Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson is a young adult, paranormal fantasy.

Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on; otherwise, they will rise as spirits with a ravenous hunger for the living. After awakening an ancient spirit, Artemisia unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, her bond with the revenant grows. And when a hidden evil begins to surface, she discovers that facing this enemy might require her to betray everything she has been taught to believe—if the revenant doesn’t betray her first.

This has ghosts, do I need to say more?

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas was one of my favourite books that I read in August. When Yadriel summons the ghost of Julian Diaz who refuses to leave, Yadriel is forced to help him uncover the mystery of Julian’s death.

I can’t explain how good this book is. It is so much fun and hooks you in all the way to the end. The characters are so loveable and is perfect for Halloween.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is one of my all time favourite reads.

At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting – he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth.

A darkly funny story about real and imagined monsters that will stay with you for a long time.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa is a unique and dark story about Allison who survives by scavenging for food and her hatred for vampires. When she gets turned into one of them, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike.

I read this a long time ago and couldn’t get over how impressed I was by the more twisted take on vampires. This was fast, fun and hard to put down. I’ll be picking this up for a re-read in October and I recommend that you do too!

Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie is a fun, enemies to lovers book that has a heavy focus on friendship.

Ailesse and Sabine are best friends, they’re also bone criers – those with the sacred duty of helping the dead pass over. This responsibility comes with a sacrifice, they must kill their one true love.

Bastien’s father died at the hands of a bone crier and he’s determined to get revenge. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater is unlike anything you’ve read before. It takes a little bit to get into it, but when you do, it’s so worth it.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, he is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

The Archived by Victoria Schwab is a haunting tale where the dead, called Histories, rest on shelves like books. Mac, is a keeper, responsible for making sure violent Histories don’t awaken and escape. When someone begins deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters, Mac has to piece together what remains, in order to prevent the Archive itself from crumbling and falling.

A few years ago, I was obsessed with The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. This Halloween, you can be too.

Mara Dyer wakes up in a hospital with no memory about what happened the night her friends died – and she survived. As Mara falls apart, everything around her does too. People alive seem dead, and the dead seem alive.

This is psychological thriller is twisted, intriguing and an incredible ride. Be prepared to find a new book boyfriend to add to your favourites.