Can anyone recommend monster books?

[justgoofin]

I like to read horror books about werewolves and stange creatures or monsters that sort of thing. I know there are plenty available but how do you find out which ones they are. I've done searches on horror books but that does'nt narrow it down enough. Since I grew up watching those types of movies like The Wolfman and Frankenstein I love reading whatever books I can find on the subject. Any recommendations would be great.

[mwj]

I really like "It" by Stephen King and "Summer Of Night" by Dan Simmons.

[justgoofin]

Wow I looked up "Summer of Night" on Amazon and it sounds really good I'll be picking that one up,thanks.

[mgbfan]

You'll like Summer of Night. Great read. You can't go wrong with Dan Simmons.

[Josh-da-man]

H. P. Lovecraft would be a good place to start.

For werewolves, you could try to track down "Animals" by John Skipp and Craig Spector. And Robert McCammon's "Wolf's Hour."

[Sessa17]

I cannot recommend enough Necroscope by Brian Lumley. Maybe my favorite horror book ever It's vampires, but a very different take on them with one of the greatest villains I've ever read in a book. Very dense, loads of truly great horror, fantastic characters with a truly great hero & plenty of othere "creatures" if you like the book & get into the series. The first 3 books are all amazing.

Check it out over at Amazon & read the reviews about it if you want more info.

[justgoofin]

This is great I love this type of feedback, this is really helpfull to me to find the types of books that truly interest me. I've often wondered about Necroscope, they sure seem to have quite a few of them at the used book store. I'll probably give them a try also.

[mgbfan]

Ann Rice has lots to offer in the monster genre as well.

[Baron Of Hell]

There was this crazy series of books with monsters with a name I can not think of and probably could not say it if I knew what it was. Can't even think of the the author now. I have it bookmarked will dig it out when I get home.

Vampire in the Mist was pretty good if you like D&D type vampires. Ravenloft is ok series for strange D & D monster stuff.

[Baron Of Hell]

Darn site is dead. However the books I were thinking of were done by h. p lovecraft. He has a bunch of stories about monsters called Cthulhus. I haven't gotten around to reading any of the stories but people like them.

[swenjj]

the Hyde effect, by steve vance is my favorite werewolf book ever, i have read it a lot of times

[benedict]

[....] the books I were thinking of were done by h. p lovecraft. He has a bunch of stories about monsters called Cthulhus. I haven't gotten around to reading any of the stories but people like them.More Lovecraft/Cthulhu stuff in this thread: <A HREF="http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117150" target="_blank">H. P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos</a>

[justgoofin]

the Hyde effect, by steve vance is my favorite werewolf book ever, i have read it a lot of times

I do have another werewolf book by that author that's on my list to be read, I'm hoping that it's a good one. Thanks.

[Giantrobo]

Yeah i've been looking out for good Werewolf books.

[BJacks]

Moonstone Books has put out a lot of horror-themed graphic novels, including one just about Werewolves.

This gives me the perfect opportunity to link to our recent Werewolf Guide :). I wrote about the Moonstone release in it:
http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmtv/features/werewolfguide/werewolves.asp

[Geofferson]

Tick-Tock by Dean Koontz is a passable monster novel.

[justgoofin]

Tick-Tock by Dean Koontz is a passable monster novel.

I sometimes forget about the books I've read if it's been awile but is'nt Tick-Tock that one about the voodoo doll?

[Baron Of Hell]

Don't know but that reminds me of Dean Koontz's Dragon Tears or Dragon something or other. Its about a kid with super powers that is becoming more and more god like. He uses his power for acts or great evil. He is kind of like that kid that sends people to the cornfield that don't think good thoughts more not as nice.

[Giantrobo]

Moonstone Books has put out a lot of horror-themed graphic novels, including one just about Werewolves.

This gives me the perfect opportunity to link to our recent Werewolf Guide :). I wrote about the Moonstone release in it:
http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmtv/features/werewolfguide/werewolves.asp


Oh how cool!! Thanks! :up: I'm a big fan of Werewolves.

[Picot12]

Try "Contest" by Matthew Reilly. It is about an interstellar survival contest that takes place in the New York City Public Library with several alien contestants and one from Earth.

[justgoofin]

Try "Contest" by Matthew Reilly. It is about an interstellar survival contest that takes place in the New York City Public Library with several alien contestants and one from Earth.

Thanks for that one I read a review at Amazon and it sounds pretty good I think I'll be picking that one up.

Here's a small part of the review for anyone interested:

ETs with a mordant sense of drama turn the New York Public Library into "the labyrinth" for an interstellar survival game show in this ungainly thriller from Australian Reilly (Ice Station). Seven players, each from a different world, compete for their lives, combating not only each other but also a monster called the Karanodon.

[boredsilly]

I cannot recommend enough Necroscope by Brian Lumley. Maybe my favorite horror book ever It's vampires, but a very different take on them with one of the greatest villains I've ever read in a book. Very dense, loads of truly great horror, fantastic characters with a truly great hero & plenty of othere "creatures" if you like the book & get into the series. The first 3 books are all amazing.

Check it out over at Amazon & read the reviews about it if you want more info.


Your enthusiasm for this book makes me need to read it sight unseen. Do you rec the whole series or just this one book though?

[justgoofin]

Any other recommendations would be great, I also like Bigfoot and cryptozoological themes.

[pelenor]

I too will highly recommned Brian Lumley. All the books are awesome. Moebius Strip away!! Although, I didn't like the newest series, but Necroscope is one of the best series.

[Chris Camfield]

Some nifty takes on werewolves and vampires in the "Dresden Files" series by Jim Butcher. IIRC the second book concentrates on werewolves, and the third, vampires. (The protagonist is a wizard in modern-day Chicago... I'd call the novels dark urban fantasy rather than horror per se.) In any case, the author comes up with some neat variations on them.

[justgoofin]

Some nifty takes on werewolves and vampires in the "Dresden Files" series by Jim Butcher. IIRC the second book concentrates on werewolves, and the third, vampires. (The protagonist is a wizard in modern-day Chicago... I'd call the novels dark urban fantasy rather than horror per se.) In any case, the author comes up with some neat variations on them.


I looked at reviews for this series at Amazon and it is right up my alley, so far I've gotten a big stack of books for reading from all of everyone's suggestions. This forum is awesome. Keep em coming.

[AuntiePam]

My favorite monster book is Stinger by Robert McCammon. I've read it twice, and if I hadn't given mine away, I'd read it again. The monster isn't fully explained, but that doesn't matter.

I don't know how old you are, but if you remember horror movies from the 50's and 60's, with critters taking over a town, teenagers trying to convince the authorities something's going on, and nobody listens -- it's kinda like that.

I also liked The Mist and The Raft by Stephen King.

There are tons of books about werewolves, vampires, zombies, etc., but not too many "monster" books. They are to be treasured. :)

[BiMonSciFiCon]

They Thirst by Robert McCammon - about the undead in L.A. Read this years ago and it gave me chills. Later read Swan Song which remains one of my favs by McCammon.

[D.Zero]

Try anything by the recently deceased Richard Laymon. Douglas Cleeg is also quite good.

[Peperfatso]

You might enjoy Steven Harriman's book SLEEPER. I know it's hard to find on the bookshelves, but you can always order a copy from Amazon.com. I've read it. I'm not a huge fan of monster books, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

[justgoofin]

You might enjoy Steven Harriman's book SLEEPER. I know it's hard to find on the bookshelves, but you can always order a copy from Amazon.com. I've read it. I'm not a huge fan of monster books, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

Thanks for that one. It is now another on my list.

[Mutley Hyde]

I have to second all of the recommendations for Robert McCammon. I've loved everything of his I've read so far... Swan Song (life-in-the-new-wasteland-after-nuclear-devastation story), The Wolf's Hour (Nazi hunter working for the Allies in WWII... who just so happens to be a werewolf), Stinger (just a damned good hoot of a Texas tall tale), They Thirst (very convincing, and damned spooky vampire tale), Blue World (a wonderful collection of intriguing short stories).

And finally, Speaks the Nightbird, his latest novel which is more historical fiction than horror, but is such a damned good read you don't mind that there are no vampires or werewolves. It takes place in colonial America, and deals with a witch trial. The writing is just top notch, and the characters are so fleshed out that you hate to finish the book and be done with them. Fortunately, McCammon is working on a sequel, and has plans for a series.

Aside from McCammon, I would suggest 'Falling Angel' by William Hjortsberg (may be out of print, but should be available on eBay for cheap enough in paperback. This was filmed as Angel Heart, and is really a smokin' good read.)

Clive Barker's first three 'Books of Blood' are simply, without a doubt, killer reads, as well as his 'Hellbound Heart', filmed as Hellraiser.

Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' really is terrific.

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchetts' 'Good Omens' is a fun little read about the anti-christ. It really is humor, but if you're at all into devilish fiction, this is really good for some comic relief. I also like Neil's 'Neverwhere', but that's more dark fantasy than hard horror, although it does get pretty juicy at times.

Other authors I'd say you'd really do no wrong no matter what you pick up; Edgar Allan Poe (duh!), Ambrose Bierce (probably my favorite author after Poe), Sheridan le Fanu, Clark Ashton Smith, Harlan Ellison, Richard Matheson, Whitley Strieber (his early horror stuff, not the alien stuff) Michael Cadnum, Ray Garton, Joe Lansdale, Thomas Harris, Shaun Hutson (if you can get it... he's not published in the states very much, you'll have to try eBay or Amazon.uk).

Hope I didn't overload anyone with all those, but I really do stand behind everything listed. These are several of my most favorite authors/books. Hope you give some of them a try, and enjoy them as much as I have. :)

[Giantrobo]

By the way, Brian Keene's book "The Rising" is going to be reprinted and released this summer. :up:

It's a great "living dead/zombie" book.

[Heartagram]

I cannot recommend enough Necroscope by Brian Lumley. Maybe my favorite horror book ever It's vampires, but a very different take on them with one of the greatest villains I've ever read in a book. Very dense, loads of truly great horror, fantastic characters with a truly great hero & plenty of othere "creatures" if you like the book & get into the series. The first 3 books are all amazing.

Sessa17 these are some of the best books ever, I love them, I am just finishing up the Bloodwars trilogy.

Your enthusiasm for this book makes me need to read it sight unseen. Do you rec the whole series or just this one book though?
Read the whole Necroscope series (1-5)

[brainee]

Just browsing through my book collection to see what I have that would classify as "monster" stories:

Clive Barker: maybe his more "fantastical" stories such as "Weaveworld", "Imajica", "Great and Secret Show", "Cabal". Not classic monster stories, but no shortage of weird creatures.

John Farris: "Wildwood" and "Fiends". He's an uneven writer (IMO) but these 2 older novels are great and original creature/monster stories. I slightly prefer "Wildwood" for its originality, though "Fiends" really fits the classic "monster" story to a tee (and is great too). Truly an original monster creation.

Jeff Long: "The Descent". I love the premise -- a team of scientists descend into the Earth to discover that demons, the devil, and hell are real (with a scientific explanation). Fast-paced, exciting reading.

Dean Koontz: A number of his things are "monster" stories. Best examples include "Watchers", "Twilight Eyes", "Shadowfires", and "Phantoms".

Brian Lumley: I'll give a recommedation to the "Necroscope" books as well. I got tired of the series after a while, but it starts out great. I particularly like the books set in the "vampire" world (like "The Source" and the Blood Brothers trilogy).

Robert McCammon: He's also been mentioned here -- he wrote some great monster books in the 80s: "Wolf's Hour", "Stinger", "They Thirst" among others.

Larry Niven (and others): "Legacy of Heorot" -- Aliens-style horror/sci-fi by one of sci-fi's greats.

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child: "The Relic" and "Reliquary" -- don't be put off by the mediocre movie. The books are great, and pure old-school sci-fi/horror monster fun.

Tim Powers: "The Anubis Gates", "On Stranger Tides", "The Stress of her Regard". I LOVE these books. For a while, Powers was one of my favorite writers (he lost me with his more recent books, which seemed to get bogged down under their own mythology). Wildly original and almost impossible to describe mixtures of fantasy, horror, sci-fi, adventure, history. You want monsters? You've got werewolves, vampires, zombies, demons, ghosts, and much more. A great writer who seems largely unknown.

F. Paul Wilson: "The Tomb" is a great monster story, and the first featuring the popular Repairman Jack character. "The Keep" is another case of "don't be fooled by the crappy movie". Outside of those 2, I wasn't as impressed with the "Adversary" series (the first 2 I mentioned stand alone -- only later books formed a series that had to be read in order). Though the "Nightworld" finale was pretty spectacular.

China Mieville: "Perdido Street Station" and "The Scar" are some my favorite novels of the last few years. Wildly inventive mix of fantasy/horror/sci-fi -- they're big, and require attention to get going, but worth all the effort. And they are (especially PSS) "monster" stories.

[Giantrobo]

Silly question for justgoofin...

Have you read Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN? I think you said you did in your original post but if you haven't I highly recommened it.

The book is -NOTHING- like the "pop-culture" version of Frankenstein's Monster that everyone is familiar with. In fact, although the classic movie from the 30's is fantastic, I must admit that after reading Shelley's book even that classic seems to fall shor to f the tragic and touching story of the Shelley's "Monster" and the man that created him. The "monster" in the book isn't the slow lumbering seemingly primitve creature of the classic movie.