elmeco's reviews
215 reviews

Creep from the Deep by R.L. Stine

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh wow. Probably one of the best overall Goosebumps books out there. It also helps that Billy, Sheena, & Dr. Deep are all great and fun characters with Billy & Sheena being one of the few Goosebumps siblings that actually get along. This is very much a thrilling, suspenseful, and creepy ride throughout! Something I'm noticing with the HorrorLand series is that tonally, it's somewhere between the OG series and the Series 2000. I don't want to spoil anything since the title and cover (which is easily on of the best post-Jacobus cover arts out there) are misleading, but the monsters, scares, and threat here are pretty dark and grisly a la Series 2000 yet with the same overall charm and goofiness from the OG series.

As for the HorrorLand section, our characters are actually interacting! And mingling?? With the character from Book #3 being teased??? An interconnected world is what I, and many other fans, have wanted for so long and it's great to see Stine finally delve his hand into it! 

Revenge of the Living Dummy by R.L. Stine

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My first foray into Goosebumps HorrorLand, and honestly? Pretty good! I've been putting off the post-2000's Goosebumps books for the longest time but it reads just like an OG Goosebumps book which was a pleasant surprise. Definitely odd seeing things like cellphones and laptops referenced, but it retains the classic formulaic structure, scares, twists, and R.L. Stine charm. A solid Slappy story with an excellent twist halfway through.

The HorrorLand portion is an neat concept and interesting addition, way too early to give a consensus on it but I'm intrigued on how it pans out. At the very least, I do look forward to reading the first five books - all sequels to beloved OG Goosebumps stories btw, well played Stine. 

Peter Schlemiel: The Man Who Sold His Shadow by Adelbert von Chamisso

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A neat little novella and a great take on the Faustian fable, with Peter Schlemiel easily being the most sympathetic of all the Faustian fools. Highly recommend! 

The Bottle Imp by Robert Louis Stevenson

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Jesus Christ.

Probably one of Bradbury's most darkest, daunting, and dismal works. Given the times when this was written (post-WWII, nuclear arms race, civil rights, etc.) it's pretty easy to understand why Bradbury wrote what he did, and felt as he did. Even amidst all the death, failures, and horror, The Martian Chronicles is still a poetic pleasure to read with a miniscule shred of hope near the end, but even that is left up to the reader. 

The Three Impostors by Arthur Machen

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

First started reading Arthur Machen two years ago, and while I enjoyed his works I definitely remember struggling a bit and didn't know whether to blame myself or Machen. After two years of other weird fiction works, and most recently, William Sloane I can whole heartedly say Arthur Machen... not really for me. Don't get me wrong, the way he incorporates fairy/pagan folklore into horror is brilliant, but everything else surrounding it? Meh.

The Three Imposters is especially fascinating considering it's essentially a episodic mystery thriller that basically serves as an anthology of some of Machen's best works. So many brilliant concepts are presented and explored throughout the novel, with an interesting premise and structure to back it up but is unfortunately bogged down by Machen's flowery prose, slow pacing, and dense dialogue. Still, despite my issues with his prose and pacing I definitely intend on reading some of his other works cause damn it, his ideas and plots are that damn good.

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Dude, how do you make a gothic Sapphic vampire tale so underwhelming? It's funny, while I enjoyed Dracula I also found it a fairly slow burn that repetitively dragged itself. Despite being a third of its length, Le Fanu somehow manages to do the same thing here! Don't get me wrong, the story is at its best when it explores Laura's psyche, Laura and Carmilla's relationship and the (very little) vampire action (one scene in particular in Laura's bedroom, absolutely haunting and thrilling). Compared to Dracula, you kinda get why Dracula took off while this remained obscure, which is a shame considering what a great premise and duo Laura and Carmilla make.

 

Slappy's Nightmare by R.L. Stine

adventurous emotional funny tense fast-paced

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

3.0

 God this was so close to being perfect. The Goosebumps 2000 violence and edginess, more of Jimmy O'James, Slappy's background and origins expanded, Slappy as the protagonist who has his own conflict to overcome... We were so close to the edge of greatness but of course, the ending... That final chapter. There are a few Goosebumps books where the ending either makes or breaks the whole book and sadly, this one breaks it. Still an enjoyable read, but one that will leave a green putrid taste in your mouth.

Bride of the Living Dummy by R.L. Stine

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Series 2000. You know what that means, Slappy finally has the chance to get down and dirty. Giving a teen a bloody nose, traumatizing a room full of toddlers, and straight up assaulting his own bride/fiancée. Definitely hits the same formulaic story beats as the other Living Dummy books, yet Stine still somehow manages to keep these installments fresh and engaging.

Night of the Living Dummy III by R.L. Stine

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 Pleasantly surprised by how much better each Night of The Living Dummy book keeps on getting. Sure, it's essentially the same formulaic structure, but Slappy is such a fun villain you don't really mind at this point. The characters by far are the highlight of this book, Trina and Dan are one of the few Goosebumps siblings that actually get along who love and support each other. Their cousin Zane is another great addition to the mix. And of course, the other dummies. While not as prominent as Slappy, they also have their own purpose to serve. A great end to a great trilogy.