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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Childhood memories! I've read this book before but in French! I'm probably biased since it reminds me of the good old days.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I expected to really enjoy this one and I was t disappointed! The ocean-as beautiful as it is-is also incredibly terrifying. Especially knowing that scientists haven’t exactly found every living creature that dwells beneath it. So that aspect was definitely creepy. But I do feel like the mermaid took the focus off of the main and scariest culprit of the story, so that kind of put me off a bit even though I did feel bad for her. I wish the story focused on the monster more.
Goosebumps. This is the series that kept me reading through my childhood. More than any other series, Goosebumps kept me interested in reading, and R.L. Stein is a wonderful children's writer. I applaud his efforts, and can't express enough my gratitude for the series.
4.5 Stars
Now, the first thing you have to keep in mind if you’re reading this book as an adult is that it was written for children. I was able to do this going into the reread, and that state of mind helped me reconnect with my childhood, which was a super fun and very cool thing.
You can’t expect extravagant prose when diving (pun intended) into a story like this one: however, that’s not to say Stine’s prose in lacking in any way. He’s writing from a middle-grade perspective, so a middle-grade writing style must be expected. His writing is straight and to-the-point yet never missing tension or mystery.
Something I failed to notice as a kid (or maybe just don’t remember noticing) is how funny Stine is. Sure, he’s writing some pretty horrific things, but there’s always some fun humor stashed away in the story. I love that. It makes it super fun and made reading this book as an adult new and interesting.
I also really liked the plot of this story. It was interesting, fun, and chocked full of magic. Stine’s paranormal aspects are on point and make you want to know more information. Honestly, these books are probably one of the main reasons I’m still so in love with mythical creatures. (Between these and Harry Potter, there’s no doubt about why I turned out the way I did.)
The last thing that I very much loved was the open ending. I’m a sucker for open endings and maybe (once again a light-bulb worthy moment) that’s because Stine does a good job with them. Tension and plot twists until the very last page. What more could you possibly want?
So, do I recommend this? Well, I’m always going to recommend Goosebumps to middle grade readers, but I would say that, as an adult, if you are wanting to revisit these books and are able to keep in mind the audience they are written for, definitely go for it. Maybe don’t go out and buy a bunch of them at once, but start with one that wasn’t a favorite (no need to shatter those childhood ideals right away) and see if you like it. If you do, keep pushing forward. If not, leave it be and keep you reminiscent value in tact.
Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Dreaming Through Literature.
Now, the first thing you have to keep in mind if you’re reading this book as an adult is that it was written for children. I was able to do this going into the reread, and that state of mind helped me reconnect with my childhood, which was a super fun and very cool thing.
You can’t expect extravagant prose when diving (pun intended) into a story like this one: however, that’s not to say Stine’s prose in lacking in any way. He’s writing from a middle-grade perspective, so a middle-grade writing style must be expected. His writing is straight and to-the-point yet never missing tension or mystery.
Something I failed to notice as a kid (or maybe just don’t remember noticing) is how funny Stine is. Sure, he’s writing some pretty horrific things, but there’s always some fun humor stashed away in the story. I love that. It makes it super fun and made reading this book as an adult new and interesting.
I also really liked the plot of this story. It was interesting, fun, and chocked full of magic. Stine’s paranormal aspects are on point and make you want to know more information. Honestly, these books are probably one of the main reasons I’m still so in love with mythical creatures. (Between these and Harry Potter, there’s no doubt about why I turned out the way I did.)
The last thing that I very much loved was the open ending. I’m a sucker for open endings and maybe (once again a light-bulb worthy moment) that’s because Stine does a good job with them. Tension and plot twists until the very last page. What more could you possibly want?
So, do I recommend this? Well, I’m always going to recommend Goosebumps to middle grade readers, but I would say that, as an adult, if you are wanting to revisit these books and are able to keep in mind the audience they are written for, definitely go for it. Maybe don’t go out and buy a bunch of them at once, but start with one that wasn’t a favorite (no need to shatter those childhood ideals right away) and see if you like it. If you do, keep pushing forward. If not, leave it be and keep you reminiscent value in tact.
Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Dreaming Through Literature.
⭐️ ⭐️
Critical Score: C+
Personal Score: D
Reading Experience:
Critical Score: C+
Personal Score: D
Reading Experience:
This book felt very different to the previous Goosebumps books - it had no "horror" elements and no supernatural creepiness - it was straight up fantasy adventure.
It also avoided a lot of the issues that some Goosebumps books face - there are very few obvious fake-outs, there is no repetition of characters doing the same thing over and over again and expecting things to be different.
But saying that, I found it only fine. It was a decent straight-through read, but the fantasy setting just didn't draw me in the same way the peril and creepiness (however mild) does in other Goosebumps books.
It also avoided a lot of the issues that some Goosebumps books face - there are very few obvious fake-outs, there is no repetition of characters doing the same thing over and over again and expecting things to be different.
But saying that, I found it only fine. It was a decent straight-through read, but the fantasy setting just didn't draw me in the same way the peril and creepiness (however mild) does in other Goosebumps books.
fast-paced