What do you think?
Rate this book
Horrorscope
Aries: Avoid confrontations. A bad day for relationships.
Soon she would come.
It was written in the stars.
Finally Jenny Warren left the protective light of the streetlamp behind. She walked fast, her shoes tapping on the sidewalk.
In the shadow of the night, the watcher smiled. His hands tightened their grip on the scarf. "You should have paid attention, Jenny," he whispered to himself.
"Didn't you read your horoscope today?"
This is a novel by John Peel writing as Nicholas Adams.
Soon she would come.
It was written in the stars.
Finally Jenny Warren left the protective light of the streetlamp behind. She walked fast, her shoes tapping on the sidewalk.
In the shadow of the night, the watcher smiled. His hands tightened their grip on the scarf. "You should have paid attention, Jenny," he whispered to himself.
"Didn't you read your horoscope today?"
This is a novel by John Peel writing as Nicholas Adams.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
45 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Adams
16 books19 followersNicholas Adams is a collective pen name created by Daniel Weiss Associates and used by several authors of YA horror written in the 1990s. These include John Peel, James D. MacDonald and Debra Doyle, and Sherwood Smith.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 1, 2025
Robyn is witness as fellow students are killed by a mysterious killer. He is planning his murders afters sign and following the Zodiac. Who might the killer be? A loner named Jeff whose mother attacked her former husband with a knife, Derek, the son of a very Christian woman, Robyn's father a kind of sculptor or someone nobody has on his list? Very intriguing and mysterious teen slasher with signs as motif and even some traces of Freddy Krueger! The horror movie Tarot I quite enjoyed was based on this novel. Couldn't put this one down. Sharp and to the point. Highly recommended!
July 29, 2025
Easy and fun read.
The Netflix movie "Tarot" is based on this 1992 book. While the film shares the core concept of a killer targeting individuals based on their astrological signs as in the book, it significantly departs from the original storyline. The movie was also initially titled "Horrorscope" before being changed to "Tarot". I'm watching the film now, but it seems very different from the book. It introduces a supernatural element and has a different storyline overall.
The Netflix movie "Tarot" is based on this 1992 book. While the film shares the core concept of a killer targeting individuals based on their astrological signs as in the book, it significantly departs from the original storyline. The movie was also initially titled "Horrorscope" before being changed to "Tarot". I'm watching the film now, but it seems very different from the book. It introduces a supernatural element and has a different storyline overall.
October 23, 2024
One of my favourite 90s YA horror tales! This is much more slasher-movie than your typical 90s teen book, actually written by John Peel. High school students are being murdered by a killer relying on the horoscopes in the school newspaper. Some of the murder set-pieces are quite grisly for the time! The climax was suspenseful and exciting. There is also a sly sense of humour running throughout. No, there's nothing too deep, but it's fast-paced gory fun from start to finish!
*edit*: This was turned into the movie "Tarot", released in 2024, which bore zero resemblance to this far superior book. The movie was a typical P-13-rated supernatural CGI-fest.
*edit*: This was turned into the movie "Tarot", released in 2024, which bore zero resemblance to this far superior book. The movie was a typical P-13-rated supernatural CGI-fest.
October 14, 2018
You think you had a tough time in high school? Yeah, yeah, cry me a river: jocks, bullies, cliques, homework, and awkward fumbling in the back of your dad's borrowed car that ends with your date trying to reassure you that "it happens to everybody". Wah, wah, wah. At least you're still alive to read this review.
Maybe have a little respect for the kids who are no longer with us? The kids like poor Jenny, murdered on her short walk home by a maniac armed with a wool scarf. Seems she had a fight with her boyfriend then wound up dead. Strangely enough, another kid in the same high school class, this one a likable jock with basketball ambitions just got his place in the starting lineup...by out-performing Jenny's boyfriend on the court. Then suddenly he winds up dead, stabbed to death by an exotic double-bladed knife. Looks like Jenny's boyfriend Dave is back on the team after all.
But this can't be right...can it? Robyn's not sure, especially when she realizes that the horoscopes she writes up for fun in their school newspaper seemed to predict both Jenny and Alan's deaths. Two classmates gone, and to top it all off, she's forcibly paired up with Jeff, the class nerd, by their science teacher for a final project. Jeff's a skeptic who doesn't believe in all that 'your stars, your destiny' nonsense, and he'd like to use science to disprove astrology once and for all...with Robyn's help, of course.
But who's the murderer using the forecasts to plan their next attack? As more of her friends die and evidence begins pointing to her lab partner, Robyn has to figure out who's behind the attacks, and why each killing seems based on not only the signs of the Zodiac, but the futures she herself has been forecasting. Looks like somebody forgot to read the "For Entertainment Purposes Only" disclaimer, and is taking those predictions of bad days to come to heart. Worst of all, the killer knows everybody's birth dates, he's worked his way up to Leo, and Robyn was born under the sign of the lion, which means she could be next.
* * * * *
I sat down to read Horrorscope, with zero preconceived notions. I knew nothing of the book save the description on the back, and had never heard of Nicholas Adams prior to today. I burned through this in a single sitting--not hard when the book's only 180-ish pages long and meant for teenage readers, but I honestly enjoyed this book a lot.
R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike might be the reigning king and prince of the 90's YA horror book list, but Horrorscope blows them both out of the water. It's an intelligently written thriller which isn't afraid to pile up the bodies and linger for just a little while on the after-effects. It's not as stomach-churning as stuff written for the adult horror market, but if there's blood to be spilled and bones to be broken, Adams isn't afraid to do it.
Having finished the novel and curious about one reference to a flashlight as a 'torch', I got the impression Mr. Adams was British and began to dig. Why hadn't I heard of this guy, yet his style seemed so damn familiar? A few minutes' consulting with the ol' Google Reference Librarian and I had my answer: "Nicholas Adams" was a pen name shared between multiple authors for the purpose of writing these HarperPrism thrillers, and the guy behind Horrorscope was none other than John Peel.
If you're unfamiliar with Doctor Who, the name 'John Peel' might mean nothing to you, but once I saw it, I instantly made the connection: the series of New Adventures novels which bridge the gap between the cancellation of the television show in 1989 and its return in its modern incarnation. Peel wrote Timewyrm: Genesys, the book which launched the New Adventures.
I may have castigated Peel a bit in my review of his 'Timewyrm' contribution, but the man's got tremendous talent and he produces in Horrorscope a cast of characters who don't fit stereotypes. The fact he did this four years before Scream came along to revitalize the horror film is equally impressive. In fact, Horrorscope could make for a fun teen slasher brought to the screen today. There are a few bits that would require alteration (Robyn and her friends don't understand the computer setup in Jeff's room, especially the modem that lets him dial into the school's computer network and snoop around in the digital records), but this is nothing a competent screenwriter couldn't overcome. While murder by Zodiac isn't exactly the most original of ideas, Peel still pulls it off with panache. I sussed out the killer early on, but I'll give Peel props: it wasn't as bleedingly obvious as it could have been, and I applaud his ability to point fingers at pretty much every guy in poor Robyn's life. Stine had the problem of over-telegraphing the killer in some of his books, but Peel's better than that.
What's more, the killer's reasoning behind what he's doing is both crazy and strangely understandable as well. I don't want to talk much about it, because giving away the wrong detail in this review could tip the killer's hand for readers, but suffice it to say that I absolutely bought the reasons why the antagonist is doing what he's doing. I don't agree with them, but I certainly don't consider it to come out of left field either.
Equally to be commended is Peel's treatment of a variety of beliefs and superstitions, giving each one an even-handed side of the debate process. It would have been easy to get preachy in support of (or against) religion, astrology, or science, but every character, kid and adult alike, defends their beliefs in words that come off as their own, and not Peel's. Dave's mother believes in a sort of firebrand Christianity, and Dave spends time in jail after an arrest reading a Bible, but both believe the truth will out. Robyn and her mother both take the view that the stars and astrology don't control a person's destiny or personality, they only influence it in subtle ways, but amusingly they argue over the precision of the Tarot deck in fortune telling. Her mom claims it never lies, but Robyn argues it can be manipulated to say anything the reader wants. Jeff, of course, believes application of the scientific method can expose astrology for bunk, which puts him at odds with Robyn, and the sheriff isn't interested in hearing anything about horoscopes, birth dates, religion, or anything else except good old fashioned police work. I finished the book with no idea of what Peel's actual beliefs are. I appreciate this greatly, and so would any teenage reader no matter how spiritual, religious, or skeptical their belief systems. The fact Peel can walk this line so seemingly effortlessly is that much more of a credit to his talent.
If you enjoy these sorts of slash-o-ramas aimed at the under-17 crowd, and want to play the whodunnit game along with the heroine, by all means, pick up Horrorscope. As many of my previous reviews of books in this genre can attest, you could certainly do much, much worse.
Four imaginatively-murdered high school age victims out of five.
Best Scene:
The single most unfortunate victim in the whole book winds up with the absolute most original and vicious death in the story. I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I ever read a book where someone was executed via forklift, and Peel makes it as agonizingly awful as you could imagine, while still retaining that nod-and-a-wink feel for the reader that it's all in good fun anyway. Death by forklift is not all in good fun, of course, but there's really no other way to write a scene so absurd, and if you're thinking about any of the deaths from this book a week later, I guarantee it'll be this one.
Maybe have a little respect for the kids who are no longer with us? The kids like poor Jenny, murdered on her short walk home by a maniac armed with a wool scarf. Seems she had a fight with her boyfriend then wound up dead. Strangely enough, another kid in the same high school class, this one a likable jock with basketball ambitions just got his place in the starting lineup...by out-performing Jenny's boyfriend on the court. Then suddenly he winds up dead, stabbed to death by an exotic double-bladed knife. Looks like Jenny's boyfriend Dave is back on the team after all.
But this can't be right...can it? Robyn's not sure, especially when she realizes that the horoscopes she writes up for fun in their school newspaper seemed to predict both Jenny and Alan's deaths. Two classmates gone, and to top it all off, she's forcibly paired up with Jeff, the class nerd, by their science teacher for a final project. Jeff's a skeptic who doesn't believe in all that 'your stars, your destiny' nonsense, and he'd like to use science to disprove astrology once and for all...with Robyn's help, of course.
But who's the murderer using the forecasts to plan their next attack? As more of her friends die and evidence begins pointing to her lab partner, Robyn has to figure out who's behind the attacks, and why each killing seems based on not only the signs of the Zodiac, but the futures she herself has been forecasting. Looks like somebody forgot to read the "For Entertainment Purposes Only" disclaimer, and is taking those predictions of bad days to come to heart. Worst of all, the killer knows everybody's birth dates, he's worked his way up to Leo, and Robyn was born under the sign of the lion, which means she could be next.
* * * * *
I sat down to read Horrorscope, with zero preconceived notions. I knew nothing of the book save the description on the back, and had never heard of Nicholas Adams prior to today. I burned through this in a single sitting--not hard when the book's only 180-ish pages long and meant for teenage readers, but I honestly enjoyed this book a lot.
R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike might be the reigning king and prince of the 90's YA horror book list, but Horrorscope blows them both out of the water. It's an intelligently written thriller which isn't afraid to pile up the bodies and linger for just a little while on the after-effects. It's not as stomach-churning as stuff written for the adult horror market, but if there's blood to be spilled and bones to be broken, Adams isn't afraid to do it.
Having finished the novel and curious about one reference to a flashlight as a 'torch', I got the impression Mr. Adams was British and began to dig. Why hadn't I heard of this guy, yet his style seemed so damn familiar? A few minutes' consulting with the ol' Google Reference Librarian and I had my answer: "Nicholas Adams" was a pen name shared between multiple authors for the purpose of writing these HarperPrism thrillers, and the guy behind Horrorscope was none other than John Peel.
If you're unfamiliar with Doctor Who, the name 'John Peel' might mean nothing to you, but once I saw it, I instantly made the connection: the series of New Adventures novels which bridge the gap between the cancellation of the television show in 1989 and its return in its modern incarnation. Peel wrote Timewyrm: Genesys, the book which launched the New Adventures.
I may have castigated Peel a bit in my review of his 'Timewyrm' contribution, but the man's got tremendous talent and he produces in Horrorscope a cast of characters who don't fit stereotypes. The fact he did this four years before Scream came along to revitalize the horror film is equally impressive. In fact, Horrorscope could make for a fun teen slasher brought to the screen today. There are a few bits that would require alteration (Robyn and her friends don't understand the computer setup in Jeff's room, especially the modem that lets him dial into the school's computer network and snoop around in the digital records), but this is nothing a competent screenwriter couldn't overcome. While murder by Zodiac isn't exactly the most original of ideas, Peel still pulls it off with panache. I sussed out the killer early on, but I'll give Peel props: it wasn't as bleedingly obvious as it could have been, and I applaud his ability to point fingers at pretty much every guy in poor Robyn's life. Stine had the problem of over-telegraphing the killer in some of his books, but Peel's better than that.
What's more, the killer's reasoning behind what he's doing is both crazy and strangely understandable as well. I don't want to talk much about it, because giving away the wrong detail in this review could tip the killer's hand for readers, but suffice it to say that I absolutely bought the reasons why the antagonist is doing what he's doing. I don't agree with them, but I certainly don't consider it to come out of left field either.
Equally to be commended is Peel's treatment of a variety of beliefs and superstitions, giving each one an even-handed side of the debate process. It would have been easy to get preachy in support of (or against) religion, astrology, or science, but every character, kid and adult alike, defends their beliefs in words that come off as their own, and not Peel's. Dave's mother believes in a sort of firebrand Christianity, and Dave spends time in jail after an arrest reading a Bible, but both believe the truth will out. Robyn and her mother both take the view that the stars and astrology don't control a person's destiny or personality, they only influence it in subtle ways, but amusingly they argue over the precision of the Tarot deck in fortune telling. Her mom claims it never lies, but Robyn argues it can be manipulated to say anything the reader wants. Jeff, of course, believes application of the scientific method can expose astrology for bunk, which puts him at odds with Robyn, and the sheriff isn't interested in hearing anything about horoscopes, birth dates, religion, or anything else except good old fashioned police work. I finished the book with no idea of what Peel's actual beliefs are. I appreciate this greatly, and so would any teenage reader no matter how spiritual, religious, or skeptical their belief systems. The fact Peel can walk this line so seemingly effortlessly is that much more of a credit to his talent.
If you enjoy these sorts of slash-o-ramas aimed at the under-17 crowd, and want to play the whodunnit game along with the heroine, by all means, pick up Horrorscope. As many of my previous reviews of books in this genre can attest, you could certainly do much, much worse.
Four imaginatively-murdered high school age victims out of five.
Best Scene:
The single most unfortunate victim in the whole book winds up with the absolute most original and vicious death in the story. I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I ever read a book where someone was executed via forklift, and Peel makes it as agonizingly awful as you could imagine, while still retaining that nod-and-a-wink feel for the reader that it's all in good fun anyway. Death by forklift is not all in good fun, of course, but there's really no other way to write a scene so absurd, and if you're thinking about any of the deaths from this book a week later, I guarantee it'll be this one.
July 21, 2019
Improbable horror fun from the early nineties.
April 14, 2024
I re read this book from time to time when I want something I don't need to concentrate on. I've had this book for many years, along with most of the books in the nightmare range. This one has always been one of my favourites
May 11, 2024
interesting book
Horoscope horror. I did enjoy the book as didn’t expect the story like this. Easy to read and quick! Also my first book by this author
Horoscope horror. I did enjoy the book as didn’t expect the story like this. Easy to read and quick! Also my first book by this author
February 14, 2024
We already know that Nicholas Adams is a pen name used by many authors but you can tell that this one is a John Peel book from the get go. The tones of the real creepy and insane Nicholas Adams books are always sure to be John Peel's work and Horrorscope is clear as a crystal ball.
Some people take the horoscopes in the newspapers and magazines with a grain of salt while others can be skeptical and critical. Some people may believe it to be almost Satanic or just utter drivel and you will get all of those points made in this book through the characters.
The chapters for awhile go by the zodiac signs of different characters who will be main players as suspects, victims and audience surrogates until you get to the end when it is all on the killer's endgame.
We get to see the first victim through the killer's eyes and the narrator third person style.
Jenny Warren is not religious but she will take her horoscope very seriously. Her boyfriend Derek Vine has a very religious mother who doesn't approve of their relationship and it comes to a head in an argument.
Jenny walks away from the car and Derek doesn't go after her so she ends up being strangled to death by a wool scarf. We do know the killer is a man and he takes a picture of Jenny's dead body while thanking her...bizarre.
Main character Robyn Chantry believes in astrology and writes a column for her school newspaper under a pen name where only her best friends know it is her. Her mother runs a store with healthy groceries and she reads Tarot cards yet Robyn doesn't put much faith in those.
Robyn's dad makes candles and statues and weapons for a society where they do medieval jousts and have banquets in renaissance dress and it is actually based on real life events pointed out in an author's note at the end of the book...seriously it is kind of cool and I can't make this up even if I tried...
Her friend Debi Smolinski comes from a family that is wealthy and snobby but despite her model looks, Debi is Robyn's BFF and she isn't highly annoying or awful. The girls may seem that way but they are still in high school so don't expect them to be fully decent just yet it takes a while...or takes some motivation to change...
They meet at the lockers of their two other friends, Dana Mulalley and Natalie Byrnes, to be greeted with the news that Jenny Warren was murdered. It is also grim because Derek Vine, her boyfriend, is the number one and only suspect of the police.
Derek is questioned by the sheriff and he claims innocence but it is clear that he blames the school's horoscope column for Jenny's death since she took the advice in it so seriously. If it hadn't goaded her into fighting with him, Jenny never would have left Derek's car and would still be alive.
He knows that it had to be one of those four girls who work for the paper: Dana, Debi, Natalie or Robyn. They hand in articles all the time and even though he isn't sure, Derek can't help but be angry and a little vengeful despite everything his mother taught him...
As if Robyn doesn't have enough to worry about.
She is flunking science and her teacher, Mr. Traynor, decides to pair her with Jeff Goldstein. One of the smartest guys in school but a real loner who only has one friend in all of the school and Robyn has to be stuck with him? Jeff isn't too thrilled either since he knows how bad Robyn is at science but he also has had a crush on her for some time.
His only friend Alan MacKenzie, star of the basketball court, says that Robyn is one of the prettiest girls in school besides his own girlfriend and Jeff should ask her out. Jeff isn't really a fan of Robyn's judgmental and snobby friends and to be paired with her for the science fair or fail just doesn't seem fair...
Soon, bigger things weigh heavier than grades and girl troubles on the minds of Robyn and Jeff when another person is murdered. The killing is much more gruesome than the last but a pattern is soon established...with Robyn's horoscope column smack dab in the middle.
Robyn takes her predictions seriously in following all of the charts and information she reads from books but that someone would take it so seriously to murder anyone...it has to be a bad dream.
She'll need someone smart like Jeff to help her figure out just exactly who the killer will go after next and Jeff knows that Robyn will need someone to understand just how hard life can turn upside down in an instant...
Some very intense killings, mistrust and red herrings popping up all over the place but also a very creepy vibe on just why the murders start happening. We also get much more focus on Jeff to understand him better and it makes him one of the more interesting characters.
To spill anything else would ruin the book and if you are lucky enough to get your hands on Horrorscope, having yet to read it, you will discover a terrifying yet intriguing tale worth discovering.
Some people take the horoscopes in the newspapers and magazines with a grain of salt while others can be skeptical and critical. Some people may believe it to be almost Satanic or just utter drivel and you will get all of those points made in this book through the characters.
The chapters for awhile go by the zodiac signs of different characters who will be main players as suspects, victims and audience surrogates until you get to the end when it is all on the killer's endgame.
We get to see the first victim through the killer's eyes and the narrator third person style.
Jenny Warren is not religious but she will take her horoscope very seriously. Her boyfriend Derek Vine has a very religious mother who doesn't approve of their relationship and it comes to a head in an argument.
Jenny walks away from the car and Derek doesn't go after her so she ends up being strangled to death by a wool scarf. We do know the killer is a man and he takes a picture of Jenny's dead body while thanking her...bizarre.
Main character Robyn Chantry believes in astrology and writes a column for her school newspaper under a pen name where only her best friends know it is her. Her mother runs a store with healthy groceries and she reads Tarot cards yet Robyn doesn't put much faith in those.
Robyn's dad makes candles and statues and weapons for a society where they do medieval jousts and have banquets in renaissance dress and it is actually based on real life events pointed out in an author's note at the end of the book...seriously it is kind of cool and I can't make this up even if I tried...
Her friend Debi Smolinski comes from a family that is wealthy and snobby but despite her model looks, Debi is Robyn's BFF and she isn't highly annoying or awful. The girls may seem that way but they are still in high school so don't expect them to be fully decent just yet it takes a while...or takes some motivation to change...
They meet at the lockers of their two other friends, Dana Mulalley and Natalie Byrnes, to be greeted with the news that Jenny Warren was murdered. It is also grim because Derek Vine, her boyfriend, is the number one and only suspect of the police.
Derek is questioned by the sheriff and he claims innocence but it is clear that he blames the school's horoscope column for Jenny's death since she took the advice in it so seriously. If it hadn't goaded her into fighting with him, Jenny never would have left Derek's car and would still be alive.
He knows that it had to be one of those four girls who work for the paper: Dana, Debi, Natalie or Robyn. They hand in articles all the time and even though he isn't sure, Derek can't help but be angry and a little vengeful despite everything his mother taught him...
As if Robyn doesn't have enough to worry about.
She is flunking science and her teacher, Mr. Traynor, decides to pair her with Jeff Goldstein. One of the smartest guys in school but a real loner who only has one friend in all of the school and Robyn has to be stuck with him? Jeff isn't too thrilled either since he knows how bad Robyn is at science but he also has had a crush on her for some time.
His only friend Alan MacKenzie, star of the basketball court, says that Robyn is one of the prettiest girls in school besides his own girlfriend and Jeff should ask her out. Jeff isn't really a fan of Robyn's judgmental and snobby friends and to be paired with her for the science fair or fail just doesn't seem fair...
Soon, bigger things weigh heavier than grades and girl troubles on the minds of Robyn and Jeff when another person is murdered. The killing is much more gruesome than the last but a pattern is soon established...with Robyn's horoscope column smack dab in the middle.
Robyn takes her predictions seriously in following all of the charts and information she reads from books but that someone would take it so seriously to murder anyone...it has to be a bad dream.
She'll need someone smart like Jeff to help her figure out just exactly who the killer will go after next and Jeff knows that Robyn will need someone to understand just how hard life can turn upside down in an instant...
Some very intense killings, mistrust and red herrings popping up all over the place but also a very creepy vibe on just why the murders start happening. We also get much more focus on Jeff to understand him better and it makes him one of the more interesting characters.
To spill anything else would ruin the book and if you are lucky enough to get your hands on Horrorscope, having yet to read it, you will discover a terrifying yet intriguing tale worth discovering.
June 21, 2024
Okay so I legit only read this because it was according to the end credits the inspiration for the movie Tarot. I have a compulsion I think to read the books movies are based on haha. Let me just say this is very 90s young adult horror. I don't hate this book but also I don't think it is anything life changing. It was mostly just a quick read that didn't require much thought. It isn't really horror so much as slasher which is fine. It plays up the slasher angle pretty well, even giving us the perspective of the slasher. I think it ends up being pretty predictable overall. The high school angle is also very high school to the point of slightly irritating, but also like okay you get a pass all your friends are being murdered. Really I would just say this is one of those books to pick up if you need a quick read or to recommend to the teenage horror buff in your life.
November 25, 2024
I read this because the movie Tarot was based on it. This book is a quick read, but it’s so boring. I’m not even sure how they made the jump between this and the movie besides it being light inspiration, they have almost nothing in common.
I guess it’s a fun palate cleanser, but for it being about horoscopes, I could have used a lot more zodiac references as that was the only aspect of this 90’s slasher that I enjoyed.
I guess it’s a fun palate cleanser, but for it being about horoscopes, I could have used a lot more zodiac references as that was the only aspect of this 90’s slasher that I enjoyed.
October 11, 2025
I love slasher movies so this book was right up my alley.
May 3, 2024
I don't want to be too critical since this is written for teens, but the killer was so obvious! But I still had a fun time reading this and had I read it when I was a teen myself, I would've loved it!
June 15, 2024
Boring, and we didn't even get through half of the zodiac. Genuinely insane that this inspired Tarot; like they have nearly nothing in common, I simply must scratch my head!!
June 29, 2024
a gripping story that manages to capture the PERFECT essence of a late ‘90s slasher movie, i just wish that it was longer to explore majority of the horoscope signs and had more red herrings (or characters in general) for a compelling whodunnit factor. i know that it’s been 33 years, but i desperately need a sequel that finishes off the rest of the zodiacs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2015
Not amazing, but pretty decent. If I had read this five years or so ago I probably would have loved it. Would definitely recommend to any young adult looking for a slight horror / simple mystery book^^
September 10, 2024
I love old slashers
June 4, 2024
As a reader I hate to say this… the movie was better.
December 10, 2024
Horrorscope (Nightmares) by Nicholas Adams is a gripping and eerie novel that dives deep into the chilling consequences of believing in fate and astrology. Set against a backdrop of suspense and supernatural elements, the story follows a protagonist whose life is thrown into chaos after receiving a sinister horoscope reading. Each prediction seems to manifest in ways more horrifying than anticipated, leaving readers questioning whether these events are mere coincidence or if an otherworldly force is at play.
Adams crafts a compelling narrative that keeps readers on edge. The book balances classic horror elements with psychological tension, making it a thrilling experience. The character development is robust, with the protagonist's descent into paranoia and fear feeling both relatable and haunting. The pacing is sharp, ensuring that the tension never lets up, and the twists keep readers guessing until the end.
The theme of astrology as a double-edged sword adds a unique angle to the horror genre. It explores how our beliefs can shape our reality—sometimes to terrifying effect. While the book relies on some classic horror tropes, Adams's fresh take on the genre makes Horrorscope (Nightmares) a standout in its category.
This novel is perfect for fans of atmospheric horror, psychological thrillers, and anyone intrigued by the dark side of destiny. It's a chilling reminder to be careful what you wish for—because it just might come true.
Adams crafts a compelling narrative that keeps readers on edge. The book balances classic horror elements with psychological tension, making it a thrilling experience. The character development is robust, with the protagonist's descent into paranoia and fear feeling both relatable and haunting. The pacing is sharp, ensuring that the tension never lets up, and the twists keep readers guessing until the end.
The theme of astrology as a double-edged sword adds a unique angle to the horror genre. It explores how our beliefs can shape our reality—sometimes to terrifying effect. While the book relies on some classic horror tropes, Adams's fresh take on the genre makes Horrorscope (Nightmares) a standout in its category.
This novel is perfect for fans of atmospheric horror, psychological thrillers, and anyone intrigued by the dark side of destiny. It's a chilling reminder to be careful what you wish for—because it just might come true.
Read
September 12, 2025This book has a special place in my heart. I remember as a Teenager going through the struggle of having braces. They would tighten them to bring my teeth closer together and this would give a few weeks of bad headaches and struggles to eat. It was during these times I found this book in my library and decided to read it. I was gripped from the start and loved the characters. I even had a crush on Robyn. I cannot remember if I guessed who was the killer but I read it in two days.
On this reread I must admit that as much as I enjoyed it, with my adult view I found that the book had more faults then, I thought with my nostalgic tinted memories.
Robyn was slightly more annoying then I remembered. Jeff was still cool. I straight away clocked on who was the killer. But I still had a good time and will keep this book for my collection. Plus it was still one of the best novels in the Nightmare series. It did try to be relatable for its Teen readers but still existed in a stylised Hollywood universe. But I can forgive this as books sometimes are written for the reader to escape from the real world for a short while. This book originally helped me escape from the discomfort of my braces for that, I will always be appreciative. If you remember this series I would highly recommend given this a go
On this reread I must admit that as much as I enjoyed it, with my adult view I found that the book had more faults then, I thought with my nostalgic tinted memories.
Robyn was slightly more annoying then I remembered. Jeff was still cool. I straight away clocked on who was the killer. But I still had a good time and will keep this book for my collection. Plus it was still one of the best novels in the Nightmare series. It did try to be relatable for its Teen readers but still existed in a stylised Hollywood universe. But I can forgive this as books sometimes are written for the reader to escape from the real world for a short while. This book originally helped me escape from the discomfort of my braces for that, I will always be appreciative. If you remember this series I would highly recommend given this a go
April 9, 2025
Full review at: https://www.jackreacts.com.au/horrors...
Snippet: This was a pretty good read! It kept my attention and made me want to keep reading, although I do think it could have been a bit shorter. There were so many repetitive conversations about whether Robyn and Jeff liked each other that weren’t really needed, and slowed the pace down more than anything. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect, which was a bit complicated but overall pretty smart, and quite different to the standard ones we get in Point Horror...
Check out my full review linked up top for an in-depth recap :)
Snippet: This was a pretty good read! It kept my attention and made me want to keep reading, although I do think it could have been a bit shorter. There were so many repetitive conversations about whether Robyn and Jeff liked each other that weren’t really needed, and slowed the pace down more than anything. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect, which was a bit complicated but overall pretty smart, and quite different to the standard ones we get in Point Horror...
Check out my full review linked up top for an in-depth recap :)
October 22, 2024
Recently, I watched the inexcusably shitty movie Tarot and learned it was, through some demented Hollywood devilry, based on this book. They should have just stuck to the book.
Horrorscope is like a fun, made-for-tv slasher. Scream without the style and substance, but still fun. This is probably the kind of stuff I should have been reading instead of or in addition to Stine and Pike. People actually die in this book.
Horrorscope is like a fun, made-for-tv slasher. Scream without the style and substance, but still fun. This is probably the kind of stuff I should have been reading instead of or in addition to Stine and Pike. People actually die in this book.
October 20, 2023
i don’t know exactly what it was but i loved this book. it read so easily, felt just as if i was watching scream or urban legend but in book form. i’m always so picky where it comes to my horror books because of it doesn’t give me 90s slasher vibes i probably won’t like it as it is my preferred subgenre of horror, but this book did just that as i said.
August 23, 2024
I read this book bc of the movie Tarot. It said it was based on this, but the story was so different. Honestly, I liked the book’s plot better than the movie’s. I learned something about astrology, which I found interesting. 3 stars because the ending was disappointing and predictable. But the story was enjoyable and interesting. Very quick read, and a great teen slasher novel.
December 18, 2024
Cute and a fun little brisk read. Great title. Actually read it because I just watched Tarot and was intrigued, although it's really nothing like the movie. Frustrating because the female main characters were SO stupid and the killer was so obvious if it were a snake it would've bit them, but otherwise, I enjoyed a fun little "turn your brain off" romp
August 10, 2024
A good murder mystery with an astrological twist.
I found this book to be quite thrilling, though it was a bit easy to figure out who the killer was halfway through. The characters were easy to like and the plot was beautifully laid out.
I found this book to be quite thrilling, though it was a bit easy to figure out who the killer was halfway through. The characters were easy to like and the plot was beautifully laid out.
August 14, 2024
Astrological Murder Mystery
Decided to read the book after watching the movie Tarot. The book was so much better and wasn't anything like the movie. If you liked the movie I would highly suggest you read the book. The perfect murder mystery.
Decided to read the book after watching the movie Tarot. The book was so much better and wasn't anything like the movie. If you liked the movie I would highly suggest you read the book. The perfect murder mystery.
March 18, 2020
Enjoyed it thoroughly...🤪
July 20, 2022
Another great story from the Nightmares series. This one was quite dark and scary, with some interesting and gruesome murders. Very entertaining.
March 11, 2023
I used to read anything and everything the teenagers brought home! An enjoyable read.
May 16, 2024
Good Story
I really like the way is told the story its a great story teller.
Very engaging
I really like the way is told the story its a great story teller.
Very engaging
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews