Horror as a genre has always been a fertile ground for exploring identity, fear, and desire. Lesbian horror books, in particular, weave the eerie and the intimate into unforgettable tales that linger long after the final page.
Below is a curated list of standout, modern lesbian horror books that deserve a spot on your bookshelf.
White Is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
Oyeyemi crafts a haunting gothic tale centered on Miranda, a young woman plagued by an inherited condition and a house that harbors dark secrets. The story blurs the lines between psychological horror and the supernatural, all while exploring Miranda’s queer identity with subtlety and depth.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
Known for satirical romance, Tingle surprises with this visceral horror about a conversion therapy camp with sinister secrets. While the story grapples with trauma and oppression, it also celebrates queer resilience.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
This melancholic and atmospheric novel follows the strained relationship between Miri and her wife Leah, who has returned changed after a mysterious deep-sea expedition. Blending horror with tender emotional depth, Armfield explores themes of transformation, loss, and the unknowable aspects of love.
Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta
Feast While You Can is a queer horror-romance about Angelina, whose life unravels when her brother’s mysterious ex, Jagvi, returns. Their reunion awakens a dark force that feeds on her memories. As danger grows, Angelina must rely on Jagvi to survive.
When I Arrived at the Castle by Emily Carroll
Another graphic masterpiece from Carroll, this one is a queer, sensual, and grotesque exploration of power dynamics and repressed desire. The castle setting and its monstrous mistress create a dark atmosphere.
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
Set in an elite boarding school, Gibson’s dark academia novel centers on queer love, ambition, and the price of power. This is a modern gothic story with “I-hate-you, I-love-you” vibes.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca
This novella, told through emails and chat logs, delves into a twisted relationship between two women. LaRocca crafts an unsettling tale of obsession and psychological horror with an undercurrent of queer longing and power imbalance.
Chlorine by Jade Song
A surreal and darkly beautiful debut, this novel follows Ren Yu, a queer swimmer obsessed with transformation. As her fixation grows, the story descends into body horror, exploring themes of identity, self-destruction, and desire.
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
This short story collection mixes horror, speculative fiction, and queer themes to stunning effect. In tales like The Husband Stitch, Machado explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, and power with both sensuality and terror.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
A queer reimagining of Dracula’s brides, this epistolary novel dives into toxic relationships and liberation. The lush prose and gothic atmosphere make it a must-read for fans of romantic horror.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Set on an isolated island, this dystopian horror follows a group of girls dealing with a mysterious illness that warps their bodies. Queer relationships and themes of survival and transformation are central to this gripping tale.
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
This gothic horror novel centers on a young woman who becomes a bloodmaid in a twisted aristocratic household. The sapphic undertones, opulent decay, and sinister atmosphere make this a deliciously dark read.
Lesbian horror offers a rich tapestry of narratives that explore the monstrous and the beautiful, often challenging societal norms while embracing the complexities of identity and desire.
Whether you’re drawn to gothic classics, modern reimaginings, or visceral terror, these books provide thrilling and thought-provoking experiences.
What are other lesbian horror books you’ve enjoyed? Let me know in the comments!
Also, checkout The Lesbian Review for more sapphic book lists and reviews. Or check out other horror book recommendations here.
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