4.21 avg rating — 271,085 ratings

"This novel gave to me the most frightening reading experience I've ever had. Although I saw the movie long before I ever read the book I have to say that Blatty is one of my favorites of the 20th century horror writers. The thought of the demon that possessed the body and mind and voice of little Regan MacNeil is one I will never ever be able to let go of."

3.94 avg rating — 179,059 ratings

"I am terrified of falling in, swimming in, floating on, or even being near the ocean because of the movie based on this book, and although I read the novel after watching the movie I can never think about the deep vastness and mysteries of the oceans and seas without conjuring up the image of a killer Great White, named 'Jaws'."

4.24 avg rating — 1,266,290 ratings

"This was the book that drew me into horror fiction completely and made me want to devour everything. I could not put this book down the Christmas that I unwrapped it and started reading it. Incredible story. The freaky clown, mixed with urban legends of clowns and vans, mixed with true news stories of psychopathic serial killer clowns, and the other events that take place in this novel have claimed permanent real estate in my unconscious thoughts."

4.35 avg rating — 833,797 ratings

"I love apocalyptic virus stories, and this one had me hooked."

3.68 avg rating — 13,613 ratings

"This novel is what the film "Exorcist III: I Am Legion" is based on, which I found very eerie and chilling. The Columbo-like main character, Detective Kinderman, combined with his priest friend, Father Karras, a supernatural killer with vampire-like behaviors, a hospital murder scene, and dialogue and imagery related to the demons, religious conflict, and pure evil, are all the many elements that combine to form one of the greatest horror fiction novels written between 1950 and 2000. There is a lot of commentary abour philosophy and metaphysics in this one, which leads many readers to cry that this novel is not a horror fiction novel, but I disagree. There are monsters. There are killers. There are chilling and eerie images all over the pages. Some of the elements of this story make up some of the most frightening images that have become permanently ingrained on my psyche. Read it. I doubt you will be disappointed."

4.19 avg rating — 29,939 ratings

"Clive Barker's writing was inventive and more literary than the writing of other horror novelists I had been introduced to before, and I was hooked on the idea of checking out his writing after watching the first "Hellraiser" movie. I've been a fan ever since. He discussed the subjects of the fine lines between life and death, pain and pleasure, and dark and light, and his writing inspired me to study Psychology and Anthropology and Sociology. This trilogy right here is an excellent place to start any horror fiction collection."

4.23 avg rating — 846,853 ratings

"The movie with Kathleen Bates is incredible, and I was happy to have read the book first. The book was another King novel that stuck to my fingertips and my night and day thoughts and would not let go until I put down the novel after reading the last page. This is a classic."

4.08 avg rating — 697,801 ratings

"This story is just very, very sad and scary. The movie was also very frightening, but the novel was where my fears all came alive."

4.28 avg rating — 1,703,296 ratings

"I saw the Kubrick film first, and it was amazingly frightening, but this novel is well worth reading. I would recommend anyone who has not seen the movies to read this novel first. I love how King exposes the thoughts and images that run through his characters' minds."

4.10 avg rating — 658,851 ratings

"This is just a must-read for any horror fan. Although I would also rate this as one of King's best it's definitely not his number one (IT, The Shining, Pet Semetary...) a very influential story. It's definitely in my top 50."

4.04 avg rating — 69,814 ratings

"A very scary book."

3.97 avg rating — 137,600 ratings

"I love the stories that make up this anthology. I'd say that this is a good one to start a reader on to the work of King, if that reader does not want to commit to a novel."

4.08 avg rating — 68,444 ratings

"This is one of Barker's best, although I am partial to the Books of Blood stories."

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 136,292 ratings

"This is one of the best apocalyptic / dystopian / vampire / zombie books ever written, and it inspired some of the best horror minds of our time."

4.02 avg rating — 649,238 ratings

"Although I did not find this book particularly frightening, I find the Vampire Chronicles stories to be among the best of the vampire stories written in the past 50 years."

3.81 avg rating — 21,256 ratings

"Good Barker."

3.81 avg rating — 393,367 ratings

"One of the most influential horror fiction novels every written."

3.92 avg rating — 83,097 ratings

"I love this story."

3.80 avg rating — 321,066 ratings

"What happens to the people and the dog in this novel is so scary you will be on edge the whole read. I loved this novel."

3.86 avg rating — 263,424 ratings

"Creepy."

3.88 avg rating — 27,669 ratings

"The story of why The Fog rolls in is a real hook."

4.05 avg rating — 159,023 ratings

"Demon baby. Like 'The Omen'... a must-read."

4.11 avg rating — 216,590 ratings

"More Vampire Chronicles. A real good one."

3.83 avg rating — 137,987 ratings

"I'm not sure if it is the background story to this novel or the novel itself that scares me more, but this is one of the most terrifying stories ever written."

4.07 avg rating — 372,699 ratings

"This novel is terrifying because of the immense power and emotion behind the behavior of its main character. Whatever is going on in there is unbelievably horrifying and captivating at the same time. Cannibalism is a major thread between the 'Silence of the Lambs', 'Hannibal', and 'Red Dragon' story."

4.13 avg rating — 77,417 ratings

"Supposedly, Robert Bloch was very much influenced by the story of serial killer, Edward Gein, in writing the novel, 'Psycho'. Whatever it was that inspired him helped him to put down some of the scariest words every written. This is a must-read."

4.06 avg rating — 153,951 ratings

"I don't know who thought to add this to the list, since it is not a fiction novel, at all. I read this one when I was about 12 or 13 years old, after seeing the movie, 'Helter Skelter'. This story scared the piss out of me."

4.13 avg rating — 34,080 ratings

4.27 avg rating — 4,655 ratings

3.93 avg rating — 161,728 ratings

4.17 avg rating — 24,379 ratings

3.92 avg rating — 22,520 ratings

3.69 avg rating — 63,166 ratings

3.95 avg rating — 87,842 ratings

3.99 avg rating — 844,207 ratings

3.98 avg rating — 278,438 ratings

4.06 avg rating — 31,335 ratings