YA Christian Fiction Thrillers, Suspense, & Horror: 9 Books to Keep You on Edge

Adrenaline-packed fiction doesn’t have to compromise faith. 

If you’re the kind of bookworm who likes the feel of your heart slamming against your ribcage but sometimes forgoes the latest horror flick on account of questionable content, I’ve got you covered. The five YA Christian fiction thrillers, suspense novels, and horror stories featured in this week’s post are sure to keep you up at night. But in addition to nail-biting plot twists and heart-pumping suspense, you’ll find:

1. A Christian worldview
2. Little or no sexual content
3. Little or no profanity
4. Appropriate levels of violence

I have personally read every book on this list, then studied the ratings and reviews of other readers to give you an accurate picture of each so you can decide if it’s something that belongs on your TBR list. As Amazon and Goodreads reviews will tell you, expectations among any given genre are highly subjective.

(Avid lovers of Christian YA horror books, for example, can’t agree on what exactly constitutes a phenomenal horror story: Psychological torture or a heart-pumping race from physical danger? Your call.)

But these Christian YA suspense novels appeal to a large number of readers, so I challenge you to give them a whirl!

A note about violence: The battle against evil is a common element in Christian YA thrillers, suspense, and horror novels, therefore most of these books contain some form of violence. For your benefit, I comment on the specific violence level of each book in the individual reviews. Be assured, however, that even the higher-violence books on this list are still, in my opinion, confined to a level appropriate to the story and a YA audience. But this is my opinion. Use your discretion.

When I first picked this book up, I wasn’t sure if I’d be reading a thriller, a horror, or a paranormal. And after reading it…I’m still not quite sure how I’d categorize it. It had elements of all three. 

But it was definitely suspenseful.

In this story, four recent high school graduates—Bradley, Jason, Archer, and Tim—return from a weekend of camping to find empty streets, abandoned cars, and utter silence. Electronics won’t work. The wind has stopped. Everyone has disappeared. As the friends attempt to solve the mystery, they learn that nothing was ever quite what it seemed on Echo Island and they’re drawn into a deep secret—the forces of which they struggle against.

Echo Island offers perspective on God, the meaning of life, and the nature of reality—in a very roundabout way. If you’re not a regular reader of fantasy, some of the more mystical elements might boggle your mind but even so, this is a fascinating read. Bonus points for weaving C.S. Lewis into the plot.

What readers liked about this book:

• The split perspective of four male protagonists makes it appeal to male readers
• No romantic mush (though the arrival of a female character provides a counterbalance that female readers will appreciate)
• Vivid descriptions make you feel like you’re there
• Teenage characters were realistic and relatable without the need for crude talk
• Incorporates C.S. Lewis’s teachings

Incidence of graphic violence: Low-medium. Limited to a few fight scenes and several non-graphic deaths.

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If the term horror makes you think of chainsaw massacres, high body counts, and slasher whodunits, you’ll be pleasantly surprised (or disappointed?) by Frank Peretti’s Hangman’s Curse. Despite the connotations, Christian YA horror books are not dependent on blood and gore but on three elements:

1. suspense
2. real dread provoked by real monsters (human or otherwise)
3. hope (even false hope) in a happy ending.

In this gripping horror-thriller, a mysterious curse appears to be spreading throughout Baker High, leaving three popular student athletes with loss of muscle coordination, severe paranoia, and hallucinations, and the rest of the student body crippled with fear. As part of The Veritas Project—a group covertly commissioned by the President to investigate strange mysteries that delve into the paranormal and supernatural—teenage twins Elijah and Elisha, along with their parents, are called in to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

The underlying theme of the story is the devastating effect of bullying and intolerance. It also touches briefly on witchcraft, the paranormal, and Christian apologetics (an odd combination, yes, but skillfully pulled off). I loved the characters—even some of the bad ones, because I’ve felt their pain before.

What readers liked about this book:

• Successfully chilling (which I assume you want if you’re looking into horror novels)
• Cool science elements
• An intriguing sibling relationship
• Friendships between unlikely characters
• Obvious Christian worldview

Incidence of graphic violence: Low. There is a body count, but it is neither astronomical nor graphic. Arachnophobes, however, should beware.

Hangman’s Curse is the first book of the Veritas Project series, the rest of which I have not read yet.

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Eighteen-year-old Hale Frodele is presumed braindead after the tragic accident that claimed the life of his younger brother. Little does anyone know, Hale hears and understands everything with crystal clarity. He knows his father owes a large sum of money to a potentially dangerous man and the time to pay up is only 48 hours away. He’s aware that his unbelieving stepmother has been quietly blaming Hale for ruining her marriage to his father. And he believes—hopes—his best friend Gilbert, who still visits him weekly, is catching on to the sinister happenings in the Frodele household. 

But Hale cannot make himself be heard.

This story is told through split perspectives, alternating between Hale and his father. And while it starts out in a rather depressing situation, readers can look forward to a message of hope and redemption. Creston Mapes is a skilled storyteller who incorporates faith seamlessly into the story. 

Would you give up your faith if you were trapped inside a body with no way to speak up? See how Hale handles it.

What readers liked about this book:

• A unique premise
• Well-developed relationships between the characters
• Realistic and relatable characters (even the bad guys have soft spots you can’t help but sympathize with)
• Tackles hard themes through a Christian worldview

Incidence of graphic violence: Low. A few gunshot wounds and some mention of blood.

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Skilled authors of Christian books for teens know how to naturally integrate faith into the essence of their main character(s) rather than treating Christianity like a separate character, awkwardly standing around waiting to make a point. Andrew Klavan does a phenomenal job of naturally integrating faith into the hero in his YA Christian fiction thriller series, starting with Book 1: The Last Thing I Remember.

Charlie West wakes up in a torture room with no recollection of how he got there. The last thing he remembers is falling into bed with a smile on his face after an ordinary school day. Homework, karate practice, friends, the pretty girl who wrote her number on his hand… It was only yesterday, right?

But then a strange voice outside the door orders his death and his concerns go from How did I get here? to How am I gonna make it out alive?

The writing in this novel is straightforward without a lot of fluff, and the reader is offered regular reprieves from the intense action through flashbacks to the last day Charlie remembers of normal high school life (including a sweet, first crush). What stands out most about this book according to many Goodreads reviewers, however, is the hero himself. See why in my post Standout Characters in YA Novels.

What readers liked about the books in this series:

• Plenty of action and plot twists
• Keen use of breaks from the action (gives you a chance to catch your breath)
• A peculiar mystery
• A hero with a big heart and a black belt in karate (and he knows how to use both)
• Clearly a work of Christian fiction—doesn’t attempt to disguise the religious elements
• Christian elements are integrated naturally—no need for preachiness

Incidence of graphic violence: Medium-High. There are numerous fight scenes and shootouts throughout the series, but the violence passes quickly and avoids toeing the line of inappropriateness. Book 2, in particular, has a lot of blood in the beginning. Something to keep in mind if you wish to avoid that kind of material.

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When 18-year-old Charlene’s twin brother Max disappears and her uber-rich, coldhearted grandfather refuses to take the ransom note seriously, Charlene goes looking for Max on her own. What ensues is a chilling nightmare in a remote cabin as the twins struggle to survive a lack of basic comforts and the iron hand of their sadistic captor. 

If you enjoy stories about sibling relationships, this one fits the bill—times two. Readers of Frozen Footprints get to experience the nuances of a male-female relationship without the need for romance. Both characters are well-developed—as are the two apparent antagonists, one of whom is being forced to participate. You might even experience a moment of sympathy for the most despicable of them.

As far as faith elements, nowhere is the question “Where is God when I need him most?” more glaring than in Charlene and Max’s ordeal. Another prevalent theme is the struggle over choosing to do what’s right despite being forced to act on the contrary. Both are handled from a clearly Christian perspective. Note, however, that this book handles a lot of very dark themes, including kidnapping, torture, anger, hatred, and sadism. For this reason, I recommend it for mature readers, ages 16 and up.

What readers liked about this book:

• Sibling love and loyalty
• Sibling loyalty pitted against the choice to do what’s right
• Continued suspense
• Descriptive writing
• Dark themes tackled from an accurate Christian worldview

Incidence of graphic violence: HIGH. It’s not so much the frequency of the violence as it is the personal nature of it in this story. Charlene and her brother are dealing with a very deranged yet methodical kidnapper. Readers with extreme sensitivity to human suffering should beware. 

Seven generations of women in Susana Prather’s family have been lost to the Georgia swamp behind her house, and it looks like Susans is next. No matter how she tries to stop it, night after night she’s pulled from her safe bed in a state of sleepwalking, haunted by her own family legacy. It’s only a matter of time before she loses her mind and the swamp becomes her grave. Unless she can figure out how to break the curse.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t crazy about this book the first time I read it. The writing is fabulous, but all the talk of superstitions, curses, witchcraft, and paranormal activity made the Christian elements harder to pinpoint. However, this is a story about breaking generational cycles—the “I can’t help it” mentality vs. “I’m choosing to be this way”—and it’s played out very effectively through the curses. The messages of forgiveness, grace, and redemption are biblical.

What readers liked about this book:

• Southern culture and tradition
• Realistic portrayal of characters (no glazing over negative patterns or lifestyles)
• Touches on deep topics
• My favorite quote from the book: “God doesn’t curse people. We do.”

Content warning: Though no sex is confirmed or described, several steamy kissing scenes imply closed-door sexual activity and an undercurrent of lust continues throughout the story. Also prevalent is substance abuse by teens, though it’s more about showing the habits that are passed down through generations rather than promoting such activities. Readers sensitive to mental health struggles should beware.

Incidence of graphic violence: Low. Violence (suicide, murder, rape, abuse) is implied only through its aftermath.

Stay Tuned For More YA Christian Fiction Thrillers, Suspense, and Horror Recommendations!

As I read, I will add to this list. Know of any other great YA Christian fiction thrillers and horror novels you’d recommend? Send me a note and I’ll put it on my TBR list for the possibility of sharing here. And don’t forget to subscribe to my weekly note for blog updates and more recommendations for Christian books for teens.