Best Horror Books with Demons: 5 Compared for Dark Fiction Fans

Readers hunting for the best horror books with demons face a crowded shelf: true horror, paranormal romance, demonology reference and even a coloring book all claim the keyword. We compared five by what each listing publishes: author, publisher, publication date, print length and what the description says, so you can pick the right kind of demon book.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	American Supernatural Tales by Joshi	9.8/10	Buy
2	The Dictionary of Demons by Belanger	9.6/10	Buy
3	Born in Fire by Breene	9.6/10	Buy
4	Demons the Answer Book by Sumrall	9.5/10	Buy
5	Let's Summon Demons by Rhodes	9.4/10	Buy

1

American Supernatural Tales by Joshi

S. T. Joshi·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 477-page Penguin Classics anthology of American supernatural tales, edited by S. T. Joshi, with contributions from Poe, Lovecraft and Shirley Jackson.

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Pros

• 477 pages of supernatural stories, per the listing.
• Includes Poe, Lovecraft and Shirley Jackson, per the description.
• Penguin Classics edition, published 2007.

Cons

• An anthology, not a single demon-centered narrative.
• 2007 publication; an older edition.
• Some stories may be familiar to horror readers.

2

The Dictionary of Demons by Belanger

M. Belanger·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 508-page expanded reference on demonology by M. Belanger, published by Llewellyn in 2021.

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Pros

• 508 pages, the longest pick here.
• Expanded second edition, per the description.
• Directly about demons, per the title.

Cons

• A reference work, not a horror narrative.
• 508 pages of entries; not a cover-to-cover read.
• The description's importance claims are the publisher's.

3

Born in Fire by Breene

K.F. Breene·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A paranormal romance about a supernatural bounty hunter, Book 1 of the Demon Days, Vampire Nights world, published 2017.

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Pros

• Demons are central, per the series title.
• Book 1, so the story starts here.
• Supernatural bounty hunter premise, per the description.

Cons

• Paranormal romance more than pure horror.
• No print length is stated.
• The description's sales and ranking claims are not repeated here.

4

Demons the Answer Book by Sumrall

Lester Sumrall·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Christian book on demons by Lester Sumrall, published by Whitaker in 2003.

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Pros

• Directly about demons, per the title.
• Scripture-based approach, per the description.
• Whitaker publication, 2003.

Cons

• A Christian instructional book, not horror fiction.
• No print length is stated.
• 2003 publication; an older edition.

5

Let's Summon Demons by Rhodes

Steven Rhodes·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 64-page demon-themed coloring and activity book by Steven Rhodes, published by Chronicle Books in 2022.

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Pros

• Demon theme throughout, per the title.
• 64 pages of activities, per the listing.
• Chronicle Books publication, 2022.

Cons

• A coloring and activity book, not a horror novel.
• 64 pages, the shortest pick here.
• Not a reading book.

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More picks to compare

• The Demon To Your Right by PrestonParanormal horror romance with demons; fits the keyword.Check on Amazon
• The Penguin Book of Demons by BruceDemon anthology from Penguin Classics; 368 pages.Check on Amazon
• Teenage Girls Can Be Demons by PiperHorror with demons in the title; fits the keyword.Check on Amazon
• Zombie Hellscape by RodriguezHorror novel; 189 pages.Check on Amazon
• Dead Mountain by RicksHorror novel; fits the keyword.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, and value. None of the five listings states a reading age or grade level, so that component is 0 for all. The two longest picks are the 508-page Dictionary of Demons and the 477-page American Supernatural Tales. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best horror books with demons

Horror, romance or reference

American Supernatural Tales is the straight horror pick, an anthology with Poe, Lovecraft and Shirley Jackson. Born in Fire is paranormal romance with demons at the center. The Dictionary of Demons is a reference work, and Demons the Answer Book is Christian instruction. Decide which shelf you are shopping before you buy.

Check the format

Let’s Summon Demons is a 64-page coloring and activity book, not a novel. If you want pages to read, the 477-page anthology and the 508-page reference are the substantial picks. Two listings state no print length.

Watch the series position

Born in Fire is Book 1 of its world, so it starts the story. American Supernatural Tales and the two reference books are standalone. The coloring book stands alone as an activity item.

Before you buy

• Confirm the format: novel, anthology, reference or activity book, and match it to what you want to read.
• Check the publication date; two picks are from 2003 and 2007.
• Note which listings state no print length before you judge the value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these is actual horror fiction?

American Supernatural Tales, a 477-page anthology with Poe, Lovecraft and Shirley Jackson. Born in Fire is paranormal romance rather than pure horror.

Which is the longest book here?

The Dictionary of Demons at 508 pages, followed by American Supernatural Tales at 477 pages. Two listings state no print length.

Is Let’s Summon Demons a novel?

No. The listing describes it as a 64-page coloring and activity book, not a reading book.

Still deciding? Our top pickAmerican Supernatural Tales by Joshi

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