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A review by tyto_alba
Slappy Birthday to You by R.L. Stine
4.0
Before I begin my review, I just want to state I am a full grown adult who grew up with the classic lineup of Goosebumps books. Reading the newer ones has been a bit strange, and this one is the perfect example of why. The continuity around Slappy has changed significantly. What can and can't harm him is reversed from the old books, and his powers are totally different. His appearance has even changed, though that's not too big of a deal. I feel like there could totally be an in-universe reason for all these changes that, as an older fan, I desperately want, but there is none as far as I am aware.
As far as the story goes, it's pretty solid. It suprisingly does not follow all the usual Night of the Living Dummy tropes that literally all of the previous ones I read have (even including Son of Slappy and Slappy New Year). If you're like me, reading the new GB books to see what's up with the franchise and/Slappy, this book is quite refreshing from a storyline perspective, though the lore changes might be a bit shocking. I mean, the plot isn't radically different, but the execution of it feels new. There was even some rather creepy scenes involving Slappy himself. It's impressive. He has NEVER been scary to me, even as a child, but as a full grown ADULT? Chapter 21 managed to actually creep me out--it reminded me a little of the movie Magic (featuring Anthony Hopkins, about a maybe living, definitely evil ventriloquist dummy), which might be ON PURPOSE, since the main character from the movie is referenced by name.
The characters are pretty enjoyable, and even the non-Slappy antagonists (here, the annoying family members) are not PAINFULLY horrible. That can sometimes bring a GB down for me, but not this time.
The fact that Slappy acts as the "host" of this story--like the Crypt Keeper or Svengoolie--threw me off really bad in the beginning, but almost immediately I began turning each page with the hopes he had something else to comment on. Unfortunately, he only "interrupts" the story a couple of times, mainly to transition the reader to a different time or viewpoint, and of course he introduces the story and closes it off.
The only downside to this book, which almost made me give it three stars and definitely keeps it from earning five, is how much I found myself actually cringing at some of the dialogue, particularly when anyone insults someone else (Slappy as well as literally everyone else in the book; this cast loves to dish it out). Usually, Slappy is extremely low-brow (in a child friendly way of course), but he usually earns a shocked laugh from me at how legitimately mean he could be (and sometimes, he is plain funny). Here, I didn't laugh at all, I just started reading past the dialogue faster so my eyes didn't have to behold it for long.
All in all, if you love Slappy, this book is really great (if you're cool with the changes). He's still Slappy, but cranked up to eleven and with kind of reversed strengths and weaknesses. As a GB book, it has some legitimately spooky scenes. There are somethings I personally didn't like, but maybe it won't be as bothersome to others. I recommend it!
As far as the story goes, it's pretty solid. It suprisingly does not follow all the usual Night of the Living Dummy tropes that literally all of the previous ones I read have (even including Son of Slappy and Slappy New Year). If you're like me, reading the new GB books to see what's up with the franchise and/Slappy, this book is quite refreshing from a storyline perspective, though the lore changes might be a bit shocking. I mean, the plot isn't radically different, but the execution of it feels new. There was even some rather creepy scenes involving Slappy himself. It's impressive. He has NEVER been scary to me, even as a child, but as a full grown ADULT? Chapter 21 managed to actually creep me out--it reminded me a little of the movie Magic (featuring Anthony Hopkins, about a maybe living, definitely evil ventriloquist dummy), which might be ON PURPOSE, since the main character from the movie is referenced by name.
The characters are pretty enjoyable, and even the non-Slappy antagonists (here, the annoying family members) are not PAINFULLY horrible. That can sometimes bring a GB down for me, but not this time.
The fact that Slappy acts as the "host" of this story--like the Crypt Keeper or Svengoolie--threw me off really bad in the beginning, but almost immediately I began turning each page with the hopes he had something else to comment on. Unfortunately, he only "interrupts" the story a couple of times, mainly to transition the reader to a different time or viewpoint, and of course he introduces the story and closes it off.
The only downside to this book, which almost made me give it three stars and definitely keeps it from earning five, is how much I found myself actually cringing at some of the dialogue, particularly when anyone insults someone else (Slappy as well as literally everyone else in the book; this cast loves to dish it out). Usually, Slappy is extremely low-brow (in a child friendly way of course), but he usually earns a shocked laugh from me at how legitimately mean he could be (and sometimes, he is plain funny). Here, I didn't laugh at all, I just started reading past the dialogue faster so my eyes didn't have to behold it for long.
All in all, if you love Slappy, this book is really great (if you're cool with the changes). He's still Slappy, but cranked up to eleven and with kind of reversed strengths and weaknesses. As a GB book, it has some legitimately spooky scenes. There are somethings I personally didn't like, but maybe it won't be as bothersome to others. I recommend it!