The best fantasy and horror novels that transport your mind to realms of magic, mystery, and monsters of many kinds

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a Canadian author and artist that loves to write and draw the darker side of fantasy. Ever since I was a child, I have adored mythology, horror, and the creatures and worlds that are present within the fantasy genre. The world of fantasy has unlimited imagination, and its lore and structure grow constantly, which gives endless ideas to us writers to create endless brilliant realms and the creatures that dwell within them.


I wrote...

Voidoxity: The Eternal King

By James L.P. Thompson,

Book cover of Voidoxity: The Eternal King

What is my book about?

Demon King Aergos awakens after a thousand-year coma, with no memory of who he is nor his life. Becoming aware of certain catastrophic events of his past leading to his imprisonment inside of an ancient relic in the form of a crimson gemstone, he begins to traverse the realm of the relic, searching for answers to his life and a way to escape to the physical world. Finding a magical mirror within the relic’s realm, he makes contact with a woman named Kisara, who is also burdened with being imprisoned in her own way. They make a pact to help each other escape and begin a new journey together to find the Demon King’s ancient kingdom and the one responsible for sealing him away.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Essential Tales of H. P. Lovecraft

James L.P. Thompson Why did I love this book?

The Essential Tales of H.P. Lovecraft is a collection of some of Lovecraft’s famous horror stories. "The Call of Cthulhu" is one that I truly enjoyed the most. If you are a fan of horror and otherworldly beings, then I believe that you would love this book as much as I do. The creatures and the ambiance that are present in his stories are fascinating, and just give a wonderful look into the many worlds of horror and the unknown that he created. His works are some of the things that inspired me to become a dark fantasy writer and a gothic-style artist.

By H. P. Lovecraft,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Essential Tales of H. P. Lovecraft as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Discover the true meaning of fear with these classic horror stories.

The Essential Tales of H.P. Lovecraft collects one of the author's most popular novellas, At the Mountain of Madness, and six of his most famous short stories, including The Call of Cthulhu, The Shadow Out of Time, The Dunwich Horror, The Colour of Space, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, and The Whisperer in the Darkness. These hair-raising tales have inspired generations of authors and filmmakers, including Stephen King, Alan Moore, Guillermo del Toro, and Neil Gaiman. This elegantly designed clothbound edition features an elastic closure and a new introduction.

The…


Book cover of The Lightning Thief

James L.P. Thompson Why did I love this book?

The Percy Jackson novel series was always an interesting read when I was growing up, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy and mythology. When The Lightning Thief was published, I had gotten a copy and was not disappointed. It was an inspiration to me and continues to be even today, since I was and am a fan of mythology and the stories that come with them. Even now, the novel series is still amazing and an inspiration. The way Rick Riordan portrayed his characters, and their adventures was exciting and taught me a lot about the fantasy genre and what huge potential it has in its lore.

By Rick Riordan,

Why should I read it?

14 authors picked The Lightning Thief as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The Lightning Thief: the First book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.

The first bestselling book in Rick Riordan's phenomenally successful Percy Jackson series.

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky,…


Book cover of Artemis Fowl: Lost Colony

James L.P. Thompson Why did I love this book?

The Artemis Fowl series is one of my favourite reads. The Lost Colony was especially an enjoyable read due to its time traversing and presence of demons and magic. I recommend this novel and the entire Artemis Fowl series if you love a well-paced and enjoyable read into one of the many intricate worlds of fantasy. This novel is one of the many that inspired me to become a fantasy writer and gave me some inspiration and ideas when coming up with the storyline for my first novel.

By Eoin Colfer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Artemis Fowl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony is the stunning fifth audio adventure in Eoin Colfer's mega-selling Artemis Fowl series, read by the actor Adrian Dunbar.

Ten millennia ago, the fairy people were defeated in a great battle with mankind, forcing them to move underground. Only the 8th family of fairies remained undefeated: the demons. But now one demon has discovered the secrets of the fairy world, and if humans get hold of this information, the fairies are in BIG trouble. Only one person can prevent this disaster - teenage criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl

'Wickedly brilliant' Independent


Book cover of Dread Island: A Classics Mutilated Tale

James L.P. Thompson Why did I love this book?

Dread Island was an enjoyable read for me due to its mix of Lovecraftian horror intertwined with the old tales of Huckleberry Fin. The way Joe R. Lansdale depicted his version of the story was incredible and gave me the insight that anything can be made into a horror story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys horror, especially Lovecraftian-style horror.

By Joe R. Lansdale, Menton Mathews III (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dread Island as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Limited to remaining stock on hand! This "Monster Lit" mash-up novella from modern horror master Joe R. Lansdale, a highlight from the recent Classics Mutilated anthology, combines Lovecraft and Mark Twain in a way that can only be described as brilliant. Or, as Lansdale.


Book cover of Blood Feud

James L.P. Thompson Why did I love this book?

The Tekken fighting game franchise has always been an inspiration to me. When this comic book series came out, I was beyond thrilled, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Tekken is a series about a family battle between a son, father, and grandfather, all possessing a form of cursed bloodline and the desire for power and to become the best there is within a fighting tournament. This book and its visuals helped me finalize some of the character aspects within my first novel and helped me picture fight scenes being more powerful and ferocious. I recommend this book and its series to any who likes fantasy-like fights and fighting games/books.

By Cavan Scott, Andie Tong (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Blood Feud as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Based upon the biggest fighting videogame franchise of all time, Titan Comics/Bandai Namco's brand new TEKKEN comic series brings the fight right to the page in a bid to determine the true King of the Iron Fist! With a history colored by betrayal and bloody violence, the Mishima Clan are not your average family. Now something emerges that threatens to tear not only this broken dynasty but the entire known universe - asunder!


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Split Decision

By David Perlmutter,

Book cover of Split Decision

David Perlmutter Author Of The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a freelance writer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, specializing in media history and speculative fiction. I have been enchanted by animation since childhood and followed many series avidly through adulthood. My viewing inspired my MA thesis on the history of animation, out of which grew two books on the history and theory of animation on television, America 'Toons In: A History of Television Animation (available from McFarland and Co.) and The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows (available from Rowman and Littlefield). Hopefully, others will follow.

David's book list on understanding the history of animation

What is my book about?

Jefferson Ball, the mightiest female dog in a universe of the same, is, despite her anti-heroic behavior, intent on keeping her legacy as an athlete and adventurer intact. So, when female teenage robot Jody Ryder inadvertently angers her by smashing her high school records, Jefferson is intent on proving her superiority by outmuscling the robot in a not-so-fair fight. Not wanting to seem like a coward, and eager to end her enemy's trash talking, Jody agrees.

However, they have been lured to fight each other by circumstances beyond their control. Which are intent on destroying them if they don't destroy each other in combat first...

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in monsters, Lovecraftian horror, and Greek mythology?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about monsters, Lovecraftian horror, and Greek mythology.

Monsters Explore 153 books about monsters
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