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mehsi's review
I received this book from Netgalley/publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I had my eyes on this anthology for a couple of months but other things kept coming between things. So imagine my delight when I saw this book up on Netgalley. Now I would have no excuses to read the book, now I had to!
This book features various spooky, creepy, horrific stories all with Halloween in the spotlight. We see kids going for trick or treating, heads being used as pumpkin lanterns, murder, masks that do crazy stuff, and more. Before I get into what I rate each story and how I felt about them I want to say that I really enjoyed this anthology (because I did, a lot). The essays were a nice touch at the end. We don’t have Halloween here (or at least it is starting up a bit but probably will never be as big as it is in the US, so I love reading stories about them and the essays were just perfect as I learned some more about traditions and what items and things were around during this time. Oh, and I liked that we saw Fear County pop up in at least 2 stories (sometimes I was too far in the story to remember names of stuff).
Story 1: The Halloween Store: 4 stars. I wanted to rate this one 4.5 stars, but the ending… I would have liked to see an epilogue of sorts. Maybe to let us know what happens afterwards. Do the kids remember things? Will anyone be alive? But the story was good and gave a nice dark twist on a story that I have seen more often. Namely Halloween masks and wearing them. Kids, if you need to sign a disclaimer and the masks feel strange? Maybe don’t wear them!
I had my eyes on this anthology for a couple of months but other things kept coming between things. So imagine my delight when I saw this book up on Netgalley. Now I would have no excuses to read the book, now I had to!
This book features various spooky, creepy, horrific stories all with Halloween in the spotlight. We see kids going for trick or treating, heads being used as pumpkin lanterns, murder, masks that do crazy stuff, and more. Before I get into what I rate each story and how I felt about them I want to say that I really enjoyed this anthology (because I did, a lot). The essays were a nice touch at the end. We don’t have Halloween here (or at least it is starting up a bit but probably will never be as big as it is in the US, so I love reading stories about them and the essays were just perfect as I learned some more about traditions and what items and things were around during this time. Oh, and I liked that we saw Fear County pop up in at least 2 stories (sometimes I was too far in the story to remember names of stuff).
Story 1: The Halloween Store: 4 stars. I wanted to rate this one 4.5 stars, but the ending… I would have liked to see an epilogue of sorts. Maybe to let us know what happens afterwards. Do the kids remember things? Will anyone be alive? But the story was good and gave a nice dark twist on a story that I have seen more often. Namely Halloween masks and wearing them. Kids, if you need to sign a disclaimer and the masks feel strange? Maybe don’t wear them!
larry_yonce's review against another edition
5.0
Seven short stories in the old, grisly EC Comics style. Perfect for the holiday. Includes a couple of nostalgic essays from the author that are also excellent; one about his last year as a trick-or-treater in 1972 and the other titled "My Top 10 Favorite Halloween Stuff of the '60s & '70s!"
Had a blast with this collection.
Had a blast with this collection.
blatdriver's review
5.0
This is a fantastic Halloween read.
Being from Australia, we didn't have Halloween when I was a kid, but despite that this book gave me a warm nostalgic glow by reminding me of all the adventures we had as kids.
It has a similar feeling to the 1986 movie 'Stand by Me'.
The stories were great, with a creepy, campfire tale feel to them, and the story of The Last Halloween about Kelly's own last Halloween, was interesting.
There is also a few Easter eggs for those that have read some of his other books.
I loved it.
Being from Australia, we didn't have Halloween when I was a kid, but despite that this book gave me a warm nostalgic glow by reminding me of all the adventures we had as kids.
It has a similar feeling to the 1986 movie 'Stand by Me'.
The stories were great, with a creepy, campfire tale feel to them, and the story of The Last Halloween about Kelly's own last Halloween, was interesting.
There is also a few Easter eggs for those that have read some of his other books.
I loved it.
bucher_freund's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.5
Kelly grew up on the 60s and 70s, and the stories are dripping with old school Halloween nostalgia in the best possible way. Although the dialogue and exposition can be clunky at times, the stories are still pretty satisfying. My favorites:
Clown Treats - a trio of fifth graders knock on the door of their teacher's house and are greeted by a clown who gives them some very unorthodox treats...
The Cistern - on a business road trip, a man takes the exit to his childhood hometown, where the annual Halloween Festival is taking place. However, things are a little different this year...
Pretty Little Lanterns - a serial killer is carving up heads, with the small town's constable and a nosy librarian on his tail. This one's a bit predictable, but the gruesome parts are exceptionally well done.
A great pick if you're looking for some Halloween flavored shorts.
Clown Treats - a trio of fifth graders knock on the door of their teacher's house and are greeted by a clown who gives them some very unorthodox treats...
The Cistern - on a business road trip, a man takes the exit to his childhood hometown, where the annual Halloween Festival is taking place. However, things are a little different this year...
Pretty Little Lanterns - a serial killer is carving up heads, with the small town's constable and a nosy librarian on his tail. This one's a bit predictable, but the gruesome parts are exceptionally well done.
A great pick if you're looking for some Halloween flavored shorts.
tfabers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
cleverkrowreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0