Having grown up with R.L. Stine's work, this was like diving into my childhood. I picked up on what felt like some Lovecraftian references which was also a lot of fun. I definitely think this is a great gateway horror book and fun kick off to a new series!

This book brought back SO many memories of me reading R.L. Stine as a kid. Although I think I've aged out of this type of writing, I still loved it purely for the sense of nostalgia. I can also say that both my kids LOVED it!

I grew up reading Goosebumps and was so excited to read this! You follow the story of siblings Billy and Betty, who go to visit an uncle they don’t know very well. There are multiple monsters and creatures in this book that I enjoyed. There's a plot twist in this story that I felt was very similar to one used in another Goosebumps book. However, I think younger readers will really enjoy this and I had a fun time reading it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Scholastic for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Goosebumps growing up, so I was excited to read the first book in a new series by R.L. Stine. This book brought back so much nostalgia for me.

The story was simple and full of lots of spooky, magical beasts. I think young readers will find Betty and Billy very relatable and will really enjoy the story. It felt a bit repetitive to me, but I don’t think young readers will mind. The author ended the story well and did a great job setting up for the next books to follow.

I picked up this book thinking it would be a nice spooky treat for my inner child. I’ve been doing a lot of inner child work in therapy and I thought this would be a nice treat for little me, reconnect with my inner child’s goosebump Halloween obsession. And Oh my goodness, I could not put this book down! Is it for kids yeah sure but it had me shook 🙀It had me riveted, I was completely swept up in this spooky rollercoaster ride of an adventure. I really didn’t try to guess the plot or the ending, I just enjoyed the twisty ride! It was so fun, and I definitely recommend this goosebumps adventure to throw yourself into and forget the mundaneness of real world for a bit. A perfect Halloween season read!

Age range honestly probably 8+ . The story contains all manner of monsters and creatures which create most of the danger and I don’t think would be very upsetting to younger readers.
Also The bats with human faces sounded so spooky to me, and the takeaway lesson from this book was definitely to always trust your dog.

Thank you to NetGalley and scholastic books for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Calling all Goosebumps fans! A brand new goosebumps series is here and as fun as ever. This book follows twin twelves year olds as they go to their uncles house for two weeks while their parents are away. They don’t remember their uncle since it’s been many years since they’ve seen him. He lives in a house by the woods and things get off to a crazy start when they arrive and their uncle tells them about a missing book and the dangerous forest. The kids have to venture into the woods to save this book and the world.

This book was a lot of fun! It’s a short read full of crazy creatures and fun twists. I think it’s just enough scare for kids and I enjoyed it! I think kids and adults alike will enjoy this one. I’ll be watching for the next in the series.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Scholastic for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Twins Billy and Betty are visiting their Uncle Wendell, who they haven’t met since they were young. He lives out in this Wayward Forest and is a bit odd, but he was their only option. He turns out to be fine, as he’s a big book collector. But he reveals he owns the “Scariest book ever”, which is a powerful book that many want for evil reasons.

Soon, he hss them go out in the forest to find the thief who has stolen the book, so they can stop them from unleashing it on the world. It spirals from there. So I liked this. It wasn’t like super good per say, I wouldn’t say it’s better than some other recent ones by a ton but it is generally good, at least for me it was.

There’s plenty to pick it but it mostly went down fine. It’s helped by the pacing. It takes a bit to get to the adventure but we find out about the book quick enough. Once we get out there, it doesn’t let up, being contact action without much filler. It’s not boring, that’s for sure. There’s plenty of fun action with the crazy creatures in this forest. The whole idea of it being untouched by time and humans is neat, although I don’t quite know how it connects to the book.

It has shades of a “throw some random stuff in there” book, the most obvious comparison being Legend of the Lost Legend. I’d say it’s the better version of it. While it has shades of “And then”, it actually has proper causes and effect between most of the major events. Things will happen because of something they just did. You don’t get that in this sub-genre so that was good to see.

It still has logic problems of course, with some aspects not being fully explained regarding the book and such. I think we know enough to get by, with us knowing the stakes at least. It has that large scale feel, I’m reminded of a better done 5 Masks of Doctor Screem. It gets into a bunch of twists as it goes, which keeps things moving but can be a bit much. It’s the closest we get to that wheel spinning, although not as bad as usual.

Billy is just there. His dynamic with Betty is alright, a bit annoying but can be charming. It just doesn’t quite matter in the end. The ending works alright, and the final note is already better than most endings in these lately.

I can see some going either way, as it can lack explanations in places and get padded. At 136, it felt longer than it is, as it has so much crammed into it. That’s not the worst problem to have but it can be a bit much. Still, I did enjoy it for what we got. It felt fresh enough despite similar ideas to others. It’s a fair start for this series. I’ll have to see how Goblin Monday pans out before we see where this series is going but this was promising enough.

I expect more of the same despite a few things like titled chapters and a new cover artist. We’ll see. For now, I liked this well enough.

Scariest. Book. Ever. Review!!

Thank you Scholastic and Netgalley for this gifted E-read, in exchange for an honest review! Scariest Book Ever is out September 19, 2023!

I’ve only read a handful of Goosebumps books and none of the newer stuff of Stine’s. This one had a much different feel to it then his 90s goosebumps work. Scariest. Book. Ever. was a 1.75/5 ⭐️ for me! This really felt like Stine rushed to write a book to fill in a quota. There wasn’t much of a plot, the twists were super cheesy and full of eye rolls, and it had 0 character build up. Although his older goosebumps are short and sweet, they still had a build of characters and a fun plot. This one wasn’t for me.

I have always loved goosebumps. When I saw this arc, I knew I needed it! I was excited to be approved to receive Scariest. Book. Ever. (Goosebumps House of Shivers, #1) and it is everything I thought it would be.

The fast-paced story is filled with hybrid creatures and monsters. Parts are creepy and atmospheric. R.L. Stine did a great job of making it frightening without being too scary. It is easy to read and enjoyable. There were some twists and turns that I did not expect, which was nice. As a Goosebumps fan, I enjoyed this book, and I'm interested to see how the series progresses!

Thanks Scholastic and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is exactly what I hoped it would be. A quick and spooky read that has a few fun twists and lots of different creatures. The forest and its creatures are definitely unique! There is one part that I went “ew!” as it totally succeeded in what it was trying to do. I would have loved a bit more atmosphere of the house since it sounded just as creepy as the forest. Our main characters Betty and Billy are funny, but also take things seriously at the appropriate times which I appreciated. Can’t complain at all about this one as it gives you those classic campfire stories feels.

What worked:
Once again, Stine masterfully manipulates words and descriptions to develop a creepy, eerie setting. Fraternal twins Billy and Betty don’t want to spend two weeks with their weird uncle in the middle of nowhere, and their dog anxiously frets during the drive there. This immediately sets readers on edge as they anticipate upcoming horrors. The uncle’s home sits amongst a dense forest and there’s obviously no cell reception for phone calls. The twins are left alone until they’re greeted into the house and introduced to a cousin they didn’t know they had. They’re only in the house long enough to be attacked by a manbat before they venture into the Wayward Forest.
The plot does not have a shortage of action and adventure as the twins are thrown into the middle of it. Their uncle says they must retrieve a stolen book from the Wayward Forest before it unleashes evil into the world. The book’s synopsis mentions several of the creatures the kids must survive and the forest holds even more mysteries and dangers. The beasts in the forest have been untouched by man which has enabled them to grow to immense sizes. Being among the dark trees and meat-eating plants and animals is spooky but being lost and alone is even worse. Readers are forced to reboot their minds halfway through the plot when they discover things may not be entirely what they seem. The author isn’t finished yet as he later decides to play with readers’ thoughts and twists characters and events once again. It’s a fun rollercoaster that will keep readers jumping.
Stine is a master of fright as he affects multiple senses to get full-body scares from readers. The dense, dark forest hides huge monsters that wield huge claws and teeth to shred their victims. Other dangers are soft or slimy which the kids unfortunately discover by chance and quickly regret. The twins hear sounds of scratching and growling and they even cringe when their uncle screams out in fright. Touching readers’ senses really helps to get imaginations working to create the most terrifying creatures in their minds. My descriptions don’t do the story justice but you can believe the story will get your heart pumping a little bit quicker.
What didn’t work as well:
The sudden changes in the plot may make some readers uncomfortable when they’re forced to rethink what’s happened. On the other hand, this strategy keeps them guessing and open to new surprises.
The Final Verdict:
Stine has mastered his spooky style over the decades and this book is the first installment in a new series. It’s sure to creep out a new generation of young readers and I recommend you give it a shot.

"Scariest. Book. Ever." by R.L. Stine is a rollercoaster ride of thrills and chills that will have young readers on the edge of their seats. This book is a masterful blend of horror and adventure that captures the essence of classic R.L. Stine storytelling while adding a fresh and exciting twist.

Twins Betty and Billy find themselves in a spine-tingling adventure when they visit their uncle in the mysterious Wayward Forest. Little do they know that their seemingly mundane trip will lead them into a world of unimaginable horrors. The discovery of the scariest book in the world sets off a chain of events that thrusts them into a series of terrifying encounters with creatures like manbats, cannibal crows, and giant insects. As they navigate this treacherous forest, the tension and suspense build to heart-pounding levels.

R.L. Stine's signature style shines through in every page, as he expertly weaves a tale that keeps readers guessing and gasping at every turn. The pacing is spot-on, with a perfect balance between moments of eerie quiet and pulse-pounding action. The writing is immersive and vivid, making it easy for readers to picture the eerie forest and the terrifying creatures that inhabit it.

What sets "Scariest. Book. Ever." apart is its clever meta-narrative, where the characters find themselves trapped in a story that they themselves believe is the scariest book ever written. This adds an intriguing layer to the story and explores the concept of storytelling and its power to captivate and terrify.

With its blend of spine-tingling horror, heart-pounding action, and a dash of humor, this book is a must-read for fans of R.L. Stine and anyone seeking a thrilling adventure. "Scariest. Book. Ever." lives up to its title, delivering a genuinely scary and exciting reading experience that will leave readers both thrilled and entertained.

This was cute, a Scooby of an adventure for two siblings and an uncle they've never met. I found it to be fun and quick paced.

This book took me right back to elementary school, when I was enjoying the original Goosebumps books! This book hit all of the same notes! It had the right amount of spookiness, and the classic sort of storyline.

I am frequently recommending goosebumps books to my students, so this one will surely be added to the list!

I am a huge Goosebumps fan and this book was not it. Usually goosebumps books have decent pacing and somewhat of a story. However, I feel this book did not have either. It all happens so fast and there’s no time to really get some understanding of what’s going on. Add in a pretty boring plot, an annoying twist, and just a bunch of randomness and you’ll get this book. If this is the first in this new series, I don’t know if I’ll be picking up future book.

3.5 stars. This is a fun, quick read. Some Goosebump books are just silly but there are a few that are actually creepy. This one is fun and creepy. The wayward forest creatures were creative and scary. The dueling Wendalls were funny and a nice twist. Betty and Billy's parents are the worst parents ever. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

<strong>Quick, fun, and surprisingly gruesome!</strong>

Despite my age, I was so excited to check out the newest series under the Goosebumps name. Scariest. Book. Ever. House of Shivers #1 didn't disappoint. It's a fun romp through the woods and back with our protagonists, Betty and Billy.

The menagerie of creatures found in the forest are unique, and the way the twins use their newfound knowledge is clever. There are twists and turns around every corner, and some of the creatures are delightfully gruesome!

So if you've got kiddos, or you're a kid at heart, snatch up R.L. Stine's newest scare!

I loved it! This new series is very reminiscent of the goosebumps books I read as a kid. It was fun and fast-paced! It had a few creepy moments that were actually exhilarating and unexpected twists! All around a fun read.

Only in an RL Stine book would the parents drop off their kids to their elusive Uncle.

Billy and Betty are twins who are dropped off to stay with their Uncle Wendell who they don’t actually remember. They only know him as the “weird uncle.” Their parents are late for a flight and drop them off at the porch on the outskirts of the Wayward forest which is filled with odd creatures like tree bears and manbats. In true RL Stine fashion, you don’t know what’s up or what’s down, or who the “real” Uncle is! We just know that we are on the hunt for the Scariest Book Ever and keeping it out of the hands of the book thieves!

I have always loved RL Stine! He knows how to write just the right amount of spooky especially for whatever age group his target audience is. I think if I was a kid reading this, this book would have definitely felt like an edge of your seat thriller. You feel the tension, the claustrophobia, the anxiety of wondering what’s going to happen next: I really did enjoy this book and it’s a reminder as to why RL Stine will always be a top 5 author for me and hopefully my own kids. The forest is both magical and frightening and this added an extra layer of spooky along with the thrill of chasing the book thieves. I would definitely recommend this for kids who like thrillers and a slight adrenaline rush from their reading!

Thank you to NetGalley, R.L Stine, and Scholastic for allowing me to review this book. This book centers on brother and sister Betty and Billy visiting their uncle Wendell, whom they do not remember, while their parent go on a vacation. Throughout their visit there are many twists and turns and scary creatures they must face! Their uncle is is possession of the so-called Scariest Book Ever and thieves are after it, and it’s up to those three to secure the books safety. But is uncle Wendell who he says is he? This book was definitely a trip down memory lane. Pure nostalgia. The title of this book is actually the title of the book in the story. This book is not as creepy or scary as other Goosebumps books but was still enjoyable. It’s a quick and easy read. While it’s not my favorite Goosebumbs book, and some of the things that happened seemed repetitive, I’m glad I read it. Solid 3/5 stars.