36 Books like A Monster Calls

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman • 2008

A graveyard of ghosts adopts the sole survivor of a family massacre, hiding him from his hunters.

4.15

568k+

🪦 Graveyard Fantasy 🌙 Gothic Coming Of Age 🖤 Found Family 👦 Orphaned Protagonist 🕯️ Secret Society

The Graveyard Book 92%

A graveyard of ghosts adopts the sole survivor of a family massacre, hiding him from his hunters.

by Neil Gaiman 2008

4.15

568k+ ratings

🪦 Graveyard Fantasy 🌙 Gothic Coming Of Age 🖤 Found Family 👦 Orphaned Protagonist 🕯️ Secret Society

You Must Not Miss

by Katrina Leno • 2019

A teenage outcast's imaginary world becomes real. She uses it to make people disappear.

3.39

3k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🔥 Revenge Fantasy ⚠️ Magic With A Cost 💔 Toxic Friendship 🖤 Psychological Horror

You Must Not Miss 92%

A teenage outcast's imaginary world becomes real. She uses it to make people disappear.

by Katrina Leno 2019

3.39

3k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🔥 Revenge Fantasy ⚠️ Magic With A Cost 💔 Toxic Friendship 🖤 Psychological Horror

Furthermore

by Tahereh Mafi • 2016

A colorless girl follows a secret-reading boy into a hungry otherworld to find her missing father.

3.89

16k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy ⚠️ Dangerous Wonderland 🤝 Enemies To Friends 🦊 Trickster Companion 🔍 Missing Parent Quest

Furthermore 92%

A colorless girl follows a secret-reading boy into a hungry otherworld to find her missing father.

by Tahereh Mafi 2016

3.89

16k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy ⚠️ Dangerous Wonderland 🤝 Enemies To Friends 🦊 Trickster Companion 🔍 Missing Parent Quest

Inkheart

by Cornelia Funke • 2003

Her father reads book characters to life. The villain he freed will do anything to stay real.

3.93

444k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🪞 Metafiction 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📚 Bookish Protagonist

Inkheart 91%

Her father reads book characters to life. The villain he freed will do anything to stay real.

by Cornelia Funke 2003

3.93

444k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🪞 Metafiction 👨‍👧 Father-Daughter Bond 🦸 Reluctant Hero 📚 Bookish Protagonist

Shadow Forest

by Matt Haig • 2007

After their parents die, two siblings enter a Norwegian forest where shadows are stolen.

3.97

2k+

✨ Modern Fairy Tale 🌲 Norse Folklore Fantasy 👫 Orphaned Siblings 🏠 Found Family 🎭 Tragic Villain

Shadow Forest 91%

After their parents die, two siblings enter a Norwegian forest where shadows are stolen.

by Matt Haig 2007

3.97

2k+ ratings

✨ Modern Fairy Tale 🌲 Norse Folklore Fantasy 👫 Orphaned Siblings 🏠 Found Family 🎭 Tragic Villain

The Losting Fountain

by Lora Senf • 2024

Across three eras, lost teens are drawn to a shifting realm where monsters are breaking free.

3.68

121

🚪 Liminal Fantasy ⏳ Alternating Timelines 💔 Sibling Loss 🦴 Monstrous Transformation 🕯️ Redemptive Sacrifice

The Losting Fountain 91%

Across three eras, lost teens are drawn to a shifting realm where monsters are breaking free.

by Lora Senf 2024

3.68

121 ratings

🚪 Liminal Fantasy ⏳ Alternating Timelines 💔 Sibling Loss 🦴 Monstrous Transformation 🕯️ Redemptive Sacrifice

When I Was Death

by Alexis Henderson • 2026

A grieving girl accepts Death's bargain: become his reaper, learn how her sister died.

3.63

1k+

💀 Supernatural Reapers 👥 Found Family 💔 Sibling Loss 🖤 Death Personified 🌾 Midwest Gothic

When I Was Death 91%

A grieving girl accepts Death's bargain: become his reaper, learn how her sister died.

by Alexis Henderson 2026

3.63

1k+ ratings

💀 Supernatural Reapers 👥 Found Family 💔 Sibling Loss 🖤 Death Personified 🌾 Midwest Gothic

A Path Begins

by J.A. White • 2014

After finding a spellbook, an outcast girl must protect her sick brother from a rival witch.

3.97

6k+

🔥 Witch Hunt 📖 Forbidden Spellbook 💉 Addictive Magic 👧 Protective Sister ⛪ Puritan Village

A Path Begins 91%

After finding a spellbook, an outcast girl must protect her sick brother from a rival witch.

by J.A. White 2014

3.97

6k+ ratings

🔥 Witch Hunt 📖 Forbidden Spellbook 💉 Addictive Magic 👧 Protective Sister ⛪ Puritan Village

Imaginaria

by Kristopher Rodas • 2022

A bullied boy's invisible friend leads him into a dark realm where his wounds become monsters.

4.25

2k+

🧸 Imaginary Friend Horror 🌴 Latin American Gothic 🌊 Surreal Nightmare 💔 Childhood Cruelty 🩸 Trauma Made Manifest

Imaginaria 91%

A bullied boy's invisible friend leads him into a dark realm where his wounds become monsters.

by Kristopher Rodas 2022

4.25

2k+ ratings

🧸 Imaginary Friend Horror 🌴 Latin American Gothic 🌊 Surreal Nightmare 💔 Childhood Cruelty 🩸 Trauma Made Manifest

We Are All So Good at Smiling

by Amber McBride • 2023

After a psych ward, two magical teens discover their sorrow has become a haunted forest.

3.83

6k+

📖 Verse Novel 🧚 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Hoodoo Magic 🖤 Teen Depression 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital

We Are All So Good at Smiling 91%

After a psych ward, two magical teens discover their sorrow has become a haunted forest.

by Amber McBride 2023

3.83

6k+ ratings

📖 Verse Novel 🧚 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Hoodoo Magic 🖤 Teen Depression 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital

The Gunslinger

by Stephen King • 1982

A gunslinger tracks a dark sorcerer through a dead world toward the tower binding all creation.

3.91

669k+

🤠 Weird Western 🏜️ Desert Wasteland 🎯 Obsessive Quest 🌌 Cosmic Dread 🏚️ Decaying World

The Gunslinger 91%

A gunslinger tracks a dark sorcerer through a dead world toward the tower binding all creation.

by Stephen King 1982

3.91

669k+ ratings

🤠 Weird Western 🏜️ Desert Wasteland 🎯 Obsessive Quest 🌌 Cosmic Dread 🏚️ Decaying World

Beyond the Phantom Glow

by Abe Moss • 2021

A psychic teen must destroy the cursed suitcase that returns the dead before her town vanishes.

4.45

389

👽 Cosmic Horror 💔 Grief Horror 🫂 Found Family 🧳 Cursed Object 🏘️ Small-Town Horror

Beyond the Phantom Glow 91%

A psychic teen must destroy the cursed suitcase that returns the dead before her town vanishes.

by Abe Moss 2021

4.45

389 ratings

👽 Cosmic Horror 💔 Grief Horror 🫂 Found Family 🧳 Cursed Object 🏘️ Small-Town Horror

Lonely Castle in the Mirror

by Mizuki Tsujimura • 2017

Her mirror reveals a castle where six other lost kids become friends a wish would erase.

4.23

41k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌿 Quiet Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 😶 Social Withdrawal 💪 Bullying Survival

Lonely Castle in the Mirror 91%

Her mirror reveals a castle where six other lost kids become friends a wish would erase.

by Mizuki Tsujimura 2017

4.23

41k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌿 Quiet Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 😶 Social Withdrawal 💪 Bullying Survival

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin • 2015

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

4.10

45k+

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Thing About Jellyfish 90%

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

by Ali Benjamin 2015

4.10

45k+ ratings

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Bell Between Worlds

by Ian Johnstone • 2013

A boy follows a phantom bell into a mirror world to uncover his mother's fate.

3.77

511

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 🧒 Orphaned Hero ⭐ Chosen One Prophecy 🗝️ Hidden Magical World

The Bell Between Worlds 90%

A boy follows a phantom bell into a mirror world to uncover his mother's fate.

by Ian Johnstone 2013

3.77

511 ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🫂 Found Family 🧒 Orphaned Hero ⭐ Chosen One Prophecy 🗝️ Hidden Magical World

Gallant

by V.E. Schwab • 2022

A mute orphan inherits a crumbling manor where a garden wall barely holds back the dark.

3.70

150k+

🏚️ Gothic Manor 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🖤 Found Family 🕯️ Family Curse 👻 Ghostly Allies

Gallant 90%

A mute orphan inherits a crumbling manor where a garden wall barely holds back the dark.

by V.E. Schwab 2022

3.70

150k+ ratings

🏚️ Gothic Manor 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🖤 Found Family 🕯️ Family Curse 👻 Ghostly Allies

Small Spaces

by Katherine Arden • 2018

Her class trip vanishes into mist where scarecrows walk and a smiling man bargains for souls.

4.01

30k+

🧒 Middle Grade Horror ☕ Cozy Horror 📖 Haunted Diary 💔 Grieving Protagonist 🤝 Dangerous Bargains

Small Spaces 90%

Her class trip vanishes into mist where scarecrows walk and a smiling man bargains for souls.

by Katherine Arden 2018

4.01

30k+ ratings

🧒 Middle Grade Horror ☕ Cozy Horror 📖 Haunted Diary 💔 Grieving Protagonist 🤝 Dangerous Bargains

The Crowns of Croswald

by D.E. Night • 2017

An orphaned maid's forgotten past is the only weapon against a queen who feeds on forgetting.

3.79

4k+

🏰 Magical Boarding School 👑 Hidden Royal Heir 🔮 Memory Magic 💕 Found Family ✨ Whimsical Magic

The Crowns of Croswald 90%

An orphaned maid's forgotten past is the only weapon against a queen who feeds on forgetting.

by D.E. Night 2017

3.79

4k+ ratings

🏰 Magical Boarding School 👑 Hidden Royal Heir 🔮 Memory Magic 💕 Found Family ✨ Whimsical Magic

Anomaly

by K.A. Emmons • 2020

A foster kid with dangerous powers hides his secret from the family that already wants him gone.

4.06

126

🏠 Foster Care Fiction 🧠 Psychic Powers 👴 Mysterious Mentor 💕 Found Family 🌧️ Outsider Protagonist

Anomaly 90%

A foster kid with dangerous powers hides his secret from the family that already wants him gone.

by K.A. Emmons 2020

4.06

126 ratings

🏠 Foster Care Fiction 🧠 Psychic Powers 👴 Mysterious Mentor 💕 Found Family 🌧️ Outsider Protagonist

The Book of Lost Things

by John Connolly • 2006

A boy follows his dead mother's voice into a dark fairy-tale world where bargains demand betrayal.

3.96

86k+

🖤 Twisted Fairy Tales 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌒 Dark Coming Of Age 💔 Sibling Betrayal ⚡ Dangerous Bargains

The Book of Lost Things 90%

A boy follows his dead mother's voice into a dark fairy-tale world where bargains demand betrayal.

by John Connolly 2006

3.96

86k+ ratings

🖤 Twisted Fairy Tales 🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌒 Dark Coming Of Age 💔 Sibling Betrayal ⚡ Dangerous Bargains

Wishing Season

by Anica Mrose Rissi • 2023

She finds a secret place where her dead twin still waits, but the place is shrinking.

4.32

273

🖤 Grieving A Sibling 👥 Twin Bond 👻 Ghostly Visits ☀️ Summer Of Healing 🏝️ Island Life

Wishing Season 90%

She finds a secret place where her dead twin still waits, but the place is shrinking.

by Anica Mrose Rissi 2023

4.32

273 ratings

🖤 Grieving A Sibling 👥 Twin Bond 👻 Ghostly Visits ☀️ Summer Of Healing 🏝️ Island Life

The Thirteenth Child

by Erin A. Craig • 2024

Claimed by the god of death, a healer cures the sick but sees who must die.

4.03

25k+

🕯️ Gothic Fantasy 🧚‍♀️ Dark Fairytale 💀 Chosen By Death 👁️ Death's Mark ❤️‍🔥 Star Crossed Lovers

The Thirteenth Child 90%

Claimed by the god of death, a healer cures the sick but sees who must die.

by Erin A. Craig 2024

4.03

25k+ ratings

🕯️ Gothic Fantasy 🧚‍♀️ Dark Fairytale 💀 Chosen By Death 👁️ Death's Mark ❤️‍🔥 Star Crossed Lovers

The Spook's Apprentice

by Joseph Delaney • 2004

A witch hunter's seventh-son apprentice makes one promise and releases an imprisoned evil.

4.02

54k+

🏚️ Folk Horror Fantasy 📚 Mentor And Apprentice 🌙 Seventh Son Destiny 👻 Spooky Middle Grade 🚪 Gateway Horror

The Spook's Apprentice 90%

A witch hunter's seventh-son apprentice makes one promise and releases an imprisoned evil.

by Joseph Delaney 2004

4.02

54k+ ratings

🏚️ Folk Horror Fantasy 📚 Mentor And Apprentice 🌙 Seventh Son Destiny 👻 Spooky Middle Grade 🚪 Gateway Horror

This Savage Song

by Victoria Schwab • 2016

Daughter of a tyrant, ally of a monster: one friendship that could burn a divided city.

4.03

113k+

🏙️ Gothic Urban 🖋️ Lyrical Prose 🎭 Monster Duality 🫂 Found Family ⚔️ Reluctant Allies

This Savage Song 90%

Daughter of a tyrant, ally of a monster: one friendship that could burn a divided city.

by Victoria Schwab 2016

4.03

113k+ ratings

🏙️ Gothic Urban 🖋️ Lyrical Prose 🎭 Monster Duality 🫂 Found Family ⚔️ Reluctant Allies

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend

by Michelle Cuevas • 2017

His twin sister alone sees him. Jacques Papier is her imaginary friend, yearning to be real.

4.19

3k+

🫥 Imaginary Friend 🤔 Philosophical Fantasy 👯 Twin Bond 🍂 Letting Go 💔 Bittersweet

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend Summary

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend 90%

His twin sister alone sees him. Jacques Papier is her imaginary friend, yearning to be real.

by Michelle Cuevas 2017

4.19

3k+ ratings

🫥 Imaginary Friend 🤔 Philosophical Fantasy 👯 Twin Bond 🍂 Letting Go 💔 Bittersweet

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo • 2001

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

3.84

33k+

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

The Tiger Rising 90%

A grieving boy, a caged tiger, and a fierce girl who believes both should run free.

by Kate DiCamillo 2001

3.84

33k+ ratings

✒️ Lyrical Middle Grade 🖤 Childhood Grief 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🔒 Trapped Emotions 🌿 Quiet And Tender

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite

by Pierre Bottero • 2002

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

4.06

136

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite Summary

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite 90%

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

by Pierre Bottero 2002

4.06

136 ratings

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

Coraline

by Neil Gaiman • 2002

Her other mother is perfect, doting, and wants to keep Coraline forever behind sewn-shut eyes.

4.13

788k+

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Dark Fairy Tale 👁️ Uncanny Doppelgangers 🧠 Clever Girl Hero 🕯️ Creeping Dread

Coraline 90%

Her other mother is perfect, doting, and wants to keep Coraline forever behind sewn-shut eyes.

by Neil Gaiman 2002

4.13

788k+ ratings

🚪 Portal Fantasy 🌑 Dark Fairy Tale 👁️ Uncanny Doppelgangers 🧠 Clever Girl Hero 🕯️ Creeping Dread

Tiger Eyes

by Judy Blume • 2005

After her father's murder, a girl moves to the desert and finds healing with a stranger.

3.92

19k+

💔 Grieving A Parent 🌱 Healing From Loss 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👫 Sibling Bond 😰 Panic Attacks

Tiger Eyes 90%

After her father's murder, a girl moves to the desert and finds healing with a stranger.

by Judy Blume 2005

3.92

19k+ ratings

💔 Grieving A Parent 🌱 Healing From Loss 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👫 Sibling Bond 😰 Panic Attacks

Sabriel

by Garth Nix • 1995

A student necromancer searches for her father in Death, carrying his seven bells across the wall.

4.16

219k+

💀 Necromancer Protagonist 🚪 Portal Fantasy 👑 Reluctant Heir 🐱 Talking Cat 🫂 Found Family

Sabriel 90%

A student necromancer searches for her father in Death, carrying his seven bells across the wall.

by Garth Nix 1995

4.16

219k+ ratings

💀 Necromancer Protagonist 🚪 Portal Fantasy 👑 Reluctant Heir 🐱 Talking Cat 🫂 Found Family

I Had That Same Dream Again

by Yoru Sumino • 2016

A schoolgirl seeks the meaning of happiness from three mysterious women who vanish without a trace.

4.24

4k+

📖 Japanese Light Novel 🤔 Philosophical Fiction 👧 Child Protagonist 🤝 Intergenerational Bond 🍂 Bittersweet

I Had That Same Dream Again 90%

A schoolgirl seeks the meaning of happiness from three mysterious women who vanish without a trace.

by Yoru Sumino 2016

4.24

4k+ ratings

📖 Japanese Light Novel 🤔 Philosophical Fiction 👧 Child Protagonist 🤝 Intergenerational Bond 🍂 Bittersweet

Counting by 7s

by Holly Goldberg Sloan • 2013

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

4.14

88k+

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

Counting by 7s 90%

Orphaned at twelve, a plant-obsessed genius grows a new family from the strangers around her.

by Holly Goldberg Sloan 2013

4.14

88k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 🧠 Neurodivergent Kid 💔 Grief And Healing 🌼 Quiet Resilience 👨‍🏫 Unlikely Guardian

Quidditch Through the Ages

by J.K. Rowling • 2001

The secret history of the wizarding world's favorite sport, from marshland origins to modern glory.

3.79

190k+

📜 Fictional History 🧹 Broomstick Flying 🪄 Wizarding Culture ⚔️ Sports Rivalry 📚 Whimsical Reference

Quidditch Through the Ages 90%

The secret history of the wizarding world's favorite sport, from marshland origins to modern glory.

by J.K. Rowling 2001

3.79

190k+ ratings

📜 Fictional History 🧹 Broomstick Flying 🪄 Wizarding Culture ⚔️ Sports Rivalry 📚 Whimsical Reference

Lady of Shadows

by Amber Argyle • 2020

Fleeing a killer into a cursed forest, a shamed girl finds refuge with an exiled enchanter.

4.12

157

🩹 Trauma Recovery 🌙 New Adult Fantasy 💔 Wounded Hero 👹 Monster As Metaphor 🌳 Enchanted Forest

Lady of Shadows 90%

Fleeing a killer into a cursed forest, a shamed girl finds refuge with an exiled enchanter.

by Amber Argyle 2020

4.12

157 ratings

🩹 Trauma Recovery 🌙 New Adult Fantasy 💔 Wounded Hero 👹 Monster As Metaphor 🌳 Enchanted Forest

The Night Gardener

by Jonathan Auxier • 2014

Two orphans take work at a crumbling manor where a wish-granting tree extracts a terrible price.

4.05

22k+

👻 Middle Grade Horror 🏚️ Gothic Fantasy 🪵 Cursed Wishes 🐺 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Cursed Estate

The Night Gardener 90%

Two orphans take work at a crumbling manor where a wish-granting tree extracts a terrible price.

by Jonathan Auxier 2014

4.05

22k+ ratings

👻 Middle Grade Horror 🏚️ Gothic Fantasy 🪵 Cursed Wishes 🐺 Dark Fairy Tale 🕯️ Cursed Estate

Dangerous Angels

by Francesca Lia Block • 1998

In 90s LA, three genie wishes build a girl a found family, but love battles heartbreak.

4.25

9k+

✨ Magical Realism 🏠 Found Family 🧷 Punk Fairy Tale 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 🩸 AIDS Crisis

Dangerous Angels 90%

In 90s LA, three genie wishes build a girl a found family, but love battles heartbreak.

by Francesca Lia Block 1998

4.25

9k+ ratings

✨ Magical Realism 🏠 Found Family 🧷 Punk Fairy Tale 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 🩸 AIDS Crisis

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