Scan barcode
A review by foiltheplot
Lights Out by R.L. Stine
4.0
Full Review at Foil the Plot
I’ve been a HUGE R.L. Stine fan ever since I was a kid, so when I found out the ladies at Forever Young Adult were going to revisit the Fear Street series, I decided to get in on the action. Lights Out was always my favourite book in the Fear Street saga so, naturally, it was my go-to pick for the re-read. I tried to remain cognizant of the fact that this book was written for children 20+ years ago, just to keep my expectations in check.
Caution: Spoilers ahead!
Opening Scare: "Dear Chief, Here I am at Camp Nightwing, just as I promised. The other counselors are already here--and the lucky campers are arriving tomorrow. Everything looks cool so far. Don't worry about a thing, Chief. I'll make them pay. Every single one of them. Just as I promised you."
The Crime Scene: Camp Nightwing
"Holly looked at the trees looming at the edge of the campfire. Now that it was dark, the woods no longer appeared to be friendly and inviting, but instead seemed only to be full of dark, menacing shapes."
The Suspects: Just about everyone
Could it be Thea’s crush John? Why is he suddenly acting so cold toward Thea—what’s he hiding? Or is it Geri, Holly’s ex-BFF? She’s spiteful, mean and the bona fide Queen B of Camp Nightwing. We never really learn why her and Holly had a falling out, but is it enough to kill for? And then there’s Geri’s home-girl, Debra. This tough senior counselor is experienced in boating, crafts and making Holly’s life a living hell. Does she have it in for Holly, too? Doubtful since she gets killed. Or could it be the camp’s resident prankster, Kit? He has it BAD for Geri and pretty much goes along with anything she says/does. There’s also mysterious loner dude, Sandy. He seems nice… almost too nice. And then there’s Mick. At first he’s hot for Holly but after some blatant rejection, could he be out for revenge?
The Clichés: Absent Adults
Whereas in most of these books, adults are conveniently absent or in on it, they’re present in the form of Holly’s lovable Uncle Bill and the police. Only they’re too busy to listen to Holly’s concerns. As things escalate, they start to view her warnings as the ravings of a paranoid city girl. Go figure.
Whodunnit: It’s Mick!
FOOLED YOU!
It’s actually Sandy. Sweet, kind Sandy. BOOM. Mick was just a red-herring. As it turns out, Sandy’s little brother died the previous year in a boating accident under the supervision of Debra. As payback for their negligence, Sandy starts sabotaging the camp and bumps off Debra in the process. Revenge is usually the motivating factor in Fear Street. Sandy’s plot to destroy Camp Nightwing doesn’t initially include hurting Holly, however, when her sleuthing gets too close for comfort, he has no choice but to try and eliminate her. Fortunately, Mick arrived in the nick of time to save the day!
Bonus Points: Cliffhangers + Murderous Confessions
I have to give my man, Stine, some serious bonus points for ending just about every chapter on a cliffhanger. THIS is what kept me going now and as child! I also really appreciated the murderer’s letters to “Chief.” In a big twist, you come to learn that Chief is actually Sandy’s dead little brother which really bumps up the psycho factor just a notch.
Closing Line: "He put his arm around her, and they wandered happily up the path to their cabins."
I’ve been a HUGE R.L. Stine fan ever since I was a kid, so when I found out the ladies at Forever Young Adult were going to revisit the Fear Street series, I decided to get in on the action. Lights Out was always my favourite book in the Fear Street saga so, naturally, it was my go-to pick for the re-read. I tried to remain cognizant of the fact that this book was written for children 20+ years ago, just to keep my expectations in check.
Caution: Spoilers ahead!
Opening Scare: "Dear Chief, Here I am at Camp Nightwing, just as I promised. The other counselors are already here--and the lucky campers are arriving tomorrow. Everything looks cool so far. Don't worry about a thing, Chief. I'll make them pay. Every single one of them. Just as I promised you."
The Crime Scene: Camp Nightwing
"Holly looked at the trees looming at the edge of the campfire. Now that it was dark, the woods no longer appeared to be friendly and inviting, but instead seemed only to be full of dark, menacing shapes."
The Suspects: Just about everyone
Could it be Thea’s crush John? Why is he suddenly acting so cold toward Thea—what’s he hiding? Or is it Geri, Holly’s ex-BFF? She’s spiteful, mean and the bona fide Queen B of Camp Nightwing. We never really learn why her and Holly had a falling out, but is it enough to kill for? And then there’s Geri’s home-girl, Debra. This tough senior counselor is experienced in boating, crafts and making Holly’s life a living hell. Does she have it in for Holly, too? Doubtful since she gets killed. Or could it be the camp’s resident prankster, Kit? He has it BAD for Geri and pretty much goes along with anything she says/does. There’s also mysterious loner dude, Sandy. He seems nice… almost too nice. And then there’s Mick. At first he’s hot for Holly but after some blatant rejection, could he be out for revenge?
The Clichés: Absent Adults
Whereas in most of these books, adults are conveniently absent or in on it, they’re present in the form of Holly’s lovable Uncle Bill and the police. Only they’re too busy to listen to Holly’s concerns. As things escalate, they start to view her warnings as the ravings of a paranoid city girl. Go figure.
Whodunnit: It’s Mick!
FOOLED YOU!
It’s actually Sandy. Sweet, kind Sandy. BOOM. Mick was just a red-herring. As it turns out, Sandy’s little brother died the previous year in a boating accident under the supervision of Debra. As payback for their negligence, Sandy starts sabotaging the camp and bumps off Debra in the process. Revenge is usually the motivating factor in Fear Street. Sandy’s plot to destroy Camp Nightwing doesn’t initially include hurting Holly, however, when her sleuthing gets too close for comfort, he has no choice but to try and eliminate her. Fortunately, Mick arrived in the nick of time to save the day!
Bonus Points: Cliffhangers + Murderous Confessions
I have to give my man, Stine, some serious bonus points for ending just about every chapter on a cliffhanger. THIS is what kept me going now and as child! I also really appreciated the murderer’s letters to “Chief.” In a big twist, you come to learn that Chief is actually Sandy’s dead little brother which really bumps up the psycho factor just a notch.
Closing Line: "He put his arm around her, and they wandered happily up the path to their cabins."