Looking for a thrilling read? Natural disasters make for great stories, with protagonists fighting for survival in a world that’s turned against them. Check out these gripping disaster tales that explore the aftermath of volcanic eruptions, super-volcano eruptions, blizzards and more. You’ll be on the edge of your seat with these 10 best thrillers about natural disasters.
The Day After Tomorrow by Whitley Strieber
The Day After Tomorrow by Whitley Strieber is a gripping and suspenseful novel that depicts a world on the brink of a catastrophic environmental disaster. As a fiercely hot summer ravages the earth, breaking records and causing massive ice melt at the north pole, a series of unprecedented storms begin to wreak havoc.
Whitley Strieber’s gripping storytelling recaptures the urgency and desperation of survival in the face of an impending global catastrophe. The Day After Tomorrow explores the struggles and determination of Jack Hall and his quest to save his son and humanity. Readers are drawn into a suspenseful story that highlights the fragility of our planet and the immense challenges that lie ahead if we fail to address the pressing issues of climate change.
Ashfall (Ashfall Series) by Mike Mullin
Ashfall by Mike Mullin is a gripping and intense post-apocalyptic novel that takes place in the aftermath of a supervolcano eruption at Yellowstone National Park. The story follows Alex, a teenager who is left alone for the weekend when the eruption occurs, plunging his town into darkness, ash, and chaos.
As Alex embarks on a treacherous journey to find his family, he meets a fellow survivor named Darla, and together they must navigate a dangerous and desolate landscape while trying to stay alive. Mullin paints a vivid and disturbing picture of a world devastated by natural disasters, where resources are scarce, and violence becomes a constant threat.
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne is a gripping and intense survival story that centres around a group of fourteen students trapped in a superstore following a freak hailstorm that crashes their school bus into the store. The novel follows Dean, one of the students, as he struggles to survive and protect the others from various environmental and chemical disasters plaguing the outside world.
Through compelling characters, Laybourne injects emotional depth and raw humanity into the story. The characters’ relationships with each other are tested as they face overwhelming challenges. It is a thrilling and suspenseful read that captures the essence of human resilience and the fight for survival.
Pompeii by Robert Harris
Pompeii is a captivating historical novel that transports readers to the Roman Empire on the eve of a catastrophic event. Set against the backdrop of the luxurious villas, seaside resorts, and bustling towns around the Bay of Naples, the story follows Marcus Attilius Primus, a young engineer entrusted with the crucial task of repairing the Aqua Augusta, the aqueduct supplying water to thousands of people.
Pompeii not only captures the grandeur and decadence of the Roman Empire but also explores themes of heroism, corruption, and the fragility of human existence in the face of natural forces. It offers readers a thrilling and immersive experience, shedding light on one of history’s most devastating volcanic eruptions and the human stories intertwined with it.
They All Died Screaming by Kristopher Triana
They All Died Screaming by Kristopher Triana is a gripping and chilling plague novel that delves into the lives of the lowly and downtrodden as they face an apocalyptic phenomenon known as The Scream. Once afflicted, those affected cannot stop screaming, leading them to madness and despair.
This novel delves into the deepest corners of despair and showcases the strength and determination of those often overlooked by society. It serves as a reminder that in the face of a merciless apocalypse, even the most unlikely heroes emerge.
Nod by Adrian Barnes
Nod by Adrian Barnes is a captivating and dystopian novel that explores a world where sleep becomes a rare and precious commodity. When dawn breaks, it is discovered that almost everyone in the world has been robbed of sleep, except for a few fortunate individuals who can still dream.
Adrian Barnes brilliantly portrays the psychological and physical effects of sleep deprivation, delving into the fragile nature of the human mind and body. Readers are taken on a journey through this nightmarish landscape, experiencing the desperation and unravelling sanity of the sleep-deprived. It raises profound questions about the fragility of our existence, the significance of dreams, and the potential collapse of society in the face of such a global crisis.
Wake Me After the Apocalypse (Bunker) by Jordan Rivet
Wake Me After the Apocalypse is a thrilling post-apocalyptic novel that follows 18-year-old Joanna Murphy as she awakens from cryosleep to find herself alone in an underground bunker. Chosen to survive the impending apocalypse caused by a killer comet, Joanna emerges from her slumber to a chilling and mysterious situation.
Jordan Rivet, renowned for their captivating storytelling in works such as The Seabound Chronicles, Steel and Fire, and Empire of Talents, presents a tale of resilience and hope in the face of imminent destruction. Through Joanna’s journey, readers will experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from the isolation and fear of being alone in the world to the determination and courage required to forge ahead.
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson is a thought-provoking and timely novel that explores the devastating consequences of global warming in a near-future world. The greenhouse effect has wreaked havoc on the planet, unleashing superstorms, rising sea levels, global flooding, deadly pandemics, and heat waves that threaten to annihilate humanity.
The novel takes readers on a journey across different cultures and continents, from the heartland of Texas to the royal palace in the Hague, from the Himalayas to the Chihuahuan Desert. A diverse group of characters grapple with the real-life repercussions of global warming and the potential danger of the Big Idea proposed to reverse it.
The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker
The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker is an intense and gripping post-apocalyptic thriller that follows the journey of Edgar Hill, a reluctant father, as he races against time to reunite with his wife and children after a catastrophic event leaves the world in ruins.
This thrilling and emotionally charged novel is perfect for fans of The Martian and anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, post-apocalyptic story filled with suspense and high stakes. Adrian J. Walker’s vivid writing will transport readers into a world on the brink of collapse, following Edgar’s race against time and his relentless pursuit of hope and reunion.
The Rift by Walter Jon Williams
The Rift by Walter Jon Williams is a gripping apocalyptic novel that portrays the devastating aftermath of a major earthquake in New Madrid, Missouri. The story begins with a foreboding sign: dogs incessantly barking. Shortly thereafter, the earth shakes violently, registering 8.9 on the Richter scale. This cataclysmic event, the largest earthquake in centuries, plunges the town of New Madrid and its surrounding areas into chaos and destruction.
Amidst the tragedy and devastation, the characters in the novel face their own personal challenges. A teenager is separated from his mother, an African-American engineer searches for his daughter, a TV preacher’s visions of hell manifest in horrifying ways, and a sheriff who is also a member of the Ku Klux Klan seeks to capitalise on chaos and exact racial revenge.
There we have it, the 10 best thrillers about natural disasters. What are your favourite natural disaster books? Have you read any of these books before? Comment below and let us know!