Aldous Huxley is a name which is for many synonymous with the dystopian masterpiece Brave New World. Yet, there are many other Aldous Huxley books out there.
He’s written eleven novels, a number of nonfiction books and countless essays and short stories.
Aldous Huxley
While I believe Brave New World is his best book, or at least his most relevant, many other Aldous Huxley books are worth reading.
For this list, however, I want to, apart from a few exceptions, focus on his novels.
Crome Yellow is Aldous Huxley’s first novel and was published back in 1921.
It’s a novel that satirizes the literary scene of Britain at the time.
We get to know a young man named Denis Stone who aspires to be a poet. On a vacation he stays at Crome, an English country house inhabited by some of Aldous Huxley’s strangest and most egocentric characters.
There’s Mr. Barbecue-Smith who writes 1.500 publishable words every hour to get in touch with his subconscious, but also Henry Wimbush who’s obsessed with writing a definite ‘History of Crome.’
When Denis attends a party with other prominent literary figures, things don’t go well for him. His love for his host’s niece is unrequited and his attempts at poetry and his idea of writing a novel about love and art are equally mocked by the other authors.
Crome Yellow is a novel that’s were reminiscent of the country-house novels by Thomas Love Peacock who are always centered on people sitting together and talking about philosophical topics. Yet, Aldous Huxley uses the setting as the basis for a satire.
In Crome Yellow, Aldous Huxley showcases his talent at creating peculiar characters, but also his satirical talent. For he not only questions, but mocks the morals so common in post-war Britain.
Crome Yellow is a witty masterpiece, one which is too ironic to be called a satire, but also too scornful to be irony.
Ape and Essence is another anti-utopian novel and offers some of Aldous Huxley’s most pessimistic views on the future of humanity.
The novel’s plot takes place a century after a nuclear war. Yet, the blight of radioactivity and the diseases it causes are still present and plague the survivors.
In February of 2018, the New Zealand Rediscovery Expedition reaches California. While they expected the physical destruction they find, they are not prepared for the moral degradation they witness.
Ape and Essene is a dark novel, one about the ruin of humanity. At the same time, however, it’s brilliant and imaginative. It’s definitely amongst the Aldous Huxley books I highly recommend, especially for fans of Brave New World.
After Many a Summer is another one of the satirical Aldous Huxley books and centers on man’s desire to live forever.
The novel revolves around a Hollywood millionaire, Jo Stoyte. He’s a man in his sixties and is terrified of death. This fear drives him to hire a physician to research longevity and how to prolong his life. Yet, his quest for eternal life might end in a horrible way.
After Many a Summer is another witty novel in which Aldous Huxley comments and pokes fun at his characters’ quest to live forever.
Interestingly, Aldous Huxley wrote the novel after he moved to California. His influences are most notable in his characters and the novel’s many themes. After Many a Summer is a portrayal of American culture, its narcissism, superficiality and its obsession with youth.
While After Many a Summer might be outshined by other Aldous Huxley books, I still believe it’s fantastic.
Time Must Have a Stop centers on Sebastian Barnack, a handsome English school boy.
When he travels to Florence for his summer holidays, he becomes exposed to two contrary philosophies. The bookseller Bruno Rontini teaches him about spirituality while Uncle Eustace teaches him about hedonism and the pleasures of life.
Time Must Have a Stop is one of the Aldous Huxley books portraying a variety of ideas, but unlike the similar Antic Hay, it also tells a story.
As we follow Sebastian, Aldous Huxley showcases and discusses a variety of aspects of spirituality, mysticism, but also decadence.
Yet, he never criticizes either path, and leaves it to his readers to decide which to follow.
Time Must Have a Stop is essentially a novel which showcases the dilemma of young twentieth-century man, of how ill-equipped they are to handle problems and how they stumble through life not knowing where to go.
Time Must Have a Stop is one of Aldous Huxley’s greatest achievements and a testament to his literary genius.
Those Barren Leaves is yet another one of the satirical Aldous Huxley books.
The novel introduces us to the social ambitious Mrs. Aldwinkle, a self-proclaimed lover of art.
In an attempt to recapture the glories of the Italian Renaissance, she gathers a group of artists in an Italian place. Her efforts, however, ultimately fail, for her guests never meet her high expectations.
These guests comprise a group of characters who believe themselves to be sophisticated, yet aren’t anything but. Amongst them is a suffering poet and reluctant editor who has to bear Mrs. Aldwinkle’s advances. Another is a popular novelist who records every detail of her affair with another guest, the amorous Calamy, for future literary endeavors. And there’s an ageing philosopher who pursues a wealthy, yet mentally impaired heiress.
Over the course of the novel, Aldous Huxley strips all of them of their pretentions and reveals the superficiality of the self-proclaimed cultural elite.
Those Barren leaves pokes fun at and mocks those who believe themselves to be culturally sophisticated and superior. This general theme makes it an Aldous Huxley book that’s as relevant and fresh as it was at the time of its publication.
There’s always something special about collections of letters and personal correspondences. They always show a more personal, intimate side of a writer.
This selection gathered by James Sexton shows us an entirely new picture of Aldous Huxley. In these letters, written over the course of many years, we witness Aldous Huxley’s brilliance, but also the overall change of his ideas.
At first he’s a cynical satirist, poking fun at his contemporaries, but later became more serious and a stark critic of fascism.
The letters also give us insight into his life, his thought process, but also the London, New York and California of Aldous Huxley’s time.
In his letters, he not only discusses the theater scene, but also Hollywood’s film industry and shares with us their pretention, shortcomings and the cynicism of the elites populating it.
Selected Letters paints a very intimate picture of not only Aldous Huxley, his development as a writer, but also the times he lived in.
While this Aldous Huxley book isn’t a novel, it’s very worth reading for anyone who’s interested in the man behind Brave New World.
Eyeless in Gaza is another one of Aldous Huxley’s bestseller and his most personal novel.
It follows a nontraditional narrative and is loosely autobiographical.
The novel’s plot centers on a man named Anthony Beavis, a cynical, high-end Oxford graduate who grows up in the aftermath of World War I.
The novel shows us his coming-of-age, his numerous adventures and love affairs, but also how none of these things fulfill him.
Persuaded by a charismatic friend, he eventually joins the Marxist movement and the Mexican revolutionaries. His high hopes are soon shattered when he witnesses the terror and violence of the revolution. Eventually he finds solace and comfort in a different ideology.
Eyeless in Gaza is a novel full of deeper themes. Anthony questions God, ponders his purpose in life, and also realizes that violence will never bring peace but only death.
It’s one of the best Aldous Huxley books, and a testament to his pacifist views.
Over the course of his life Aldous Huxley wrote countless essays. This collection is assembled with care and follows Aldous Huxley’s evolving thought process and ideas in chronological order.
They are witty, keen and highly intellectual stimulating and are a delight for anyone who’s more interested in Aldous Huxley’s thoughts, world view and the human experience.
The topics of these essays vary widely and center on such topics as: nature, travel, sex, beauty, literature, painting, music, history, politics, psychology, and the meaning of life.
Collected Essays is a fantastic collection and a great start for anyone who’s interested in Aldous Huxley’s non-fiction writings.
While it’s once again, not a novel, I believe Collected Essays is one of the most interesting and important Aldous Huxley books on this list.
The Genius and the Goddess is one of the later Aldous Huxley books and was published in 1955.
The novel follows the student John River who works as a lab assistant for Henry Maarten, a brilliant physicist and winner of the Nobel Prize. Yet, Maarten is also a man of poor social skills.
On a Christmas Eve, years later, John recounts his student days and his affair with Maarten’s wife. He describes these two unique people, the nature of their relationship, and also how he brought it to ruin. He shares how brilliant a man Maarten was, and how his wife was the only person who was able to look behind his dazzling facade.
The Genius and the Goddess is shorter than many other Aldous Huxley books. Yet, it’s a novel full of social, historical and literary references. It is, however, less reliant on a general story, but more a discussion of various topics.
IN essence, The Genius and the Goddess encapsulates his views on literature, history, intellect, sex, God, and death.
Point Counter Point is a novel that centers on the contrast between passion and reason.
It’s nothing short of a masterpiece but also the longest amongst the Aldous Huxley books on this list.
The novel, however, doesn’t follow a straight plot, but discusses two central themes using interconnected storylines.
It’s a strange novel, one that mixes real life with fiction. Many of its characters include real people, some of which were Aldous Huxley’s friends and fellow writers. Even Aldous Huxley himself appears in the novel in the form of novelist Philip Quarles.
Through a series of exchanges between all these characters, Aldous Huxley not only discusses the contrast between passion and reason, but also satirizes the intellectual life of the 1920s.
Point Counter Point is quite an interesting, nontraditional novel that differs from the rest of his work.
Island is Aldous Huxley’s last novel and serves as a utopian counterpart to Brave New World.
The novel’s plot revolves around the Pacific island of Pala on which an ideal society has flourished for 120 years. Yet, a conspiracy to take over Pala is underway, and things are put into motion when an agent of the conspirators shipwrecks there.
That man is Faranby, a newspaperman. Yet, he doesn’t expect how his time on Pala will not only change all his values but also gives him hope for the future.
The novel deals heavily with such topics as ecology, democracy, overpopulation, mysticism, and, one of Aldous Huxley’s favorites, the usage of substances to alter perception and behavior.
Island is by far one of the best Aldous Huxley books, one that’s by many considered his best.
Interestingly, while the novel centers on many of the same themes as Brave New World, it’s quite a different novel, a hopeful one.
Over the course of his life Aldous Huxley wrote countless short stories. This collection comprises twenty of them taken from his earlier collections.
Collected Short Stories is a testament to his literary skill and his social commentary. While all of his shorter works are worth reading, and all his collections are great, Collected Short Stories offers the reader the most complex view of Huxley’s work.
It includes such fantastic stories as ‘The Gioconda Smile,’ ‘Young Archimedes,’ ‘Chawdron,’ and ‘Little Mexican.’
Collected Short Stories is a must-read for any fan of Aldous Huxley and for fans of socio-critical short fiction.
What’s there to say about Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World? It’s one of the most popular dystopian novels ever written.
Brave New World describes a society that feels frighteningly realistic and, frankly, strangely familiar.
The novel’s set in the year 2540, in what at first appears to be an idealistic, utopian society.
In this society, people aren’t born. Instead they are genetically altered and bred via artificial wombs. They are then subjected to childhood indoctrination and eventually assigned to a specific cast depending on their genetic make-up and level of intelligence.
There’s no war, no conflict and everyone is happy.
Intellectual pursuit, however, has been replaced by complacency and hedonistic pleasures.
Our protagonist, Bernhard Marx, a member of the highest, the alpha cast, grows more and more uncomfortable in this society. When he visits a savage reservation, he meets John, a man born naturally and who knows nothing about the real society. Bernhard decides to take him back, but before long, tragedy unfolds.
What at first appears to be a utopia, is soon revealed to be nothing but a horrible caricature. Everything comes at a price. And thus, society has become uncaring, full of numbing drugs and indoctrination. Concepts such as love, care, compassion and even families, or long-lasting relationships are a thing of the past.
Brave New World discusses a variety of themes, such as genetically engineering, the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs, indoctrination, blind consumerism and disregard of intellectual pursuit.
It’s probably the most popular out of all the Aldous Huxley books and the one that most people know about and associate with his name.
Brave New World is in my opinion the strongest dystopian novel of all time, one that shows us a nightmarish version of what our future might look like.
Putting together a list of the best Stephen King books is not an easy feat.
Stephen King is one of the most popular writers of all time and a master of horror. To say he’s influenced the genre lastingly would be an understatement.
His books are so popular they almost always make it into the New York Times’ Best Seller list.
Stephen King is a writer known by almost everyone. Many people, myself included, grew up reading Stephen King’s works. Others know him because his work inspired some of the greatest horror movies of all time.
Stephen King
While his name’s synonymous with horror, he’s a much more prolific writer. He’s written science-fiction, fantasy, and much more, including essays and even a memoir.
Getting started with Stephen King can be tough. Over the course of a career lasting half a century, he’s written over sixty novels, various novellas and over two hundred short stories.
For this reason, I put together a list of the best Stephen King books.
Dolores Claiborne might be one of the more controversial entries on this list, but I enjoyed it and regard is one of the best Stephen King books.
The book is a 300 page monologue given by the titular character. Even more interesting, the book doesn’t contain any supernatural elements.
Dolores Claiborne tells the story of an elderly lady. When her even older employer, Vera Donovan, is murdered, Dolores becomes a suspect.
During her interrogation, Dolores tells the long story of her relationship with Vera. Yet, her story starts long before she met Vera. We learn of her abusive, failing marriage and her husband’s death. It also details Vera’s mental and physical decline and the toll it took on the people around her.
Dolores Claiborne is far from a pleasant story, but the reader, similar to those interrogating her, will find himself drawn in and wanting to find out how it continues.
The greatest thing about Dolores Claiborne, however, is that she differs vastly from Stephen King’s earlier heroines, who were almost always passive and interchangeably.
While Dolores Claiborne is a controversial novel, one fans are divided on, I urge you to read it.
The Long Walk was one of the first Stephen King novels I read. Incidentally, it was also the first novel he ever wrote. Stephen King wrote The Long Walk eight years before Carrie was published and eventually released it under his pseudonym Richard Bachman.
The novel can be best described as a dystopian, psychological thriller. One hundred teenage boys take part in a contest that’s known as ‘the walk.’ The winner gets anything he desires.
The boys have to maintain a speed of four miles per hour and walk on without pause. They get three warnings for slowing down before they are executed by the military personnel present. This continues until only one boy is left.
The Long Walk is a fantastic novel that gives us a lot of insight into the human psyche. It shows how empathy, mercy and kindness are lost and how nothing but uncaring numbness remains.
It’s a psychological thriller that’s much more chilling than many of Stephen King’s other, more usual novels.
What I came to enjoy the most was that Stephen King could make something as mundane as a walk a truly terrifying experience. The characters, too, were interesting and one always came to wonder ‘who’s next.’
While not for everyone, this short dystopian novel is a great, earlier work by Stephen King. I can’t help but regard it as one of the best Stephen King books.
Under the Dome is one of the newer entries on this list, but it has a long history. Stephen King started the novel back in 1976, but didn’t pick up the draft until the 80s. Yet, the novel’s eventual publication should only happen in 2009.
The premise of Under the Dome is as simple as it is strange. One day, the town of Chester, Main is encased under a mysterious dome. It appears out of nowhere and cuts the inhabitants off from the rest of the world. No one can go out, and no one can go in.
While some inhabitants try to figure out what’s going on, others desperately cling to power.
The novel’s major theme is how people would react knowing they are stuck together in the same location forever.
While Under the Dome comes with some great characters and ideas, what I loved the most was the scenario. I’ve always loved stories that are set in enclosed locations and how people handle such a situation.
Under the Dome doesn’t disappoint and many fans regard it as one of the best Stephen King books.
The Outsider is one of the newer entries on this list, but it’s amongst my favorites of Stephen King’s newer works.
It also won the Goodreads Choice award for Best Mystery and Thriller in 2018.
The novel starts when the mangled body of an eleven-year-old boy is found in a park. DNA evidence points towards Terry Mailand, a local Little League coach and teacher.
As it turns out, though, Terry has an alibi and is thus released. Soon enough, however, more and more horrible and puzzling details about the case are revealed.
While the first part of the book might hint at it being a typical crime thriller, this impression couldn’t be more wrong.
It’s a fantastic novel with a plot that’s nothing short of unsettling.
What elevates it to one of the best Stephen King books, however, is the novel’s twist, which can only come from the pen of a true master of horror.
The Dead Zone is one of Stephen King’s true science-fiction novels.
After a tragic car accident, Johnny Smith, a schoolteacher, falls into a five-year-long coma. After waking up, he discovers that he’s able to see into people’s past and future.
When he eventually shakes hand with a corrupt politician, Greg Stillson, he’s able to see the man’s future. Stillson rises to power, becomes President of the United States and will lead the world into a nuclear war.
Knowing the future, what will Johnny do? Is he responsible for changing it? And if so, how’s he going to do it?
The Dead Zone is a timeless thriller, one that feels even more relevant today than it was during the time of its publication.
It’s also a fantastic introduction to Stephen King’s works, since it’s straightforward and comes with an easily digestible style.
While Stephen King’s novels are often criticized for their endings, The Dead Zone is not one of them and brings us one of Stephen King’s very best endings.
While The Dead Zone might not be the most outstanding novel on this list, it’s still a classic and amongst the best early Stephen King books.
The Shining, published in 1977, is one of Stephen King’s most celebrated novels. Doctor Sleep is the long-awaited follow-up novel.
The story follows Danny Torrance, the once young boy from The Shining. He’s now a middle-aged man. While hard to shake off, he’s finally overcome his horrible childhood memories. He leads a relatively normal life, joined an AA group and works at a nursing home in New Hampshire.
Because of his paranormal abilities, he’s able to comfort the dying and makes crossing-over into the afterlife easier for them. For this, he’s known as Doctor Sleep.
Yet, when he meets a young girl, the twelve-year-old Abra, with an even stronger version of the shining, the two of them find their lives in danger.
For there’s the True Knot, a group of murderous paranormals who derive their powers from the paranormal children they torture and murder.
While quite different from its prequel, and, in my opinion, not as good, it still makes for a great psychological read and a satisfying continuation for those who loved The Shining. Doctor Sleep is definitely amongst the best Stephen King books.
On Writing is a book that’s part memoir and part advice book on writing.
The first half of the book comprises a memoir in which Stephen King tells us about his life from childhood until he became a successful writer. It’s full of anecdotes to inspire writers and those who want to become one.
What’s great is that Stephen King doesn’t hide his own-struggles, setbacks and problems and even talks about his addictions. Interestingly, we also learn of the two high school girls who served as the basis for Carrie White, and the dream which inspired Misery. He also recounts the events leading up to his near-fatal car accident in 1999 and the time following it.
In its second half, the book offers insight into the craft of writing, Stephen King’s methods and his way of finding inspiration. He outlines his process, how to structure a story, how to come up with characters and his idea of the perfect sentence.
On writing is a fantastic book for those who want to write themselves. While much of his advice might seem surface level, I believe he shares the most important bits and pieces on the craft.
What I also loved is that Stephen King doesn’t sugarcoat things. Instead, he can even be a bit discouraging. Yet, he’s always realistic.
While parts of the book are tailored more towards aspiring writers, I believe the book’s first part, the memoir is a great read for any fans of Stephen King.
Different Seasons is Stephen King’s first novella collection, and, in my opinion, his best. It contains such classics as ‘The Body,’ ‘Apt Pupil,’ and ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption’ who are all fantastic reads.
The Body is one of the greatest coming-of-age stories of all time and served as the basis for the movie Stand by Me.
It tells the story of four boys who set out to find a dead body. Over the course of the novella, they have to not only confront their own demons but also real life bullies and other dangers. It’s a brilliant novella and by far the best in the collection.
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption tells the story of a man who was sentenced to life for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s got to survive in a place run by a sadistic warden and other violent prisoners. Soon enough, he plots to escape.
Apt Pupil tells the story of a teenager who befriends an old man in his neighborhood who turns out to be a Nazi criminal. Yet, things soon turn even more disturbing.
The last novella in the collection, The Breathing Method, is the strange tale of a woman who learned a new technique for giving birth. It’s an odd little tale, written as a story within a story.
While The Breathing Method is rather weak, the rest of Different Seasons is absolutely fantastic and each novella is deserving of their place on this list of the best Stephen King books.
Needful Things is a novel set in the peaceful town of Castle Rock.
One day, a mysterious man, named Leland Gaunt, appears in town. He promptly opens a curiosity shop that sells anything a customer might desire. That’s where the store’s name, Needful Things, comes from.
Yet, while none of the items have a price tag, they are all for sale. It’s just that Leland Gaunt wants something else as payment.
What starts out as small pranks and misdeeds soon leads to chaos and plunges the entirety of Castle Rock into madness. For many of the residents will pay any price to get what they want.
While Needful Things was originally panned by critics, it’s far from a bad novel. No, it’s amongst the best Stephen King books out there.
It features a fantastic villain who’s amongst Stephen King’s all -time best. He might be a supernatural being, but he knows exactly what people want and manipulates them as he sees fit.
Needful Things is a combination of suspense, blood and action that comes with a great, unexpected ending.
What I loved the most about Needful Things, however, was how far people will go for their desires and how their greed drives them to do anything, even murder. We witness how easy it is for good people to turn bad, for friends to turn on friend, and for family to turn against family.
Needful Things is a fantastic novel full of mayhem, but still serves as a great example of Stephen King’s typical, small town horror.
The Institute is another newer Stephen King book. It was the winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for best Horror.
Stephen King’s always at his best when he writes novels about children. He’s a master at showing the curiosity, insecurities and optimism of childhood.
After twelve-year-old Elli’s parents are murdered, he’s taken from his home and awakes at a creepy institute. There, he meets other children who, similar to him, have psychic abilities.
When he discovers the staff are extracting the children’s powers via a brutal procedure before discarding their bodies, he hatches a plan to escape. Yet, no one ever managed to, and all who tried were brutally punished.
The Institute is a fantastic novel, and amongst the best Stephen King books of recent years. If you’re a fan of It, I’m sure you’ll enjoy The Institute.
The only problem I had with the novel were the many pop culture references. They felt quite forced and made it seem as if Stephen King was trying to show he was still up to date with the younger generations.
Still, it’s only a minor problem, and The Institute is a great read all around.
Christine is one of Stephen King’s earliest novels, but it’s far from his worst. No, it’s amongst the best Stephen King books, but is often overlooked because of its premise.
How could something as simple as a car be terrifying? If you read Christine, you’re sure to find out.
Arnie Cunningham is a nerdy high school outcast and the victim of bullying. When he comes upon a beat-up 1958 Plymouth Fury, he promptly buys it and becomes obsessed with restoring it.
Before long, Arnie’s life does a complete turnaround. Unbeknownst to him, however, the car’s possessed by evil and Arnie soon becomes its pawn.
Christine is essentially the story of a victim turned villain. Yet, there’s a lot more to this book. It’s a critique of bullying, masculine self-image, car culture and discusses the anxiety of young man. These themes make Christine as relevant today as it was at the time of its publication.
Overall, Christine is a fantastic early work by Stephen King, one I highly recommend to any fan of his work.
Skeleton Crew is my favorite amongst all of Stephen King’s short story collections. It simply has it all. If you’re interested in learning more about Stephen King’s shorter works, I urge you to check out my list of the best Stephen King short stories.
The very first story in the book is actually a novella, and one of King’s absolute best, The Mist.
The stories I loved the most were Mrs. Todd’s shortcut and The Jaunt, two of the more fantastical entries in this collection.
Yet, the true horror stories, including The Monkey, The Raft and especially Gramma, are all great reads. While there are some weaker stories, they are easily brushed aside by the rest.
Like Night Shift, Skeleton Crew is one of Stephen King’s earlier short story collections. While the stories might not be as refined or well-written as his later ones, the stories feel rougher, stronger and thus creepier.
What makes it stand apart from Night Shift, however, is that it includes a variety of more fantastical stories.
Skeleton Crew is a delight for any fan of Stephen King’s work and I regard it as one of the best Stephen King books of all time.
11/22/63 differs greatly from other Stephen King novels on this list, in that it’s based on a real event. Instead of another horror novel, Stephen King took a step back and wrote an action-packed historical fiction time-travel novel. With over 1000 pages, however, it’s also one of the longest books on this list.
The book centers on a single question: what would you do if you could go back in time and change history?
Jake Epping, a divorced high school English teacher, finds himself in exactly that position. For his friend, Al reveals to him that his diner has a secret portal that leads to one day in 1958. Al wants to do nothing less than to stop the assassination of JFK and enlists Jake to help.
Thus, Jake travels back in time and takes on the 1958 life of George Amberson. Taking on a teaching job in a small town near Dallas, he prepares for the big day five years from then.
Over the course of the novel, Jake tests the rules of time travel. Interestingly enough, should Jake return to the present, he will witness the changes he’s made. If he steps through the portal again, however, everything resets. As Jake experiments with the past, things turn out worse and worse. Yet, he keeps going back, believing that ‘this time,’ he’ll get it right.
Stephen King toyed with the idea for 11/22/53 for four decades before actually writing the novel. It’s a chilling and immersive time travel thriller, one that explores a fascinating ‘what-if’ scenario. Yet, it also showcases our fear of looking back and our thoughts of ‘what might have been, if…?’
11/22/63 is by many considered amongst the best Stephen King books in a long time.
While the premise might appear simple, Stephen King makes the book incredibly engaging and hard to put down. A must-read for any fan of his work.
Everyone’s heard about Stephen King’s Carrie. It’s Stephen King’s debut novel, first major success and one of his most popular novels of all time. Ever since its publication, it’s remained a fan favorite.
Carrie is a novel that mixes the real-life horrors of growing up with supernatural ones. Everyone’s heard of Stephen King’s misunderstood and isolated high school girl. Carrie suffers not only from bullying and ostracism but also from bad parenting, abuse and religious devotion.
Carrie White is a character that’s insanely recognizable because almost everyone went to school with someone just like her. She’s mousy, scruffy looking, wears weird, second-hand clothes and gets picked on by her classmates. Where Carrie differs, however, is that she’s got telekinetic powers.
When her bullying intensifies and goes out of hand during prom night, her revenge and newly discovered powers lead to a massacre.
While Carrie’s a victim turned villain, one’s hard pressed not to feel empathy for her.
The major theme of the novel remains as relevant today as back when it was first published. It’s essentially a powerful anti-bullying testament.
While the book can be clunky in terms of style, its narrative is finely woven, making at a fantastic read.
Carrie is rightfully regarded as a modern day horror classic and is, without a doubt, amongst the best Stephen King books.
Salem’s Lot was Stephen King’s second novel and cemented his place as a master of horror. It’s another modern day Stephen King classic and a true horror novel.
It’s a book that aged incredibly well and many fans regard it as one of the best Stephen King books of all time.
The premise is simple. What would happen if vampires moved to a small, modern town in Main? Salem’s Lot is essentially a reimagining of the old gothic vampire tale.
We get to know a man named Ben Mears who returns to his home of Jerusalem’s Lot. He’s not only looking for inspiration for his book, but also wants to rid himself of his old, personal demons.
When two young boys set out into the woods and only one of them returns alive, he realizes that something sinister is going on. As it turns out, the residents of the small town are being turned into vampires by an ancient evil. It’s up to Mears and his friends to stop it.
Salem’s Lot is a novel typical for King, for it perfectly encapsulates the small town horror he’s so famous for.
The biggest problem with Salem’s Lot are its characters, who are all rather stereotypical. Another problem is that parts of the book, especially the beginning, can drag on a little.
Yet, overall, Salem’s Lot is a fantastic read, especially for fans of vampire novels.
Annie Wilkes might be one of Stephen King’s most terrifying characters.
When author Paul Sheldon gets into a car accident, he’s rescued by Nurse Annie. She takes care of his wounds, and nurses him back to health. As it turns out, however, Annie’s a fan of Paul’s work, but not just any fan. She’s obsessed with his work and declares herself his number one fan.
Not all is well, however, and Annie reveals she didn’t like Paul killing off his main character, Misery, and wants him to make things right.
For this reason, she holds him hostage and doesn’t shy away from terrible ways to get what she wants. Annie turns out to be utterly deranged and delusional and soon a story of torture and psychological manipulation begins.
Misery is probably amongst the most twisted books Stephen King has ever written and features one of the most iconic and greatest female villains of all time.
What makes Misery special is that it’s a novel completely grounded in reality. There’s nothing supernatural going on, yet it serves so much more terrifying than many of his other works.
A word of warning, Misery is a gory and gruesome story. It is, however, also one of Stephen King’s most captivating.
Misery is a true horror novel, one entirely grounded in reality and amongst the best Stephen King books of all time.
Pet Sematary is one of Stephen King’s most popular and iconic novels. It’s another one of Stephen King’s classical horror novels and by many regarded as one of the best Stephen King books.
It is, however, also one of his darkest and scariest.
The plot revolves around Dr. Louis Creed, who moves with his family from Boston to a small town in Main. He soon stumbles upon a mysterious burial ground in the woods behind his house.
When the family’s cat dies on the highway outside their home, they discover that this burial ground has the power to bring it back to life.
Tragedy strikes when his son, too, is overrun. Yet, Creed doesn’t come to terms with the loss. Instead, he buries his son at the same burial ground. The results, however, prove much more horrible than he could’ve imagined. After all, sometimes dead is better.
Pet Sematary is a fantastic novel. It’s a slow burn horror novel that takes time to get going. Instead of gore or action, Stephen King focuses on setting the mood and building up the atmosphere, the feeling that something’s entirely wrong. Until he reveals the genuine horror.
Pet Sematary, however, is a hopeless book. Even Stephen King himself admitted so. It’s full of grief and sadness. It’s probably the one book by Stephen King that will haunt you the most.
Yet, this is also the book’s strength, and what makes it one of the best Stephen King books of all time.
The Green Mile is by many considered a masterpiece. It’s less a horror novel and much more a drama.
The story follows death row supervisor Paul Edgecomb at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. There he interacts with inmate John Coffey.
Coffey’s been placed on death row for the supposed rape and murder of two girls. Yet, it’s never been proven he actually committed the crime. Coffey’s a strange man. He’s quiet, timid and has the mind of a child. Even more interesting, however, he’s a special gift.
The Green Mile is a tearjerker. It’s a story full of sadism, injustice and racial bigotry. Yet, it’s also a beautifully sad story that showcases moments of true human goodness.
Originally published in six serialized installments, the novel’s now available in a single volume.
The Green Mile is one of the most powerful novels Stephen King ever wrote, and it will make you contemplate the meaning of life long after you’ve finished it.
The Shining is one of the greatest haunted house novels ever written and spawned one of the greatest horror movies of all time. It also proved to be Stephen King’s first bestsellers.
The Shining is known for many of Stephen King’s most iconic moments. Who could forget the ominous Overlook Hotel, the bathing woman in Room 217, the two twin girls Danny sees in the hallways and the word redrum.
While the Shining is a haunted house novel, it’s more than that and details a man’s descent into madness.
This man is Jack Torrance, a writer. When he and his family get the chance to stay in the beautiful Overlook Hotel during winter, he takes it. It seems like the perfect place to work on his novel.
Yet, there are strange things going on at the hotel, and his five-year-old son Danny is the first to witness them. This is thanks to Danny’s supernatural gift, the so-called ‘shining.’ For the Overlook hotel has a dark past and is haunted by evil spirits.
Before long, these sinister powers, and the isolation in a desolate place, have an effect on Jack. He slowly grows more and more deranged.
The Shining proved so popular that Stephen King eventually wrote a sequel which follows Danny as an adult called Doctor Sleep.
Yet, The Shining stands perfectly well on its own as an amazing work of horror literature. It remains amongst the best Stephen King books, by many regarded as his best.
The Shining is Stephen King at his peak and if you’ve never read a Stephen King book before, you might very well start with one of his absolute best.
The Dark Tower series is Stephen King’s magnum opus. It’s a sprawling epic fantasy series that’s a mixture of spaghetti western Arthurian legend brought together with a tolkienesque flavor.
The story follows Roland Deschain, a gunslinger, who’s on a quest to find the Dark Tower. It’s a legendary building at the center of all universes. Over the course of the book, Roland gathers a group of allies that are as odd as they are interesting, meets a multitude of adversaries and other terrifying entities.
For this list, however, I want to include my favorite book of the Dark Tower series, Wizard and Glass.
While the other books in the series detail Roland’s quest, book four largely focuses on Roland’s past and teenage years. It’s here we finally get to know more about his old friends Alain and Cuthbert, and his doomed love with Susan Delgado.
Wizard and Glass is a fantastic novel, and seen by many as the best entry in the series.
While the Dark Tower is a masterpiece, people new to Stephen King might want to start somewhere else. The reason is simple: The Dark Tower is a massive, seven book epic comprising over 4000 pages.
The biggest criticism I have of the series, are the final three books. While the first four are intricately constructed, full of mystery, references and metaphors, the final three seem rushed, and a little to on the nose.
Even if the quality dips a little after Wizard and Glass, the series is very much worth reading and I still regard The Dark Tower series amongst the best Stephen King books.
Almost anyone has heard of the demonic clown Pennywise, and the small town of Derry, Main, he terrorizes. It is one of Stephen King’s most popular novels. Yet, it’s another door stopper comprising well over 1000 pages.
The story of It is told in two parallel narratives.
In the first, we get to know the small town of Derry, Main and its inhabitants. Amongst them is a group of childhood friends who coin themselves the Losers Club. Their troubles are many. They are outcasts and get bullied.
When Bill’s younger brother George gets murdered, strange things happen. Soon enough, the members of the Losers Club are haunted by a shapeshifting monster which takes on the form of a demonic clown and preys on each character’s individual fears.
From then on, the kids have to fend for their survival.
The second narrative is set thirty years later. It has returned and the Losers Club has to reassemble and fight the terrible, monstrous Pennywise once more.
What makes it such an outstanding novel is the portrayal of children. We can see they are outcasts, witness them being bullied, but also their childish innocence. It makes us, as readers, reminisce about our own childhood and the problems we faced during those early years.
Another character I want to highlight is Henry Bowers, who’s every kid’s worst nightmare and serves as a fantastic secondary antagonist.
The greatest part about the book, however, is Pennywise, the terrible demonic clown who proves to be one of Stephen King’s most iconic and terrifying creations.
While the novel has some controversial parts, it’s still a fantastically scary novel and amongst Stephen King’s absolute best.
When it was first released, it became a cultural phenomenon and many people see it as the best Stephen King book out there and one of the greatest horror novels ever written.
It is King at his absolute best and rightfully deserves one of the top spots on this list of the best Stephen King books.
Many regard The Stand as Stephen King’s greatest novel. It’s a door stopper of a post-apocalyptic novel, but one of the absolute best ever written.
It tells a story as old as time, that of the battle between good and evil.
When a patient infected with a hyper-contagious strain of super flu escapes a testing facility, ninety-nine percent of the world’s population is wiped out.
Normal society collapses, survivors struggle and warring factions emerge.
One of these factions is led by Randall Flagg, the Dark Man, who takes advantage of the chaos and wants nothing more than destruction. The other is led by Mother Abigail, who urges for peace.
The novel follows various survivors as they set out to find their place in this new world. Incidentally, they are all driven to either Randall Flagg or Mother Abigail.
The Stand features a fantastic cast of characters. There’s Larry Underwood, Randall Flagg, ‘Nice Guy’ Harold Lauder, and last, but not least, Donald Elbert, the Trashcan Man.
While the novel’s major focus is on the battle of good versus evil, it features a variety of other themes: survival, religion and, ultimately, morality.
While the Stand can drag on a little in places, it’s a fantastically written novel. It showcases humanity’s struggle for survival, the decay of morality, but also hope.
At far over 1000 pages, the book’s almost never boring, always engaging, the characters are great and the writing is flawless.
All of this makes The Stand, even decades after it was first published, the greatest Stephen King book ever written.
Game of Thrones is probably the most popular fantasy series of modern times. That’s the reason many people are looking for other books like Game of Thrones.
With its debut, it revolutionized and revitalized an entire genre. While it’s set in a medieval world, magic and magical creatures are mostly a thing of the past.
Instead, it’s a much more realistic series, one that focuses on political intrigues and power struggles. Its world, however, is dark, full of villains and anti-heroes.
That world comprises Westeros, the land of the Seven Kingdoms, and Essos, a continent to the east. The events in the books center on the various ruling families of the Seven Kingdoms.
When the hand of the king is murdered, Eduard Stark is called to King’s Landing to become the new hand of the king. This event sets in motion a variety of plots and ploys for the Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. At the center of these events are the children of Eduard Stark. Over the course of the books, we follow them as they try to survive and find their way in a world that becomes more and more violent.
Even though Game of Thrones was adapted as an HBO series, I highly recommend reading the books. Unfortunately, they remain unfinished to this day.
Game of Thrones is one of the greatest achievements in fantasy and has a reason to be as popular as it is. For this reason, I created a list of 21 other fantasy books and series for fans of books like Game of Thrones.
The Dagger and the Coin series is a great start for this list of books like Game of Thrones.
It’s set in a world once ruled by dragons. Now, thirteen races exist together in peace.
Trouble stirs when one nation prepares to extend its influence into the Free Cities. Now citizens of both sides have to fight and survive the chaos of war.
The Dragon’s Path, the first book in the series, centers on Marcus Wester, a former hero. He wants nothing more than to leave the battlefield behind and take up another profession. When war starts, however, he’s hired by Cithrin bel Sarcour to help her smuggle her riches not only out of a besieged city, but through a war zone.
This, however, should prove much harder than originally thought, for each army entangled in this war is looking for additional funds. They soon find themselves outmatched and surrounded.
Marcus, however, is only one of many characters in this high fantasy masterpiece.
One I came to enjoy especially, was Geder, the sole remaining heir of a noble house. More interested in philosophy, he makes for a poor soldier, but seems destined for great things.
Each other character is as developed as Marcus and Geder and gives us a unique perspective on the conflict.
What makes The Dagger and Coin series so good are the many political intrigues and military struggles.
It comes with a light and engaging writing style, and a cast of well-developed and interesting characters. It’s a fantastic read for anyone who’s looking for books like Game of Thrones.
The Iron King is the first book in the Accursed King series.
While it’s not a fantasy series, it was named by George R. R. Martin as the prime inspiration for Game of Thrones.
The series follows the succession of various European monarchs that should come to lead to the Hundred Years’ War, a conflict between the House of Plantagenet in England and the House of Valois in France.
The Iron King is a portrayal of King Philip IV of France, also named Philip the Fair, the Iron King. He’s a cold and silent man, but also handsome and unblinking.
While he reigns over France with an iron hand, he can’t seem to rule his own family. His wife’s adulterous, his sons are weak and his daughter Isabella is unhappily married to an English king who prefers the company of men.
Soon enough, a net of scandals, murders and intrigues surrounds the Iron King. His downfall, however, comes from an unexpected direction. When Grand Master Jacques Molay, the last grand master of the Knights Templar, is sentenced to die at the stake, a curse is put on the king that shall destroy his dynasty.
The Accursed King series is full of political intrigues, lies, drama, deception, battles, assassinations and a disputed succession war.
It’s a fantastic series for fans of not only historical fiction but also books like Game of Thrones.
The Emperor’s Blade is the first book in the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne. It’s an epic fantasy series with high-stake intrigues perfect for fans of books like Game of Thrones.
We’re introduced to the Annurian Empire. When the emperor is murdered, the land’s thrown into chaos. His children, Adare, Valyn and Kaden, are scattered across the land.
At the capital, Adare tries to find her father’s murder, but court politics run rampant and are more than a bit dangerous.
Valyn is training as a soldier, and an ocean away when he hears the news of his father’s death. Yet, he soon realizes that his life, too, is in danger.
The last, Kaden, studies at a remote monastery, set on learning the ancient powers of the disciples of the Blank God. Yet, can he remain alive along to master them?
While each individual path is dangerous, a bigger, even more dangerous conspiracy is at play.
The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne is a series full of magic, moral dilemmas, power struggles and intrigues. It’s a fantastic series for those who are looking for books like Game of Thrones, especially those interested in intrigues and power play.
Stephen King’s Dark Tower series is without a doubt his magnum opus. The series was inspired by nothing other than the Lord of the Rings and is at the center of Stephen King’s vast universe.
The first book in the series, The Gunslinger, introduces us to Roland Deschain. He follows the enigmatic figure of the Man in Black through a decaying fantasy world. This, however, is only part of Roland’s quest for he’s set to reach the Dark Tower itself, a legendary building at the center of all universes.
The Dark Tower series come with a cast of interesting characters, villains, locations and an epic quest.
Yet, the series differs from the other recommendations on this list. While it’s a fantasy series, it can be best described as part spaghetti western, part Arthurian legend brought together by a tolkienesque flavor.
Stephen King is at its absolute best in The Dark Tower series and those who are looking for something different from your typical epic fantasy series should check it out.
Blood of the Elves is the first book in The Witcher Saga.
After multiple video game adaptions and a Netflix series, The Witcher Saga has become massively popular in recent years.
Set in a fictional medieval Poland, it tells the story of Geralt of Rivia. He’s a witcher, a monster hunter with superhuman and magical abilities who lives far longer than normal humans.
His objective is simple: to rid the world of monsters.
Years before the events of Blood of the Elves, the Empire of Nilfgaard attacked the Kingdom of Cintra. This forces Ciri, the Princess of Cintra, to flee. Before long, she comes under the protection of Geralt.
Yet, political trouble causes the onset of a new war, as well as other events which all seem to center on Ciri.
Over the course of the novel, Geralt meets a variety of characters, including his former lover, Yennefer, a powerful sorceress.
The Witcher Saga comprises multiple novels, but also collections of short stories loosely related to the events of the main series. All of those, however, are very much worth reading.
It’s a fantastic series and highly recommended for fans of books like Game of Thrones.
The Sword of Truth is a series of twenty-two epic fantasy novels. Wizard’s First Rules is the first book in the series and was published back in 1994.
Interestingly enough, most of the novels in the series are connected via a general timeline and ongoing events, but can be read as standalone. Only the final three were intended as a trilogy.
The events of Wizard’s First Rule follow Richard Cypher. After his father’s murder, he meets a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell. She turns out to be a confessor sent from the Midlands and appoints Richard the role of ‘Seeker of Truths.’ She hands him a magical sword which amplifies his strength, agility, but also his anger.
From this point onward, the two travel the land. Over the course of the series they meet a variety of unique characters, including Nicci, Cara and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander. Yet, they also meet various adversaries, defeat oppressors and those who want to unleash evil on the world.
The Sword of Truth is another classic in the realm of fantasy. It’s proven massively popular ever since first published. It’s one of the longest, as well as most influential, fantasy series out there. Those who are looking for a truly long, epic fantasy series and books like Game of Thrones should check it out.
Malice is the first novel in The Faithful and the Fallen series.
Long ago, the Banished Lands were a place of violent Battles. It was there the armies of men and giants fought brutal battles. Yet, while the giant clans were disbanded, their fortresses remain. However, in recent times, the giants began stirring again and giant wyrms are seen roaming the skies.
Those who notice the signs see a greater threat coming, one much more dangerous than the wards of the past.
High King Aquilus summons his fellow leaders, seeking alliances to help fight in the coming conflict. Yet, many are skeptical and have their own troubles.
The novel’s events, however, center on Corban, who wants nothing more than to learn the art of war and use his sword to protect the king’s realm. Before he knows it, however, he’s thrown into the emerging conflict.
Yet, there’s also a dark prophecy who tells of the coming of two champions, one of light, the other of dark.
Malic was first released in 2012, making The Faithful and the Fallen series one of the newest entries on this list.
Yet, since its release, it’s become extremely beloved by many fantasy fans out there.
While John Gwynne’s writing style might need some getting used to, the series plot and its characters are fantastically done and are worth reading for any fan of books like Game of Thrones.
Any fantasy fan has heard of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series. Titles like Mort, The Color of Magic, or Guards! Guards! Guards! are probably known even to those who’ve never read a Discworld novel.
It’s a vast series, comprising forty-one books and includes a variety of subgenres.
Yet, The Discworld Series differs from the other entries on this list of books like Game of Thrones.
Most of them are comical and Terry Pratchett uses them to play with and make fun of many tropes established by Tolkien. Yet, he also uses his comedic and fantastic stories to shed light on many real-life issues, and even historical events.
The books in The Discworld Series are an absolute delight to read and lots of fun.
I think any fantasy fan out there should give The Discworld series a try, especially those who are looking for something that’s a little less dark.
Brandon Sanderson is one of the most popular fantasy writers of all time. He’s the man who finished Robert Jordan’s epic The Wheel of Time. Yet, the man’s a literary powerhouse all by himself.
Interestingly, with The Mistborn Series, Sanders set out to go against one of the most common tropes in all of fantasy, that of the epic quest. Instead, he set out to create a world in which the hero failed. This world’s now been stagnant for a millennium under the rule of the Dark Lord.
The plot tells the story of Kelsier who was once a hero and is now reduced to a slave, but also Vin, an orphan who was forced to become a thief.
Kelsier discovers that he’s a Mistborn, someone with great magical powers which are normally reserved for only those of nobility. When Kelsier frees himself, he gets his old crew together, including Vin. Their goal now is nothing short of overthrowing the cruel Lord Ruler.
The books come with an increasingly complex plot that features many gripping turns and twists. The greatest part, however, is Vin. Her tenacity and grit have made her one of the most beloved characters in the series.
Brandon Sanderson is popular for a variety of reasons, and The Mistborn Trilogy is one of them. It’s a fantastic series and just right for people who look for more books like Game of Thrones and even George R. R. Martin cited it as one of his influences.
Tad Williams was one of the first writers I truly came to love. The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy is a fantastic read for any fans of books like Game of Thrones.
It’s set on the continent of Osten Ard, a peaceful land on which humans and non-humans, including the dwarf-like Qanuc and the elf-like Sithi, all live in peace.
When the health of the king, John the Presbyter, fails, this peace is threatened. For Pryrates, the read priest who sets out to accomplish his schemes.
However, an even worse, darker power, the Storm King, stirs and uses this chance to get his realm back.
The plot of the series follows the young kitchen boy Simon, who knows nothing of these events. Before long, however, he gets caught up in them and is forced to go on an adventure like no other.
Simon’s one of the more interesting protagonists on this list. He’s not a grand hero or powerful sorcerer, but merely a normal person who’s forced into events far above anything he could’ve ever imagined. Especially in the first book, The Dragonbone Chair, he feels almost like a bystander who witnesses the events at play.
The Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy is a fantastic read, one that might follow many common tropes, but distorts them well enough to make them fresh and unique. It’s a must read for fans of books like Game of Thrones.
The Riftwar Saga is another popular fantasy series comprising four books. It’s, however, part of the greater Riftwar Cycle and comprises the first series in it.
It’s set in the mythical land of Midkemia. There we get to know Pug, who becomes an apprentice to the master magician Kulgan. He proves unusually gifted in magic.
When he safes the daughter of Duke Borric, Princess Carline, Pug becomes a squire at the Duke’s court.
Before long, however, the wreck of a foreign ship is discovered. Realizing the dangers to come, Duke Borric sets out to sail for the capital, Krondor, to ask for aid.
Yet, their party’s attacked by alien invaders and war breaks out. It’s revealed those invaders entered via a rift and are denizens of another world.
Soon enough, it becomes clear that Pug’s strange magic powers might be the key to stop the conflict.
The Riftwar Saga is full of well-established tropes, including elves and dwarfs, yet it still works out fantastically. While the plot, too, pans out in a way that’s expected, it’s very well told.
The greatest thing about this series, however, are the descriptions of magic and the tactics employed during battle. Pug, too, serves to be a fantastic character and has become a favorite amongst fans of not only the Riftwar Saga, but the entire Riftwar Cycle.
While the series might not be the most original or unique on the list, everything it does, it does right. It makes a great read for fans of books like Game of Thrones.
The Black Company is a series of dark fantasy novels comprising ten novels.
It combines elements of epic fantasy with hard and gritty military fiction.
Long ago, a supremely powerful wizard known as The Dominator created an evil empire with his wife, the Lady. Before long, however, a rebellion led by the White Rose takes place and both are imprisoned in the Barrowlands.
Four centuries later, the wizard Bomanz helps the Lady to escape from her prison. She promptly betrays her husband and restores her empire on her own. For this, she employs an elite mercenary unit called the Black Company, the last of the Free Companies of Khatovar.
The hard-bitten men take their pay and do what they must do. Yet, they have doubts and when the White Rose is reborn, they set out to find her.
What makes The Black Company such a great read is the mixture of elements of epic fantasy and military fiction. The best part, however, is the down-to-earth portrayal of the company’s members and their personalities. They are hardened, badass soldiers who talk the way you’d expect people to talk who went through countless battles.
The Black Company is a fantastic series for those who are looking for a grittier, harsher and more brutal series than others. If you’re a fan of military fantasy, it’s definitely a must-read.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is the first book in the Dark Star Trilogy. It’s by some hailed as the ‘African Game of Thrones.’
It follows a man named Tracker. He’s known for his skills as a hunter who’s able to find anything and anyone. Eventually, he’s hired to find a boy from the North Kingdom who went missing over three years ago.
Soon enough, however, he has to break one of his fundamental rules: always work alone. For he meets other people who are searching for the boy as well. They are a rag-tag group of mercenaries with secrets of their own, including a shape-shifting man known as Leopard.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is a novel full of African history and mysticism. It gives the story not only an inclusive but also an exotic vibe and makes it different from most other fantasy books and series on this list.
It’s a book full of unforgettable characters and a brilliant combination of politics, mythology and history, but also explores such themes as power, its limits, ambition and fundamental truths.
The only downside to the book might be James’s prose, which can fell overloaded and can take some time getting used to.
Still, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, is a great choice for those who are looking for a book like Game of Thrones not set in a medieval European world.
Gene Wolfe’s a writer well-known for his science-fantasy.
The Book of the New Sun is an epic series that’s beloved by millions of fans.
The Shadow of the Torturer is the first book in the series. Its events follow Severine, a member of the torturer guild.
His fate changes when he falls in love with Thecla, a young noblewoman. He eventually safes her from her dire fate by helping her to commit suicide.
Because of this, he’s exiled from the torturer’s guild and his home of Nessus. The head of the guild, Master Palamon, sends him to the distant metropolis of Thrax. Thus begins an adventure full of political intrigues.
The story truly starts when Severine comes in possession of a strange gem, one that a variety of people have set their sights on.
The Shadow of the Torturer and the entirety of The Book of the New Sun is a masterpiece of science-fantasy. It’s a great read for fans of books like Game of Thrones, especially for its fleshed-out world and its complex intrigues.
The Stormlight Archive Series is the second entry by Brandon Sanderson on this list. He’s amongst the best and most prolific writers the fantasy genre offers.
The Way of the King is the first book in the series and probably the longest entry on this list with a page count of roughly one-thousand.
The story’s set in Roshar, a storm-swept world. Long ago, this world was ravaged by the monstrous Voidbringers. Even the legendary Knights Radiant, equipped with Shardplates and Shardblades, mystical weapons which transformed men into near-invincible warriors, couldn’t counter the thread.
Centuries later, Shardblades are so thought after, that kingdoms are traded from them and wars are fought for and won by them.
One such war takes place in a ruined landscape known as the Shattered Plains. It’s a war in which ten armies fight separately against a single foe.
Brightlord Dalinar Kohlin is the commander of one such army. He’s fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. When he has strange visions of ancient times and the Knights Radient, he thinks himself going insane.
Yet, there are other characters. Kaladin, who joined the war to protect his brother and has fallen into slavery. Shallan, a young woman who wants to train under the eminent scholar and heretic, Jashna. Her motifs are less than pure, for she plans for a daring theft. Yet, her studies hint at more, a secret related to the Knights Radient and the true cause of the war.
The greatest thing about the Stormlight Archive Series is the world-building. We not only get to know the world but also complex religions, societies, and much more. While only four of the ten planned books have been released so far, they are nothing short of fantastic.
Sanderson proves once more why he’s one of the biggest names in fantasy today and why fans of books like Game of Thrones should check out his work.
The Name of the Wind is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles. After its release, it quickly became one of the most popular fantasy books of modern times.
Our story starts in the small town of Newarre at the Waystone Inn. There we meet a man named Kote. As it turns out, he’s the famous sword fight and magician Kvothe who’s presumed dead. A traveling biographer named Chronicler approaches him and asks him to record his life story.
Thus begins the coming-of-age story of a magically gifted child who should become a renowned swordsman and one of the most infamous magicians in the world.
We learn of Kvothe’s childhood with a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as an orphan in a crime riddled city and him entering a legendary school of magic. Eventually, we learn of his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king.
It all comes together as a fantastic and gripping story.
While the Kingkiller Chronicle might not stand out in terms of originality, its two things above all else, extremely immersive and fun.
The most interesting part, however, is the magic system, which is amongst the most original and unique on this entire list.
Another thing to note is Rothfuss’ style of writing. Kvothe himself is telling his story and often features stories within stories. This device is used brilliantly and makes for a unique reading experience.
While only two books in the series have been released so far, they are a great read and highly recommended for fans of books like Game of Thrones.
The Eye of the World is the first book in the Wheel of Time series and was published back in 1990. By now, the series comprises fifteen books in total and has become a classic of the genre.
The Wheel of Time is often praised for its characters and its extensive world-building.
When author Robert Jordan passed away, it was Brandon Sanderson who completed Jordan’s legacy and finished the last three books.
The Wheel of time is set in a fantasy world in which only woman can use magic. Any man who tries to do so as well will be destroyed by the side-effects.
The Eye of the World tells the story of three boys who are swept up in a battle between Light and Dark. One of them, however, is destined to lead the forces of light to victory.
When their small village of The Two Rivers is attacked by Trollocs, creatures which are half-man and half-beast, they have to flee. The three boys, Rand, Mat and Perin, are rescued by the Aes Sedai Moiraine. She tells them that the Dark One’s set on destroying the world and only they can stop him.
The Wheel of time is one of the longest fantasy series on this list and features a multitude of characters. It’s an epic journey and epic in scope.
Jordan’s writing is easily digestible, but very descriptive, making the books a delight to read.
While The Wheel of Time differs from Game of Thrones, fans of the series should definitely have a look.
The Lord of the Rings is THE fantasy series and served as one inspiration for George R. R. Martin’s epic.
It’s the one book that started it all, has always been massively popular and became even more so after its movie adaptions. By now, few people haven’t heard of Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring.
It established many of the tropes and standards the genres known for, like elves, dwarfs, dragons, and many others. While it’s copied countless times, it remains unsurpassed to this day.
The story itself starts with Frodo Baggins, who lives in the sleepy hobbit village of the Shire. After a grand celebration, his cousin, Bilbo Baggins, leaves the village and passes a certain ring onto Frodo.
Before long, the wizard Gandalf arrives, suspecting it to be a ring of power. It’s soon revealed that it’s the One Ring and when Gandalf doesn’t return in time, Frodo has to set out by himself to destroy it.
Over the course of the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, we witness the first part of his journey and are introduced to the group of characters who make up the fellowship.
The Lord of the Rings comes with some of the greatest world-building and richest history in all of fantasy and features some unforgettable characters.
While it’s quite different from Game of Thrones and less reliant on a character driven narrative, it’s a series any fantasy fan should read at least once.
The Broken Empire trilogy is by some described as a mixture of Game of Thrones and Assassin’s Creed, and it does not disappoint.
It starts with an interesting diversion of a typical fantasy trope, the hero’s origin. Instead of being born into humble beginnings, our protagonist is quite different.
Jorg Ancrath is a privileged royal child, a crown prince, in fact, raised by a loving mother. When she and his brother are murdered, a nine-year-old Jorg leaves his home and father behind.
He eventually joins a band of bloodthirsty killers, becomes known as the Prince of Thorns, and leads his group in a series of raids and atrocities.
From this point onward, he uses any means possible to get what he wants, which is the throne of the Broken Empire. For this, however, he must return to his father’s castle and confront the horrors of his childhood.
Yet, treachery and intrigues await him and he must use everything he learned if he wants a chance to survive.
The Broken Empire is a series not for the faint of heart. It’s full of intrigues, heavy, shocking violence and abuse.
Yet, it’s also a series that’s well-written and well-constructed and filled with a cast of characters that’s as diverse as fantastic. The best of them all, however, is Jorg himself, who’s not a hero, but an antihero. He’s a character that few people might like, but will still come to root for.
It’s a fantastic trilogy, one I highly recommend for fans of books like Game of Thrones, especially those who liked the storyline of Arya Stark.
The First Law trilogy comprises three novels and three other standalone novels set in the same world. It’s another grimdark fantasy epic featuring a cast of morally gray characters.
The story’s set in The Union, a mystical world reminiscent of Medieval Europe.
It follows a cast of characters amid war. These characters, however, aren’t your typical heroes. They are nothing short of disturbing and antagonistic, but Abercrombie makes them into true antiheroes.
Logen Ninefingers is an infamous barbarian. After his newest feud went too far, he’s in genuine danger. Eventually, he leaves nothing but dead friends and happy enemies behind.
Nobleman Captain Jezal dan Luthar is a dashing and selfish officer. He’s got nothing more on his mind than to beat his friends at cards and dreams of glory in the fencing circles. Yet, war is coming, and he’s soon set out to the battlefields of the frozen North.
Inquisitor Glokta is a crippled torturer who wants nothing more than to see Jezal return in a box. Yet, he hates everyone equally and is bent on cutting treason from The Union one confession at a time. His last trail, however, might lead him to the rotten heart of the government, but only if he can stay alive long enough.
The last is the wizard Bayaz, an old man with a terrible temper. He might very well be the First of the Magi or nothing but a fraud. Yet, he’s the one who shall make the lives of our protagonists a lot more difficult.
Yet, there are no winners in this world. There’s only survival. At the end of the day, it might be luck which trumps over all.
The First Law trilogy is a series full of murderous conspiracies, old scores to be settled and antiheroes. It’s a series that comes with great, brutal fights, but also lots of graphical violence.
Overall, it’s a series that features a cast of fantastic characters and a clever plot that might be just right for those who like books like Game of Thrones.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen is my favorite fantasy series of all times. It’s raw, gritty, brutal and full of war. Yet, it’s also one of the most complex fantasy series out there.
It’s another series that mixes epic fantasy with hard and gritty military fiction.
Yet, it’s quite different from George R. R. Martin’s epic. While Game of Thrones is set in a realistic world, Malazan’s is full of magic, gods, different races and magical creatures.
The story centers on the Malazan Empire, which is bent on conquering the last of the free cities on the continent of Genabackis.
It’s here we’re introduced to Whiskeyjack and the remains of the Bridgeburners, an elite group of soldiers. They are sent to Darujhistan to pave the way for the incoming conquest. Unbeknownst to them, however, other powers are slowly gathering in the city.
This, however, is only the start of the first book in this epic series.
Over the course of the next books, we’re introduced to a multitude of fantastic characters, but also dangers, and, of course, The Crippled God, the series’ major antagonist.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen is a fantastic series for a variety of reasons. Its world-building is one of the most detailed and complex in all of fantasy. Malazan’s magic system, too, is entirely unique and works via magicians taping into other dimensions, so-called Warrens, to use their powers.
The most outstanding part in the series, however, are its characters. The books are populated with a cast that’s as vast as it’s fantastic. There’s Whiskeyjack, Fiddler, Kalam and Quick Ben, Anomander Rake, Duiker, Kruppe and Iskara Pust and so many more.
Even better, many of these characters are hardened soldiers or recruits bent on becoming so. Thus, they swear and joke in the sardonic way only soldiers do.
The books, however, are brutal and unforgiving. They are set in a world at war, full of monstrous creatures and ambiguous gods. No one’s safe and if you thought Martin was relentless, you’ve not read The Malazan Book of the Fallen.
The only criticism of this fantastic series is that one can get easily lost in it. There’s so much going on, there are so many characters, location and continents it can be overwhelming. This is most true for the first book in the series Gardens of the Moon, which is arguably the worst in the series. There’s no real prologue and no slow intro. Instead, we’re almost immediately thrown into the middle of a war without knowing what’s going on.
Overall, though, The Malazan Book of the Fallen is one of the greatest fantasy series ever written. While the writing can be weak in the first book, it develops tremendously in book two, which is amongst the best in the series.
If you’re looking for a series full of war, brutal battles and a cast of unforgettable characters, read Malazan.
It’s one of the greatest accomplishments in modern, epic fantasy and definitely worth reading for fans of books like Game of Thrones.
I’m a huge fan of the works of H. P. Lovecraft. He’s one of my favorite horror writers of all time. Therefore, I’m always happy when I come upon true Lovecraftian SCPs.
When I went through the SCP-Wiki to create my list of the best SCPs of all time, I was especially on the lookout for any Lovecraftian SCPs.
There’s just something about eldritch and cosmic horrors that makes them so appealing.
While not all Lovecraftian SCPs I came upon were great, many others were fantastic.
That’s the reason I put together this short list of my 14 favorite Lovecraft SCPs.
Notice: All articles cited here are licensed under CC-BY-SA.
The Red Sea Object is amongst the most popular SCPs in Series I and also one of the best Lovecraftian SCPs. The anomalous object itself isn’t outstanding, or especially interesting, but the story told via the color tests is truly great. It is, however, quite a long read. While I thought some parts dragged on a little, the ending is fantastic and showcases the Lovecraftian terror at work here.
The Hanged King’s Tragedy is another early Lovecraftian SCP. While it details a play, its Lovecraftian influences become clear once the play is performed. We find detailed incident reports of several performances. These always go out of hand and the ominous figure of the Ambassador of Alagadda makes an appearance, who we should learn in SCP-2264, is a true Lovecraftian entity. Yet, even on its own, this Lovecraftian SCP holds up and serves as a classic amongst Series I SCPs.
The SCP-Wiki is full of strange SCPs, amongst them Obsolete Laptop. One might wonder how dangerous an old laptop can be. If we trust this Lovecraftian SCP, it can serve as a serious existential thread. Yet, we also learn of the measures the Foundation will take to keep its world safe, which are more than questionable.
There are quite a few good Lovecraftian SCPs out there, but in the Court of Alagadda is my absolute favorite. While it starts out as nothing but a simple door, it’s soon discovered that this door leads to the interdimensional city state of Alagadda. It’s a place which is controlled by terrible, Lovecraftian entities. What makes this Lovecraftian SCP so great is the world-building, the descriptions of the city of Alagadda and, of course, the Ambassador of Alagadda. In the court of Alagadda is, without a doubt, amongst the best Lovecraftian SCPs.
An Unfinished Ritual is one of the longest Lovecraftian SCPs on the SCP-Wiki. The writing’s fantastic, and I loved the unnerving town and the weird events taking place there. Where it clearly stands out is in terms of disturbing imagery and the description of the strange fading creatures. It can, however, be a bit confusing, especially because of the inclusion of DMT. Still, in terms of pure Lovecraftian SCPs, it’s definitely worth reading.
The Blind Idiot might be one of the few articles on the SCP-Wiki that succeeds in describing a truly alien entity. This Lovecraftian SCP describes what happens when said entity enters our universe. It’s an article that’s as strange as it is fascinating. The writing’s perfect and while I enjoyed the description of the entity itself, it was the dialogue that was truly outstanding. While The Blind Idiot might be the strangest Lovecraftian SCP on this list, I urge you to read it.
Anantashesha is one of the most well-written Lovecraftian SCPs out there. Anyone who’s familiar with Lovecraft knows of his terrors below the sea, and Anantashesha checks all the right boxes. It’s a slow moving SCP that develops into a fantastic story. Anantashesha doesn’t just feature the description of a Lovecraftian entity, but much more. It’s a story of personal journeys, challenged believes and memory deterioration. Anantashesha is amongst the best Lovecraftian SCPs out there.
The End of History is a fantastic Lovecraftian SCP out of Series IV. It comes with some of the best world-building on the SCP-Wiki and presents us with a society that’s as alien as it’s human. What I truly enjoyed were the descriptions of how this society function. Yet, the best part was the ending when we learn of the Lovecraftian terror lurking below its surface.
Imago’s a Lovecraftian SCP that’s related to SCP-2852 – Cousin Johnny. While I was never a fan of Cousin Johnny, I absolutely loved Imago. It’s a vastly more complex work, featuring historical details and a deep relation to Christianity. In its latter half, however, we truly learn of the Lovecraftian entity at the center of Imago. It’s nothing short of terrifying and comes with an extremely well-done ending. Imago is clearly amongst the best Lovecraftian SCPs out there.
World of Two Artists is another one of my absolute favorite Lovecraftian SCPs. It centers on a strange dream that people seem to be haunted by. The dream is always the same and centers on a derelict cityscape. Before long, however, we learn that there’s much more to these dreams and the city they showcase. What I loved the most about this Lovecraftian SCP were the artworks accompanying it, which showcase the true horror behind the dreams. While I loved the descriptions of the cityscape and the Lovecraftian implications, it’s the artworks that truly make World of Two Artists stand out.
The Escapee is a paradox, but that’s what makes it such a fantastic Lovecraftian SCP. How do you keep something contained you know nothing about? The descriptions in this article are fantastic and complex, but I truly came to love the mystery surrounding the supposed eldritch entity and the danger it holds. The Escapee is amongst the best SCPs in all of Series IV.
Djkaktus’ Pattern Screamer is a Lovecraftian SCP I truly loved and amongst my absolute favorites on the entire SCP-Wiki. It detains an investigation of a space that isn’t there and what people who stare at it will see. As the outlandish investigation continues, things grow stranger and stranger. Eventually, however, we learn of the Pattern Screamers and just how dangerous they are. While it’s one of the strangest Lovecraftian SCPs on this list, it’s an absolute delight for anyone who loves weirder or more mysterious SCPs.
When Day Breaks is one of the few true Lovecraftian 001-proposals and also one of the most beloved by fans of the SCP-Wiki. Yet, it doesn’t concern an eldritch being entering our world, and instead with the sun. When it suddenly changes, it brings for an apocalypse like no other. When Day Breaks is, however, much more character-driven than one might expect from a Lovecraftian SCP. It essentially details how someone might handle this nightmarish apocalypse and how they come to terms with the world ending. It’s a truly fantastic 001-proposal and one of the best Lovecraftian SCPs.
The Scarlet King is one of the grandest, most artistic 001-proposals I’ve read and features a variety of philosophical musings. It’s incredibly well-written and features one of the SCP-Wiki’s most beloved creations, the Lovecraftian entity that is The Scarlet King. Yet, Tufto’s interpretation of the entity differs vastly from what we’re used to, but no less interesting. It’s my favorite 001-proposal.
Meta-SCPs are amongst the most interesting SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki.
When I put together my list of the best SCPs, I came upon the occasional Meta-SCP. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think about them, and it took some time before they grew on me.
Meta-SCPs aren’t necessarily format screws, but toy with the idea of the SCP-Wiki being a fictional entity and even include its writers in their stories.
Things can get a bit confusing, and Meta-SCPs might not be for everyone.
There are, however, a few I can’t help but love for various reasons. Either for the sheer creativity of their ideas or the effort that went into them.
Here are six Meta-SCPs I truly enjoyed.
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As below, so above is hands-down my favorite Meta-SCP of all time. It’s extremely well written and ten incidents included are both well-done and creative. The best part, however, is the ending. Never have the words ‘DATA LOST’ been so scary.
Murphy Law in… Type 3043 — FOR MURDER! is one of the best format screws and Meta-SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki. It isn’t written as a normal article, but a thriller noir told from the first person’s view of the titular character. It’s an odd idea, but one that works incredibly well and comes with some of the SCP-Wiki’s best writing.
I Am At The Center of Everything That Happens To Me is probably the most popular Meta-SCP on the entire SCP-Wiki. Yet, it’s also one of the weirdest SCPs I’ve read. It’s best described as sheer and utter madness. While I loved the article, I felt it dragged on a little too much and became overlong. The biggest problem, however, is that you get invested in the story and all its information only to realize what’s really going on. It’s a weird, ambitious piece of work that I’m sure is not for everyone.
Meta-SCPs are a somewhat tough sell, but those including pataphysics are probably some of the most divisive SCPs on the SCP-Wiki. Death of the Author is probably one of the weirdest Meta-SCPs out there. It’s related to the 001-proposal by S. Andrew Swann, but pushed the idea even further. It’s not merely about the interaction between the writers and the Foundation, but centers on what happens if those writers die and the consequences it entails. While I think this is one of the most ambitious Meta-SCPs on the SCP-Wiki, it’s again, not for everyone. If you’re a fan of Meta-SCPs, however, and especially pataphysics, check it out.
This might be one of the most ambitious SCPs I’ve read. You can tell right away that an enormous amount of work went into this Meta-SCP. The biggest problem I have with it is the same I have with certain other Meta-SCPs. It lures you in with a variety of great stories, keeps you engaged until you realize what’s really going on. This revelation, however, is really well done. Overall, it’s a fantastic idea, a great read, but it’s also quite long. I still highly recommend it to fans of Meta-SCPs.
Here we have a Meta-SCP that doubles as a 001-proposal. It’s another Meta-SCP that ties into the idea of S. Andrew Swann’s 001-proposal. Story of Your Life, however, goes even deeper and adds yet another layer to the idea and I frankly think it makes things much more interesting. What I enjoyed the most, however, was the writing, the dialogues and the characters. It was a fantastic read.
The SCP-Wiki has its roots in the internet horror or creepypasta genre. That’s the reason many early SCPs can be considered Horror SCPs.
When I created my list of the best SCPs, I came upon quite a few Horror SCPs. While I enjoyed a lot of other SCPs as well, I always had a soft spot for the true Horror SCPs.
There’s just something about horrible, dangerous or even eldritch entities who prey on humanity.
That’s the reason I put together this list of my favorite 37 Horror SCPs.
Notice: All articles cited here are licensed under CC-BY-SA.
The “Living” Room is a great example of an early Horror SCP, and a bizarre one at that. While an organic entity taking on the form of a room is scary enough, there’s even more to this Horror SCP. It’s a great and disturbing example of horror done right.
Special Personnel Requirements is one of the earliest and most popular Horror SCPs on the SCP-Wiki. Almost everyone who’s spent some time on it has heard about the infamous procedure 110-Montauk. It showcases to what lengths the Foundation will go to keep the world safe. The most interesting part, however, and what makes it work so well, is that the procedure’s details are entirely omitted. This, however, works incredibly well, for it makes the reader not only wonder, but imagine that the procedure might entail.
A Ticket to Ride might not sound like a Horror SCP, but once you read it, you will realize just how nightmarish and deadly a single mass transit ticket can be. While it’s one of the longer Horror SCPs on this list, it’s a fantastic read. What I came to enjoy the most were the outlandish details, the exploration logs and the ending.
Series I is full of Horror SCPs. This one, however, might be one of the most disturbing Horror SCPs of all time. Beautiful Babies is pure and utter nightmare fuel. All the details described in this Horror SCP are nothing short of horrifying. What really drives the point home, however, is the interview.
Body Horror has always been one of my favorites and this Horror SCP doesn’t disappoint. The idea, the descriptions and the details make it one of the most horrifying and disturbing SCPs out there. Once again, however, it’s the ending, the last line, that makes this Horror SCP one of the best.
The Flesh that Hates is one of the most popular, if not the most popular Horror SCP on the entire SCP-Wiki. It’s remained a fan-favorite to this day. It’s the stuff of nightmares and comes with fantastic imagery and great descriptions of the various flesh organisms. What I loved the most, however, were the exploration logs that slowly reveal more and more about the horrors at play in this fantastic Horror SCP.
Here we have another great Horror SCP from Series I. The Hanged King’s tragedy details a play by the same name and describes it in detail. The horror, however, is not in the play itself, but the incidents that happen when it’s performed. We’re presented with the reports of various incidents, many of which feature the ominous figure of the Ambassador of Alagadda. It’s a fantastic Horror SCP whose principal antagonist we’ll meet again in SCP-2264, another fantastic SCP.
Some SCPs tell grand stories or comprise complicated mysteries. Yet, there’s also those who are simple and describe nothing but a dangerous anomalous object. A Machine is one of the latter, but it does everything it does right. For this reason and the interview in the addendum, this Horror SCP still holds up today.
Builder Bear is amongst the most twisted Horror SCPs of Series II. While the object itself might appear safe, adorable even, there’s much more to it. For Builder Bear, creates copies of itself and we find out not only what they are but how they are created. It’s the stuff of nightmares.
I’m a huge fan of weird SCPs and Tunnel Slide is one of the weirdest Horror SCPs out there. While the idea is silly, ridiculous even, it makes up for it by its descriptions. It’s a creepy, unsettling and mysterious Horror SCP. The best part about it, however, is the pure horror of the audio logs.
Came Back Haunted is one of the best and creepiest Horror SCPs of Series II. This Horror SCP is very reminiscent of earlier creepypasta and urban legends. We don’t get any explanation for the mysterious events taking place. Instead, all we get is pure horror and pure weirdness. Leaving the mystery intact works in this Horror SCPs favored and is exactly what makes it so great.
This list should prove that I’m a big horror fan and The Crew of the HMS Wintersheimer is amongst the best Series II Horror SCPs. I loved the descriptions of the titular HMS Wintersheimer, but the greatest part was the final interview log. It details what a D-Class experienced after he became part of the Wintersheimer crew. It’s a fantastic Horror SCP, one that’s incredibly strange and bizarre.
There are many bizarre Horror SCPs out there, but LA U GH IS F UN might be the most bizarre one I’ve read. It concerns a TV show by the same name that’s much more bizarre than anyone could expect. While this Horror SCP can be a bit too random and weird and might not be for everyone, but I loved it for the sheer bizarreness of it all.
Here we have another fantastic Series III Horror SCP. At first, it introduces us to a strange man, an entity who’s supposedly been alive for centuries. Before long, however, things move toward an entirely different and much more horrifying conclusion. It’s the latter half which makes it such a fantastic Horror SCP.
This was one of the first djkaktus SCPs I read. Back then, I didn’t know The Demon La Hire and the Valley of Lust was part of djkaktus’ greater universe, yet it worked very well knowing nothing about it. This Horror SCP showcases once more how far the Foundation will go to contain entities and the atrocities it’s willing to commit. While the entity this Horror SCP is about is terrifying enough, the final implications make it even better.
The Laughing Man is another truly fantastic Horror SCP. The Great Hippo truly brings forth the stuff of nightmares. Like in many other Horror SCPs, we witness that the Foundation can be a truly terrible place. Interestingly, the doctor thought of D-Class as nothing but irredeemable monsters, but it’s only because of this that he took the actions that eventually made them exactly that. A truly brilliant Horror SCP by one of the SCP-Wiki’s best writers.
Cragglewood Park is yet another Horror SCP by The Great Hippo and one of my absolute favorites. It’s a combination of strange dreams, hidden memories and a creepy theme park, tropes that I always found fascinating. While I loved the unsettling descriptions of the park, the implications near the end make this Horror SCP truly fantastic.
Most readers might think the best Horror SCPs are Keter-class. Lucibelle Perhacs, however, is a Safe SCPs, and it’s one of the most disturbing body horror SPCs on the entire SCP-Wiki. Needles are scary enough, but this SCP takes things much, much further. The detailed descriptions will not only make you uncomfortable, they will make you cringe. It’s exactly this slow, detailed the development that makes this Horror SCP so great. While there are many scary and disturbing Horror SCPs out there, this one takes things to an entirely different level.
Anantashesha is one of the most well-written SCPs out there. While this Horror SCP starts slowly, it soon develops into a fantastic story. It not only comprises descriptions of the entity itself, but much more. It’s a tale about personal journeys, believes, and memory deterioration. Anantashesha is amongst the best Horror SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki and any fan should read it.
This Horror SCP tells the story of Dr. Scranton, who gets transported and trapped in a paradoxical pocket dimension or non-dimension as we come to learn. What I came to enjoy the most about this Horror SCP were the logs. They paint a picture of a man lost, trapped, and alone whose body and mind are slowly eroding. It’s a Horror SCP that’s both sad and disturbing. Read Reality packs quite a punch and is one of the best Horror SCPs of all time.
I was never a big fan of SCP-2852 – Cousin Johnny. It felt a like a collection, like needless gore and body horror. Image ties into it, but it’s a vastly more complex work. It’s a much longer read with various ties into Christianity. What I loved the most about this Horror SCP, however, was the Lovecraftian entity and the extremely well-done ending.
World of Two Artists is among my absolute favorite Horror SCPs. At first, it seems to focus on nothing but a series of strange reoccurring dreams about a derelict cityscape. As things continue, however, it becomes much scarier and complex as more and more details about these dreams are revealed. What I loved the most about this Horror SCP was the artworks showcasing the true horror behind the dreams. These artworks, the descriptions of the desolate cityscape and the Lovecraftian implications all come together as an outstanding SCP.
The Infinite IKEA is one of the most popular extra-dimensional Horror SCPs out there. I always loved these types of Horror SCPs and this is amongst the best of them. The idea of being trapped in a world that’s nothing but a giant IKEA is great, but the diary entries make it truly fantastic. It’s a Horror SCP that’s as fascinating as it is creative.
This Horror SCP centers on an ominous counting station. Yet, it contains much more than merely a description of the anomaly itself. Over various interviews, audio analysis, and incident logs, the mystery of the titular counting station is slowly revealed, yet never truly explained. It’s a fantastic Horror SCP, but its ending makes it truly great.
A Monster-Shaped Hole is another Horror SCP on this list written by The Great Hippo, yet it proves to be his most original. It doesn’t center on an actual entity or monstrous creature, but on our thoughts and imagination. It’s this unique, shifted focus that makes it one of the best Horror SCPs out there.
What starts out with a series of murder cases in Vienna is soon revealed to be much, much bigger. The Aristocrats is one of the longest Horror SCPs on this list, but also one of the best. It’s well written and tells a fascinating story. I loved everything about this Horror SCP. While it takes some historical liberties, of course, it never bothered me. It’s a fantastic read from beginning to end and one of my absolute favorite Horror SCPs.
I’ve always enjoyed extra-dimensional SCPs and Tower is one of the absolute best. This Horror SCP concerns a normal fire lookout. The only strange thing appears to be a top door. When opened, it doesn’t lead to the lookout’s roof, but to yet another similar lookout with another similar top door. This creates a tower and as we learn from the many exploration logs, things get stranger the higher one climbs it. While many parts of this Horror SCP are unsettling and creepy, it’s the final exploration log that’s truly terrifying. It’s here we finally learn what’s at the top of the tower and what happens to those who reach it.
Unearth is quite the bizarre Horror SCP, but on I truly enjoyed reading. It combines surreal and nightmarish imagery with the feeling of being stuck and an almost feasible claustrophobia. What I really loved about this Horror SCP, however, were the dialogues. They are heavy with emotions and a feeling of utter futility.
While there are many bizarre Horror SCPs out there, Mind-Milk™ by Moosphere, Inc. is amongst the most bizarre ones. It tells a story full of surreal ideas and bizarre imagery. When a disgusting new milk product becomes popular, strange things happen, including people turning into udders. While I thought this Horror SCP was hard to follow, it makes up for it by the sheer outlandishness of its ideas. If you love bizarre Horror SCPs, you shouldn’t miss out on this one.
Djkaktus has written quite a few SCPs, many of which are part of his bigger universe. The Pattern Screamer, however, is a standalone Horror SCP, and one I truly love. It’s probably my favorite of the many SCPs djkaktus has written over the years. It concerns a space that isn’t there and what people see if they stare at it. As we follow along with an investigation, we witness just how outlandish the events at play are. This Horror SCP is amongst the strangest, most unsettling I’ve read and a delight for any fan of Horror SCPs.
The Bone Orchard is a Series IV Horror SCP about sarkicism. It details the exploration of a space-time anomaly found in Syria. As we learn from the many exploration logs, there’s much more going on than at first thought. I truly came to enjoy the story told, the detailed descriptions and the outlandish imagery. The only problem I have with The Bone Orchard is how heavy on references to and information from other SCPs related to sarkicism it is.
In the Eyes of the Beholder is a Horror SCP that comes as a format screw, and one of the best on the entire SCP-Wiki. It’s a long read, and so strange you will wonder just what’s going on multiple times. What made this Horror SCP so great, however, was the visual representation and the twist ending.
SWINE GOD is a Horror SCP that’s reminiscent of the SCP-Wiki’s early days of pure horror. It details a mechanical construction resembling a pig in the basement of a meatpacking factory. It comes with its share of fucked up and detailed imagery as experiments and test logs. We soon learn, however, just how much more there is to this object. I truly loved SWINE GOD because it was not only a well done SCP, but a true Horror SCP.
I absolutely love the Yule Man and it’s my favorite Horror SCP. What’s described in this SCP is pure nightmare fuel. We learn of an entity that always shows up around Christmas. It targets families, and either leaves them disgusting toys, or murders them, always kidnapping a single child. While the details of these visitations are horrible enough, it’s the final interview that elevates this Horror SCP to greatness. It’s without a doubt amongst the SCP-Wiki’s most twisted and best entries.
Nicki Knows is my favorite Horror SCP in Series VI. I loved it right from the start and enjoyed the story about Nicki Ludo’s life immensely. Things got even better in the second half because we finally learn about the entities this Horror SCP is actually about. Once more, however, it’s the ending that makes this Horror SCP truly stand out. It’s nothing short of satisfying and an absolute delight to read.
The SCP-Wiki originated as a place where creepypasta as scientific documents was shared. Over the years, the focus of the SCP-Wiki changed and broadened, including a variety of genres, yet one can still find quite a few true Horror SCPS. “Mama?” is one of the newer ones, and it’s amongst the most bizarre, disturbing and sad Horror SCPs I’ve come upon. It’s well-written and showcases some powerful emotions throughout. It’s, however, the ending that brings it all together and will make you cringe. “Mama?” is one of the best horror SCPs and amongst the most disturbing of all time.
When Day Breaks is one of the few true Horror 001-proposals and also one of the most popular. It details what happens when a sudden change to the sun brings forth an apocalypse like no other. While it’s a Horror SCP, it’s also has a much more character-driven narrative than many other, similar SCPs. It showcases how someone might handle this nightmarish apocalypse and how they come to terms with the end of the world as they know it. It’s a truly fantastic read and any fan of Horror SCPs.
When I started putting together my list of the best SCPs, I thought the SCP-Wiki was entirely based on horror.
To my surprise, I found that it contains a variety of different genres. While there are the typical creepypasta-like SCPs, there’s also science-fiction-SCPs, Meta-SCPs and many other types.
One of the most unexpected type I found were comedy SCPs. While they are rare, they can be absolutely fantastic.
For this article I put together a list of my favorite 11 Comedy SCPs.
Notice: All articles cited here are licensed under CC-BY-SA.
There are some SCPs that are funny, others that are a tad bit silly, and then there’s Solve for Bear. This is probably the most ridiculous Comedy SCP I’ve come upon and it’s absolutely ridiculous. It describes what happens if one solves a certain mathematical equation. While this Comedy SCP is dumb, even ridiculous, it’s also absolutely hilarious.
Cotton Blight is another utterly ridiculous Comedy SCP. At first, the article is entirely serious, and the events depicted are as devastating as they are interesting. Until we get to the end, which is one of the funniest on the entire SCP-Wiki. After finishing Cotton Blight, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Escort and Officer is one of the weirdest Comedy SCPs I’ve come upon. Yet, I absolutely love it. It’s one of the most ridiculous SCPs I’ve read. We learn of two alien organisms. The first’s a multi-limbed organism working as an escort. The second a metallic sphere, an officer who’s sent to bring the escort to justice. Things, however, get even stranger during the interviews with the two entities. The ending of Escort and Officer had me at a loss for words. An absolutely weird Comedy SCP, but one that’s similarly hilarious.
Bzzip.exe might be the strangest Comedy SCP I’ve come upon. It’s a weird mixture of comedy and bizarre, imaginative horror. What had me laughing out loud, however, was the simpler and simpler summaries of Hamlet. Yet, the tone entirely changes during the last test log, where things turn into nothing short of horror. Because of the earlier test logs, however, I think bzzip.exe is one of the best Comedy SCPs out there.
God is Dumb is one of the many standalone SCPs djkaktus has written that are not related to his bigger universe. It details Ashur, the Assyro-Babylonian god of air. While he’d prove an extremely dangerous entity, he’s also extremely gullible and a complete idiot. The containment procedures detail how every member of the research team is to trick him into thinking they are fellow gods. Overall, it’s an extremely funny Comedy SCP.
Anyone familiar with the SCP-Wiki and its history will remember the lolFoundation SCPs that were popular back in the day. This Comedy SCP concerning the popular character of Jack Bright takes us right back. It toys with the idea of what would happen if more than one Jack Bright would exist. Needless to say, it would cause utter chaos. The Plurality of Jack Bright is one of the best comedy SCPs I’ve read and I absolutely loved it.
Megalomania is another Comedy SCP by djkaktus. Once more, it’s very reminiscent of the lolFoundation style. It contains a lot, not all of which I liked, but other parts were extremely funny. It’s an SCP full of magicians, demons, Donald Trump, Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a witch, the 2016 election, and the Foundation’s grand plan for manipulating it. Megalomania is a fantastically mad Comedy SCP and one of the most ridiculous of the entire SCP-Wiki. While I’m sure this Comedy SCP isn’t for everyone, those who are into silly, South Park-style humor will enjoy it.
While I’m usually not too big a fan of Comedy SCPs, Goosed was absolutely fantastic. It’s one of the funniest, most ridiculous SCPs I’ve read. As short a piece as it is, it still had me laugh out loud multiple times. If you’re lucking for a short, but hilarious article, read Goosed.
Made in Heaven might be my favorite Comedy SCP on the entire site. Yet, it’s far from a typical SCP, even a typical Comedy SCP, but is instead written like a crime noir action story. Everett Mann is out for revenge against a man named Francis Fitzwilliam’s who’s no other than the Administrator of the SCP Foundation. I had an absolute blast reading it and laughed out loud multiple times throughout the entire thing. It’s an exciting, enjoyable and wild ride.
While most Comedy SCPs are silly, DINOVLOGS! is utterly ridiculous. It describes a YouTube channel which depicts the life of a juvenile tyrannosaurus rex, titled “TheLifeOfRex.” If this wasn’t ridiculous enough already, most of the SCP details a Zoom conference of a group of academics who discuss the channels’ various uploads. DINOVLOGS! is hilarious and without a doubt amongst the hilarious Comedy SCPs on the SCP-Wiki.
001-proposals are usually grand, comprising high concepts or complex origin stories, not so Captain Kirby’s proposal. Instead, it’s a rather hilarious take on the Overseer Council’s paranoia. I loved everything about this Comedy SCP, had an absolute blast reading it and think it’s amongst the best 001-proposals.
When I put together my list of the best SCPs, I read a variety of SCPs, including the occasional Keter SCP.
Keter SCPs are anomalies or anomalous objects which are exceedingly hard to contain and their containment procedures are often highly complex. This can have a variety of reasons, for example, no clear understanding of the anomaly itself or no proper technology to contain it.
A Keter SCP isn’t necessarily dangerous. Instead, it’s merely an anomaly that’s very hard to contain.
While Keter is the smallest of the three main SCP-classes, there are many I truly enjoyed reading. That’s why I put together a list of my 34 favorites.
Notice: All articles cited here are licensed under CC-BY-SA.
The Anti-Meme is my favorite Keter SCP out of Series I, but also one of the strangest on the entire SCP-Wiki. It details an object that no one’s able to describe and which anyone who saw it will forget about. That’s the reason no one knows what it actually is, looks like and the object remains a mystery to this day. Because of this, however, the Anti-Meme proved massively popular and is featured in a variety of other SCPs.
An Incomplete Chronicle is another outstanding Keter SCP. It’s one of the most unique and creative ideas in all of Series I. It details a book that continues to write itself, outlining the history of a civilization. Yet, that’s not all, and if you read it, you will learn exactly why this object is so dangerous. Incidentally, this is also the first time the Daevite Empire was mentioned.
Another classic Keter SCP, and one of the most iconic ones. The reason this SCP is so popular and well known, however, is because of procedure 110-Montauk. It’s an early example of how far the Foundation will go to keep the world safe. Interestingly, the procedure’s details are entirely omitted. While omissions can be a hit or miss, it works extremely well in Special Personnel Requirements. It’s not important what procedure 110-Montauk actually is, but what the reader imagines it to be.
Here we have another popular and iconic Keter SCP. The Flesh that Hates has proven extremely popular and has remained a fan-favorite to this day. It comes with some great imagery and fantastic descriptions of various flesh-organisms. What I truly loved, however, were the exploration logs, which slowly revealed more and more details and horrors. The Flesh that Hates is the stuff of nightmares and a fantastic Keter SCP.
This Keter SCP is another interpretation of The Factory, Admin Bright’s 001-proposal. While Bright’s proposal designates The Factory as the origin of the SCP Foundation, Industrial Dissolution is an entirely different take on it. I absolutely loved Industrial Dissolution and enjoyed it more than Bright’s original. Each single part of this SCP is fantastic, but it’s the ending that makes it truly good.
World Without Man is another one of my favorite Keter SCPs of Series I. The most interesting aspect of this SCP, however, is not the object itself, but the danger it holds. It goes much further than merely talking about those, though, but even questions human nature. An outstanding Keter SCP with a truly fantastic ending.
While Keter SCPs don’t have to be horror SCPs, this one definitely is. It’s amongst the most fucked up SCPs of Series II and contains its fair share of body horror. Interestingly enough, the object itself appears to be safe, adorable even until we learn what it truly does. The worst thing, however, are the entities the Builder Bear created and how. It’s the stuff of nightmares.
Bifurcation Man is one of the most fun Keter SCPs of Series II. At first, it appears a comedy SCP, nothing but a joke. That’s until we reach the ending and realize that it’s a truly dangerous anomaly. It’s this ending that turns this ridiculous Keter SCP into something truly great.
While Bifurcation Man only appeared to be a joke, Solve for Bear is nothing sort of ridiculous and probably the most ridiculous Keter SCP out there. It details a mathematical equation which was quite the strange effect when solved. It might be dumb, ridiculous even, but it’s also absolutely hilarious.
Here we have another extremely interesting Keter SCP from Series II. Interestingly, it’s not the old man who’s dangerous but what follows him. Wherever he turns up, calamity and death befall those around him. The best part of this Keter SCP is the interview. It’s here the old man details exactly what’s following him around.
How dangerous can an old laptop be? If you read this Keter SCP, you will realize just what dangers a single laptop can hold. It’s one of the best Keter SCPs in Series II and presents us with one of the most serious and existential threads on the entire SCP-Wiki. Once again, however, it also proves just how far the Foundation will go to keep the world safe.
Cotton Blight is a Keter SCP that I can’t help but love for how ridiculous it is. While the events depicted are interesting, it’s the ending that makes this Keter SCP so great. When I finished this article, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. It was one of the most ridiculous endings I’ve read on the entire SCP-Wiki.
I always love a good horror SCP and The Crew of the HMS Wintersheimer is amongst the best in Series II. This Keter SCP details the titular HMS Wintersheimer. I loved the descriptions of the anomalous entity itself, but the greatest part was the interview with the D-Class, who became part of its crew. While it’s a horror SCP, it’s also an exceedingly bizarre one that gives us no explanation of what’s actually going on. Yet, that’s exactly why its horror works so well.
I love weird and bizarre SCPs and LA U GH IS F UN is amongst the most bizarre Keter SCPs out there. It details a television show, but one that’s much, much stranger than anyone expects. While it can be a bit too weird, even random, to some people, I truly loved the bizarre imagery and the detailed descriptions.
A Malfunctioning Destroyer is another space SCP. Djkaktus’ writing in this Keter SCP’s fantastic. I also truly loved the entity, the destroyer, and its description and history of discovery. The best part, however, are the messages that are revealed at the end.
There are a lot of Meta-SCPs out there, but this one has to be the best one of all of them. As below, so above comes with some great writing, but it’s the incidents described which are both fantastically well-done and incredibly creative. Yet, as many other similar Keter SCPs, it’s the ending that truly makes it great. Never have the words ‘DATA LOST’ been so scary.
The End of History is the first Keter SCP out of Series IV on this list, but it’s a truly fantastic one. It presents us with some fantastic world-building and a society that’s as alien as it’s human. I truly enjoyed the detailed descriptions of how this society worked, as well as the organisms that are part of it. The greatest part, however, was the final addendum.
I absolutely adore World of Two Artists. It’s amongst my absolute favorite SCPs. At first, one might think this Keter SCP concerns nothing but a series of strange dreams about a cityscape. Soon enough, however, things become more complex and much scarier when more things about these dreams are revealed. The greatest part of this Keter SCP, however, are the artworks added to it. The true horror wasn’t merely revealed by words, but by pieces of art accompanying it. This, the description of the desolate cityscape and the Lovecraftian implications, makes this a truly outstanding SCP.
The Escapee is a paradox in and of itself and that’s what makes it such a great Keter SCP. The question it asks is: how can you contain something you know nothing about? While I loved the descriptions in the article, what I truly loved was the mystery surrounding the entity and the supposed danger it holds. It’s without a doubt one of the best Series IV SCPs and one of the best Keter SCPs.
The Church of the Broken God has always been amongst my favorite groups of interest on the SCP-Wiki. The Seed describes a liquid metal organism which cannot only alter its appearance but also create smaller entities. What’s most interesting about this Keter SCP, however, are the historical details and the many attempted containment breaches.
The Aristocrats is one of the longest Keter SCPs on this list. While it’s a lengthy read, it makes up for it with its fantastic story and writing. At first it concerns nothing but a series of murders in Vienna, but it soon grows in scope. I loved every single part of this Keter SCP, even if it took a few historical liberties. Yet, it didn’t matter since I truly enjoyed reading it.
If there’s one group of SCPs I truly love, it’s extra-dimensional ones. This Keter SCP details a seemingly normal fire lookout. The only strange thing is a top door. This top door, however, leads to yet another lookout with a similar top door, thus creating a tower. As we learn from the many exploration logs, things get stranger and stranger the higher one climbs. While things are odd enough, it’s the final exploration log that’s truly terrifying. For it is there we learn what happens to those who make it to the tower’s top.
There’s many bizarre SCPs on the SCP-Wiki, but this Keter SCP is amongst the most bizarre ones. Mind-Milk™ by Moosphere is full of surreal ideas, bizarre imagery and is a wild ride from start to finish. It outlines a story in which disgusting milk takes over the world, people turn into udders and much, much more. At times, I found this Keter SCP almost a bit too confusing, but it’s all made up for the many outlandish ideas it presents. If you’re a fan of bizarre SCPs, this one’s a must-read.
While djkaktus is most popular for his bigger universe, he’s written quite a few other great SPCs. God is Dumb is one of them. It’s a Keter SCP about Ashur, the Assyro-Babylonian god of air. Interestingly enough, Ashur is extremely gullible and a complete and utter idiot. Most of the containment procedures outline how the research team is to trick him into believing them to be gods as well and that his containment cell is indeed a Chateau. Overall, it’s one of the funniest Keter SCPs out there.
This Keter SCP centers on the horrors of sarkicism and details a space-time anomaly in Syria. As we learn from a variety of exploration logs, this anomaly is much stranger than originally thought. What I came to love about this Keter SCP were the descriptions, the imagery, but also the many entities featured in it. The only downside to this fantastic Keter SCP is that it’s heavy on references to and information from other SCPs related to sarkicism.
In the Eyes of the Beholder is one of the best format screws and Keter SCPs I’ve come upon. It’s a long, strange read and it will make you wonder multiple times just what is going on. What makes it stand out amongst many other Keter SCPs and format screws, however, is the presentation and the twist ending, which are both fantastically done.
The Yule Man is probably my favorite horror SCP of all time. To say it’s pure nightmare fuel might be an understatement. It concerns an entity which shows up around Christmas and targets family. It either leaves them disgusting toys, or murders everyone except a single child, which he kidnaps. As horrible as these visits and their details are, the true horror of the Yule Man is revealed in the final interview. This Keter SCP is without a doubt amongst the best and most twisted on the entire SCP-Wiki.
The Syncope Symphony is another Keter SCP by the great Tufto. It’s a long read, but one that’s extremely well-written. While this Keter SCP is related to the class-of-76, it works fairly well on its own. The story told is as fantastic as it is complex. While it makes for a better read if one’s familiar with the class-of-76, I still think it’s a fantastic read even without.
SCP-4840 – The Demon Lancelot and the Flying City of Audapaupadopolis by djkaktus
The Demon Lancelot and the Flying City of Audapaupadopolis is another Keter SCP that’s part of djkaktus’ greater universe and Project Paragon. While I’m not too big a fan of Project Paragon, I think this Keter SCP is a fantastic piece of world-building. While it can be a rather dense read, the imagery is stunning. One should, however, be familiar with djkaktus’ great universe before reading it to understand truly what’s going on.
Nicki Knows is another horror SCP and my favorite Keter SCP of Series VI. What I loved the most about it was not only the story, but the way it was told. While the earlier parts detailing Nicki Ludo’s life were great, it was the latter half I loved the most. It’s here we get to know the actual entities this SCP is about. The best part, however, was the ending, which was an absolute delight to read.
All Creatures Great and Small is one of the greatest Keter SCPs I’ve ever read. It centers on man’s destruction of nature. As one can assume, this Keter SCP is a rather sad, even melancholic read, but it’s also fantastically written. The anomalous object in question is a tree which contains the genetic information of all living beings on the planet. The greatest part of this Keter SCP, however, is the story of Dr. Wildcard, which presents us with an honest gut punch.
Tufto is back, and he’s proven once more that he’s one of the best writers on the entire SCP-Wiki. Cascadia’s a long read, but a beautiful one. It showcases once more that not all is well at the Foundation and it has some truly evil members who’ll do anything to contain anomalies. What I loved about this Keter SCP was the slow development and the way the story was told. The best part, however, was the ending, which I think is one of the strongest and most satisfying on the entire SCP-Wiki.
The True Empire is a Keter SCP that picks up where SCP-140 – An Incomplete Chronicle stopped. The Daevite Empire is both one of the most dangerous civilizations in history and one of the SCP-Wiki’s most popular creations. This Keter SCP details how the chronicle is eventually completed and the consequences it might have for the world. It’s amongst my favorite SCPs in Series VII.
Does the Red Moon Howl? is another weird Keter SCP. When I started reading it, I thought it might be one of the weaker Keter SCPs out there and I couldn’t help but think of it as ridiculous. All this changed, however, the moment I reached the exploration logs. They were nothing short of brilliant and are amongst my favorites on the entire SCP Wiki. The best part, however, was the ending and the philosophical musings it entailed. While Does the Red Moon Howl? can be weaker in parts, it makes up for it with the exploration logs alone.
Safe SCPs are the second most common class of SCPs on the SCP-Wiki. When I put together my list of the best SCPs, I read quite a few of them.
Safe SCPs are anomalies or anomalous objects which can easily and safely be contained. Their containment doesn’t require significant resources, or the anomaly requires a specific trigger. This, however, doesn’t mean that they can’t be dangerous.
While there’s a variety of Safe SCPs out there, their quality varies quite a lot. That’s why I put together a list of my favorite 26 Safe SCPs.
Notice: All articles cited here are licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Encyclopedia of Diseases is amongst the best Safe SCPs of Series II. It’s not the properties of the anomalous item that make it so interesting, but what happens during the various experimentation logs. Yet, it’s the ending that makes it truly great.
There are a lot of strange Safe SCPs on the SCP-Wiki, but Buried Giant is amongst the strangest. While the descriptions are weird enough, the interview makes it even weirder. After checking the author’s commentary on it, I realized there’s an entirely different level to this SCP, one that made me ponder about it.
This was one of the first true space SCPs I read and I loved it. The writing and the emotional impact in Harbinger are great. The one thing I loved the most about it, however, was the line: ‘One voice is small, but the difference between zero and one is as great as one and infinity.’ It’s truly one of the most fantastic and emotional Safe SCPs.
I don’t know why, but I’m a big fan of weird SCPs and Tunnel Slide is definitely weird. Its idea is silly, ridiculous even, but the way it’s described makes it not only creepy, and unsettling, but also mysterious. And yet, we never get an explanation. Instead, we’re left with the pure horror of the audio logs. For this reason alone, I consider it amongst the best Safe SCPs.
You might notice a trend here. Bag of Holding Potatoes is another bizarre Safe SCP. Now what’s so bad about a bag holding an infinite amount of potatoes? Well, if you read the exploration log and find out where all those potatoes come from, you will now. What I think made this one of the best Safe SCPs was the fantastically weird exploration log.
Trapped in a Game is amongst my absolute favorite Safe SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki. At first, it seems like nothing more than a recording of the season opening game of 2010-2011. Yet, soon people notice strange things. While this description might not make it outstanding, you will notice just how great this Safe SCP is once you read its experimentation log.
RONALD REAGAN CUT UP WHILE TALKING is the second Safe SCP about a strange recording. The SCP details a speech by Ronald Reagan, but the further into the speech one gets, the more Ronald Reagan’s body gets torn apart and the topics of the speech deteriorates. Yet, there’s even more to this recording. Truly one of the weirdest and best Safe SCPs.
Anyone who loves books or libraries is sure to love this SCP. It essentially describes a weird, never-ending library containing books that were never seen before. Yet, the author wasn’t satisfied merely describing the place, but included descriptions of many of the books contained within it. Another of the most creative and best Safe SCPs.
There are many good Safe SCPs out there, but In the Court of Alagadda is definitely amongst my favorites. At first, it might appear as nothing but a simple door, but it’s soon discovered that it leads to the interdimensional city state of Alagadda. This city state is controlled by terrible, Lovecraftian entities. What makes this Safe SCP so great is the world-building, the descriptions of Alagadda and, of course, the Ambassador of Alagadda who was featured in SCP-701. In the Court of Alagadda might be one of the best Lovecraftian and Safe SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki.
This Safe SCP is as different as it is creepy. It doesn’t concern itself so much with a secret itself, but why and how it’s hidden. Got A Secret, Can You Keep It? is an interesting spin on the trope that many small towns hide terrible secrets.
Here we have yet another one of the Safe SCPs who concern themselves with recordings. Yet this one’s different from the ones we have seen on this list before. It doesn’t concern itself with a strange recording, but the idea of being able to move inside a recording of a TV-Show or movie. This, however, is merely the beginning, as it’s revealed that one can go even deeper and enter other recordings shown in the one you’re currently in. It’s a fantastically creative idea, and the longer we read on, the strange and more unsettling things become. Truly one of the best Safe SCPs out there.
Safe SCPs might often appear less dangerous than others, but Lucibelle Perhacs is one of the most horrifying body horror SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki. While needles are terrifying by themselves, this SCP makes things much, much worse. The descriptions serve to not only make you uncomfortable, but will make you cringe multiple times. It’s for this exact reason I love it so much. While many other Safe SCPs can be scary, this one takes things to an entirely different level.
While there are a lot of strange Safe SCPs out there, bzzip.exe might be amongst the strangest ones. It’s a great combination of comedy and bizarre, imaginative horror. The greatest thing about it, however, was the simpler and simpler summaries of Hamlet. They had me burst out laughing multiple times. Yet, in later parts, the tone changes entirely and what was once comedy turns into nothing short of horror.
THE FOUNDATION describes a board game created by Dr. Wonderteinment for the members of the SCP Foundation. While it’s more the description of a game and its rules, it’s quite a unique, interesting and enjoyable article. The most impressive part about this Safe SCP, however, is the effort that must’ve put into creating it. While it’s a bit of a different SCP, it’s still very worth reading.
SCP-3444 – She Took The Midnight Train Going Anywhere… by Tufto
At first, I wasn’t really sure what to do with this Safe SCP. It felt like it really wasn’t my cup of tea. Yet, it’s a long, ambitious, creative and most of all well-written piece like many of Tufto’s other SCPs. While it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting or looking for in an SCP, I can’t deny the effort that went into it. For those who are looking for a Safe SCP that’s different, and humorous, you’d do well to check it out.
Here we have another genuine horror SCP, but one that’s also rather bizarre. It combines the feeling of claustrophobia and being stuck with surreal and nightmarish imagery. The greatest part about it, however, were the dialogues. They were full of emotions, a feeling of futility and, of course, claustrophobia. Unearth is truly twisted and amongst the best Safe SCPs.
Do not stop reading this document is one of the most interesting Safe SCPs I came upon. At first, it showcases just how far people will go to keep themselves safe. What won me over, however, was the ending, which I thought was fantastically well-done.
[NUMBER RESERVED; AWAITING RESEARCHER] is amongst the most clever, but also longest Safe SCPs out there. While I think it was a bit long in parts, I can’t deny how much effort must’ve been put into it. Yet, once you figure out what’s really going on, you realize just how well this Safe SCP was put together. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Alexandria Eternal, as one might have guessed, is another Safe SCP concerning a library. Yet this library is special, for it holds a book about the life of every human being that ever existed. What I enjoyed the most about this SCP was that it wasn’t about a monster or a dangerous object, but just a mysterious place. Yet as we soon learn, the library has the potential to cause damage, as we can see from the many experimentation logs. Even more interesting, however, is that the library seems to be a living place, one that judges people and the deeds they commit. It’s truly amongst the greatest Safe SCPs out there.
When I first came to the SCP-Wiki, this was one of the first SCPs I read. Needless to say, I didn’t get what was going on. When I finally returned to it later, once I’d read a good chunk of other articles, I managed to put things together. Yet, as straightforward as the story appears at first, things can get a bit confusing. This doesn’t matter much, however, for the events depicted and the many references to other SCPs makes this a truly fantastic read. Why? is without a doubt one of the best Safe SCPs out there and an absolute delight for any fan of the SCP-Wiki.
Our Stolen Theory concerns itself with one of fiction’s most ambitious topics, time travel. The reason is simple: time travel is hard to do right, but Our Stolen Theory absolutely nails it. It’s one of the greatest Safe SCPs out there. The writing’s fantastic, and the story told is extremely interesting. Yet, the greatest thing about it are the characters, the science, and, of course, the emotions. Our Stolen Theory is without a doubt, one of the greatest SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki.
I absolutely loved Made in Heaven. It’s far from your typical SCP and written more like a crime noir action story. It concerns itself with Everett Mann, who’s out to get revenge on Francis Fitzwilliams, the Administrator of the SCP Foundation. There are few Safe SCPS I enjoyed as much as this one, and I had an absolute blast reading it. It’s an exciting, enjoyable and most of all, wild ride. Don’t take it too serious, however.
There’s dumb, there’s ridiculous and DINOVLOGS! Is a prime example of the latter. It concerns itself with a YouTube channel titled “TheLifeOfRex” which depicts the life of a juvenile tyrannosaurus rex. Things don’t end here, however, for most of the SCP takes the form of a Zoom conference of a group of academics who discuss the YouTube channel’s various videos. DINOVLOGS is absolutely ridiculous, but without a doubt one of the funniest Safe SCPs on the Wiki.
This SCP details a strange document which was found on the Foundation servers. It talks about a certain room in the basement of a steel factory. In said room, a microcosm of flora and fauna exists. Soon enough, however, the factory’s higher-ups have a worker torch the entire room. Yet, after this incident, other rooms within the factory show similar properties. From this point onward, we follow this Safe SCP through various iterations detailing the continued escalation of things. Overall, Return. Return. Return. is a long, ambitious, but well put-together SCP.
This is the first of Rounderhouse’s two 001-proposals. While most of the other 001-proposals concern themselves with grand origin stories, this one tells about an ending. I found it to be quite the sad, melancholic piece, but also strangely beautiful. In MEMENTO MORI, we’re led from room to room and learn more about the people who comprised the overseer council and how the Foundation broke all of them. A truly fantastic 001-proposal and one of the best Safe SCPs.
The Scarlet King is a grand and artistic article that concerns itself with a variety of philosophical musings. It’s an incredibly well-written piece and showcases just how skilled a writer Tufto truly is. What I loved the most, however, was Tufto’s interpretation of the Scarlet King. It’s one of my absolute favorite 001-proposals and Safe SCPs.
When I scoured the SCP-Wiki to put together my list of the best SCPs of all time, I came upon a multitude of Euclid SCPs. They describe anomalies or anomalous objects which require more resources to be safely contained, but whose containment isn’t always reliable.
Euclid SCPs are the most common class on the SCP-Wiki. They describe a wide variety of anomalous objects, and newly discovered SCPs are usually presumed to fall into this group.
They also comprise objects which are autonomous, sentient or sapient because of their inherent unpredictability.
Overall, Euclid SCPs are massively popular, the biggest object class, and can vary widely in quality. That’s the reason I put together a list of my favorite 41 Euclid SCPs on the SCP-Wiki
Notice: All articles cited here are licensed under CC-BY-SA.
The “Living” Room is a great and bizarre, early Euclid SCP. However, it’s also strangely scary. An organic entity taking on the form of an actual room is scary enough, but there’s more to the object that makes it even scarier. It’s a fantastic and disturbing example of an early Euclid SCP done right.
Game Show of Death is another early Euclid SCP. It describes exactly that the title says, a bizarre and deadly game show which takes place at a certain abandoned warehouse. The games always center on a long, elaborate and most of all, dangerous obstacle course. While the idea isn’t the unique, it comes with enough odd details still make for an interesting read.
The Red Sea Object is amongst the most popular Euclid SCPs in Series I and remains a fan favorite to this day. The anomalous object isn’t too outstanding, or interesting, but the story told via the color tests is truly great. Yet, it’s quite a long, a very long read. While I thought some parts dragged on a little, it’s the end that makes this Euclid SCP truly fantastic and worth reading.
The Architect is amongst my absolute favorite Euclid SCPs of all time. While the anomalous object and its properties are interesting enough it’s the addendum that makes it truly stand out. Set in Kowloon Walled City, it describes a variety of explorations with the goal of finding The Architect. The descriptions of someone who’s traveling through ever-expanding labyrinthine and distorted rooms are nothing short of fantastic.
Before reading this Euclid SCP, one might wonder how dangerous a mass transit ticket can be. If you believe this SCP, it can bring forth a truly nightmarish and even deadly experience. While it’s another longer Euclid SCP, it’s amongst the best of Series I. I truly enjoyed the many outlandish details, the exploration logs and the ending of this Euclid SCP.
Euclid SCPs come in a variety of forms and genres. Series I is mostly known for its horror roots, so it’s not surprising it comprises a variety of terrifying and disturbing SCPs. Beautiful Babies is one of the most disturbing Euclid SCPs of all time. Everything described in it is truly horrifying, but what really drives the point home is the interview at the very end.
Body horror has always been a genre I truly enjoyed, and this Euclid SCP doesn’t disappoint. It’s amongst the most horrifying SCPs I’ve come upon. The descriptions are nothing short of terrifying, disturbing, and disgusting. Yet, it’s the ending, the single last line that makes everything in this Euclid SCP so much worse.
The Scripted nightclub is a terrific read. It’s one of the best Early Euclid SCPs. While I enjoyed the descriptions of the club itself, it’s the different scripts which are truly outstanding. The article provides us only three of them, but each one of them is fascinating and well-written. It remains one of my all-time favorite Euclid SCPs of Series I.
The Hanged King’s Tragedy is yet another fantastic early Euclid SCP. I really enjoyed the idea of the play and its details. What made it so much better, however, were the strange incidents reported during its performance. These are presented to us as incident reports. And who could forget the ominous figure of the Ambassador of Alagadda who we’ll meet again in another fantastic SCP-2264. Yet, even own its own, this Euclid SCP, serves to be a classic amongst Series I.
This Euclid SCP is another take on Admin Bright’s SCP-001 proposal, The Factory. In Bright’s proposal, The Factor is described as the origin of the SCP Foundation. This Euclid SCP, however, provides us with an entirely different take on the Factory. I enjoyed this SCP a lot more than Bright’s original. Each single part of this Euclid SCP is great, but once again, the ending makes it truly fantastic.
A Machine is as simple as classic Euclid SCPS go. There’s no grand or expansive story to be found here, no ambiguity. It’s merely the description of a dangerous and mysterious object. Where it truly shines, however, is during the interviews in the addendum. While this Euclid SCP might be simple, it does everything it does right and still holds up today.
To the Makers of Music is a fantastic Euclid SCP from Series II. It comes with a set of fantastic descriptions and quite a bit of interesting world-building. Where it stands out, however, is in its emotional ending. It truly impacted me.
UnLondon is an Euclid SCP describing a location, but a very fascinating one. I truly loved the strange city, its localities, the mystery surrounding it and the entities populating it. Yet, there are other implications about UnLondon that make this Euclid SCP so much more interesting. UnLondon is essentially an Orwellian nightmare, one I truly enjoyed for its extensive world-building and its many mysteries.
Came Back Haunted is not only one of the best Euclid SCPs of Series II but also one of the creepiest ones. It does everything that made early creepypasta such a widespread phenomenon on the internet. It’s nothing but pure horror and pure weirdness. We’re never provided an explanation about the mysterious events taking place, but there’s no need for it. It’s the mystery itself that makes it so much better and one of the best Euclid SCPs out there.
Hard science-fiction Euclid SCPs can be hit or miss, and this one’s full of scientific detail. Yet, it’s worth reading, if only for the descriptions of the Cradle of Life. There’s just something about the vivid descriptions, the talk of the scientists, and, of course, the ending. I truly enjoyed this Euclid SCP.
I’m usually not one for comedy SCPs, but if they are as weird as this one, I can’t help but love it. Escort and Officer is one of the most ridiculous Euclid SCPs I’ve come upon. It details two alien entities who came to be in Foundation custody. One’s a multi-limbed organism working as an escort, the other a metallic sphere, an officer sent to bring the escort to justice for her crime. As weird as this idea sounds, the interviews of the two entities reveal just how ridiculous an Euclid SCP can be. The ending had me at a loss for words, and I wasn’t sure if I should shake my head or laugh out loud.
The Way of All Flesh is amongst the best Euclid SCPs of Series III. It starts off by describing a strange man, or entity, who’s supposedly been alive for centuries. Soon enough, however, it moves in an entirely different direction. It’s this latter half that makes this Euclid SCP so great, especially the little twist hidden at the ending.
SCP-2132 – Most Dangerous Fighting Exhibition and Obstacle Resort by ahbonjour
Dangerous obstacle courses are always an interesting idea for an Euclid SCP, but the Most Dangerous Fighting Exhibition and Obstacle Resort takes things even further. While the test logs and different results were all quite interesting, what made this Euclid SCP so great was its ending. It showcases that the object’s origin might be of a much more sinister nature than originally thought.
The Demon La Hire and the Valley of Lust was one of the first djkaktus Euclid SCPs I read. While it’s clearly connected to his greater universe, it works well as a standalone, too. Once more, we learn just how far the Foundation will go to contain entities and the terrible things it will to do. While the entity is clearly terrifying, there are implications near the end that make this Euclid SPC even better.
The Great Hippo is back with another truly horrible Euclid SCP. The Laughing Man is truly the stuff of nightmares. Once more, we’re reminded that the SCP Foundation can be a truly horrible place. What I loved the most was the doctor viewing D-Class as nothing but irredeemable monsters. Yet because of this, he actually causes them to become that. A truly brilliant Euclid SCP.
There are some Euclid SCP who are weird, and then there’s Room Service. It’s amongst the most bizarre entries on the entire SCP-Wiki. While the room itself and the channels on TV are rather unsettling, there’s more to this Euclid SCP. Once you read the final addendum, you will learn what’s truly going on and just how bizarre this Euclid SCP is.
Cragglewood Park is another pure horror Euclid SCP, and I absolutely loved it. I’ve always been a fan of scenarios, including strange dreams, hidden memories and especially creepy amusement parks. Yet, while the park and its descriptions are great in themselves, it’s the implications near the end that make it truly fantastic.
Series III is full of bizarre Euclid SPCs and this is one of them. I don’t know why, but I always enjoyed articles that are as weird as they are mysterious and this one hits all the right buttons. It comes with some great descriptions and visuals and a truly creative idea for an anomalous object.
Here we have another one of djkaktus’ Euclid SCPs and it’s one of my absolute favorites on the SCP-Wiki. I won’t say anything more about this one, but I urge you to read it if you’re a fan of truly weird SCPs. It’s definitely amongst the best Euclid SCPs of Series III.
Read Reality tells the story of a paradoxical pocket dimension or a non-dimension as we come to learn while reading. When an experiment goes wrong, Dr. Scranton is transported and trapped in this same non-dimension. The greatest part of this Euclid SCP, however, is the logs. They tell us the story of a man lost, trapped and entirely alone and who’s slowly eroding both mentally and physically. It’s a tale that’s as sad as it’s disturbing. This Euclid SCP packs quite a punch and serves to be amongst the best of Series IV.
The Infinite Ikea remains one of the most popular Euclid SCPs of all time. I’ve always been a fan of extra-dimensional SCPs, and the Infinite IKEA is amongst the best of them. While I love the idea of being trapped in a world that’s nothing but a giant IKEA, the diary entries of someone trapped in this world make it truly great. This Euclid SCP is nothing short of creative and tells a fascinating story.
This Euclid SCP concerns an ominous counting station. While I love the idea itself, the descriptions and details added into the story make it truly great. We are presented with interviews, audio analysis, and incident logs. Each of these elements adds to the mystery surrounding the SCP and helps us to understand what it might be. It’s a fantastic Euclid SCP, but its ending elevates it to one of the greatest.
Indeterminate Source is a hard science-fiction SCP, and it presents an idea that’s as fantastic as it’s weird. This entire Euclid SCP centers on disorientation, twisted memories, and a confusing order of events. Yet, it also comes with some interesting, futuristic world-building. While this Euclid SCP might be a bit too confusing and heavy on scientific details, I believe it’s very worth reading.
While there are many horror SCPs on the SCP-Wiki, A Monster-Shaped Hole proves to be amongst the most original. It’s an Euclid SCP that centers on thoughts and imagination than an actual entity or monstrous creature. Yet, because of this reason, this shifted focus it’s one of the best Euclid SCPs out there.
There is No Canon is without a doubt one of the strangest Euclid SCPs out there. Reading it was one of the strangest experiences during my time on the SCP-Wiki and even now, I’m still wondering what’s going on in this article. While the answer to what this Euclid SCP is might not be clear, and it might remain another, unresolved mystery, it serves as a very intriguing read.
Everybody Else is a rather straightforward and simple Euclid SCP, but one I truly enjoyed. It presents us with a diversion from the usual SCP tropes, one that’s as fantastic as it’s creepy. Once again, however, it’s the interview logs that make it truly great, at least once you realize what’s truly going on.
SCP-3838 – Nomads of the 4th-Dimensional Steppe by Tufto
Nomads of the 4th Dimensional Steppe is an Euclid SCP by Tufto, who I believe to be amongst the best writers in terms of prose on the SCP-Wiki. This Euclid SCP doesn’t disappoint either and presents us with one of the most creative ideas I’ve come upon. It centers on tribes of nomads who all live in the same area, but not at the same time. Instead of dividing up the land, they’ve divided up time as living space. It’s an idea that’s as creative as it is weird, but of course, there’s more to this SCP.
Tufto presents us with yet another extremely well-written Euclid SCP. It centers on a mysterious observatory in which the body of Genghis Khan is supposedly entombed. The Observatory of Genghis Khan is so great bot for its mystery of the locality itself, but also the outstanding writing. Yet, the best part by far is its ending, which comes with one of the best final lines I’ve ever read on the SCP-Wiki.
This Euclid SCP is yet another format screw and written more like a tale than an actual SCP. If you’ve read SCP-231, you’ll remember procedure 110-montaku and know what this one’s all about. I won’t say too much, but it’s one of the most complex origin stories on the entire SCP-Wiki. While it’s, without a doubt, one of the most well-written Euclid SCPs in Series V, it can drag on a little. Yet, I still regard it as worth reading.
Such Black Light is another long, highly ambitious Euclid SCP. I love the overall idea and the many pieces of art presented throughout this article. While some parts can feel slightly overblown, this Euclid SCP makes up for it by its outstanding ending.
I’m usually not a big fan of the lolFoundation SCPs that were popular in the SCP-Wiki’s earlier days. Readings who are familiar with the SCP Foundation’s deeper law and its many characters will know just how complicated a character Jack Bright is. This Euclid SCP toys with the idea of what would happen if there’d be more than one Jack Bright and the chaos it would bring. That’s what happens in The Plurality of Jack Bright and it’s nothing short of hilarious.
This Euclid SCP is amongst the cleverest and interesting entries I’ve come upon on the entire SCP-Wiki. It concerns a planet that might or might not exist. Yet, this Euclid SCP is not the planet itself, but its observation and what it would mean. It’s an incredibly interesting concept to ponder one. Once more, however, what I think truly makes this Euclid SCP great is the ending and its last line.
This Euclid SCP is yet another one written by the great Tufto and is amongst the most well-written on the entire SCP-Wiki. It concerns a minor planet known as Lamplight, which is the most remote settlement created by any sentient creature in the entire multiverse. After its founding, this place became an enclave for writers and artists of all sorts. The greatest parts about Lamplight are the fascinating world-building, the descriptions of its localities and the heavy, melancholic atmosphere that hangs so heavy over the entire place. All these details are revealed to us via general descriptions but also by the reports of one Junior Researcher, Sofia Ramirez. There’s an overall pervading feeling of nihilism to this entire Euclid SCP, a feeling that artists and writers are often fascinated by death but also the unknown. Lamplight has always been one of my favorite SCPs on the entire SCP-Wiki and is an outstanding Euclid SCP.
Comedy SCPs are usually not my cup of tea, but this Euclid SCP is fantastic. It’s among the funniest, most ridiculous SCPs in all of Series VI. While it’s a short piece, I still laughed out loud multiple times about how ridiculous it was. It’s a fantastic, unique little Euclid SCP that everyone who’s looking for something a bit more lighthearted should read.
The SCP-Wiki had its humble beginnings as a collection of creepypasta, which was written as scientific articles. While the tone and general focus of the site has shifted and broadened over the years, one can still find quite a few true Horror SCPs. “Mama?” is one of them, and it’s amongst the most bizarre, disturbing and sad Euclid SCPs I’ve ever come upon. It’s a well-written article full of powerful emotions. The horror, however, and especially the ending, is sure to make you cringe. It’s one of the best horror SCPs I’ve come upon and one of the most disturbing Euclid SCPs of all time.
O5-13 by Captain Kirby was one 001-proposals I truly enjoyed. Many other 001-proposals comprise grand, high concepts, but Captain Kirby’s Proposal proves to be rather humorous. I loved everything about this Euclid SCP and I had an absolute blast reading.
