Review: The Dead Girlfriend by R.L. Stine

Title: The Dead Girlfriend

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, mystery thriller, horror

Publication date: August 1993

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Annie just met Jonathan. She doesn't know about his last girlfriend.

Doesn't know how beautiful she was. Doesn't know how popular.

Doesn't know how she died.

But Annie is about to find out. Because Jonathan's old girlfriend might be dead.

But she isn't gone...

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

I don’t know why all the male characters in these types of books are always horrible, but they are. And Jonathan was a piece of work. Annie is one of those girls where the guy terrifies her, but she’s attracted to him at the same time, and it drives me nuts! If you’re scared of him, stay the hell away! Good grief! This guy’s mood swings were just... he ANGRY after someone slashed Annie’s tires. It was crazy! Dude, chill!

Review: The Babysitter IV (The Babysitter #4) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Babysitter IV

Series: The Babysitter #4

Previous books in this series: The Babysitter | The Babysitter II | The Babysitter III

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: June 1995

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Don't live in the past, they say. And Jenny's trying to forget all of the horrible babysitting experiences that landed her in the hospital last year. Now Jenny lives in a new neighborhood, and the neighbor has asked her to babysit. If only she could say no. Because someone is watching Jenny—someone who hates babysitters.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Jenny is back... And she’s babysitting again 😬 She wasn’t going to, but she was almost forced into it by her new neighbor. The poor girl.

Review: The Babysitter III (The Babysitter #3) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Babysitter III

Series: The Babysitter #3

Previous books in this series: The Babysitter | The Babysitter II

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: June 1993

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Jenny just wants to forget the man who murdered all the baby-sitters. The man who almost murdered her.

He's dead now.

And Jenny's gone to visit her cousin Debra.

But Debra has a baby-sitting job. And now she's getting those phone calls, too. Just like the ones Jenny used to get:

Hi, Babes. I'm back.

Company's coming...

My rating: ★★★★☆

This book was insane and I kinda loved it. Lol. This time around, though, Jenny is NOT babysitting. Understandable after what happened in the last two books. Instead, this summer, Jenny is visiting her cousin Debra and staying with her for a while. But Debra DOES have a babysitting job, and now SHE'S the one getting the creepy phone calls. Dun, dun, DUN.

Review: The Babysitter II (The Babysitter #2) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Babysitter II

Series: The Babysitter #2

Previous book in this series: The Babysitter

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: July 1991

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Jenny's last baby-sitting job nearly killed her. But she's a survivor and she's over it. She's even got a new baby-sitting job. Then the phone rings. When she answers, she hears a familiar voice--a voice from the grave.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Our poor babysitter Jenny is still traumatized after what happened on her last babysitting job. Basically, the kid’s dad, Mr. Hagen, tried to kill her, so that’s fun. Jenny thinks that if she faces her fear, it will help her get over it. And honestly, good for her! Unfortunately, things don’t go well. Unlike her last charge, the kid in this book is the worst! He is a spoiled brat, and his parents don’t discipline him at all, which really sucks for Jenny. And on top of that, she starts getting those creepy calls again. Is Mr. Hagen back? No, probably not.

Review: I Saw You That Night! (Point Horror) by R.L. Stine

Title: I Saw You That Night!

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: July 1994

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Sand. Surf. Sun. Roxie lives for the summer. But this summer things aren't going the way Roxie planned.

It all started when she broke into Lee Blume's house just to win a stupid bet. Because while she was in Lee's house, Roxie saw something she shouldn't have seen. Heard something she shouldn't have heard.

And now someone's looking for Roxie.

Someone who wants her... dead.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was a mess. First of all, that bet... It was NOT a fun bet! Especially not when the bet is over dating a guy! And doubly NOT when the girl already has a freaking boyfriend! And yet she’s over here thinking about another guy.

Review: The Boyfriend (Point Horror) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Boyfriend

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: October 1990

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Sometimes, love is murder.

Too bad about Dex. He was in love with Joanna. She broke up with him. And then he died.

Joanna's sorry, of course. But it's not her fault he's dead, is it? Besides, she never loved him. Boys are just toys, to be used and thrown away.

But this time, Joanna's gone too far. Because Dex is back. From the dead. For one last date with her...

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

This book was... well, it was predictable, for one. It also had a very unlikable main character, which I think was the point. Unfortunately, she wasn’t as fun as Reva Dalby from Silent Night.

Review: Blind Date (Point Horror) by R.L. Stine

Title: Blind Date

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: July 1987

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Kerry's had a very bad year. But now his luck has finally changed.

He's got a blind date with a girl who sounds really hot.

He can't wait. He knows this girl is going to be really different.

Kerry's right.

Because his blind date really is the girl of his dreams.

Or maybe his worst nightmares...

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Kerry had a pretty terrible year... or so he is told. He was in some sort of accident that involved his brother but he doesn’t remember it and no one has told him any specifics, for his own good I guess. But now Kerry has a blind date with some random girl who randomly calls him. Sounds like the start of a horror book... oh wait! 😂 He also started receiving threatening calls and ALL of these things may or may not be related.

Review: Call Waiting (Point Horror) by R.L. Stine

Title: Call Waiting

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: February 1994

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: Someone wants to talk to Karen badly. Very badly. Someone who has something very special to say.

Someone is calling Karen to say they care. To tell her the plans they've made just for her. Someone wants to reach out. Touch her. Kill her.

Poor Karen. She's all alone this time.

And if Karen can't trace the killer caller...Karen's going to die.

My rating: ★☆☆☆☆

This book was... frustrating. We start right off with the main character’s brother doing some really dumb jokes that I hated. And then the main character herself, Karen, was absolutely unlikable. She threw tantrums, cried out of nowhere, had angry outbursts and threatened to kill the other girl all for a freaking guy. And her fixation on Ethan was SO unhealthy. But not only that, she also gaslit the guy and manipulated the hell out of him! It was such a toxic relationship that she didn’t even want him hanging out with his own friends! WTF! I felt bad for the guy, actually. And I don’t know if she was meant to be sympathetic because I am not about to be okay with this toxic person.

Review: The Snowman by R.L. Stine

Title: The Snowman

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: February 1991

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis:

Heather feels cold all the time. Alone. Her guardian hates her. He'd like to see her dead. He'd like all her money. But for now he settles for controlling it, and making Heather's life miserable.

Poor little rich girl, just like Cinderella...

Then the gorgeous, ice-blond guy shows up at the crummy restaurant where Heather works after school. He understands about Heather. He's her Prince Charming. No one can get to Heather now.

Heather feels so safe. So loved. So warm...

My rating: ★☆☆☆☆
This book, man, it was not great.

Review: Halloween Night II (Halloween Night #2) by R.L. Stine

Title: Halloween Night II

Series: Halloween Night #2

Previous book in this series: Halloween Night

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 1994

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis:

The chilling sequel to Stine's bestselling Halloween Night. This time Brenda's being terrorized by someone who's determined to make this Halloween night her last. Complete with the author's trademark page-turnging suspense, taut plot, and surprise ending.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆
It’s been a year since the awful Halloween party in which Brenda’s own friend stabbed her. This Halloween, Brenda is getting threatening messages again. Could it be her cousin Halley who is still living with her family? Or maybe one of her own friends... again?

Review: Funhouse by Diane Hoh

Title: Funhouse

Series: Point Horror

Author: Diane Hoh

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: 1990

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

When The Devil's Elbow roller coaster goes off its track and several teenagers are hurt, everyone thinks it was just an accident. So no one listens when Tess says she saw someone tampering with the track. — But one person knows it's true. That person is playing a deadly game—and is going to make sure Tess doesn't stand in the way. Tess soon finds she's being terrorized, with threatening notes, menacing phone calls, slashed tires and nasty pranks. When another "accident" occurs in the Funhouse, Tess is sure that she was the intended victim. Who is committing all these horrifying acts? And why?

Tess is just beginning to realize that the Funhouse can scare you... to death.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Tess is spending an afternoon down at the boardwalk hanging at the amusement park with her friends. This is something she does regularly, but this time Tess witnesses an awful roller coaster crash. Tess then sees a figure sneakily running away from the scene after the fact, making Tess think this “accident” might not have been so accidental after all. Especially after she starts receiving threats and being stalked by someone. And not even her friends are safe as more “accidents” happen. But the thing is, Tess thinks the culprit might be one of said friends. Could it really be one of them? Could one of her friends actually be after her?

Review: Beach Party by R.L. Stine

Title: Beach Party

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: August 1990

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Own paperback

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Synopsis:

It's the ultimate beach party in California. And Karen, who's just broken up with her boyfriend, is going to enjoy every minute of it—especially having two new guys who like her. But the party takes a nasty turn when Karen realizes someone is out to spoil the fun by getting rid of her.

My rating: ★★★☆☆
Karen’s friend Anne-Marie comes to visit her for summer break after having moved across the country a little while ago. They’re staying at Karen’s dad’s beach side apartment by themselves, and it should be nothing but fun and beach parties. And it starts out like that. Karen meets these two guys and she is having a blast. And then strange things start happening. Someone keeps threatening Karen to stay away from one of the guys, but are they serious enough to kill?

Review: Beach House by R.L. Stine

Title: Beach House

Series: Point Horror

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: August 1991

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Own paperback

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Synopsis:

Swim.
Sunbathe.
Die.

The sun is hot. The water's cold. And the kids are cool. Too cool to live. Because a killer is stalking them, one by one. A killer who never leaves a clue. Who disappears as completely as a footprint in the sand.

A killer who has found a very special place in the sun

for some very special sun...

My rating: ★★★☆☆
There are a couple of parts to this book that alternate between the summer of 1956 and the summer in the present (which I’m assuming is in 1992 because that’s when this book is published. Lol), each with their own set of characters. And these two different groups of friends in these two different decades are connected by a beach house... and murder.

Review: Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales by Kiersten White

Title: Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Middle Grade, fantasy, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: July 2017

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Own Hardcover

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Synopsis:

Once upon a time, a girl skipped into the forest and became a zombie.

Wait, no, that's not how this story is supposed to go. Let's try again.

Once upon a time, a boy did a horrible job as a sheep-sitter and burned his tongue on stolen pie.

No, children in these stories are always good and virtuous. From the top.

Once upon a time, a king and queen tried to find a princess for their son to marry, and he wound up fleeing from a group of very hairy vampires.

Hmmm...

What about, once upon a time, a bunch of fairy tales got twisted around to be completely hilarious, a tiny bit icky, and delightfully spooky scarytales... in other words, exactly what fairy tales were meant to be. Grab some flaming torches, maybe don't accept that bowl of pease porridge, and get ready for a wickedly fun ride with acclaimed author Kiersten White and fairy tales like you've never heard them before.

My rating: ★★★★★

Vampires and Zombies and Stepmothers, Oh my!

I can always count on Kiersten White for a fun, humorous read, and this was no exception! While yes it is an MG novel, I do like to read them every once in awhile, and this one was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Review: The Babysitter by R.L. Stine

Title: The Babysitter

Series: The Babysitter #1 | Point Horror #5

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, mystery thriller, horror

Publication date: December 1989

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Own paperback

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Synopsis:

From the minute that Jenny accepts the Hagen babysitting job, she knows she has made a terrible mistake.

First there is the dark and gloomy Hagen house, filling her with dread and horror. Then the crank phone calls start, and Jenny discovers a creepy "neighbor" prowling in the backyard. When she finds a threatening note in her bag, she realizes that this isn't a harmless game.

But who wants to hurt her? What kind of maniac is willing to scare her... to death?

My rating: ★★★★☆
The Babysitter was a pretty good book, overall. I was a big fan of the classic premise—recent attack on babysitters... OMG is Jenny next?!—and mystery of it all. I was also imagining Jenny babysitting on Fear Street, because that would just be the perfect setting for this! But alas, this is not a Fear Street book.

Review: Unfed (Undead #2) by Kirsty McKay

Title: Unfed

Series: Undead #2

Previous book in this series: Undead

Author: Kirsty McKay

Genre: YA, paranormal, apocalyptic, horror

Publication date: August 2013

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Borrowed e-book from library

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Synopsis:

The good news: Bobby survived her Undead school trip. Bad news: her best mate, Smitty, is missing. Bobby knows she's got to find him even if it means risking it all and going out into the starving-zombie-infested wastelands again. Even if it means taking fellow survivors including a couple of old frenemies along for the ride. And even if the zombies are not the only ones who are chasing them this time.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Unfed takes place right after the first book, Undead, sort of... well, for Bobby it does, anyway. Long story, kinda spoiler-y, so that's all I'm saying. But anyway, Bobby wakes up in the hospital after the zombies attacked her and her friends on that second bus they got on. Here Bobby and her friends are, in this hospital, healing and relatively safe... until they're not! Bobby once more finds herself running for her life, with zombies on her heels wanting to eat her face. It was all very exciting actually. I love a book that starts with action right away! They may be kids, but boy are the smart! Especially Bobby! I just loved the whole bit in the hospital! So awesome!

Review: Undead by Kirsty McKay

Title: Undead

Series: Undead #1

Author: Kirsty McKay

Genre: YA, paranormal, horror, apocalyptic

Publication date: September 2012

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Borrowed e-book from library

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Synopsis:

Being new at school bites. But at least it doesn't kill you. Mostly.

Bobby thinks she might well be on the School Trip from Hell. Too bad she's a noob, too bad her classmates don't rate her weirdo accent and too bad that Scotland is having the worst blizzard since the Ice Age. Looks like she's going to be on this school bus for a quite a while; could things get much worse?

Yep. They could.

Inexplicably, her classmates start dying...and then they come back to life again...and what's more, they're very, very hungry.

With nowhere to run and no contact with the outside world, Bobby is thrown together with a raggle-taggle group of survivors at a roadside café. There's indie kid drop-out Smitty, the class beauty queen Alice, dweeby Pete and two near useless adults: a half-conscious bus driver and a volatile petrol station attendant.

The frenemies struggle to stay alive - through explosions, deadly battles and a breakneck chase through the snowbound wilderness. Somehow they have to make it to safety - and get some answers - no matter what the cost.

Can they survive the Undead? And each other?

My rating: ★★★★☆
I've been wanting to read this book for a while because it just sounded so fun, and I am so glad I finally did! I really loved it!

Review: Wickedpedia by Chris Van Etten

Title: Wickedpedia

Series: Point Horror #123

Author: Chris Van Etten

Genre: YA, horror, mystery

Publication date: June 24, 2014

Published by: Scholastic Inc.

Source: e-ARC from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

It's the return of Point Horror for the Internet generation! Don't open the door. Don't answer your phone. And whatever you do, DON'T turn on your computer...

Cole and Gavin love playing practical jokes through Wikipedia. They edit key articles and watch their classmates crash and burn giving oral reports on historical figures like Genghis Khan, the first female astronaut on Jupiter. So after the star soccer player steals Cole's girlfriend, the boys take their revenge by creating a Wikipedia page for him, an entry full of outlandish information including details about his bizarre death on the soccer field.

It's all in good fun, until the soccer player is killed in a freak accident... just as Cole and Gavin predicted. The uneasy boys vow to leave Wikipedia alone but someone continues to edit articles about classmates dying in gruesome ways... and those entries start to come true as well.

To his horror, Cole soon discovers that someone has created a Wikipedia page for him, and included a date of death. He has one week to figure out who's behind the murders, or else he's set to meet a pretty grisly end.

My rating: ★★★★☆
R.L Stine was one of the first authors who really got me into reading when I was in middle school. Till this day I absolutely LOVE the Fear Street series! But besides his Fear Street books, I've also read some of his other books, including a couple of Point Horror ones. So this is what prompted me to request this book. I like Point Horror :) I like horror, period! The concept of Wickedpedia really intrigued me and it definitely sounded like something I might love. And I was right! It was pretty awesome!