Discover the Best of Black and African American Horror Fiction
Black and African American Horror Fiction has seen a resurgence, offering chilling stories that reflect cultural themes, history, and supernatural elements. These books explore fear through unique lenses, blending horror with deep social commentary. Here are the Top 10 Best Books in this genre that will keep you awake at night and leave you pondering long after the final page is turned.
Author: Tasha Willis
Tasha Willis is a literature professor and freelance writer who specializes in horror fiction, with a particular focus on works by Black authors. Her passion for the genre stems from its powerful storytelling and ability to reflect societal issues.
10. Ghosted
Black Lavish
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (145 ratings)
Ghosted by Black Lavish combines romance and horror in a fresh and terrifying way. The story of a woman who finds herself haunted by a love she thought was lost forever is both emotionally gripping and full of unexpected scares. If you’re looking for a book that blends the eerie with heartfelt emotion, this one will hook you from the start.
Why You’ll Love It:
The mix of romance and horror in this book gives it a unique edge, making it a standout in Black and African American Horror Fiction.
Fun Fact:
Black Lavish is known for incorporating real-life elements of grief and trauma into his work, giving the story an emotional depth rarely seen in horror.
Buy it here: Ghosted
Category: Black and African American Horror Fiction
9. This Cursed House
Del Sandeen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars (6 ratings)
This Cursed House delivers classic haunted house terror with a modern twist. Del Sandeen masterfully creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, where the house itself becomes the antagonist. If you’re a fan of eerie settings and tense, slow-building horror, this book is a must-read.
Why We Choose It:
Sandeen’s ability to build tension and evoke fear makes this a must-have for any Black and African American Horror Fiction collection.
Fun Fact:
Sandeen drew inspiration from her grandmother’s stories about haunted houses, adding a personal touch to the novel.
Buy it here: This Cursed House
Category: Black and African American Horror Fiction
8. Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror
Jordan Peele (Editor)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 out of 5 stars (645 ratings)
Curated by Jordan Peele, Out There Screaming is a collection of short stories from some of the best voices in Black and African American Horror Fiction. The anthology covers a variety of terrifying topics, from supernatural hauntings to psychological horror, all tied to themes of identity, race, and culture.
Why You’ll Love It:
The diversity of stories ensures that there’s something for every horror fan, making it an essential read.
Fun Fact:
Jordan Peele, known for Get Out and Us, uses this anthology to introduce new Black horror authors to a wider audience.
Buy it here: Out There Screaming
Category: Black and African American Horror Fiction
7. The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country
Matt Ruff
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 out of 5 stars (604 ratings)
The Destroyer of Worlds takes readers back to the unsettling world of Lovecraftian horror, but with a fresh twist. Set in 1950s America, this sequel to Lovecraft Country dives deeper into the racial and cosmic horrors that plagued the first book.
Why We Choose It:
Matt Ruff continues to blend historical and cosmic horror in ways that challenge readers’ perspectives.
Fun Fact:
This book is a follow-up to Ruff’s widely acclaimed Lovecraft Country, which was adapted into an HBO series.
Buy it here: The Destroyer of Worlds
Category: Black and African American Horror Fiction
6. Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror
Jordan Peele (Editor)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 out of 5 stars (645 ratings)
Another entry for Out There Screaming, this anthology not only explores terrifying narratives but also delves into what horror means from a Black cultural perspective. Each story presents new forms of terror, all written by Black authors.
Why We Choose It:
The range of stories ensures that readers experience a rich variety of horror styles, each rooted in Black history and identity.
Fun Fact:
Jordan Peele has become a dominant voice in modern horror, and his foray into literature allows him to share his unique vision with readers.
Buy it here: Out There Screaming
5. The Reformatory: A Novel
Tananarive Due
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,654 ratings)
Tananarive Due delivers a chilling story with The Reformatory, set in a haunted reform school. Combining horror with social commentary, Due’s novel explores systemic racism and the horrors faced by Black children in early 20th-century America.
Why You’ll Love It:
This novel blends supernatural horror with real-life historical atrocities, making it both terrifying and thought-provoking.
Fun Fact:
Due drew inspiration from real-life reform school horrors, making the story all the more harrowing.
Buy it here: The Reformatory
4. Womb City
Tlotlo Tsamaase
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3.7 out of 5 stars (139 ratings)
Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase blends body horror with dystopian elements, creating a visceral and unsettling narrative. The story takes readers to a city where bodies and society are shaped by unseen forces. It’s both a horror novel and a commentary on power and identity.
Why We Choose It:
Womb City is perfect for readers who enjoy speculative fiction with a sharp horror edge.
Fun Fact:
Tsamaase’s background in architecture influences her dystopian world-building, adding a unique layer to the horror.
Buy it here: Womb City
3. The Reformatory: A Novel
Tananarive Due
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,654 ratings)
Tananarive Due makes a second appearance with her supernatural novel The Reformatory, reinforcing her status as a leading voice in Black and African American Horror Fiction.
Why You’ll Love It:
Due’s masterful storytelling, steeped in Black history, combines supernatural and societal horror for a thought-provoking read.
Fun Fact:
This novel has been adapted into an audio drama, featuring a full cast of Black voice actors.
Buy it here: The Reformatory
2. Lovecraft Country: A Novel
Matt Ruff
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (11,528 ratings)
Lovecraft Country flips the script on Lovecraftian horror by centering Black characters in a world full of monsters, both human and supernatural. Matt Ruff delivers a haunting, often uncomfortable exploration of racism in mid-20th-century America.
Why You’ll Love It:
The book’s combination of historical fiction and cosmic horror makes it a standout in the Black and African American Horror Fiction genre.
Fun Fact:
The novel was adapted into a critically acclaimed HBO series, introducing even more readers to Ruff’s terrifying world.
Buy it here: Lovecraft Country
1. The Reformatory: A Novel
Tananarive Due
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,654 ratings)
Rounding out the top spot is Tananarive Due’s The Reformatory. This novel’s blend of historical horror and supernatural terror sets it apart. The story is a brutal, yet hauntingly beautiful, exploration of survival and resistance.
Why We Choose It:
Due’s sharp storytelling and in-depth exploration of Black history through the lens of horror solidify The Reformatory as a must-read.
Fun Fact:
Tananarive Due has been a significant figure in the rise of Black horror, often drawing from real-life racial injustice in her work.
Buy it here: The Reformatory
Discover the Dark Side of Black and African American Horror Fiction
The world of Black and African American Horror Fiction is rich with stories that go beyond jump scares. These novels address historical and modern fears, from racial injustice to cosmic terror. Dive into these ten terrifying books, and prepare to be haunted.
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