If you grew up in the late 80s, 90s and even early 2000s, you may actually remember Christopher Pike's books. His horror was a perfect foil for young adults looking to be spooked and enjoy something different in their reading.
For a lot of us, his books were a perfect alternative to R.L. Stine's stories and often, if you had one author on your shelves, you likely had the other as well. And Pike's books have reached a similar level of popularity to Stine's when you consider the fact that his book The Midnight Club was actually turned into a miniseries on Netflix. And if you are a fan of his work, then you likely recognized all of the Easter eggs in the series where a number of his other books were referenced.
Based on his author bio from his publisher, Simon & Schuster, it sounds like not only does he have a new series in the works, but more of his books are being adapted into films (with the possibility that another could be a series). And maybe if we get to reading his stuff all over again, more of his stories will get adapted.
If you haven't yet read Christopher Pike's books, we have some suggestions for you. And even if you have read them, maybe you want to go back and enjoy them again. So, here are the five we are rereading in time for Halloween because this is the perfect season for Pike and his work.
5 books by Christopher Pike that are perfect for a Halloween read
Witch
Julia is a good witch. She has powers that allow her to heal with a touch. But before her mother died, she told her never to look into a body of water with moonlight shining on it. And when she does, she learns why her mother gave her this warning. And when she starts trying to change things that she has seen in visions, the danger is immense. Will she be able to change the future? Will her desire to save someone's life be her own undoing?
The Last Vampire
When a vampire ends up killing a detective, she thinks that perhaps the man she killed is actually stalking her. To get to the truth, she decides to go undercover at the high school in order to befriend the man's son. But what happens when she ends up falling in love? And will she figure out the truth of who is apparently after her? The first book in a series, this book is a must for fans of Christopher Pike. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But there is something about this story that draws you in and keeps you going until the very end.
Remember Me
The first book in a trilogy, this book follows a young girl who is trying to solve her own murder before the killer can take another victim. This book is chilling for so many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that while she was murdered, the police are saying it was a suicide. So how can she stop a killer when no one is actively looking for one? You don't really need to read the rest of the books in this trilogy, but it certainly is a nice alternative to horror movies on Halloween.
Fall Into Darkness
A teen has died, but no body has been found. One of her friends now stands accused of the crime and people believe that she did it. But she knows she is innocent and that her friend killed herself. So how can she prove that this is all a case of vengeance when everyone seems to think she is a killer? This story is very much a psychological thriller but for a young adult audience. That being said, it is a fun and quick read if you like these types of stories.
The Wicked Heart
This book features a teen killer who doesn't want to do what he does. And when a victim's friend starts digging into the crimes, she uncovers a past when people seemed to have lost all sense of decency. An evil was set free that was known as the wicked heart and it was never truly destroyed. Perhaps the killer really is innocent and something else is responsible for these wicked deeds. This book is paranormal horror at its best, with a look back to find the truth.
Did you grow up reading Christopher Pike books? Do you love easy reading horror? Have you read any of these books?