The Best Horror and Fantasies of 2024, According to Barnes & Noble

“Graham Jones stays doing the damn thing when it comes to horror that centers Indigenous stories. In his latest, it’s 1989 in the small, oil and cotton-driven town of Lamesa, Texas, and Tolly is a senior in high school who is about to ‘be cursed to kill for revenge.’

Jones’ empathetic writing has us rooting for a killer, y’all.” — Erica Ezeifedi

“This one has to be one of the most unsettling cover and title combos of the year. It follows Ji-won, who is reeling from her family’s dissolution after her father had an affair and then left. Even worse is her mother’s new white boyfriend, who seems to see Ji-won and her sister as competition for their mother’s attention. She begins to have endless dreams about strangely tantalizing eyes until she knows just how she can get her revenge on George. But she won’t stop there…” — Danika Ellis

“Growing up in the slums of Puerto Rico, childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul, and Bimbo have long been accustomed to violence and death and used to a life surrounded by ghosts. But when someone working for a drug kingpin shoots Bimbo’s mom, he swears vengeance and draws his friends into the fray. As they plan their move, a hurricane begins to gather offshore. It’s one that promises to bring evil spirits from the sea to the shore.” — Alex Acks

“This was one of my first horror reads this October, and it’s such a perfect fit if you’re looking for horror with toxic friendships à la Death Becomes Her and the “Taste” music video. So Thirsty is a fresh take on vampire mythology. When Sloane goes on a weekend getaway with her best friend Naomi, she is expecting a chill weekend of wine tasting and relaxing. But Naomi has other plans, and a night of wild partying quickly turns into something far beyond their control when it turns out they’ve encountered a coven of vampires.” — Emily Martin

“I’m a big fan of mysteries, I have to say that this book’s blurbs has one of the best mystery grabs I’ve seen in a minute. Essentially, a queer couple — Charlie and Eve — is in the middle of renovating a house to flip it, when a man and his family show up, saying he used to live there and asking if he could show his kids around. Then, weird stuff starts happening: his youngest kid goes missing (as does Charlie), something spooky shows up in the basement, the family won’t leave, and the good sis Eve starts to feel like she’s losing her grip.” — Erica Ezeifedi

“This is the follow-up to The Hurricane Wars. In it, Talasyn and Alaric, heirs of opposing powers, discover that they are betrothed in order to keep the empire peaceful.

As they marry and fulfill their obligations, A Monsoon Rising delves into their romance, their strange dynamic, and the politics that come with such an alliance.” — Arvyn Cerezo

“There are few things more forbidden than falling for your stepson. This book takes the reigns on forbidden romance and rides it through the gauntlet. It follows Freya, blessed with a goddess’s blood, who is wed to a fanatical jarl after showing her powers in a battle of life and death. The jarl’s grown son, Bjorn, is also blessed with a god’s blood, and prophecy foretells their fate as intertwined. Loving Bjorn is not only forbidden due to her marriage, but also for the fact that the jarl holds Freya’s family hostage, with their safety entirely dependent on Freya’s support and complicity.

As Skaland stands on the precipice of all-out war, Freya must hone her powers while navigating the rising emotions between her and Bjorn.” — Lyndsie Manusos

“Battles won and lost, alliances gained and broken. Everything has come down to this — with only ten days to prepare. Experience a high-fantasy writer at the top of his game and get ready for the next five installments.” — B&N

From the official blurb: “A wicked prince determined to save his kingdom…A reporter hell-bent on finding the truth…Two rivals torn apart by a dark memory reunite on a deadly hunt — and in an irresistibly twisted fairy tale.”