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kaceylaine's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What can I say, I’m a sucker for short stories!
louisedavis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This was a fun book of spooky short stories for middle grade kids. I read it with my 10 and 8 year old and they both enjoyed it. It’s creepy but not too scary, so it gives kids that little bit of a chill but they aren’t going to have nightmares from the stories.
jkoncurat's review
4.0
Synopsis (no spoilers): Only If You Dare contains 13 short stories each surrounding a different 13 year old kid. From scrabble to ice-cream, each story villainizes something that middle schoolers encounter in their day to day lives.
Review: The stories in Only If You Dare manage to create a horror book that doesn't rely on classic monsters. Each story has a different villain and follows a different child. All the protagonists stand out from one-another. Each of them have distinctly different personalities. While the stories initially felt interesting and unpredictable, many of them follow the same formula. And, while formulaic stories aren't an issue for younger kids, this book definitely feels very young. It's a good book for the target audience, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone older than that.
Content Warnings:
Disturbing Imagery
Mutilation
Death (Implied)
Review: The stories in Only If You Dare manage to create a horror book that doesn't rely on classic monsters. Each story has a different villain and follows a different child. All the protagonists stand out from one-another. Each of them have distinctly different personalities. While the stories initially felt interesting and unpredictable, many of them follow the same formula. And, while formulaic stories aren't an issue for younger kids, this book definitely feels very young. It's a good book for the target audience, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone older than that.
Content Warnings:
Disturbing Imagery
Mutilation
Death (Implied)
ludwigdvorak's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
3.25
This is just good spooky middle grade goodness.
teacher2library's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A satisfying collection of contemporary, creepy short stories, ranging from haunted microwaves to substitute teachers. The microwave story in particular got a visceral reaction from me - I was gagging by the end!
Ethnic diversity is implied through character names. It's hard to make connections when you have so many characters in such a short amount of time, but I found myself really rooting for some of the kids. I think this one will be a popular booktalk title!
alissabar's review
4.0
These are great spooky short stories for kids including ones about a creepy doll and creepy clown (although that might be a bit redundant, because aren't all clowns creepy?) In my opinion the stories aren't too scary, just creepy enough. My favs were "My Hand, Right There" and "Scrabbled."
alexlcriddle's review
5.0
What a weird, wild ride!! This short story collection was creepy, thought-provoking, and terrifying. The psychological, hair-raising premises of each story are ones that will continue to haunt me. I will never look at a handprint in cement, a bowl of oatmeal, or a Scrabble board the same again! As I finished one story in particular that involved something coming to the front door, my husband arrived home from work at that exact moment and wiggled the doorknob, adding to my already frightened mindset.
loki_sdaughter's review
2.0
2.5 Stars
If they didn't market this book as R.L. Stine and Edgar Allen Poe's creepiness combined, I would say this is actually a good horror book for kids. Alas, they compared to those two authors, and therefore, it fell incredibly short.
If they didn't market this book as R.L. Stine and Edgar Allen Poe's creepiness combined, I would say this is actually a good horror book for kids. Alas, they compared to those two authors, and therefore, it fell incredibly short.
emslovestoread's review
4.0
Deliciously creepy! This is one I’d 100% give to a reluctant reader. It’s sure to spark interest!