Reading R.L. Stine has brought back some intense nostalgia, but his books are just as good as I remember. I loved the creepy creatures in the woods and the spooky atmosphere. I absolutely ate this up. I think this may be one of his best stories yet.

When their parents have to travel to England for two weeks, twins Billy and Betty are left in the care of their Uncle Wendell. Though the kids have never met him, they know he's famous for owning lots of books and making up fantastical stories. But when they arrive at his secluded house by the woods, they're in for more than they could ever have anticipated. Wendell tells them that the "scariest book ever" has been stolen from his collection by a book thief and they must get it back at all costs, because if the book is ever opened, the ramifications will be devastating. And despite his penchant for telling stories, the forest behind his home is really just like a horrific fairy tale with creatures the likes of which no one has ever seen. This may be the adventure of a lifetime for Billy and Betty, if they survive.
This was a more sophisticated story than the original Goosebumps. The writing didn't pander down and the horrors were considerably less juvenile than the books of the 90s. This was arguably one of the best of Stine's children's books and can be enjoyed by all ages.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. I loved R.L. Stine’s books as a kid and this was another great one! This one keeps you guessing until the end! I’m excited to see what else is in store for this new series.

Betty and Billy must spend two weeks with their weird uncle Wendell while their parents are out of town. But they first have to make it through a series of challenges: solving the mystery of who uncle Wendell really is, and surviving the Wayward Forest... and the unbelievable creatures that live there. The scariest book ever depends on the twins to keep it safe!

From "The Bookworm" to man-bats and tree bears, this was such a fun and twisty read! I enjoyed this one a lot and read it in one sitting, definitely the same entertaining and just-creepy-enough work you would expect from R.L. Stine.

Can't wait to read the rest of the series myself, and to add this to my bookshelf for my children to read as well!