Who else is ready for spooky season? 🎃 With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to dive into some spine-chilling YA reads that will give you goosebumps! If you’re looking to celebrate with stories that are both spooky and inclusive, I’ve curated a list of books written by POC and queer authors that are sure to give you all the eerie vibes this season.
1. White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson delivers a modern haunted house story with White Smoke. This book blends supernatural horror with real-world social issues, following Marigold and her family as they move into a new house with dark, unsettling secrets. Marigold soon realizes that something in the house wants them gone, and the result is chilling.
2. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
This paranormal fantasy follows Yadriel, a trans boy who is determined to prove himself to his traditional Latinx family. He accidentally summons the ghost of the school’s bad boy instead of his cousin and, to his surprise, they form a connection. The combination of Latinx culture, ghostly mysteries, and a heartwarming romance makes this a spooky but tender read.
3. The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts ghost story and social commentary, this one’s for you. Jake Livingston can see ghosts, and one of them—Sawyer, a vengeful spirit—is out for revenge. It’s creepy, thrilling, and dives into topics like race, trauma, and identity, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat.
4. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Pet is a unique and unsettling read that challenges the idea of monsters in society. Set in a utopian world where monsters are supposed to be gone, Jam, a Black trans girl, discovers that monsters still exist—and one of them is close to home. Emezi’s writing is beautifully haunting, and the book explores deep themes of justice and identity.
5. Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
This Afro-Latinx horror novel takes readers into a twisted version of the Bronx, where people are going missing. Raquel, a teenage girl, teams up with her crush to uncover the dark history lurking beneath the city. It’s a gripping and eerie story that blends supernatural horror with urban legends.
6. Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
For fans of witches and dark fantasy, Witches Steeped in Gold is a must-read. This Jamaican-inspired fantasy follows two rival witches who must form an uneasy alliance to take down a common enemy. Filled with magic, intrigue, and dangerous secrets, it’s perfect for readers who love a tense and atmospheric tale.
7. The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
Inspired by Japanese folklore, this chilling ghost story follows Okiku, a vengeful spirit who seeks justice for murdered children. When she meets a boy with dark forces attached to him, the story takes a dark and thrilling turn. Rin Chupeco, a Filipino author, masterfully blends folklore with a modern ghost story that will keep you turning the pages.
8. Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Set in an all-girls boarding school, Wilder Girls is a dystopian horror story where the students are infected with a mysterious disease that mutates their bodies. The story is eerie and unsettling, with LGBTQ+ representation and a chilling atmosphere that’s perfect for fans of slow-burn horror.
9. The Devourers by Indra Das
A dark, lyrical fantasy that blends mythology and horror, The Devourers follows a shape-shifting creature in colonial India and explores themes of identity, power, and transformation. Though not YA, it’s a dark and mesmerizing read for mature readers who want a spooky, thought-provoking story.
10. Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
In this post-apocalyptic YA horror, a trans boy named Benji escapes from a cult that unleashed a virus turning people into monstrous creatures. Filled with body horror, queer identity, and themes of survival, this book will haunt you long after you finish it.
Which of these are you adding to your Halloween TBR? Let me know if you’ve read any, or if you have more spooky YA recommendations from POC and queer authors—I’m always looking for new reads! 👻
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