short on time? We've got you covered with these (shorter) Nonfiction Paranormal Horror titles.
Is a poltergeist ripping up your house--leaving you short on time? We've got you covered with these (shorter) Nonfiction Paranormal Horror titles.
"I'm your number one fan."
A scholar of all things Horror, you combine your love of history with reason and modern sensibilities. It leads you to wanting to know more about the origins of the stories you love, the writers who wrote them, and the culture that inspired them.
Waiting for lightning to spark life in your ghoulish monster masterpiece? No problem. You can still venture behind the scenes and uncover horror's eerie history with these (shorter) Nonfiction Classic and Historical titles.
Waiting for lightning to spark life in your ghoulish monster masterpiece? No problem. You can still venture behind the scenes and uncover horror's eerie history with these (shorter) Nonfiction Classic and Historical titles.
"Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?"
A fan of the classics of horror--the Poes, the Shelleys, the Stokers--you're most likely to be found wandering a deserted castle, a candelabra in hand, its light failing to brighten the dark corners of your gothic domain. You bury yourself in history, and have never been one to shy away from its darker aspects.
Only have a limited time before your creepy castle's new moat is installed? Visit our dungeon and explore these (shorter) Classic and Historical Horror titles.
Only have a limited time before your creepy castle's new moat is installed? Visit our dungeon and explore these (shorter) Classic and Historical Horror titles.
"You play a good game, boy. . . but the game is finished. Now you die."
Your only hope of resurrection is to seek out the Great Librarian Oracles. Consult them with Ask Us, Tell Us Ouija to gain a customized reading list of this subgenre.