Cold Kisser

Creepers

by Edgar J. Hyde

There’s a new girl in class, and everyone’s afraid of her. They call her the “cold kisser” because when she kisses you, it feels like she steals the warmth from your body. The beautiful Sally Anne has everyone fascinated, including Tommy’s best friend George who kisses her the first chance he gets. But it isn’t just a regular kiss! Sally Anne’s kiss is ice cold. Even knowing her chilling gift, Tommy can’t help but get close to her and ultimately discover her big secret. About the Creepers Horror Stories Strange things are happening in the Creepers series! These high-interest, low-vocabulary middle grade illustrated chapter books are perfect for readers who love a good mix of spooky and silly. Featuring stories with tween protagonists who find themselves in paranormal predicaments, the Creepers series is set to capture the imaginations of young readers with thrilling tales of the strange things that keep us up at night.

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Time Travel, Paranormal, Childrens, Young Adult, Witches

121 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Scott Rhee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popularity for juvenile/middle school reader horror didn’t start with R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps, but Stine discovered a relatively untapped goldmine with his series starting in 1992. With over 250 books in an ever-expanding series, Stine successfully mass-marketed tween horror.

Due to his success, a flood of rip-offs, imitations, and wannabes quickly followed. One of those rip-off series was a series called Creepers, written by Edgar J. Hyde.

Originally published in 1997, “Cold Kisser” was one of roughly 24 (that I can find) books in the series. There is no discernible order to them, as they are all stand-alones, so I’m not sure where this book falls, numerically, in the series.

I have no way of comparing its writing quality to Stine’s series as (I’m ashamed to admit) I’ve never actually read a Goosebumps book. That will be rectified soon.

“Cold Kisser” is about a shy young boy named Tommy who is strangely attracted to a new girl named Sally Anne. To his dismay, his more extroverted and daring best friend, George, swoops in and asks her out on a date.

The next day, George tells a weird story about kissing Sally Anne. He tells Tommy that her kiss was far from enjoyable; it was like kissing a ghost. Not only that, but immediately after, George suffered a weird set of visions.

To his surprise, Tommy is pursued by Sally Anne. She tells him an unbelievable story about witches, past lives, and reincarnation. At first, he thinks she is just crazy, but inexplicable things start happening that make him think she’s telling the truth.

“Cold Kisser” is an incredibly fast read for adults, obviously. While the characters seem to be in their early-teens, the writing level seems to be skewed lower, targeted more for kids in the 8-12 age range.

There’s nothing too controversial or overly terrifying for children in this book that I can see, unless one is adamantly opposed to having your children read about reincarnation as a theory about the after-life. Overall, it seems like it might be a fun series for young kids, if the’ve already depleted their Goosebumps books.

[Caroline Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I didn't know this was a children's book. Second, I'm 45 years old, about 35 years too old for this story. That being said, it really wasn't that terrible. It's a quick read with a consistent story. The story is actually really sweet, with a few twists and turns. I bought a bunch of these from Dollar Tree last week, so I'll be reviewing more in the future. Yay!

[LaDonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll go 3.5 for this one mostly because I'm really not the intended audience but reading a YA book is on my book bingo card and I had picked this up for a very different reason (a junk journaling friend had mentioned the series at Dollar Tree and said there were some great illustrations to use - hoping the others have more than this one did. It's most definitely YA and has lots of paranormal/supernatural elements but it just didn't fully click together for me. It was a quick read and had some fun elements in it, but other than the mc's being 14 year old boys obsessed with kissing girls, it's really more of a tween book than true YA. But all that aside it did have a fairly unique twist and I was able to enjoy it for what it is.

Honestly I think my horror loving great nieces going into 7th grade will find it a little too basic and definitely not scary enough for them but I'm afraid it would ne a bit too much for our 4th grade baby bat.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

C

Best friends Tommy and George are immediately attracted to the new girl in their class, Sally Anne. They're shocked when Sally Anne picks shy Tommy over outgoing George. There's something strange about Sally Anne, though. A painting that she created in art class keeps changing. New details are added or removed each day. Also, when Tommy kisses her, her lips are freezing, and Tommy is momentarily transported back in time.

Cold Kisser is enjoyable, but its plot is overly complex for a middle grade book. I had to explain to my son what was happening several times because the story became too convoluted. He still enjoyed Cold Kisser, but not as much as he enjoyed other books in the series.

[★patt★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ As an adult the bald men scene cracked me up lol 😆 I would have totally loved this kind of story when I was an early teen though ~ The only reason I didn't rate it a solid 4 was because I got the 2 boys mixed up for the majority of the book but it could have just been me. I'm definitely going to check out some other books in the creepers collection for sure!

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Tommy realise the new girl, Sally-Anne is the girl he has dreamt about, he is confused and too shy to talk to her. When the other boys kiss her they speak of her cold lips and say that time seemed to freeze.
A really fun middle grade read from the 90’s with a ghostly feel.

[Sara Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of all the Creepers books, I was most attracted to this cover. However, I most let down by this story. Boring.

[Regina Arone · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was just blah. Wasn’t scary, or heartfelt or thrilling. Just blah

[Kaycee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an interesting concept but it was bad execution. Skip if this one if you're reading the series.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusion at the end. Lot of questions that need answers.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly I was reading this to my daughter and she got so bored by about halfway. it did get a bit better in the second half, but still just meh 🤷🏽‍♀️

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is a little more The X-Files than regular ghost story, to me. It also strikes me as writing for a younger target audience than the characters, since the format is more for ages 9-11-ish but the main characters are 14. I think I noticed this with other titles in the series but didn't think to comment on it before.

This one has the same style of "happy" ending of all of the others in the series I've read to date, but I didn't like it half as much as any of the others. For one thing, the new girl (Sally Anne) acts like the main character (Tommy) SHOULD be scared to death of her, but at every single turn, he... just isn't. Absolutely the wrong reaction in each interaction with her. She invites herself in for soda; he blinks and she's suddenly in the kitchen with him, but he just rolls with it. She confesses that she is a "winter witch"; he laughs in her face. She belittles somebody to prove that no one else can see or hear her but Tommy; he completely forgets what she said and reacts like a blithering idiot in front of an increasing number of people who mysteriously take offense at his comment until they magically "don't remember" what just happened, as if it were all just a dream.

I don't know, it's much more "head trip" than "creeper"—more mind game than spook. Even the reveal feels like it's "just" magic, vs. what's thematically supposed to be paranormal activity. (I'm tagging both, in case.) Like, I know The Golden Goblet is sort of the same way, since the main character is ALREADY infused with paranormal abilities, so it's significantly less "spooky" than maybe intended.

Maybe that's the idea? Maybe it's just supposed to be a pseudo-romance with some magical elements? Weird calling it "Creepers," then, like how How I Learned to Fly isn't REMOTELY a "real" Goosebumps book.

Anyway, I didn't really like this one as much, possibly because the characters are actually SHOWN vs. hinted at in all of the others I've read... showing their faces grounds them in a way that leaving everything to the imagination doesn't. It's just that much less spooky as a result, more weird. Less It, more Doctor Strange.

Or, just strange, I guess. Also, I guess I'm a bit testy about gaslighters who come in and demand to get their way no matter what, even IF the doormat they walk over thinks it's good. I don't know. It has a very "the end justifies the means" feel about it.

[Bobby Keniston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'd give this 3.25 stars.

So this, the third book I've read of the "Creepers" books (though the 8th in the series) is not so much a spooky/horror type story as a speculative fiction with some sci-fi, potentially spooky moments. It deals with Tommy, who works hard in school and is always thinking about preparing for the future and never living in the moment. He is friends with George, who is all about the present (and kissing girls). Lo and behold, there is a new girl in class, Sally Anne, and she has a strange connection to Tommy and a mysterious air about her....

I think this may be my favorite so far. The writing seems smoother, the story is interesting (if not ground breaking) and I liked the characters especially Sally Anne. A quick, fun read.

And I keep forgetting to mention, but the illustrations by Chloe Tyler really do add to these tales... I only wish there were more of them in each book.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay this book has to do with the past and present all in one.. so Tommy and George are best friends and they both like the new girl Sally Anne but George gets to kiss her first and he tells Tommy later her kiss was like ice so cold and just didn't feel right but then later after that Tommy and Sally Anne hang out and she tells him she is a witch and that him and her were part of history that he didn't remember until she starts telling him stuff et interesting small book and so far all of the series has been good.

[J.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this one had a cool concept, but I really would have liked to see something a little more creepy. Especially considering the series is called Creepers.

It did also seem a little too complex for the younger audience it was intended for (keeping this vague to avoid spoilers here).

As a whole it just didn't have as much action or creepiness as I wanted.

[Sabrina Frang · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a cool concept: a mysterious new girl seems to have an odd effect on the boys she kisses. The execution was the problem. The big reveal was rushed, and we did not spend enough time between Tommy and Sally Anne to feel any emotional impact from their story. I had so many unanswered questions, and there was so much about the story that just did not make sense.

[Frankenoise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story might be a little too complicated, or contain too much dialogue, for the average 10 year old. I personally liked it a lot as a simple story that gives us all a valuable lesson. Think about the future, live in the moment, and don't worry about your past.

[April Grob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. As said in my other reviews of his books, proceed with caution when giving this novel to your child(ren) based on their maturity level and your religious beliefs as this book is based on reincarnation and talking with ghost. Not a bad read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short, yet interesting storyline for when you don't have a lot of time

[Jill Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite! Though I feel like I have so many more questions to ask.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[C. Pitman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, easy read.

[Robert Weathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of several "creepers" books I found at my local Dollar Tree. I enjoyed reading it a lot more than I thought I would. I am looking forward to reading more of Edgar J. Hyde's works.

[foreverfinalgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought about 8 of these books at Dollar Tree for my son who likes horror stories. This one features a girl who claims to be a reincarnated witch . . .

[tim Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was pretty interesting.