A review by robinwritesallthethings
The Surprise Party by R.L. Stine

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

What It’s About: Darkness once again rules Fear Street as the anniversary of a teenager’s death approaches. Everyone thought it was an accident, but someone knows the truth, and they are desperate to keep it a secret. Desperate enough… to kill.

Plot: This is teen horror from the 1980s. It’s not sophisticated. But it’s still fun, and it makes sense. There are even a few red herrings that are used well throughout the narrative.

Style: The book is straightforward and easy to get through, especially because it was meant for a younger audience.

Trigger Warnings: Death of a teenager, threats, violence. None of them are too extreme, though, since this book wasn’t meant for adults.

Final Thoughts: I grew up reading these books, so I do have a soft spot for them. The atmosphere of Fear Street, even considering the lack of connection between the narratives, is creepy and addictive. Despite their simplicity, though, they accomplish their goal of being horror novels for teens, and quite good ones.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail