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burialshroud's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
premium_huhn's review against another edition
1.0
Der Horror besteht hier hauptsächlich daraus, dass die Protagonistin in diesem Camp nach allen Regeln der Kunst gemobbt wird, von erwachsenen Bezugspersonen abgekanzelt wird mir "Stell dich nicht so an" und dann die Schuld bei sich selbst sucht, was dann als korrekte Reaktion dargestellt wird. Die richtige Reaktion wäre gewesen, ihrem Onkel, der sie erst belabert, dort unbedingt mitzuhelfen und sich dann offenbar nicht mehr für sie interessiert, den Vogel zu zeigen und mit dem ersten Bus abzureisen! Die schlechte Stimmung ist, wie am Ende rauskommt, nicht einmal übernatürlicher Natur, denn das ist eine der wenigen Geschichten, in denen die Erklärung eine ganz mundane ist. Ergo sind die Leute in dem Camp einfach wirklich alle so scheiße gewesen! Wtf!
tablife's review against another edition
3.0
I wish this book had just been titled Camp Nightwing; Lights Out makes me think this is set at a theater. From what I understand, this is the only book in the Fear Street series that features the setting for the second Fear Street movie. It also features a lot of mean kids - I'm not sure how Holly managed to stick it out at this camp for so long.
pantehnreads's review against another edition
3.0
Lord Jesus this one is a doozy. So I listened to an audiobook version on Youtube and I have no issue with the voice actor because they did a great job. What I have an issue with is that almost all the characters including our protagonist Holly are either: 1) unlikeable, 2) annoying, 3) not very bright, or 4) all of the above. Why does every character have to be the worst? I need someone to root for Christ's sake, anyone to root for. Even Holly's uncle is a douche canoe and you know what else I learned? That when someone is actually saying this cringe dialogue it is even more annoying. Like I love me some R.L Stine but this one was just bleh. As always he does a great job at setting up red herrings, so that is why it's 3 stars instead of 2. The story is just meh, like I have read too many summer camp revenge YA horror. If you just want a simple read that will make you want to slap every character in the book, this is the novel for you.
foiltheplot's review against another edition
4.0
Full Review at Foil the Plot
I’ve been a HUGE R.L. Stine fan ever since I was a kid, so when I found out the ladies at Forever Young Adult were going to revisit the Fear Street series, I decided to get in on the action. Lights Out was always my favourite book in the Fear Street saga so, naturally, it was my go-to pick for the re-read. I tried to remain cognizant of the fact that this book was written for children 20+ years ago, just to keep my expectations in check.
Caution: Spoilers ahead!
Opening Scare: "Dear Chief, Here I am at Camp Nightwing, just as I promised. The other counselors are already here--and the lucky campers are arriving tomorrow. Everything looks cool so far. Don't worry about a thing, Chief. I'll make them pay. Every single one of them. Just as I promised you."
The Crime Scene: Camp Nightwing
"Holly looked at the trees looming at the edge of the campfire. Now that it was dark, the woods no longer appeared to be friendly and inviting, but instead seemed only to be full of dark, menacing shapes."
The Suspects: Just about everyone
Could it be Thea’s crush John? Why is he suddenly acting so cold toward Thea—what’s he hiding? Or is it Geri, Holly’s ex-BFF? She’s spiteful, mean and the bona fide Queen B of Camp Nightwing. We never really learn why her and Holly had a falling out, but is it enough to kill for? And then there’s Geri’s home-girl, Debra. This tough senior counselor is experienced in boating, crafts and making Holly’s life a living hell. Does she have it in for Holly, too? Doubtful since she gets killed. Or could it be the camp’s resident prankster, Kit? He has it BAD for Geri and pretty much goes along with anything she says/does. There’s also mysterious loner dude, Sandy. He seems nice… almost too nice. And then there’s Mick. At first he’s hot for Holly but after some blatant rejection, could he be out for revenge?
The Clichés: Absent Adults
Whereas in most of these books, adults are conveniently absent or in on it, they’re present in the form of Holly’s lovable Uncle Bill and the police. Only they’re too busy to listen to Holly’s concerns. As things escalate, they start to view her warnings as the ravings of a paranoid city girl. Go figure.
Whodunnit: It’s Mick!
FOOLED YOU!
It’s actually Sandy. Sweet, kind Sandy. BOOM. Mick was just a red-herring. As it turns out, Sandy’s little brother died the previous year in a boating accident under the supervision of Debra. As payback for their negligence, Sandy starts sabotaging the camp and bumps off Debra in the process. Revenge is usually the motivating factor in Fear Street. Sandy’s plot to destroy Camp Nightwing doesn’t initially include hurting Holly, however, when her sleuthing gets too close for comfort, he has no choice but to try and eliminate her. Fortunately, Mick arrived in the nick of time to save the day!
Bonus Points: Cliffhangers + Murderous Confessions
I have to give my man, Stine, some serious bonus points for ending just about every chapter on a cliffhanger. THIS is what kept me going now and as child! I also really appreciated the murderer’s letters to “Chief.” In a big twist, you come to learn that Chief is actually Sandy’s dead little brother which really bumps up the psycho factor just a notch.
Closing Line: "He put his arm around her, and they wandered happily up the path to their cabins."
I’ve been a HUGE R.L. Stine fan ever since I was a kid, so when I found out the ladies at Forever Young Adult were going to revisit the Fear Street series, I decided to get in on the action. Lights Out was always my favourite book in the Fear Street saga so, naturally, it was my go-to pick for the re-read. I tried to remain cognizant of the fact that this book was written for children 20+ years ago, just to keep my expectations in check.
Caution: Spoilers ahead!
Opening Scare: "Dear Chief, Here I am at Camp Nightwing, just as I promised. The other counselors are already here--and the lucky campers are arriving tomorrow. Everything looks cool so far. Don't worry about a thing, Chief. I'll make them pay. Every single one of them. Just as I promised you."
The Crime Scene: Camp Nightwing
"Holly looked at the trees looming at the edge of the campfire. Now that it was dark, the woods no longer appeared to be friendly and inviting, but instead seemed only to be full of dark, menacing shapes."
The Suspects: Just about everyone
Could it be Thea’s crush John? Why is he suddenly acting so cold toward Thea—what’s he hiding? Or is it Geri, Holly’s ex-BFF? She’s spiteful, mean and the bona fide Queen B of Camp Nightwing. We never really learn why her and Holly had a falling out, but is it enough to kill for? And then there’s Geri’s home-girl, Debra. This tough senior counselor is experienced in boating, crafts and making Holly’s life a living hell. Does she have it in for Holly, too? Doubtful since she gets killed. Or could it be the camp’s resident prankster, Kit? He has it BAD for Geri and pretty much goes along with anything she says/does. There’s also mysterious loner dude, Sandy. He seems nice… almost too nice. And then there’s Mick. At first he’s hot for Holly but after some blatant rejection, could he be out for revenge?
The Clichés: Absent Adults
Whereas in most of these books, adults are conveniently absent or in on it, they’re present in the form of Holly’s lovable Uncle Bill and the police. Only they’re too busy to listen to Holly’s concerns. As things escalate, they start to view her warnings as the ravings of a paranoid city girl. Go figure.
Whodunnit: It’s Mick!
FOOLED YOU!
It’s actually Sandy. Sweet, kind Sandy. BOOM. Mick was just a red-herring. As it turns out, Sandy’s little brother died the previous year in a boating accident under the supervision of Debra. As payback for their negligence, Sandy starts sabotaging the camp and bumps off Debra in the process. Revenge is usually the motivating factor in Fear Street. Sandy’s plot to destroy Camp Nightwing doesn’t initially include hurting Holly, however, when her sleuthing gets too close for comfort, he has no choice but to try and eliminate her. Fortunately, Mick arrived in the nick of time to save the day!
Bonus Points: Cliffhangers + Murderous Confessions
I have to give my man, Stine, some serious bonus points for ending just about every chapter on a cliffhanger. THIS is what kept me going now and as child! I also really appreciated the murderer’s letters to “Chief.” In a big twist, you come to learn that Chief is actually Sandy’s dead little brother which really bumps up the psycho factor just a notch.
Closing Line: "He put his arm around her, and they wandered happily up the path to their cabins."
remigves's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
theedfather's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A fairly standard YA horror story, taking inspiration from the Friday the 13th series with its summer camp setting. Our main character Holly tries to uncover the cause a series of 'accidents' marked with a red feather as a calling card, while navigating the minefield that is teenage grudges. It has enough tension to keep things moving, a rather grisley murder for a YA book, and just the classic Fear Street vibes.