Five Non-Horror YA Books for the Halloween Season
Five Non-Horror YA Books for the Halloween Season
Halloween is nearly upon us! It’s that time of year where pumpkins are everywhere and candy and cider count as a meal. While I’ve always enjoyed this holiday, my reading doesn’t usually reflect the season. Because, you guessed it, I don’t do horror—it’s just not for me! So I thought I’d share five YA books that are fantastical and spooky, but not necessarily scary. Check out these five non-horror YA books for the Halloween season below!
1. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (350 pages)
Image courtesy of Amazon
Determined to provide himself a real brujo when his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel decides to move forward with the ritual himself. With the help of Maritza, his best friend and cousin, he accidentally summons the ghost of Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy. And Julian is not going quietly into death—he’s determined to tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Yadriel agrees to help him so they can both get what they want, but the more time they spend together, the less Yadriel wants Julian to leave.
Why Read It
Cemetery Boys is a #ownvoices fantasy with a sweet romance. The main characters, Yadriel and Julian, have a great dynamic, not to mention tough odds (one of them is a ghost!). This story is refreshing and charming, with a perfect mix of tradition and modernity. Plus, it has the word cemetery in the title, so it’s basically meant to be read in October!
Rating
5/5 Brookie Star
2. The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh (448 pages)
Image courtesy of Amazon
In 1872, New Orleans is ruled by the dead. Celine Rousseau flees Paris and takes refuge in a New Orleans convent with six other girls. They quickly become enamoured by the vibrant city, even venturing into its seedy underworld, La Cour des Lions. While there, Celina catches the eye of the leader, Sebastien Saint Germain. When one of the girls’ bodies is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine becomes suspicious of Sebastian. As more bodies are discovered, it becomes obvious there’s a killer on the loose, and Celine may be his next target.
Why Read It
I know it barely mentions it above, but VAMPIRES. And in nineteenth-century New Orleans! The Beautiful is a paranormal fantasy with a dark murder mystery, an entrancing romance, and, for emphasis, vampires. It’s glamourous and gothic, and a must-read for vampire lovers, especially those who love history and a little bit of murder.
Rating
4/5 Brookie Stars
3. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks (224 pages)
Image courtesy of Amazon
Every autumn through high school, Deja and Josiah have worked together at a pumpkin patch. But now they’re seniors, and this is their last season. And Halloween—tonight—is their last shift. Josiah’s ready to be sad all night, but Deja has a plan—they’re going out with a bang! They’ll try all the snacks and see all the sights and do all the things. Basically, instead of a solemn goodbye, their last shift will be an adventure, and a celebration.
Why Read It
Pumpkinheads is wholesome autumn fun! It takes place at what’s probably the best pumpkin patch in fiction—I mean, there are two kettle corn stands at this place! Actually, I’d very much like this place to be real so I could visit every October. But I guess I’ll “settle” for re-reading this heartwarming tale every year. Oh, and did I mention it’s a graphic novel? Because it is and the illustrations are gorgeous!
Rating
4.5/5 Brookie Stars
4. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (480 pages)
Image courtesy of Amazon
Kate Harker and August Flynn are heirs of a violent city—a divided city, one full of monsters. Kate wants to be ruthless like her father, who makes humans pay for protection. And August wants to be as good-hearted, as human, as his father. But August is one of the monsters—he can steal a soul with just a strain of music. When Kate’s kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at the chance to keep an eye on her. But she discovers his secret, and after a failed assassination attempt, they have to flee for their lives.
Why Read It
Okay, so this may appear to be more futuristic dystopian than spooky, however, there are monsters! This story is precise and imaginative. The main characters, August and Kate are full of quirks that make them fun to read. It’s a fast-paced story that I didn’t want to put down, and guess what? There’s a sequel! So when you’re done with this one, you can dive straight into Our Dark Duet.
Rating
4.5/5 Brookie Stars
5. Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women & Witchcraft edited by Tess Sharpe and Jessica Spotswood
Image courtesy of Amazon
Herein lies a universal truth: there’s nothing more powerful than a teenage girl who believes in herself. History is filled with stories of women accused of witchcraft, of fearsome girls with arcane knowledge. Those accused were often outsiders, and unwilling to fall in line with traditional expectations. They were rebellious and bold. This anthology delves deep into the diverse mythology of witchcraft, telling stories from different cultures and points of view, with stories penned by Brandy Colbert, Zoraida Cordova, Emery Lord, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Tess Sharpe, Robin Talley, and more.
Why Read It
Herein lies a universal truth: there’s nothing more powerful than a teenage girl who believes in herself. History is filled with stories of women accused of witchcraft, of fearsome girls with arcane knowledge. Those accused were often outsiders, and unwilling to fall in line with traditional expectations. They were rebellious and bold. This anthology delves deep into the diverse mythology of witchcraft, telling stories from different cultures and points of view, with stories penned by Brandy Colbert, Zoraida Cordova, Emery Lord, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Tess Sharpe, Robin Talley, and more.
Rating
4.5/5 Brookie Stars
What are some of your favourite Halloweeny books? Let us know by emailing us here!
Jamie Mitchell is a writer, library assistant, former bookseller, and all-around lover of the written word. She’s currently working on her fifth novel, and if you’re wondering where the other four are, they’re safe on her laptop and in need of rewriting. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband, and enjoys traveling, bookstagramming and experimenting with gluten-free flours.
Favourite book: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Favourite brunch spot: 1823 Bakehouse
