One of the best types of horror is where the horror comes from our protagonists having to survive whatever is lurking in the darkness. There is no rescue, they are locked in a place where there is no exit, and if they are lucky, the only thing they have to do is survive.
However, if they aren’t, there will be something hunting them in these isolated settings. Not only do they have to survive the harsh environment but also whatever monster or horror is hunting them. Here are some of the best survival horror novels set in isolated settings:
The Terror by Dan Simmons
The Terror is a historical fiction horror novel that portrays the harrowing tale of the men aboard HMS Terror during the 1845 Franklin Expedition, as they set out in search of the Northwest Passage. Initially confident and scientifically supported, the crew soon finds themselves stranded in the Arctic Circle, trapped amidst unyielding ice and perpetual darkness.
With limited provisions, poisonous food, and their ships being crushed by the relentless ice, survival becomes their sole focus. However, their physical hardships are overshadowed by a far more insidious threat: an unseen predator lurking in the darkness, relentlessly pursuing them.
Dead Silence by S. A. Barnes
Truly in space, no one can hear you scream, as Dead Silence by S. A. Barnes tells us. Claire Kovalik faces the imminent loss of her job as advances in technology render her profession obsolete. However, her beacon repair crew intercepts a distress signal, which piques their curiosity.
Opting to investigate, they are stunned to discover the Aurora, a renowned luxury space-liner that vanished two decades earlier during its inaugural tour. Realizing the potential value of salvaging the ship, Claire and her team embark on a journey through the eerie vessel.
The Ruins by Scott Smith
The Ruins by Scott Smith follows the story of two couples enjoying a carefree vacation in the Mexican jungle. When one of their group’s brothers goes missing, they embark on a search, leading them to an ancient ruins site. However, what begins as an adventurous day-trip quickly transforms into a terror-filled nightmare.
As they explore the site, they discover a malevolent presence lurking within the ruins, unlike anything they could have ever imagined. Trapped and isolated, the group must confront and survive the terrifying horrors that surround them in the unforgiving depths of the Mexican jungle.
The Troop by Nick Cutter
The Troop centres around scoutmaster Tim Riggs, who regularly takes a group of boys on an annual camping trip in the Canadian wilderness. These trips have always been filled with bonding, ghost stories, and camaraderie around a roaring bonfire.
However, this year, their peaceful excursion is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of a frightful and emaciated intruder. As the true nature of this intruder becomes evident, Tim and the boys find themselves facing a bioengineered nightmare that spreads rapidly, posing a threat greater than any horror tale.
Under the Dome by Stephen King
King is back with Under the Dome, immersing readers into the perplexing situation of Chester’s Mill, a tranquil Maine town abruptly cut off from the rest of the world by an impenetrable force field. Trapped within this invisible barrier, the townspeople face dwindling supplies of food, water, and electricity, causing societal norms to erode.
As chaos ensues, Dale Barbara, an Iraqi war veteran, rallies a group of determined individuals to resist the spreading corruption and investigate the origins of the Dome. Together, they strive to uncover the truth behind this baffling phenomenon before it’s too late for them all.
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
Sometimes isolation comes from trying to survive in the harsh wilderness. The Hunger delves into the harrowing tale of the Donner Party, a wagon train bound for the West plagued by misfortune. The pioneers, including the enigmatic Tamsen Donner, find themselves trapped in a web of depleted supplies, internal conflicts, and eerie deaths.
With an unsettling feeling of being watched, the group questions whether a malevolent force, be it Tamsen’s alleged witchcraft, a cursed experimental route, or sheer bad luck, is responsible. As they struggle against treacherous mountain conditions and the gradual disappearance of their comrades, they confront the chilling possibility of something twisted, diseased, and ravenous lurking in the shadows, waiting for its next meal.
The Black by Paul E. Cooley
There is nothing more isolating than the depths of the big blue ocean. The Black follows the crew of the deep-sea exploration rig Leaguer, who stumble upon an extraordinary discovery—an oil reservoir in Papua/New Guinea that surpasses any known source. As they send a test barrel to Houston Analytical Laboratories (HAL), the unsuspecting scientists brace themselves for the historic confirmation.
However, chaos ensues as an unknown “infection” erupts on the rig, revealing the horrifying truth—what Leaguer found is not oil. Trapped in their lab, the scientists at HAL must confront a seemingly indestructible creature that defies the laws of science and threatens the survival of humanity.
Awakened by James S. Murray
In James S. Murray’s Awakened, New York City eagerly awaits the opening of a new subway line connecting the city with neighbouring communities. The highlight of this modern marvel is a stunning visitors’ pavilion beneath the Hudson River. Prominent figures, including the Mayor and the President of the United States, gather for the grand inauguration.
However, as the first train arrives, a horrifying sight unfolds: every car is empty, but coated in blood. Panic ensues as deadly methane fills the tunnels and the structure begins to flood. Survivors must reckon with the terrifying entity that slaughtered the train passengers—an awakened and vengeful force lurking beneath the city, and it’s hungry.
Outpost by Adam Baker
In Adam Baker’s Outpost, a group of fifteen individuals seeks refuge on the derelict refinery platform named Kasker, located in the Arctic Ocean, as a means of escaping a troubled world. However, they never anticipated that the world would plunge into chaos and apocalypse. The crew faces a desolate existence filled with boredom and despair as they await a relief ship that may never arrive.
Unbeknownst to them, a global pandemic has decimated cities and ushered in an eerie silence over the airwaves. Stranded in the Arctic, the crew must endure the brutal winter and fend off starvation and hypothermia while remaining oblivious to the approaching deadly contagion that threatens their very survival.
No Exit by Taylor Adams
You find a little girl locked in a cage in the back of a van. You know two things. This van belongs to one of the four people you were sitting with just a few minutes ago, and you are trapped with them because of a freak blizzard. In No Exit, college student Darby Thorne finds herself trapped in a blizzard in the mountains of Colorado while en route to her dying mother in Utah. With no choice but to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop, Darby joins four strangers.
As she desperately searches for a signal to contact her family, she stumbles upon a shocking sight: a little girl locked in an animal crate inside a van nearby. With no means of communication and no way to escape, Darby must determine which of her fellow travellers is the kidnapper and find a way to save both herself and the child before it’s too late, all while questioning who she can truly trust.
There we have it! Survival horror books with isolated settings. There are so many different horror stories that will give you the chilling horror you want. Have you read any of these books? Did we miss one of your favourite survival horror novels? Comment below and let us know!