This, my fifteenth Goosebumps entry (Dang, I’ve been slow covering this series), is dedicated to my boy Michael at the Goosebumps Fandom. Chicken Chicken is his favorite book in the series, and I told him I would cover it next. 

What is interesting is the general consensus would probably consider this the worst Goosebumps book in the original series. I have read and seen a lot of flack for it. It is flack I understand, because I, personally, do not have fond memories of reading it as a kid, and to be honest, I was actually kind of dreading reading it as an adult before I started it last night. Reading it as an adult, however, I have to say, Chicken Chicken is not altogether bad. The Barking Ghost is easily worse than this book. I think the issue with this entry in the series is there is so much in it to not like. I’m being confusing, I know. I’ll get into it further in Analysis.

Continue reading “Goosebumps: Chicken Chicken” →

When I was in fifth grade, I was visiting my mom for a weekend, and she surprised my brother Kenny and me with a Goosebumps book each: she gave me The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight and gave him Say Cheese and Die! I was a little jealous, because he had the better book (as I immediately decided after looking at the two covers). That was my introduction to Goosebumps. I ended up with both books because my brother did not (and still does not to this day) like to read, and I begged her to buy me more entries in the series over the next couple of years. The rest is history. I was in love with R. L. Stine.

Reading the book yesterday, I have to say my 10-year-old self was right. My brother did get the better book. Say Cheese and Die! is one of the better entries in the series. Despite having a seemingly simple concept, the book is interesting, suspenseful, in-depth, and fun.

Continue reading “Goosebumps: Say Cheese and Die!” →

What? Another book recap already? I surprised myself with this one. The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb took me three days to get through because I kept sitting it down; it just never caught my attention. I started this book after writing my review yesterday and finished it in one sitting. It is that good.

With a well-paced plot, a likable protagonist, and genuine suspense, it’s hard to imagine this book and the last one I reviewed were written by the same author. I have been noticing a lot of inconsistency with writing quality in this series. Some books are fantastic while others leave a lot to be desired. Stine insists he never employed ghostwriters for this series, however. This is one of the good books in the series. If you are interested in Goosebumps and are looking for a fun, quick read, this is a good one to grab.

Continue reading “Goosebumps: Welcome to Camp Nightmare” →

What’s wrappening, guys?! I bring you an entry about my least favorite Goosebumps book so far. I actually finished the book a few days ago. It took me a couple days to write this because I got sick with strep throat. Yep, just like Gabe was stuck in the pyramid, I’m stuck in my house for a few days. I’ll try to get another Goosebumps book read and recapped while I have all this time on my hands. 

I’m sorry in advance, but this is going to primarily be a post about how the protagonist, Gabe, is literally the worst character ever. I know what you’re thinking: Todd, all the Goosebumps kids are bad characters. No. Gabe takes the cake. Gabe won’t get all the hate, though. This book is bad despite him, and that’s saying a lot. Follow me behind the cut, and I’ll tell you why you should skip it. 

Continue reading “Goosebumps: The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb” →