In the 2014 game by Scott Calhoun, you play a night security guard who is hired to take care of a run-down pizzeria. However, you find yourself trying to fight off the mascots that roam the halls. If you are a fan of the popular horror video game series (and now film) Five Nights at Freddy’s and are looking for books that capture the same chilling atmosphere and suspense, you’re in luck. Here is a list of ten books like Five Nights at Freddy’s that will provide the same eerie vibes and intense storytelling.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Coraline by Neil Gaiman is a darkly whimsical story about a young girl named Coraline who discovers a hidden door in her family’s new home. This door leads to a parallel world that at first seems like a perfect version of her own reality, but quickly reveals its sinister nature.
Coraline must use her wits and bravery to confront a twisted and manipulative Other Mother who seeks to keep her trapped in this alternate world forever. With vivid descriptions, quirky characters, and haunting imagery, Coraline is a captivating and eerie tale that explores themes of identity, family, and bravery.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs is a captivating and atmospheric novel that weaves together mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. The story follows Jacob, a young boy who discovers a hidden world of peculiar children with extraordinary abilities that reside in a time loop. As Jacob uncovers dark secrets about his own past and the origin of the peculiar children, he becomes entangled in a battle against sinister forces. With vintage photographs sprinkled throughout the narrative, Riggs creates a hauntingly beautiful and unique reading experience. This book is a thrilling blend of adventure, emotion, and the power of acceptance.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
If you have ever played FNAF, you’ll find yourself becoming overwhelmed with a sense of paranoia and a feeling of dread and unease. Like Five Nights at Freddy’s, this book gives you that sense. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is an unconventional and mind-bending novel that pushes the boundaries of storytelling. The book’s intricate structure and experimental typography play with the reader’s perception as they navigate a labyrinthine narrative (figuratively and literally). The story revolves around a documentary film called The Navidson Record, which explores a mysterious and ever-expanding house that defies the laws of physics.
As the characters delve deeper into the enigma of the house, the boundaries between reality and fiction blur, leaving both the characters and readers questioning their own sanity. With its complex layers, unsettling atmosphere, and thought-provoking themes, House of Leaves is a truly unforgettable and immersive reading experience.
Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz
In FNAF 3, you play as someone who is struck in Fazbear’s Fright, a horror attraction based on the original Fazbear’s Pizza. If you want a novel that gives you the same story and feeling as Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, then Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz is what you’re looking for. This is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that follows a group of horror-loving teenagers who win an exclusive contest to meet their favourite horror filmmaker, Justin Blake. The prize is a chance to stay overnight in a terrifying haunted house as part of a publicity stunt. However, what starts as a thrilling adventure quickly turns into a nightmare as the contestants realize the horrors they encounter are all too real.
As secrets unravel and tensions rise, the line between reality and fantasy blurs, leaving the characters and readers questioning what is truly happening, similar to the story of FNAF 3. With its heart-pounding suspense, sinister atmosphere, and unexpected twists, Welcome to the Dark House is a gripping and bone-chilling read.
Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski
Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski is a gripping young adult novel set in a world where the sun disappears for 14 years. On the island of Bliss, the inhabitants have prepared for Nightfall, a time of total darkness, for generations. As the sun sets for the first time in 14 years, three young friends—Marin, Kana, and Line—discover hidden secrets and face terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows.
With every passing hour, the island’s population diminishes, and the epic adventure to survive Nightfall becomes increasingly perilous. Halpern and Kujawinski skilfully create a sense of unease, capturing the fear and suspense that permeate throughout the story. Nightfall and Five Nights at Freddy’s are thrilling and atmospheric tales that explore humanity’s resilience and the fight for survival in the face of darkness.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
The new FNAF movie touches on the topic of grief, a theme that is deeply embedded within the lore of the Five Nights at Freddy’s games and books. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a heart-wrenching and poignant novel that beautifully delves into the themes of grief, loss, and acceptance. The story follows Conor, a young boy struggling to cope with his mother’s terminal illness. In his darkest moments, a towering ancient tree monster visits Conor, promising to tell him three stories in exchange for a truth.
Through these stories, Conor is forced to confront his deepest fears and emotions. Ness’s mesmerizing writing captures the raw emotions of grief with incredible depth and sensitivity. A Monster Calls is a powerful and transformative read that explores the complexities of life and the importance of embracing the truth, even when it is painful.
Asylum by Madeleine Roux
Want a novel about uncovering horrible secrets similar to Five Nights at Freddy’s? Asylum by Madeleine Roux is a spine-chilling and suspenseful young adult novel that combines a mysterious boarding school setting with elements of horror. The story follows Dan, a teenager who enrols in a summer program at the creepy Brookline Asylum, which has been converted into a college dorm.
As Dan explores the abandoned hallways and discovers haunting photographs of former patients, he becomes entangled in a dark and terrifying secret. Roux masterfully builds an atmosphere of tension and unease, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Asylum is a gripping tale of psychological suspense, blending the supernatural and psychological elements to create a truly unsettling and addictive reading experience.
MARINARA by Mr. and Mrs. Post
If you want a novel that is basically FNAF’s R-rated older cousin, then MARINARA by Mr. and Mrs. Post is perfect for you. A group of teenagers break into an arcade/pizzeria only to find themselves being hunted by bloodthirsty animatronics.
This blend of horror, comedy, and romance is mixed with a coming-of-age story. This comes highly recommended if you’re searching for a novel that is as close to FNAF as you can get; both MARINARA and FNAF are horror pieces about killer animatronics.
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake is a captivating supernatural horror novel that follows the story of Cas Lowood, a young ghost hunter with a legendary reputation. Cas travels to a small town in search of a murderous ghost known as Anna, who has been terrorizing its inhabitants for decades.
However, as he gets closer to Anna, he discovers that she is not the typical vengeful spirit he expected. With its gripping plot, unique premise, and well-developed characters, Blake creates a world where the line between the living and the dead becomes blurred. Anna Dressed in Blood delivers a chilling and engrossing read that combines elements of horror, mystery, and romance.
The Haunted Forest Tour by Jeff Strand and James A. Moore
Finally, if you’re searching for a novel that just gives you the feel of business owners screwing over their customers in a similar way that Freddy Fazbear’s Family Diner owners did, check out The Haunted Forest Tour.
In this delightful comedic horror novel, a group of people are left stranded in a forest that just appeared one day and is home to all sorts of monsters, ghosts, demons and creatures. In a similar way to Five Nights At Freddy’s, The Haunted Forest Tour provides a setting that might seem to be safe at first but soon provides a horrific backdrop. They also aim to create a sense of suspense and tension by utilising elements such as unexpected encounters and a feeling of constant threat to keep readers and players on edge.
These books like Five Nights at Freddy’s will surely give you a similar feel to popular video game, with their suspenseful plots, eerie settings, and paranormal elements. Enjoy the spine-chilling journey!