My favorite has got to be Darren Shan, who was born in the London, in the United Kingdom. He's a brilliant horror - adventure writer, and his books are the perfect blend between horror, humor, and action. His writing style is pretty unique - unlike writers like Stephen King, Shan doesn't write too much gore for shock factor. In fact, the detailed horrors in his book are minor plot setups. Shan's plot twists, macabre turns, and heart wrenching scenes are to die for. His books have a habit of getting you attached to certain characters, before he rips them away. I recommend reading Cirque du Freak for an interesting plotline, and Demonata for more of that classic horror bloodiness.