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Goosebumps House of Shivers #1

Scariest. Book. Ever.

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Goosebumps available soon on Disney+! The only thing to fear . . . is everything. Twins Betty and Billy are visiting their Uncle Wendell at his secluded house in the Wayward Forest. What they think is going to be a boring stay quickly turns into a real nightmare. Wendell is in possession of the scariest book in the world. And someone is after Wendell. To keep the book safe, the siblings will have to plunge directly into the heart of the dangerous forest. There they must escape manbats, cannibal crows, and giant insects, among other horrors―and make it out alive!

149 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2023

56 people are currently reading
434 people want to read

About the author

R.L. Stine

1,679 books18.7k followers
Robert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children's literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.

R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.

Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.

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5 stars
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263 (34%)
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231 (30%)
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17 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
Profile Image for megs_bookrack.
2,159 reviews14.1k followers
January 26, 2025
Holding true to the overall feel of the franchise, this first book in the Goosebumps House of Shivers series is the perfect way to dip your toe into Spooky Season.



I was so excited when I heard the news that Stine was releasing another branch in the Goosebumps tree. This entire franchise holds a special place in my heart and based on this cover alone, I was stoked to check this one out.

This cover gives me total original series vibes!



In this story, we follow twins, Betty and Billy, whose parents need to travel to Europe for two weeks for work. They can't take the kids with them, so end up dumping them off at the home of their mysterious Uncle, who they don't even know.

This is total Goosebumps adult logic. They barely slowed the car down, just booted them right out the door.



The kids are left to meet their Uncle on their own. Frankly, they're freaked out. Not only is this man practically a stranger, but his house is creepy as heck, set on the edge of a very ominous seeming forest.

You can imagine what happens from there. It did have a similar formula to earlier works, but I'm fine with that. It was exciting, fast-paced, included some fun adventure, a bit of mystery and spooky creatures as well.



One of the elements of this that stood out to me was that it had a good antagonist. It gave the story some gripping tension and some believably scary moments for this Children's age group too.

I would absolutely recommend checking this one out if you are a Goosebumps fan, or if you have a Young Reader in your life who you would like to introduce to the franchise. I think this is a great place to start.



In other good news, the second book in this series, Goblin Monday is set to release in March 2024. I'm already looking forward to it and you should too!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Scholastic, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I read this in an evening and had a fabulous time with it!
Profile Image for Escapereality4now.
534 reviews49 followers
August 29, 2023
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!


Profile Image for Jason Harlow.
Author 7 books18 followers
January 18, 2024
This was pretty standard R.L. Stine fare throughout. The story begins with two twins, Betty and Billy, who stay with their Uncle Wendell while their parents vacation in London. As soon as they arrive to the uncle's house, R.L. expects you as the reader to suspend your disbelief even moreso than most Goosebumps books. Their uncle is nowhere in sight, yet their parents just leave them. Soon enough they find themselves in the spooky woods, and subsequently discover that someone is after their uncle's most prized possession - the eponymous "scariest book ever." This features cannibal crows, a crazy chick with a flamethrower, a three-headed snake, and so much more outrageous-ness. My biggest complaint is that this had several similarities to the horrible Welcome to Camp Nightmare from the 'Original-62,' but without the abysmal twist ending. I give this a somewhat generous 3/5.
Profile Image for Stay Fetters.
2,513 reviews200 followers
July 27, 2023
“People have been trying to steal the book for many years. These are evil people who would like to see fear unleashed on the world.”

Goosebumps is back. Let’s travel back to a magical time where I was still a kid and didn’t have to pay any bills. Where my only issues were making it home in time for TGIF and getting the straw inserted into my Capri Sun correctly.

Reader beware… you’re in for a scare!

RL Stine brings back a beloved classic and my little horror heart is so full after reading this. Kids young and adults young at heart are going to love this. Stine still has that power to creep you out and make it fun.
Profile Image for Shadyside Library.
345 reviews122 followers
October 2, 2023
Best goosebumps book I’ve read in a WHILE! Very unique, entertaining, and pleasantly spooky. A great start to the new series!
Profile Image for Brandon.
309 reviews12 followers
October 7, 2023
I just finished the very first book in the newest Goosebumps series House Of Shivers Scariest Book Ever.This book was okay.The story starts off with Betty and Billy, twins brother and sister going to go stay with their Uncle Wendell that they've never met before.Their parents have to go to London for some kind of work meeting or business trip thing.The parents tell them a little bit about Uncle Wendell ,saying that he is a little unique and a little different. He collects books and weird artifacts and things like that.They get to their uncle's house and drop the kids off but Uncle Wendell is nowhere to be seen.The parents wait a while but they say they're going to be late so they have to leave which is great parenting.The kids end up going into the house after knocking a few times and they see Uncle Wendell come to them.He acts like he doesn't know them at first.He tells his daughter Jess,who the kids don't recall the parents even mentioning to get their bags and bring them to their rooms.They notice they see a lot of books and things like their parents said there would be. Uncle Wendell acts a little strange and says that they came at the wrong time, but now they must help him ,because he does collect books and one of his most prized books called The Scariest Book Ever has went missing.He says he thinks a thief took it to the woods and he says they will venture out into the woods the next morning.He warns them about the woods saying that they're strange creatures out there because apparently the woods surrounding this house have not been entered by a man in so many hundreds of years.They go upstairs to their bedrooms and they see this bat that comes in and the bat has a human face.That's pretty terrifying, but there's a lot of terrifying creatures in this book such as root snakes, tree bears. (Hey I know those are from another book.)And we don't get to see it in the book but Uncle Wendell claims to have caught a blood skeet ,which is basically a giant mosquito that can drain your blood in 2 seconds or 10 seconds.I forgot. They end up venturing out into the woods and ended up getting lost and in quicksand.They notice Uncle Windel has disappeared. They go back towards the house to leave Uncle Wendell out there.This book is actually split up into three parts.There's a twist at the end of one part that will kind of spoil this book .So I'm going to leave it there. But it's a pretty decent twist. Part three makes it all better because it's literally the same twist again this book did have a scary moments but I honestly thought this book was way more funnier than scary at times.There is this running gag towards the middle of the book where Uncle Wendell at first says he hides the book in the kitchen in plain open sight because he thinks it's too obvious for anybody to look there. And then he gets ambushed by the thief and he takes the book only for it to be a fake.Because he knew the thief would do this.He actually hides the book in a safe but even that's not where the real book is.This book did have its negatives, which would honestly be a lot of chase scenes and the confusing who's who and the placement of the book. I also wish we knew what was actually inside this book.I'm hoping that the next book will actually continue in some way shape or form to relate to this book.I hope maybe the book opens up and monsters escape it.We really don't know what the House Of Shivers is.Is it Uncle Wendell's house?This book was fine definitely in the middle of the road type book for me ,but definitely not bad and a pretty good start to the newest Goosebumps series. I'm going to give it a three out of five stars.
Profile Image for Zoey De Leon.
197 reviews
October 8, 2023
Wow, I haven't experienced this much joy in most Goosebumps nowadays and what a great kickstarter for the new series!

This book was unexpectedly amazing as it starts with an spooky and atmospheric setting with a something familiar elements of Monster Blood, Jekyll and Heidi and I Am Your Evil Twin (which is kinda confusing reading on the last half and that also applies in this book) and it may not be that greatest but I just have forgiven all some little flaws in this book because, how common it is to enjoy a modern GB book?
But how the vibes of this book is just done well the best compared to the previous modern era of Goosebumps books, lots of wild stuff that is in the vain of terrible books like Planet of the Lawn Gnomes and Return to Horrorland where some random set of creatures comes out of nowhere, but it's good seeing it here as there is something established on their presence prior before the story's journey.

I wanna also add in that this book's plot reminds me of one of my favorite Stephen King novel, Finders Keepers, the second book in the Bill Hodges trilogy, just the difference is this book is more fantastical than a grounded crime book and for something that is mostly adapted for a middle grade audience and I just have a lot of fun in a Goosebumps book which is very uncommon in this modern era of this franchise these days
Profile Image for Kerry.
Author 7 books1,889 followers
Read
August 25, 2024
My kid’s first Goosebumps…and mine too!
Profile Image for Alex | | findingmontauk1.
1,565 reviews91 followers
July 24, 2023
R.L. Stine is back to deliver a new series of Goosebumps books with new thrills and chills... and I am definitely here for the party! Right off the bat we get a book called SCARIEST. BOOK. EVER. and it leans into allll the Goosebumps tropes we love to see: siblings, doggo, estranged family member, etc. This book is split into three parts (in addition to all the chapters) and there are some TWISTS ahead!! R.L. Stine has tweaked his formula just a bit here by further subdividing the book and throwing in multiple twists which should help combat the short attention spans we all have now thanks to the 10-15 seconds glorification from TikToks, Reels, etc. It all works here because in the original Goosebumps books I always wondered what happened AFTER that twist on the final page... but here, we get to see! And more than once!

This is a great start to an updated Goosebumps franchise that I hope continues to deliver!
Profile Image for C.J. Daley.
Author 5 books136 followers
September 23, 2023
Got this one from NetGalley and there couldn’t have been a more timely approval. Just in time to fit in nicely to my Goosebumps July. And I wanted to read something from every series too!

When Billy and Betty are dropped off at their uncle’s, they find it hard to believe their parents would leave before he even opened the door. The reader should too, as not everything is as it appears! So when he tells them that he is the owner and protector of the scariest book ever, a book that if opened could unleash unbelievable horrors into the world, they don’t really know what to believe. To be honest, I was a little nervous this would be too similar to the book plot line used in the first Goosebumps movie, but luckily it’s completely different.

One of my favorite twists ever, especially in the fact that it was the same twist over and over. Super funny and still worked each time.

This one was fun, inventive, silly, and spooky. And more importantly, still shows us that Stine’s still got it. Personally a 4/5* for me. Scholastic and NetGalley, feel free to keep delivering these to my kindle.
Profile Image for Niko.
473 reviews43 followers
July 18, 2023
This story was a whole lot of fun. All the twists and red herrings made it so you never really knew what way was up and you just kinda went along for the ride
Profile Image for Jessica Gleason.
Author 37 books76 followers
August 23, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Beyond Horror.
41 reviews28 followers
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February 15, 2024
It has been roughly 20 or more years since I've read any work written by R.L. Stine. Returning to the world of Goosebumps was a blast, I'll admit. House of Shivers: Scariest. Book. Ever. was a fun read ith action happening on every page. In the age where children are burying their faces in tablets and video games, Stine shines a light. A beacon of hope. With books like this, kids can enjoy the aqestruck wonderment that the Goosebumps franchise continues to share with the world. I know that I'm not the target demographic for Goosebumps, but I enjoyed the simplicities of this story, and it was definitely a worthwhile read!
Profile Image for Victoria Sampley.
237 reviews110 followers
August 28, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Pulp_Fiction_Books.
198 reviews7 followers
September 25, 2023
This book is split into two parts. The first part was fantastic, it had a great setting and a whole menagerie of creepy creatures. I had a great time reading it. The second part whilst it was still enjoyable, it felt like it ended up treading water a bit. The only other negative I have was the titular 'Scariest Book Ever' didn't play a prominent enough role, we never got to know much about it's lore or what makes it so scary. Those two things aside, this was a real fun read and the best goosebumps book that's been released in quite some time. I really hope the 'House Of Shivers' series continues in the same vein.
Profile Image for Slappy Horror Legend.
49 reviews
September 4, 2024
I was a little unsure about reading this one but the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.

This would make an epic movie even if it wasn't a goosebumps book.

One of the best books I've read in months, definite 5 stars
Profile Image for Brigitte L..
13 reviews
September 25, 2025
Terrible read, but does have an unpredictable 'plot' if you can call it that. To me it was boring and all over the place at the same time. Perhaps it can be put down to the fact that I'm not the target audience, perhaps it's just terrible.
Profile Image for Owen.
125 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2023
It was an interesting storyline, and it had a good ending.
Profile Image for Alan.
1,677 reviews108 followers
June 19, 2023
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
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.
Profile Image for Sarah Stubbs.
228 reviews16 followers
September 20, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC!

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!
Profile Image for Gracingyouwithbooks.
91 reviews13 followers
September 1, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Joshua Hair.
Author 1 book106 followers
September 24, 2023
This makes me very excited for the new series. Stine was on his game with this one.
Profile Image for Josiah.
3,486 reviews157 followers
October 8, 2024
Here's a novelty: a Goosebumps series whose chapters have titles. When the SlappyWorld series concluded in summer 2023 after six years and nineteen books, R.L. Stine moved seamlessly into the new House of Shivers, exchanging Brandon Dorman for Robert Ball as cover artist and making a few other stylistic changes. The first entry, Scariest. Book. Ever., introduces twelve-year-old twins Billy and Betty, on the way to be dropped off at their uncle Wendell's house while their parents vacation in London. The twins have never met Wendell, who their parents admit is an oddball. Running late to catch their plane, Billy and Betty's mom and dad drop them at the house without even seeing Wendell, and the twins are left hoping the next two weeks won't be awful.

Uncle Wendell doesn't answer their knock on the door, but it's unlocked, so they enter. Wendell's collection of rare books is well known in the family, but few are in sight as the twins wander the silent house. The quiet makes it all the more disconcerting when a man with a wild look rushes at them as though they were intruders, before calming down and welcoming his niece and nephew. Wendell wastes no time telling them his most valuable artifact, the Scariest Book Ever, has been stolen. The "Bookworm", as the thief is known, escaped to the Wayward Forest, where monster animals are everywhere. Wendell marshals Billy and Betty to journey with him into the woods, claiming if the Scariest Book Ever isn't returned, millions will suffer worldwide. Is he on the level? Why should a couple of kids risk their lives for a book their uncle lost? There’s no time for these questions as Billy and Betty set out, having no clue the mountain of lies they're getting into.

Scariest. Book. Ever. is ridiculous. The identity fakeouts pile up so high the story becomes nonsense, and the motives for various characters masquerading as others are incoherent. Billy and Betty inhabit the sort of topsy-turvy world created by Lewis Carroll, not R.L. Stine. The book’s worst offense is telling us over and over the importance of the Scariest Book Ever—that it's worth Billy and Betty jeopardizing their lives—yet nothing in the story proves this out. It's all talk and no substance. I'd possibly rate Scariest. Book. Ever. one and a half stars because of its light, breezy style, but I'm doubtful even on that.
Profile Image for Kara Rutledge.
407 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2023
First and foremost, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Scholastic for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC). As a tween and teen, I loved R.L. Stine's Fear Street book series, so I was excited to be approved to receive Scariest. Book. Ever. (Goosebumps House of Shivers, #1) for free in exchange for my honest review. I solely requested this book because of that, so I had no idea what to expect going into the story.

I'm not the target audience for this book, but I'm sure I would've loved it if I was eight to ten years old. There were a few red herrings, which was expected along with some anticipated twists and turns. The parts about the forest would have creeped me out if I was a kid as Stine did a great job of making it frightening without it being too scary. All of the hybrid creatures and animals helped make the story even creepier. As an adult, I found it to be a bit unbelievable, especially the part where the parents just dropped off their kids without making sure they were safe and sound.

Scariest. Book. Ever. (Goosebumps House of Shivers, #1) by R.L. Stine is a great book to introduce middle grade children to the horror genre without the story being too harrowing. This book would especially be great for those children who are hesitant to read. Four out of five stars is what I gave this story.
Profile Image for Becca.
871 reviews90 followers
February 23, 2024
Thank you so much to Scholastic & NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of Scariest. Book. Ever.

This is the year of Goosebumps for me. I’m currently rereading all of the classic novels while I simultaneously watch their ‘90s episode counterpart & I. am. vibing.

& I’m so excited that R.L. Stine is still throwing us some Goosebumps content! Scariest. Book. Ever. is the first book in his new series & its everything you can expect but more. It was like a comfort blanket of nostalgia, but mixed with updated writing and new spooky tales with his twisty twists and silliness. If you are an R.L. Stine fan or want to get to know him, Scariest. Book. Ever. is a great book to pick up!
Profile Image for January.
2,861 reviews129 followers
October 10, 2023
Scariest. Book. Ever. by R. L. Stine
Goosebumps House of Shivers #1
3h 43m narrated by Pete Cross, 160 pages

Genre: Middle Grade, Juvenile Horror, Hum

Featuring: Titled Chapters, Twins, Crazy Uncle, Bookdragons, Parents Going On Trip, and Leaving You With Stranger Relative Trope,

Rating as a movie: PG

My rating: ⭐️⭐️½💼💼🌳📚

My thoughts: I'm officially too old for R. L. Stine, at least the new stuff. I almost didn't make it around 40% but I wasn't going to let one more hour break me. I think this would be better as a show so it's a good thing it is one.

Recommend to others: Maybe. It's not for me though.

Goosebumps House of Shivers
1 Scariest. Book. Ever. (2023)
2 Goblin Monday (2024)
Profile Image for Jeff.
231 reviews66 followers
October 31, 2023
5 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

“Scariest. Book. Ever.” By R.L. Stine

📕 Edition: Audiobook

This quick read perfectly captures the essence of Stine's classic middle-grade storytelling, but there's something darker lurking within its pages. 🌚

The book introduces a new line-up of villains that, in classic Stine fashion, are both humorous and spine-tingling. As a longtime Goosebumps fan, I couldn't help but appreciate this fresh take on iconic monsters, each with their own unique and diabolical twist. 😈

It's a fun and creepy addition to the Goosebumps universe, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series. 🙌
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews

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