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jena_33's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.0
aqulia's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Most of the stories were pretty good, but there were a few that weren't as compelling. Still, it's a good read for the spooky season
declaired's review
4.0
These are like perfect (like, middle grade) spooky candy; I like keeping short stories around for palate cleansers. "Morgan Roehmar's Boys" and "When My Parents Came To Visit" are probably peak Spook. Enjoyable! I love Vande Velde's novels & her short stories are just fun.
maggie_the_reader's review
4.0
While some of the short stories in this collection are better than others overall it is fun and spooky. The author frequently subverts the reader's expectations and puts a surprising spin on the common ghost story. It's a quick easy read that is perfect for Halloween night, but can be enjoyed anytime.
xterminal's review
3.0
Vivian Vande Velde, All Hallows' Eve (Harcourt, 2004)
Thirteen pretty standard horror stories for Halloween. (Somehow, I entirely overlooked the fact that it was October when I put both this and The Dollhouse Murders on hold. Now I know why it took so long to get them...) Collections like this have been floating around kidlit for generations, and if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. Or most of 'em, anyway. (I have a soft spot for a number of Robert Arthur's [b:Alfred Hitchcock|2014794|The Thirty-nine Steps.|John Buchan|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JYVWNH8DL._SL75_.jpg|2422487] collections, in which the stories were, compared to, say, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, shockingly adult.) Still, if you're looking for stories to tell around the campfire that you can embroider with your own details, these make as good a starting point as any. I was particularly fond of the haunted barn story, whose name now escapes me, because I'm an old fogey with a mind like a sieve. And, of course, if you're a collector of horror stories, this is an absolute must for your collection. The rest of you, I'd recommend checking it out at your local library before shelling out the dough to make sure the stories are original enough to tickle your fancy. ***
Thirteen pretty standard horror stories for Halloween. (Somehow, I entirely overlooked the fact that it was October when I put both this and The Dollhouse Murders on hold. Now I know why it took so long to get them...) Collections like this have been floating around kidlit for generations, and if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. Or most of 'em, anyway. (I have a soft spot for a number of Robert Arthur's [b:Alfred Hitchcock|2014794|The Thirty-nine Steps.|John Buchan|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JYVWNH8DL._SL75_.jpg|2422487] collections, in which the stories were, compared to, say, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, shockingly adult.) Still, if you're looking for stories to tell around the campfire that you can embroider with your own details, these make as good a starting point as any. I was particularly fond of the haunted barn story, whose name now escapes me, because I'm an old fogey with a mind like a sieve. And, of course, if you're a collector of horror stories, this is an absolute must for your collection. The rest of you, I'd recommend checking it out at your local library before shelling out the dough to make sure the stories are original enough to tickle your fancy. ***
meeners's review
3.0
man, these stories were creepy! XD vande velde really doesn't hold back on the murders. if i had read this as a kid, i think i would have gotten nightmares. as it is, i enjoyed the collection much more than i thought i would. vande velde tends to privilege the "surprise ending" over all other aspects of plot, which makes for some awkward stories, but i personally quite enjoyed letting myself be surprised.
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