Are you like me? Do you get obsessed easily? Whenever I find a book I like, I need to read all the books with similar themes and tropes. Book tropes are pretty well known in the romance community, but for me, tropes in horror are underrepresented, so I decided to write this post.

Horror tropes are recurring themes or elements that are commonly found in horror stories, movies, and other forms of media. These tropes are used to create a sense of fear, suspense, and unease in the audience. Some classic horror tropes include the haunted house, the monster in the closet, the creepy child, the final girl, and the jump scare. While these tropes can sometimes be cliché, they are often effective in creating a truly scary and memorable experience for the audience. Good horror storytelling knows how to use these tropes effectively and subvert them in surprising ways.

Understanding these common tropes enhances our appreciation of the genre and broadens our reading experiences. Below is a list of horror tropes!

Horror Tropes

1. Cursed artifact with a mysterious history and an aura that seems to draw in those who come too close, making them victims of its evil power.
2. Possession by a spirit or a ghost.
3. Haunted places are typically places where spirits are said to linger.
4. Monsters and creatures, from aliens to ghosts to vampires.
5. Finding old footage that might explain things or show scary things.
6. Forced to split up, usually in a forest or during a disaster.
7. Psychotic killers, no explanation needed.
8. Summoning evil, ouija boards, anyone?
9. Things in mirrors, seeing ghosts or visions in mirrors, reflecting eerie images or specters defying natural laws.
10. Body horror is the trope that focuses on grotesque or macabre deformities and transformations of the human body, often invoking visceral and primal fears.

Horror stories often tap into our primal fears and can offer an adrenaline rush that is hard to replicate with other genres. Additionally, reading horror allows individuals to confront and process their fears in a safe environment, which can be empowering. Furthermore, well-crafted horror tales often contain profound themes and thought-provoking narratives that can offer insight into the human condition. Overall, reading horror can be an engaging and thought-provoking experience that allows for exploration of the darker aspects of human nature, and excitement. I hope these tropes help you find some new books to read! If you need some inspiration, find the 100 best horror books here.