Post-apocalypse and horror combine into a sub-genre called Post-Apocalyptic Horror in which scares are placed in a future of devastation. There is a massive following for this subgenre through media like books and movies. So, here are 10 of the best Post-Apocalyptic Horror books out there right now!
“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy:
McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows a father and son as they navigate a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape. The story is a bleak and haunting exploration of survival, love, and the human spirit in the face of unimaginable devastation.
“World War Z” by Max Brooks:
Presented as an oral history of the global war against the undead, “World War Z” chronicles the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. The novel provides a chilling and thought-provoking look at how humanity copes with the collapse of civilization.
“The Stand” by Stephen King:
King’s epic novel unfolds after a deadly flu pandemic wipes out most of the world’s population. As survivors grapple with the remnants of society, a battle between good and evil emerges in a post-apocalyptic America.
“Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel:
Mandel’s novel weaves a narrative that spans before, during, and after a devastating flu pandemic. “Station Eleven” explores the interconnected lives of its characters and the enduring power of art and culture in the face of collapse.
“The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller:
Set in a world ravaged by a flu pandemic, “The Dog Stars” follows Hig, a pilot who, along with his dog and a survivalist neighbour, tries to make a life in the remnants of civilization. The novel combines poetic prose with the harsh realities of survival.
“The Girl with All the Gifts” by M.R. Carey:
In a world overrun by zombie-like creatures, a young girl with unique abilities may hold the key to humanity’s survival. “The Girl with All the Gifts” explores themes of identity, morality, and the nature of humanity in a post-apocalyptic setting.
“Zone One” by Colson Whitehead:
This novel follows a “sweeper” tasked with clearing out the remaining zombies from Lower Manhattan after a plague has devastated the world. “Zone One” blends horror with social commentary, offering a unique perspective on the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.
“The Postman” by David Brin:
In a world ravaged by war and plague, a lone wanderer discovers a postal worker’s uniform and takes on the role of a postman. Using the power of communication, he inadvertently becomes a symbol of hope in a desolate and dangerous landscape. “The Postman” explores themes of rebuilding society, resilience, and the impact of small acts of kindness in a world torn apart.
“The Day of the Triffids” by John Wyndham:
In this classic novel, a man wakes up in a world where a majority of the population is blind due to a meteor shower. Meanwhile, deadly, mobile plants known as Triffids pose a new threat to the remnants of human civilization.
“The Reapers Are the Angels” by Alden Bell:
Set in a world overrun by zombies, this novel follows a young girl named Temple as she navigates the dangers of the post-apocalyptic landscape. “The Reapers Are the Angels” is a lyrical and haunting exploration of survival and humanity.
Have you read any of the books listed? What is your favourite Post-Apocalyptic horror novel? We’d love to hear from you.
Other things you might want to know:
What is an apocalyptic horror?
A subgenre of science fiction, science fantasy or horror fiction involving global catastrophic risk
What is the difference between post-apocalyptic and dystopian?
Dystopian paints a setting in a future society with points of history to tie in events in the story whereas post-apocalyptic sees a world after a disastrous event.
What is extreme horror novels?
Horror novels that goes beyond the boundaries of “taboo”.
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