Books are so evocative that sometimes they stay with you long after you've read the last page. I've found that this is most often the case when the book's ending is so chilling, so surprising, that it simply won't leave your mind. In 2025, I stumbled upon lots of these gut-wrenching endings.
From science fiction to drama, the five books listed below were by far the most chilling books of my year. So, if you are like me and love reading for the feels (even when they're unsettling), these books are definitely worth the time! They may not provide happily-ever-afters, but they're incredibly timely and thought-provoking.
Happy (not-so-happy) reading!
1. Grown - Tiffany D. Jackson
Page Count: 384 Pages
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Young Adult
TW: Grooming, Abuse
Tiffany D. Jackson has written a few of my favorite books, so I was eager to read one of her most popular novels, Grown. And I'm so glad I did, as this book did not disappoint!
The story follows Enchanted Jones, a teenage girl with dreams of being a singer. When she meets über-popular R&B artist Korey Fields, it seems like her dream may finally come true. However, what begins as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Korey ultimately curdles into something much more sinister. So, when a body appears, and Enchanted wakes up with zero memory and blood on her hands, all eyes turn to her.
What makes Grown such a good read is that it's not just an immersive thriller but a realistic portrayal of the entertainment industry and the gender abuse that can—and does—unfold. While fictional, the story is loosely based on true events with notable inspiration from the R. Kelly trials.
So, even though Grown is heart-wrenching, it is a crucial read. You'll likely find yourself recounting it long after it's over.
2. Broken Things - Lauren Oliver
Page Count: 416 Pages
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Young Adult
To put it plainly, I loved Broken Things by Lauren Oliver! I went into this story without any prior knowledge. I didn't know the author, what the plot was about, or the themes it would tackle. So, I was especially shocked by all the twists and turns!
The book follows Mia and Brynn, teen girls who were once inseparable until their best friend Summer was brutally killed and they were blamed for her death. Five years later, a small discovery pulls them back together, forcing them to confront the rumors, lies, and secrets of their past. Armed with new evidence and their old beloved fantasy novel that blurred imagination with reality, the girls must uncover what truly happened to Summer in the woods that night.
As a story, Broken Things is pretty complex with multiple intersecting storylines, points of view, and characters. However, it's precisely this complexity that makes the book such a compelling read! Lauren Oliver beautifully intertwined the girls' reality with excerpts of their beloved fantasy novel to create a truly immersive world. I mean it when I say it was one of my favorite books of the year.
So, if you're interested in psychological thrillers that tackle girlhood, secrets, and friendship, this is the book for you!
3. Vanishing Girls - Lauren Oliver
Page Count: 384 Pages
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Young Adult
After reading Broken Things, I was eager for another one of Lauren Oliver's books, so I quickly picked up Vanishing Girls. The story is about Dara and Nick, sisters and best friends, who did everything together. At least, they used to do everything together before a car accident that left Dara's face scarred and the two sisters completely estranged.
When Dara disappears on her birthday, Nick assumes she’ll turn up. But when another girl in their town—nine-year-old Madeline Snow—also goes missing, Nick begins to fear the cases are connected, leading her on a hunt to find her sister before time runs out.
Compared to Broken Things, Vanishing Girls is a much slower and more predictable read, but that doesn't mean it is any less chilling. Oliver's writing is excellent (again!), making this story a tense thriller that definitely made me hold my breath. With its creepy sense of dread and unsettling atmosphere, Vanishing Girls proves itself a spine-tingling read that will likely be one of your year’s most haunting stories.
4. Split the Sky - Marie Arnold
Page Count: 291 Pages
Genres: Magical Realism, Drama, Young Adult
TW: Racial Violence
Its quick pacing, moral complexity, and intriguing plot made Split the Sky a story I simply had to reach the end of once starting. The book is set in Davey, a sundown town in Texas, where teenage protagonist Lala Russell lives with her family. Lala has inherited a gift from her grandmother, where she can see visions of the future. Visions that always come true.
So, when Lala foresees a Black teenager from her school being shot, she becomes determined to stop it before it's too late. But her grandmother's vision suggests that the boy’s death is necessary and will spark unprecedented change and justice. This forces Lala to face an impossible question: can she let this one life be sacrificed to save many?
From the plot alone, I knew Split the Sky would be an emotional read—and I was right. The story vividly captures the racial tension of Lala’s world and the weight of the chilling decision she must make. It's this realism—mixed with the fantastical powers Lala possesses—that contributes to the story's depth. All in all, Split the Sky was arguably one of the most powerful and unsettling stories I read last year, and one I highly recommend.
5. Parable of the Sower - Octavia E. Butler
Page Count: 320 Pages
Genres: Science Fiction, Afrofuturism, Thriller
TW: Violence
Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower is a classic, yet I only got around to reading it this year. As someone who rarely ever reads futuristic or speculative fiction books, I was wary.
However, I ultimately really enjoyed this book! Its timely themes and realistic characters make it clear why this novel has garnered so much praise.
The story begins in 2024. The world is in violent disarray due to political instability, climate change, and widespread substance abuse. Living within this disaster is Lauren Olamina, a young teen girl who has "hyper-empathy," or the ability to literally feel the pain of those around her.
While Lauren and her family are privileged to live behind a secure wall, their safety dissolves once their community is attacked. Lauren ultimately escapes, but now homeless, she must endure a long and dangerous journey in hopes of finding safety in the north.
What made Parable of the Sower such a chilling read was its relevance. While the book is set in a nearly apocalyptic atmosphere, it isn't too hard to imagine our world one day succumbing to the same fate. With global climate change and violence worsening, Parable of the Sower provides a scary (yet utterly engaging!) look at how society can unravel.
The books above exemplify that a “good” story doesn’t have to mean an easy, fairy-tale read. Rather, it can be completely unsettling, lingering in your thoughts long after you’ve closed the cover. In fact, sometimes the most powerful stories are the uncomfortable ones.
So, with that being said, I hope you give these books a read! Trust me, they won't disappoint!
Need more sad book recs? Read my review from last year!
