This book was an absolute rollercoaster full of twists and turns and gasps and “No!”s! Thank you so much to the publishers and to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

Mario just wants to enjoy a vacation full of first snowball fights and hanging out with the Simms’ kooky grandparents, but he’s got another thing coming for him!

This was a very quick read for me, as it was very fast paced and there were so many twists that sent me reeling, especially the ending! WOAH!

Goosebumps has made yet another spooky classic!

This was another great addition to the R.L. Stine canon! Such a fun and at sometimes scary story and sure to be a hit among middle grade readers!

I loved these books growing up, R.L. Was even in town for an event but I was unable to get to see him ( I don’t think anyone could of realized how popular he was going to be!!) so seeing that it was on Netgalley I needed to request an ARC.

It had the same feel of the Goosebumps books that I remember and a great intro into the world of horror.

Grandpa Harlan reminds me of Tony DeTerrlizis books.
The memory room with the bird feet sounds terrifying!
The twist end really nailed home how great this brought back the Goosebumps feels!

Goblin Monday, R.L. Stines latest Goosebumps story #2 in a new series is made for the middle grader and although there are violent moments, there is also a sense of anticipation as the story unfolds and the reader and the protagonist tries to figure what the heck is going on. Mario, having moved from Florida to Pennsylvania has never seen snow and when his neighbors invite him to Vermont to visit their grandparents, he is eager to go. The grandparents are eccentric and grandpa loves to tell stories of goblins and Mario begins to think they are real. An enjoyable book to make one’s hair stand up and the ending is just what you’d expect from the author. So much fun.

What worked:
The author effectively develops expectations and tension as the plot slowly unfolds. The setting is in the remote, wintry woods of Vermont where Mario accompanies Todd and Jewel as they vacation with their grandparents. The grandfather is famous for his books about mystical creatures but he tells the kids all of the fantastic stories are true! The grandmother sings songs she makes up and then tells the others to join in. She’s surprised when no one else knows the words even though she says they’ve sung them before. Readers won’t know what to make of this behavior. The possibilities grow when Todd and Jewel’s parents go out for a walk without leaving a note or taking their phones. The suspense grows when they aren’t found and Mario wonders if the goblin in the garden is real.
Mario has never experienced snow so he’s very excited about accompanying his friends on vacation. He’s open to possibilities so the grandfather’s warnings about a goblin in the garden and an imp in the laundry room impact him more than other characters. His emotions have wide fluctuations as he experiences curiosity, happiness, and fear. His biggest problems arise when he tries to explore the yard and forest and his attempts to take pictures don’t end well. The reactions from Todd and Jewel are confusing since they’ve been in this environment before. Again, these interactions will add to readers’ uncertainty as they try to understand what’s truly happening. Of course, the author saves a couple of surprises for the very end.
What didn’t work as well:
The contrasting moods in the plot don’t always feel consistent. The author develops creepy, eerie feelings but then the tone changes as the kids try to have fun like a normal vacation. Mario should be more freaked out as events unfold but he’s able to maintain his composure around the grandparents. However, the book’s resolution reveals some insight to explain Mario’s behavior.
The final verdict:
This book is a milder version of Stine’s books but it still develops uneasy emotions. Readers will figure out something strange is going on but they won’t know exactly what until the conclusion. Overall, the book offers a fun, entertaining monster story and I recommend you give it a shot.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Goblin Monday," part of R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps House of Shivers" series, is a thrilling and engaging read for middle-grade readers, blending adventure with a touch of the supernatural. The story follows young Mario as he experiences snow for the first time on a winter break in Vermont with his friends Todd and Jewel and their grandparents. The book is an excellent addition to the Goosebumps legacy, known for its ability to captivate young readers with stories that are both spooky and fun.

Stine's storytelling is as compelling as ever, with a plot that is both simple enough for younger readers to follow and complex enough to keep them hooked. The introduction of goblins, elves, and trolls through the grandparents' tales adds a fantastical element to the story. The suspense builds as Mario begins to question the line between fiction and reality, especially after spotting something mysterious in the garden.

The character development is well-suited to the target audience. Mario's curiosity and bravery make him an appealing protagonist for young readers, who will easily relate to his sense of adventure and his initial skepticism about the supernatural. The dynamic between Mario, Todd, and Jewel adds a layer of realism to the story, capturing the essence of childhood friendships.

The setting in snowy Vermont is beautifully described, providing a perfect backdrop for the mysterious events that unfold. Stine's ability to create a spooky yet safe atmosphere is evident, ensuring that the scares are age-appropriate and not too overwhelming for younger readers.

"Goblin Monday" excels in its balance of mystery, humor, and suspense, a hallmark of the Goosebumps series. The story is fast-paced, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. It's a book that not only entertains but also encourages imagination and curiosity, key elements in children's literature.

Overall, "Goblin Monday" is a delightful read for middle-grade readers and a great addition to any young reader's bookshelf. It's perfect for fans of the Goosebumps series and for children who enjoy a good, spine-tingling adventure. R.L. Stine continues to show why he is a beloved author in children's horror fiction, delivering a story that is both enjoyable and thrilling.

5 ⭐️'ˢ

Goblin Monday” By R.L. Stine

📕 Edition: eBook ARC

Stine's latest addition to the Goosebumps series introduces readers to Mario Galagos, who innocently brings a small statue of a peculiar creature into his life during a holiday visit to snowy Vermont. Little does he know that this seemingly harmless act unleashes a pandemonium of monstrous goblins on his world. 😱👹

True to Stine's signature style, the story is filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Stine effortlessly captures the essence of childhood curiosity and the consequences that follow when boundaries are crossed. 🤔👫

Thank you @NetGalley , @RL_Stine1 and @scholastic for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I spent the last couple years scouring bookstores and the internet to collect all of the original Goosebumps books. They played such a huge role in my childhood and I believe why I love horror so much.

I was so pumped when I got approved to read an ARC of the second book. I tried getting the first but couldn’t. Didn’t seem like you need to worry so much about not reading them in order.

I’d say the book is good for middle grade and up. Some parts are more “violent” so be aware if you are a parent concerned about stuff like that. The book is goofy and classic Goosebumps.

I’m excited for new generations to discover Goosebumps. Thank you to NetGalley, R. L. Stine and Scholastic for the opportunity to read this book. I have written this review voluntarily.

R.L. Stine was my favorite author as a kid. I loved Goosebumps and the Fear Street series, so I was so excited to receive this book to review.

Reading this instantly brought me back to the books I loved so much. The way he writes is so entertaining and easy to read. I love how he still has the chapters end with cliffhangers and adds a big twist at the end.

This book is a little more violent than I remember Goosebumps being. The ending is pretty over the top silly but I think children would enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This middle school age book was surprisingly violent and gory, but it was still a good horror book for younger kids. It was also surprising funny, although more in a giggling than laugh-out-loud kind of way.
I read several books at once, but this book was so interesting I read it quickly. I kept wanting to know what would happen next.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to budding horror fans.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I received the ebook via NetGalley so as always, thank you.

This is the first Goosebumps book that I’ve read in well over ten years and thought it was pretty good. It took me back to the feeling I had reading the older ones.

This story felt more mature than the OG Goosebumps books. I enjoyed that because it felt like the series grew up with its original audience. So it does mention blood and dead animals and such.

Didn’t take too long to read so overall I think it’s worth the read.

Riveting middle grade read. I loved the mystery of the grandparents and their home. So many exciting and strange things. And then things got creepy. Fantastic read.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

As I read this book, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. I fondly remember enjoying Goosebumps books when I was younger, and I'm glad I decided to request this book. It allowed me to revisit those cherished childhood memories.

However, I found that the story dragged on a bit for me and didn't quite capture the same level of "creep" factor that I remembered from my youth. I believe that if I were to give this book to one of my kids, they would love it. It's a suitable "chapter book" for kids aged 9-10, with an engaging storyline that can hold their interest.

In terms of my rating, I would give this book 3.5 stars. My rating is influenced by the fact that I am an adult reading it, and it didn't quite reach the 4 or 5-star level for me. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to a friend who has children in the 8-11 age range and is seeking a recommendation for a children's book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. I grew up reading Goosebumps and always enjoyed them. Mario gets his first taste of snow in Vermont on winter break since he lives in Key West and enjoys experiencing it. He sees weird stuff happening at his friends’ grandparents and tries to figure out what is going on. He’s definitely in for a surprise!

Mario is going to enjoy his first experience with snow when his friends Todd and Jewel bring him along on their family vacation to visit their grandparents in Vermont. When they arrive, Mario soon learns the Grandpa Tweety and Grandma MomMom are quite eccentric. Grandpa Tweety loves his birds and spins yarns about goblins, imps and gremlins. He's even written books about them. MomMom loves making stews and sews strange outfits. But the real horror begins when Mario finds that the fairy tales may not be made up stories after all.
Once again, Stine has brought a modern sensibility to his Goosebumps tales. These are not the stories of the 90. Goblin Monday was more intense and had some much more graphic scenes than were ever in the older Stine books. Though towards the end there was a bit of real silliness, this was definitely a tale that will appeal to more than just kids.

I loved Goosebumps growing up and enjoyed the first book in this new series. So, I was excited to get a chance to read the second book. This book brought back so much nostalgia for me. The story felt very similar to the style of stories told in the first series of Goosebumps books.

I liked how each chapter ended with a cliffhanger that made me want to continue reading. I was eager to see how the story would end. R.L. Stine did a great job setting the creepy atmosphere in this story. Parts of the ending were a little silly, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I definitely think the second book is better. I think young readers will really enjoy the creepy world of goblins!

R. L. Stine’s latest addition to his “Goosebumps” series offers up a fresh and modern take on goblins, which makes for an entertaining time. While the characters aren’t terribly flushed out, as they’re all pretty generic, it’s easy for any young reader to identify with one of them and easily put themselves into these characters shoes. This had some moments that were surprisingly violent, much more than I can recall from Stine’s earlier works, but times have changed and readers do need new ideas and concepts to keep them intrigued, even if they are violent in nature. Overall, this was a very fun story to read, and while I wasn’t necessarily the biggest fan of the characters, the twists that involved them made the book worthwhile.

Thanks to NetGalley, Scholastic, and R.L. Stine for an ARC of this book.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.

It's been a LONG time since I've picked up a Goosebumps book! R.L. Stine was my introduction into horror. He gave me my first nightmares as a kid! I was so thrilled to be picked to read the newest installment in his Goosebumps House of Shivers series.

Mario goes on a vacation with his friends Jewel and Todd to Vermont on their annual family holiday trip. At first things are perfect, but then...they get...weird...when he discovers actual goblins living in the backyard of Jewel and Todd's grandparent's house!

I haven't read a children's book in YEARS...and this was very good from what I can remember about the original Goosebumps stories. It was definitely creepy at times, and even a little gorier than I expected it to be, but it was still cute. There were some good little plot twists I didn't see coming, but in hindsight I should have picked up on some things. It was a quick read, and if I have kids one day I hope they enjoy horror because I would love to read these books with them. Very nostalgic, and a fun, creepy read.

Mario Galagos has moved to Philadelphia from Florida, where he has never seen snow. His new neighbors are Todd and Jewel Simms, and he's super excited to be traveling to Vermont over winter break to visit his new friends' grandparents. He even brings a snow blower so he can do snow sculpting. Tweety and MomMom are a little quirky, but it's nice to be away from the city, so Mario can put up with MomMom's constant barrage of stew and grandpa Tweety's strange stories. The cat, Firefly, is often on edge, and Tweety claims is is because of the goblins in the garden. Todd and Jewell brush this off, but after he is attacked by one in the garden, Mario takes the warnings seriously. Tweety has given each of the kids an amulet filled with nutmeg that he warns them to wear, since goblins are put to sleep by the aroma of the spice. As the days pass, Mario see Tweety eating birds in the garden, and is creeped out by the fact that when birds in his glass aviary die, he saves their feet. Mario also finds a lot of small green outfits knit by MomMom that seem to fit the goblins! When things goes badly wrong, Mario learns new things about the Simms... or did he know these things already?
Strengths: Are goblins scary? To me, these books are just sort of goofy, but to third graders, this might be scary. My own personal children were really frightened by Debbie Dadey's Bailey School Kids books. There is an undeniable appeal to these quick reads, and it is sort of nice that the series can be read out of order. Mario's experience is rather odd, but his character seems very grounded, because he is so enthralled with the concept of snow in Vermont. This somehow made the odd behavior of the grandparents seem all the creepier. There's a fun twist at the end.
Weaknesses: I'm not sure how this relates to the first book with Betty and Billy in the woods. Doesn't particularly matter, but it would be nice to be able to tell how the books in the series relate to one another. Also, the ending was a bit strange since the book is written in the first person. This is one of those instances where one just has to suspend disbelief to make the story work.
What I really think: These are not quite my favorite, but I'll definitely be buying most of this series. Stine's writing is always fast paced and easy to read, and I think that James Patterson has copied his cliff hanger chapter endings. Do think that the covers are not attractive, but they do embrace the style of the original 1990s titles.