10 Great Zombie Books To Read For Horror Fans

A wide range of supernatural creatures crop up in horror books, and zombies make especially terrifying villains to read about. This is partly because they start out as humans, meaning just about anyone can turn during a zombie apocalypse. This truth forces readers to face their own mortality, as well as the harsh reality that even loved ones can become monsters.

With such grim messaging, it's no wonder zombie narratives are so popular within the horror genre. Some of the most terrifying horror books out there center on the undead. There are also plenty of great stories that put more unique twists on this common concept.

10 Pride And Prejudice And Zombies (2009)

Written By Seth Grahame-Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a fun take on the zombie subgenre, especially for those passionate about classic literature, and more specifically, Jane Austen. Seth Grahame-Smith's 2009 book stretches the original story of Pride and Prejudice, adding in plenty of zombie action Elizabeth Bennet must squash.

Fans of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy needn't fret, as the duo still has a romance in this book — just with some zombie slaying on the side. It's an engaging and hilarious ride, perfect for horror fans even if it isn't all that scary.

9 American Rapture (2024)

Written By C.J. Leede

C.J. Leede is best known for writing Maeve Fly, but her 2024 zombie book is just as worthwhile for horror fans. American Rapture follows "a good Catholic girl" named Sophie as she travels through a United States that's been ravaged by a virus turning people into monsters. These aren't the zombies you're used to; not only are they feral, but they have uncontrollable sexual urges.

Sophie's journey seems destined to test her beliefs, and the religious commentary adds an interesting layer to American Rapture's narrative. There's a reason the book has a 4.34 average Goodreads rating, with readers praising its unflinching approach to purity and trauma. It's a must-read 2024 horror book.

8 World War Z: An Oral History Of The Zombie War (2006)

Written By Max Brooks

World War Z is a frequently recommended zombie horror story, and there's a good reason Max Brooks' book is so popular. The 2006 novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world that's nearly wiped out by the devastating Zombie War. The book utilizes an epistolary format to tell the tales of those who experience and survive the horrific event.

A modern classic in its own right, World War Z is an obvious choice for readers looking to see how a zombie apocalypse would unfold — and affect the people living through it. The book is unsettling and manages to insert plenty of clever social commentary within its pages.

7 Feed (2010)

Written By Mira Grant

Mira Grant's Feed is another zombie horror book that's been around a while now, and it's well worth picking up. The first book in the Newsflesh starts with a zombie outbreak in 2014, then picks up 20 years later. Two bloggers are determined to uncover a conspiracy surrounding the infected, even if it puts them in danger.

Feed isn't your traditional zombie novel, as it focuses more on the handling of information during the crisis. Still, its portrayal of the response to such an Earth-shattering event is a horror story that feels closer to home.

6 The Girl With All The Gifts (2014)

Written By M.R. Carey

Fans of The Last of Us will appreciate the fungal infection at the heart of The Girl With All the Gifts, though the book's central character isn't immune like Ellie. In fact, Melanie spends much of her life locked away in a lab, unsure why the people around her seem to be so afraid.

Melanie, of course, is one of the kids infected with the virus — but she's special. M.R. Carey takes readers on a gripping journey to find out why, exploring themes of humanity in this heart-wrenching and unnerving story.

5 Dread Nation (2018)

Written By Justina Ireland

One of the most unique approaches to zombie fiction, Dread Nation takes the concept of the undead and combines it with the Civil War era. Set in a world where zombies interrupted the Civil War, Dread Nation follows a 15-year-old Black girl forced to attend combat school to fight zombies — a requirement by law.

Dread Nation's alternate history setting is a highlight of the book, and it allows Ireland to explore serious topics like racism and classism. The narrative is full of action and great character moments, but its setting is what truly sets it apart from other stories in the zombie subgenre.

4 Fever House (2023)

Written By Keith Rosson

With a mysterious severed hand heralding the apocalypse, Fever House gets off to a different start than other zombie stories. However, the madness the severed hand provokes definitely is reminiscent of a zombie outbreak, and it places our main characters in the midst of a gruesome high-stakes adventure.

Those looking for unique zombie stories won't want to miss out on Keith Rosson's 2023 release. Stephen King even praised this fast-paced thrill ride, and it's even got a sequel to show readers what happens in the aftermath of all the chaos.

3 Dead Of Night (2011)

Written By Jonathan Maberry

Jonathan Maberry is no stranger to the zombie subgenre, and the author's Dead of Night is a solid addition to it. Dead of Night opens with a prison doctor injecting a murderer with an experimental drug that's meant to kill his body but not his consciousness. Unfortunately, it turns him into a zombie instead.

Cue the zombie apocalypse, and Maberry ensures that it's well-paced, thrilling, and full of genre traditions. Readers who want a zombie horror book that will keep them on edge from start to finish would do well to pick this one up.

2 The Rising (2003)

Written By Brian Keene

The Rising envisions zombies that are capable of intelligence and speech, making their ravenous desire to feed more complicated. It also makes the next steps for the survivors in Brian Keene's world that much more difficult. Even so, the book's hero sets out to find his son, even if it means traversing a dangerous and horrific landscape.

Keene's approach to the undead makes The Rising a standout in the zombie subgenre. The zombies pose a real challenge to the human survivors, making this book a thrilling and thoughtful narrative throughout.

1 Day By Day Armageddon (2004)

Written By J.L. Bourne

J.L. Bourne's Day by Day Armageddon unravels the zombie apocalypse through the journal of its main character, a Naval Pilot who watches the whole thing unfold. The situation presents difficult choices, and the reality of that is masterfully captured throughout the narrative.

Day by Day Armageddon is a fast and gripping read, and it's perfect for fans of World War Z. It brings some interesting conversations to the table as it unfolds, and its epistolary format really immerses readers in its horror story.