Book Riot also ran a great article a few years back that set some distinctions between these two genres and I highly recommend you take a look at it as well! Anna distinguished the two within the rising action of the story — is everything building up to a singular point of no return? Not that that can’t happen in a horror novel, but often the moment is leading up to a moment where we feel disgusted and repulsed. In my opinion, yes, a book can be both a horror and a thriller. It’s completely possible for a book to build to a WTF moment that both gives me a mindfuck and makes me want to take a shower. (Side note: Aren’t those books the absolute best?!) Check out this list of horror thrillers that blur the lines between the genres by containing a series of events leading up to a final climax with tons of smaller frightening and/or gory moments in between. Don’t stop here! Check out more horror and thriller lists from Book Riot:
15 Atmospheric Horror Books 20 Must-Read Horror Books 25 of the Scariest Psychological Horror Books
