Horror Comedy Books for Young Adults
The history of Horror Comedy in books is not well documented. However, it has been said that Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, first published in 1820 (myloc.gov), was one of the first Horror Comedy books, and remains a classic today. The Horror Comedy genre is most popular in film, but here are some fun YA books that are great representations of what this genre has to offer.*
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Tribeca Books, 2011 (reprint)
This classic short story follows Ichabod Crane, an extremely superstitious school teacher, who travels to the ghostly town of Sleepy Hollow in the late 18th century. Crane falls for the daughter of a wealthy farmer, Katrina Van Tassel, and is preoccupied with winning her hand until he comes face-to-face (neck?) with the infamous Headless Horseman. Irving writes a story that is humorous, and also chilling—albeit with a main character you laugh more at than with—in this classic horror-comedy.
Tribeca Books, 2011 (reprint)
This classic short story follows Ichabod Crane, an extremely superstitious school teacher, who travels to the ghostly town of Sleepy Hollow in the late 18th century. Crane falls for the daughter of a wealthy farmer, Katrina Van Tassel, and is preoccupied with winning her hand until he comes face-to-face (neck?) with the infamous Headless Horseman. Irving writes a story that is humorous, and also chilling—albeit with a main character you laugh more at than with—in this classic horror-comedy.
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A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, original idea by Siobhan Dowd
Walker Books, 2011
This is a moving story about Conor, a 13-year-old boy, dealing with the approaching death of his ailing mother. While Conor is burdened with the grief of losing his mother, a mysterious tree-like monster visits him, telling him stories, and eventually expecting one in return. While A Monster Calls is not necessarily a horror or a comedy novel, it is a powerful story about the horrors of losing someone you love, with surprisingly funny moments. This is a dark, emotional, and meaningful book where both the writing and illustrations will grip readers and not let go.
Walker Books, 2011
This is a moving story about Conor, a 13-year-old boy, dealing with the approaching death of his ailing mother. While Conor is burdened with the grief of losing his mother, a mysterious tree-like monster visits him, telling him stories, and eventually expecting one in return. While A Monster Calls is not necessarily a horror or a comedy novel, it is a powerful story about the horrors of losing someone you love, with surprisingly funny moments. This is a dark, emotional, and meaningful book where both the writing and illustrations will grip readers and not let go.
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The Day Zombies Ruined My Perfectly Boring Life by Jen Naumann
At or With Me Publishing, 2012
Emma lives the life of a typical 17-year-old in the Midwest, hanging out with friends, playing pranks, and mostly just being bored. Until one day, her life is changed forever when the zombie apocalypse happens and she happens to find one of the undead in her backyard. Emma, along with a band of oddball characters, must stay on the move in order to survive and find the source of the zombies. The hilarious dialogue and characters, and plot twists will appeal even to those who are not into the zombie genre.
At or With Me Publishing, 2012
Emma lives the life of a typical 17-year-old in the Midwest, hanging out with friends, playing pranks, and mostly just being bored. Until one day, her life is changed forever when the zombie apocalypse happens and she happens to find one of the undead in her backyard. Emma, along with a band of oddball characters, must stay on the move in order to survive and find the source of the zombies. The hilarious dialogue and characters, and plot twists will appeal even to those who are not into the zombie genre.
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Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link
Viking, 2008
A compilation of nine short stories featuring some peculiar characters who find themselves in bizarre situations. From grave digging, to magic handbags, to a killer in the house, some of these tales are dark, some are gruesome, but all are entertaining as readers will find themselves laughing out loud one minute and getting goose bumps the next.
Viking, 2008
A compilation of nine short stories featuring some peculiar characters who find themselves in bizarre situations. From grave digging, to magic handbags, to a killer in the house, some of these tales are dark, some are gruesome, but all are entertaining as readers will find themselves laughing out loud one minute and getting goose bumps the next.
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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen
Quirk Books, 2009
A revival of Jane Austen’s classic novel…but with zombies. Elizabeth Bennet is still the endearing young woman millions have fallen in love with, and now, she’s also a trained zombie killer. With the same cast of characters, including the rest of the Bennet clan and Mr. Darcy (who's also a trained zombie killer), Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a blending of two genres that is so bizarre, it works perfectly.
Quirk Books, 2009
A revival of Jane Austen’s classic novel…but with zombies. Elizabeth Bennet is still the endearing young woman millions have fallen in love with, and now, she’s also a trained zombie killer. With the same cast of characters, including the rest of the Bennet clan and Mr. Darcy (who's also a trained zombie killer), Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a blending of two genres that is so bizarre, it works perfectly.
![Picture](/uploads/1/5/5/0/15509512/5024515.jpg?88)
Chemical Gardens by Gina Ranalli
Afterbirth Books, 2006
A Bizarro version of the Wizard of Oz. The four members of the punk band Green is the Enemy are on their way to what may be the most important show of their career, until an earthquake hits, and they find themselves trapped in an underground city. This book follows the general plot of the Wizard of Oz, but with an even stranger cast of characters including demons, killer rabbits, and a Metal Priestess who holds the key to the punk rockers’ freedom.
Afterbirth Books, 2006
A Bizarro version of the Wizard of Oz. The four members of the punk band Green is the Enemy are on their way to what may be the most important show of their career, until an earthquake hits, and they find themselves trapped in an underground city. This book follows the general plot of the Wizard of Oz, but with an even stranger cast of characters including demons, killer rabbits, and a Metal Priestess who holds the key to the punk rockers’ freedom.
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Boys That Bite (A Blood Coven Vampire Novel) by Mari Mancusi
Berkley Trade, 2006
A vampire-ish spin on mistaken identity. Rayne is secretly planning on becoming a vampire, but the night she is supposed to be bitten, her twin sister, Sunny, is mistakenly chosen instead. Sunny, Rayne, and the vampire who bit her, Magnus, must race to find a reversal to the venom before Sunny becomes a perpetual vampire— and misses out on prom! Written with a witty narrative, not to mention comparisons to Buffy, and likeable characters, Boys That Bite is a fast read in a fun series of vampire books. More about the Blood Coven novels.
Berkley Trade, 2006
A vampire-ish spin on mistaken identity. Rayne is secretly planning on becoming a vampire, but the night she is supposed to be bitten, her twin sister, Sunny, is mistakenly chosen instead. Sunny, Rayne, and the vampire who bit her, Magnus, must race to find a reversal to the venom before Sunny becomes a perpetual vampire— and misses out on prom! Written with a witty narrative, not to mention comparisons to Buffy, and likeable characters, Boys That Bite is a fast read in a fun series of vampire books. More about the Blood Coven novels.
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The Cranston Gibberer by Martin Mundt
Bad Moon Books, 2011
In this short story told through letters of correspondence, “H” writes to his friend “X” about the ancient monster known as the Cranston Gibberer. As H learns more about the monster, he begins to fear it is after him; or is this fear all in his head? Readers will enjoy the mystery, suspense, and randomness as they follow H while he chronicles his discoveries of the Cranston Gibberer, maybe, the loss of his own sanity.
Bad Moon Books, 2011
In this short story told through letters of correspondence, “H” writes to his friend “X” about the ancient monster known as the Cranston Gibberer. As H learns more about the monster, he begins to fear it is after him; or is this fear all in his head? Readers will enjoy the mystery, suspense, and randomness as they follow H while he chronicles his discoveries of the Cranston Gibberer, maybe, the loss of his own sanity.
![Picture](/uploads/1/5/5/0/15509512/5983490.jpg?82)
Haunting Blue by R.J. Sullivan
Damnation Books, 2010
When Blue moves to a small town in Indiana, she befriends a computer nerd named Chip who joins her on the search for missing money stolen in a bank heist years before. During their search, the friends awaken a ghost who has other plans for them. While this book may not be laugh-out-loud funny, it is an entertaining story of hauntings, romance, and independence tied together by well-developed and amusing characters.
Damnation Books, 2010
When Blue moves to a small town in Indiana, she befriends a computer nerd named Chip who joins her on the search for missing money stolen in a bank heist years before. During their search, the friends awaken a ghost who has other plans for them. While this book may not be laugh-out-loud funny, it is an entertaining story of hauntings, romance, and independence tied together by well-developed and amusing characters.
![Picture](/uploads/1/5/5/0/15509512/410744.jpg?87)
The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses by Ty Drago
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2011
What happens when you realize that almost everyone around you turns out to be a living corpse? One day, Will Ritter discovers that he can see what no one else can, that they are surrounded by walking corpses. When the corpses find out Will can see them for what they really are, he becomes their target. Will soon joins a group of teen guerrillas called The Undertakers who try to stop the corpses from taking over the world. Although this book is suitable for children as young as ten, teenagers and adults should not shy away from it. The Undertakers is a lively story that reads quick, and is a new take on zombie stories. Also check out the sequel, The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead.
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2011
What happens when you realize that almost everyone around you turns out to be a living corpse? One day, Will Ritter discovers that he can see what no one else can, that they are surrounded by walking corpses. When the corpses find out Will can see them for what they really are, he becomes their target. Will soon joins a group of teen guerrillas called The Undertakers who try to stop the corpses from taking over the world. Although this book is suitable for children as young as ten, teenagers and adults should not shy away from it. The Undertakers is a lively story that reads quick, and is a new take on zombie stories. Also check out the sequel, The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead.
*Because of the nature of the genre, some of the books on this list may be too gruesome and/or disturbing for readers under a certain age. While I chose books that I think are fun and enjoyable to read, some of the subject matter may not be agreeable to everyone.