Published by Puffin

Incubus by Nick Gifford

Danny’s father is in prison after killing people in a savage attack. Danny finds his father’s diary revealing his dark thoughts and that someone was whispering to him in his head. Now Danny is hearing voices in his head and is terrified of turning violent just like his father. Can he work out who is behind the voices and save himself before he ends up hurting somebody?

Published by Faber & Faber

Worm in the Blood by Thomas Bloor

It started with an itchy rash. Now it is spreading over Sam’s body and the only thing that cools it is the muddy waters of the marsh. Soon he is totally obsessed with the marsh to the extent that he is avoiding his friends and missing school. What Sam doesn’t know that this is the start of his family’s dreadful secret … a curse that has plagued his family for generations right back to when they lived on a small remote island off the coast of China. Sam needs to find out what is happening to him and if it is linked with the strange sightings of a sinister creature in his town.

Sequels: Beast Beneath the Skin; Heart of the Serpent

Published by Simon & Schuster

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper

Twins Connor and Grace are separated during a vicious storm that destroys their boat and are rescued by two very different ships … Connor finds himself on a notorious pirate ship whereas Grace is picked up by a mysterious ship and locked in a cabin under Captain’s orders for her own safety. Can Connor learn to fight to be a pirate plus search the oceans to find Grace? And who is this strange crew on Grace’s boat and is she really safe from them?

Set in the year 2505, this book cleverly combines vampires and pirates and will appeal to anybody who enjoys pirate adventures and vampire stories.

Sequels: Tide of Terror; Blood Captain; Black Heart

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

A strange and highly imaginative kind of modern fairytale, where Coraline enters the distorted world of her ‘other’ mother and father. This creepy world of illusions is created by the evil ‘other mother’ who is desperate to keep Coraline and to make her love her. The closeness of the other world, through the brick wall and mirror, is really scary and makes us think anything is possible. Coraline is an excellent heroine, brave and resourceful. A talking cat aids her in her adventure, in a world where sewn-on buttons replace real eyes and a spooky right hand pursues Coraline.

This book is really unusual in terms of plot and characters. Highly recommended and quite disturbing in places, this book is not for those easily frightened. The illustrations are fantastic!

Piggies by Nick Gifford

Ben wakes up into a nightmare world - a world of vampires! He begins to think that he is the only normal person around until he hears about the 'ferals' a group of people who live in the wood and don't drink blood. So he goes off searching for them, hoping that they can explain what has happened to him and find out how he can get back to his own world.

A brilliant story that twists the usual vampire theme where vampires are normal and walk in the daylight in this weird parallel world.

Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

Darren is your average normal schoolboy who loves things creepy crawling and anything that scares him – so he’s thrilled when he and his pal Steve are ‘invited’ one night to the Cirque du Freak, an illegal touring Freak Show. There they see horrors and sights that raise the hairs on the back of your neck and, your flesh crawls when Madam Octa appears … That’s when the real trouble starts – Steve’s in serious trouble at death’s door and only Darren can save him by doing a deal with the one person he fears … and he’s not even human!

And so the chilling saga of Darren Shan starts. “This is a true story. I don’t expect you to believe me – I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t lived it – but it is.” (p8)

 Not for the faint-hearted!

Sequels: The Vampire's Assistant; Tunnels Of Blood; Vampire Mountain; Trials Of Death; The Vampire Prince; Hunters of the Dusk; Allies of the Night; Killers of the Dawn: The Lake of Souls; Lord of the Shadows; Sons Of Destiny

Flesh & Blood by Nick Gifford

Matt finds the truth about his family at his grandmother’s funeral. But has he inherited his family’s dark secret? And is it a gift or a curse?

“This was no longer a dream, he was actually here … He made himself look around again. He had to get out of here, but how do you wake yourself from a dream that has entirely swallowed you up?” p2.

The Beast by Ann Evans

Amanda and Grant arrive in a beautiful secluded valley with their parents for a quiet peaceful holiday. They set up their caravan and tent beside the loch and small forest but right from the start, Amanda feels something is wrong. Nobody listens to her even though she catches glimpses of strange shadows fleeting down the mountainside and deep scratches start appearing on her brother Grant’s back. Can she persuade her family of the danger their in before the beast that is haunting the Valley of Shadows appears

The Wereling - Wounded by Stephen Cole

Tom Anderson is on holiday with his family – the last place he wants to be especially when he could be out having fun with his mates. He is saved from drowning by Kate and her family who look after him until he gets better. But Tom starts to realize that there’s something not quite right about this family … “Slowly, carefully, Tom eased himself off the bed like it might devour him if he made any sudden moves. He pushed aside the pillow and quilt, then pulled out one corner of the sheet from beneath the mattress. As he yanked the sheet away, he saw it. He backed away, wanted to cry out in horror but the bile was too hot and sharp in his throat.” P 48

Sequels: The Wereling – Prey; The Wereling – Resurrection