(Edit: apologies for writing an actual book to ask about suggestions for one, TLDR at the end) My son is SUPER into horror novels. He read all the goosebumps books, the scary stories to tell in the dark, Harry Potter (although I realize this is more fantasy), and now that his reading comprehension is getting better and better, he’s craving more difficult reads with genuine scares. Someone recommended Stephen King to him, he’s read a few and is absolutely obsessed. Unfortunately, I really dislike Stephen King’s inclusion of non-consensual sexual situations (if there’s a more Reddit appropriate way to word that please let me know, I just know certain words get flagged or something like that), generally weird sexual things, harm to children, and other violence in SO many of his books that I’ve looked into. I think he’s read all he can read by him at this point.
I’m very strict with what I let my son read and watch, because as most parents would agree, kids today are already exposed to way too much way too young out in the world we really have no control over. The things I would like to avoid are: non-consensual/unusual or eccentric/excessive sexual situations, weird attitudes/narratives towards sex (“Carrie” comes to mind here with the way the mother behaved, for example), excessive person-to-person violence, domestic violence, drug/alcohol abuse/glorification, political influence of any kind, or suicide.
He really loves long books, series, and when he finds an author he likes, he’ll read everything he can by them. Of course I want to encourage his love of reading, but I don’t want him getting lost in these really awful mental images. Being scared and being unnecessarily traumatized I think can be different. Any advice and suggestions appreciated!
TLDR: 14 year old son needs truly scary horror at adult reading level without all the adult content (see 2nd paragraph). Long books, series, and authors with many books preferred!
by noname1738491