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A review by silenttwg
The New Year's Party by R.L. Stine
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Reenie (which is an awful nickname by the way) hosts a Christmas party knowing a couple of her friends are going to play a cruel prank on one of the attendants. But things get messed up when someone dies and vengeance becomes the name of the game.
I remember reading this as a teenager so decided to have another pass as a pallet cleanser. Stine has a habit of laying out all the bread crumbs so if you're paying attention, you will see the twists and turns but it's still interesting to follow how he'll take you there. This story focuses on the thin line between pranks and cruelty, which given the time now with social media, seems even more relevant. It's amazing what you'll put up with from friends in order to fit in and not make a scene. Even now.
My copy is wonky and I had to share, I've got two sides of page 71 but no page 72. Thankfully, the story's not difficult to follow and it doesn't make you miss anything. Just left me scratching my head for a few moments. Other than that glitch, I'm glad I snagged a copy for my library. It's always fun to have those childhood horror pieces too.
I remember reading this as a teenager so decided to have another pass as a pallet cleanser. Stine has a habit of laying out all the bread crumbs so if you're paying attention, you will see the twists and turns but it's still interesting to follow how he'll take you there. This story focuses on the thin line between pranks and cruelty, which given the time now with social media, seems even more relevant. It's amazing what you'll put up with from friends in order to fit in and not make a scene. Even now.
My copy is wonky and I had to share, I've got two sides of page 71 but no page 72. Thankfully, the story's not difficult to follow and it doesn't make you miss anything. Just left me scratching my head for a few moments. Other than that glitch, I'm glad I snagged a copy for my library. It's always fun to have those childhood horror pieces too.