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Terrifier 2
WINNER OF THE SCRIBE AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED NOVEL PRESENTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MEDIA TIE-IN WRITERS!
The nightmarish Art the Clown returns from the dead to continue his murderous and mad spree, in this gruesome novelization of the hit horror film.
It has been one year since the sleepy town of Miles County survived the murderous spree of demented killer Art the Clown, but little do they know the nightmare is about to begin anew.
Resurrected by a sinister entity, Art is back with an appetite for murder and mayhem—setting his sights on the recently bereaved teenager Sienna and her younger brother Jonathan. The streets are about to run with blood, and Sienna must somehow survive this gruesome Halloween night and discover how to defeat a brutal and unforgiving killing machine from beyond her nightmares.
There's no stopping Art once his sights are set on you...
The nightmarish Art the Clown returns from the dead to continue his murderous and mad spree, in this gruesome novelization of the hit horror film.
It has been one year since the sleepy town of Miles County survived the murderous spree of demented killer Art the Clown, but little do they know the nightmare is about to begin anew.
Resurrected by a sinister entity, Art is back with an appetite for murder and mayhem—setting his sights on the recently bereaved teenager Sienna and her younger brother Jonathan. The streets are about to run with blood, and Sienna must somehow survive this gruesome Halloween night and discover how to defeat a brutal and unforgiving killing machine from beyond her nightmares.
There's no stopping Art once his sights are set on you...
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2024
100 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Tim Waggoner
282 books757 followersTim Waggoner's first novel came out in 2001, and since then, he's published over sixty novels and eight collections of short stories. He writes original dark fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. He's written tie-in fiction based on Supernatural, The X-Files, Alien, Doctor Who, Conan the Barbarian, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Grimm, and Transformers, among others, and he's written novelizations for films such as Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Halloween Kills, Terrifier 2 and 3, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. He’s also the author of the award-winning guide to horror Writing in the Dark. He’s a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, a one-time winner of the Scribe Award, and he’s been a two-time finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
September 22, 2025
Well, Tim Waggoner might just be a genius. Terrifier 2’s novelisation proves that not all movie-to-book novel adaptations are awful. Tim seems to really understand the characters of Sienna and Art The Clown. It’s amazing how he narrates Art’s inner monologue as this horror villain is completely silent in the films and relies heavily on his actor - David Howard Thorton’s mannerism and physical acting to characterise him. It adds so much more characterisation and depth - especially towards the end when Sienna is in the hospital processing all the trauma of what happened to her at the hands of the Miles County Clown.
Of course, the blood, guts, and gore are all richly described here. At times it does read like an extreme horror novel, yet isn’t as short as a lot of splatter-punk books, this is 400 pages long.
It perfectly encapsulates everything which is good about the movie, like the humour and silliness of Art The Clown, amongst his brutal killings.
5 Stars
Of course, the blood, guts, and gore are all richly described here. At times it does read like an extreme horror novel, yet isn’t as short as a lot of splatter-punk books, this is 400 pages long.
It perfectly encapsulates everything which is good about the movie, like the humour and silliness of Art The Clown, amongst his brutal killings.
5 Stars
Read
September 22, 2024Honestly unsure how I read this whole thing 😅 if you’ve seen the movie you know what to expect. This is extremely violent, depraved, gross, uncomfortable- pretty much think of any unpleasant descriptor you can think of and it probably applies.
I didn’t enjoy this one bit, like not a single part of it 😂 I think I read it just to see if I could handle it? I could, but yeah, it was kinda like watching a trainwreck unfold in slow motion. Not putting a star rating because this book is NOT for me, but yeah, if you like the movies you will probably love this!!
Also, thank you Titan for the review copy!!This was SICK.
I didn’t enjoy this one bit, like not a single part of it 😂 I think I read it just to see if I could handle it? I could, but yeah, it was kinda like watching a trainwreck unfold in slow motion. Not putting a star rating because this book is NOT for me, but yeah, if you like the movies you will probably love this!!
Also, thank you Titan for the review copy!!This was SICK.
January 9, 2025
This felt like kind of a miracle. I am, and have been since childhood, a fan of movie novelisations. They’re often entertaining, and a fun way to revisit a favourite film, but they also can feel like they’re lacking something that would make them fully satisfying as a book in their own right. Books can get turned into Oscar-winning movies, but no novelisation is ever going to win a literary prize.
So my expectations of Tim Waggoner’s adaptation of shockfest ‘Terrifier 2’ were tempered. I’ve read and enjoyed one book by him in the past (and original work called ‘They Kill’), but he’s not an author I know well. This book made me want to get to know his work better. He’s managed to pull off two tricky things here, Firstly, capture the weird magic of the movie - the horror, the black humour, the touching and convincing family dynamic, and the unhinged tone. Secondly, he’s managed to turn a film that is incredibly visual, Art doesn’t even talk, for crying out loud, into an effective book. Even at 400 pages I found it a thoroughly enjoyable read.
It should go without saying though, that if you aren’t a fan of the films this is NOT for you.
So my expectations of Tim Waggoner’s adaptation of shockfest ‘Terrifier 2’ were tempered. I’ve read and enjoyed one book by him in the past (and original work called ‘They Kill’), but he’s not an author I know well. This book made me want to get to know his work better. He’s managed to pull off two tricky things here, Firstly, capture the weird magic of the movie - the horror, the black humour, the touching and convincing family dynamic, and the unhinged tone. Secondly, he’s managed to turn a film that is incredibly visual, Art doesn’t even talk, for crying out loud, into an effective book. Even at 400 pages I found it a thoroughly enjoyable read.
It should go without saying though, that if you aren’t a fan of the films this is NOT for you.
September 29, 2025
Be careful when trick or treating this year. You might encounter Art, the evil and murderous clown. That ain't no fun. You'll see him sawing off some teenager, meet his destiny and even the ground for the next installment is laid. The details are gory, his killings nasty. Art is that kind of killer clown you'll never forget. Something like Freddy Krueger. Can it really be killed? After the final chapters I have my doubts. The author does everything to deliver first class horror. I haven't seen the movies so far but this book definitely whet my appetite. Who is this clown and what made him that relentless sadistic slasher? We don't know but might find out... superb Halloween horror here. If I see someone in a grey and white clown costume with blood stained gloves I'll start running. Highly recommended!
October 12, 2024
I happen to be a huge fan of the 'Terrifier' movies and Art the Clown. Slashers have become such a tired genre with it endless sequels, and same bland motifs that a genre I used to enjoy, I can't stand anymore, then Damian Leone came along and gave us Art the Clown what a refreshing change of pace. Now we have Tim Waggoners novelization of the second movie. How cool is that? Well for me very!
I happen to love novelizations (when they are done well) and this one doesn't disappoint. In a nutshell, it's been a year since Arts killing spree on Halloween. In the opening we get our first extended scene (in the movie it's just a montage) and we get that Art is now a supernatural being, it then focuses on Sienna her family and friends their trials and tribulations. Art becomes fixated on them and there is our basic story. This book really fleshes out that story and really brings the characters more to life than they were in the movie, it adds more scenes to make the narrative more coherent but doesn't add them to make the violence more gratuitous and extreme. If this is kind of thing you find interesting (as I do) then this is for you. 4 stars.
I happen to love novelizations (when they are done well) and this one doesn't disappoint. In a nutshell, it's been a year since Arts killing spree on Halloween. In the opening we get our first extended scene (in the movie it's just a montage) and we get that Art is now a supernatural being, it then focuses on Sienna her family and friends their trials and tribulations. Art becomes fixated on them and there is our basic story. This book really fleshes out that story and really brings the characters more to life than they were in the movie, it adds more scenes to make the narrative more coherent but doesn't add them to make the violence more gratuitous and extreme. If this is kind of thing you find interesting (as I do) then this is for you. 4 stars.
January 5, 2025
(Rounded from 3.5)
Waggoner maintains the grimy, unhinged quality of the film while adding more depth to some of the characters, additional scenes, and even some additional lore. He jumps from character to character, letting us experience the terror from both sides, usually following victims before (and while) they meet their end, but also letting us spend time with Art as he does his brutalizing. The novel moves quickly, as much as the movie, but he still manages to give us some emotional depth for many characters who don’t get more than a scene or two, which definitely deepens the experience. There is not a lot of time spent on world-building, it is really just setting up scenes and expecting us to fall into a familiar world, but it never feels rushed. And, as I said, we do get more lore and world-building than in the actual film, yet nothing that could be a hard and fast explanation, simply peeling back the curtain a bit more.
The set pieces were done well, and Art’s glee at his butchery was always well-communicated. The writing in general was direct and clear, without any pretense but with just a little bit of dark wit sludging around beneath the surface, which made it very readable, I flew through the book. For as graphic and disturbing as the film can be at times, nothing here in the novelization feels that way. I actually expected the splatter to be turned up a little higher than it is, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t tame, but there is no sense of exploitation or gore just for the sake of it, and I have definitely read splatter novels that twisted my guts up a little more. Yet all the visuals of the film are included, nothing and no one is spared, yet somehow Waggoner invites the reader into the spectacle in such a way that it doesn’t feel as violating… That might be a pro or con for you, depending on what you are hoping for from the experience.
Even after all those words about how much I enjoyed it, I was still a little disappointed. Waggoner does give us more than the film, but there are still things that he was in a unique position to answer that he left untouched. Being inside Art’s head gave us a chance to explore this world as the character sees it, and this isn’t exploited nearly as much as I think it could be. For instance, it more or less seems accepted (though still, as of the release of Terrifier 3, not entirely explicit) that Art was a mortal human in Terrifier 1, and he does actually die, and his resurrection at the beginning of 2 is what makes him more than human. Yet he doesn’t reflect on this at all, and we get no insight on why he is attracted to the specific victims he chooses. We can assume there is this connection with Sienna and therefore with anyone connected to her, but how does he know? How does he end up at the right places at the right times? Does he recognize these compulsions as something new or different than what compelled him in Terrifier 1, or is it all more of the same, to him? All we really get of Art’s interiority is that he is amused at others’ pain, and that isn’t particularly insightful. I was really hoping for something a little more, it feels like there is a lot of interesting and exciting ground that was left totally unexplored. Of course this disappointment is the result of my expectation, not the fault of Waggoner, and who knows how much creative license he has in terms of canon (which Leone was kind of making up as he went, at least until he got to 3). Yet Waggoner did give us all sorts of lore details we didn’t get in the films, so it feels like he could have gotten us deeper into whatever hellish sewer pits comprise Art’s mind, and that would have made the story more terrifying as a result.
If you enjoy the films than you will enjoy this novel. If you don’t enjoy the films then this may fall short. It still feels like an incomplete mythology (because it is), and while the characters are given more depth here than in the film they still don’t have a whole lot to do. Even though I felt it could have given a little more, I was impressed with what Waggoner did with the material, and I had fun the whole time reading it. If that is what you’re expecting and hoping for then you won’t be disappointed.
Waggoner maintains the grimy, unhinged quality of the film while adding more depth to some of the characters, additional scenes, and even some additional lore. He jumps from character to character, letting us experience the terror from both sides, usually following victims before (and while) they meet their end, but also letting us spend time with Art as he does his brutalizing. The novel moves quickly, as much as the movie, but he still manages to give us some emotional depth for many characters who don’t get more than a scene or two, which definitely deepens the experience. There is not a lot of time spent on world-building, it is really just setting up scenes and expecting us to fall into a familiar world, but it never feels rushed. And, as I said, we do get more lore and world-building than in the actual film, yet nothing that could be a hard and fast explanation, simply peeling back the curtain a bit more.
The set pieces were done well, and Art’s glee at his butchery was always well-communicated. The writing in general was direct and clear, without any pretense but with just a little bit of dark wit sludging around beneath the surface, which made it very readable, I flew through the book. For as graphic and disturbing as the film can be at times, nothing here in the novelization feels that way. I actually expected the splatter to be turned up a little higher than it is, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t tame, but there is no sense of exploitation or gore just for the sake of it, and I have definitely read splatter novels that twisted my guts up a little more. Yet all the visuals of the film are included, nothing and no one is spared, yet somehow Waggoner invites the reader into the spectacle in such a way that it doesn’t feel as violating… That might be a pro or con for you, depending on what you are hoping for from the experience.
Even after all those words about how much I enjoyed it, I was still a little disappointed. Waggoner does give us more than the film, but there are still things that he was in a unique position to answer that he left untouched. Being inside Art’s head gave us a chance to explore this world as the character sees it, and this isn’t exploited nearly as much as I think it could be. For instance, it more or less seems accepted (though still, as of the release of Terrifier 3, not entirely explicit) that Art was a mortal human in Terrifier 1, and he does actually die, and his resurrection at the beginning of 2 is what makes him more than human. Yet he doesn’t reflect on this at all, and we get no insight on why he is attracted to the specific victims he chooses. We can assume there is this connection with Sienna and therefore with anyone connected to her, but how does he know? How does he end up at the right places at the right times? Does he recognize these compulsions as something new or different than what compelled him in Terrifier 1, or is it all more of the same, to him? All we really get of Art’s interiority is that he is amused at others’ pain, and that isn’t particularly insightful. I was really hoping for something a little more, it feels like there is a lot of interesting and exciting ground that was left totally unexplored. Of course this disappointment is the result of my expectation, not the fault of Waggoner, and who knows how much creative license he has in terms of canon (which Leone was kind of making up as he went, at least until he got to 3). Yet Waggoner did give us all sorts of lore details we didn’t get in the films, so it feels like he could have gotten us deeper into whatever hellish sewer pits comprise Art’s mind, and that would have made the story more terrifying as a result.
If you enjoy the films than you will enjoy this novel. If you don’t enjoy the films then this may fall short. It still feels like an incomplete mythology (because it is), and while the characters are given more depth here than in the film they still don’t have a whole lot to do. Even though I felt it could have given a little more, I was impressed with what Waggoner did with the material, and I had fun the whole time reading it. If that is what you’re expecting and hoping for then you won’t be disappointed.
October 6, 2024
Terrifier 2, the novelization by Tim Waggoner, delivers a gory, heart-pounding experience that expertly captures the brutal spirit of Damien Leone’s cinematic horror hit while adding a layer of depth that enriches the story. Waggoner’s adaptation shines as a faithful yet enhanced expansion of the film, turning a visual splatterfest into a psychological and visceral exploration of fear, trauma, and survival.
Waggoner’s novelization remains true to the film’s core narrative while giving readers a deeper understanding of the characters, their motivations, and the unrelenting force that is Art the Clown. The story picks up where the first Terrifier left off, with Art the Clown resurrected and terrorizing the small town of Miles County during Halloween. The novel dives deeper into the protagonist Sienna Shaw, a young woman burdened by family trauma and her father’s mysterious death, as she confronts not only Art’s sadistic killing spree but also her own dark legacy.
While the film presents this in a more fast-paced, blood-splattered format, Waggoner uses the novel to flesh out the characters' inner lives. Sienna, portrayed as a fierce final girl in the film, becomes even more compelling as we see her wrestling with her fears, her complicated relationship with her mother, and her drive to protect her brother, Jonathan. Through Waggoner’s detailed prose, the novel adds layers of nuance to her character, transforming her from a victim into a fully-realized, resilient hero.
What makes Waggoner’s adaptation so outstanding is how he elevates the horror elements of the story beyond the visual spectacle. In the film, the gore and brutality are the main attractions, but in the novel, the horror is more psychological. Art the Clown’s sadism is not just horrifying because of the violent acts he commits but because of the profound sense of dread and chaos he embodies. Waggoner taps into the readers’ imaginations, making the fear more intimate and personal.
Waggoner’s descriptive prowess is evident in his ability to evoke atmosphere. His prose brings the gruesome and decayed world of Terrifier 2 to life, amplifying the eeriness of deserted streets, the claustrophobic terror of Sienna’s nightmares, and the palpable tension of a town gripped by fear. He masterfully paints vivid scenes of horror, allowing readers to feel every brutal slash, every moment of terror.
Art the Clown’s reputation as one of horror’s most terrifying villains only grows stronger in this novelization. Waggoner takes what is already a chilling character and amplifies his menace through chilling descriptions of his silent, methodical cruelty. While the film relies on Art’s visual presence—his grotesque makeup and maniacal grins—the novel leans into the psychological impact he has on his victims. Waggoner gives us more time with Art, offering chilling insights into his thought processes (or lack thereof), making him an even more disturbing figure.
Ultimately, Waggoner’s novelization of Terrifier 2 is a triumph. It takes everything that worked in the film—the brutal violence, the terrifying villain, the relentless tension—and deepens it with psychological horror, character development, and rich world-building. By turning what was a primarily visual horror experience into a multi-layered novel, Waggoner gives fans a new way to appreciate the terror of Art the Clown and the strength of Sienna Shaw.
Terrifier 2 is not for the faint of heart, but for those who can stomach its brutal world, Waggoner’s novelization is an unforgettable, blood-soaked ride that solidifies Art the Clown’s place as one of horror’s most iconic villains and proves that even the most terrifying stories can reach new heights when given the right treatment in print.
Waggoner’s novelization remains true to the film’s core narrative while giving readers a deeper understanding of the characters, their motivations, and the unrelenting force that is Art the Clown. The story picks up where the first Terrifier left off, with Art the Clown resurrected and terrorizing the small town of Miles County during Halloween. The novel dives deeper into the protagonist Sienna Shaw, a young woman burdened by family trauma and her father’s mysterious death, as she confronts not only Art’s sadistic killing spree but also her own dark legacy.
While the film presents this in a more fast-paced, blood-splattered format, Waggoner uses the novel to flesh out the characters' inner lives. Sienna, portrayed as a fierce final girl in the film, becomes even more compelling as we see her wrestling with her fears, her complicated relationship with her mother, and her drive to protect her brother, Jonathan. Through Waggoner’s detailed prose, the novel adds layers of nuance to her character, transforming her from a victim into a fully-realized, resilient hero.
What makes Waggoner’s adaptation so outstanding is how he elevates the horror elements of the story beyond the visual spectacle. In the film, the gore and brutality are the main attractions, but in the novel, the horror is more psychological. Art the Clown’s sadism is not just horrifying because of the violent acts he commits but because of the profound sense of dread and chaos he embodies. Waggoner taps into the readers’ imaginations, making the fear more intimate and personal.
Waggoner’s descriptive prowess is evident in his ability to evoke atmosphere. His prose brings the gruesome and decayed world of Terrifier 2 to life, amplifying the eeriness of deserted streets, the claustrophobic terror of Sienna’s nightmares, and the palpable tension of a town gripped by fear. He masterfully paints vivid scenes of horror, allowing readers to feel every brutal slash, every moment of terror.
Art the Clown’s reputation as one of horror’s most terrifying villains only grows stronger in this novelization. Waggoner takes what is already a chilling character and amplifies his menace through chilling descriptions of his silent, methodical cruelty. While the film relies on Art’s visual presence—his grotesque makeup and maniacal grins—the novel leans into the psychological impact he has on his victims. Waggoner gives us more time with Art, offering chilling insights into his thought processes (or lack thereof), making him an even more disturbing figure.
Ultimately, Waggoner’s novelization of Terrifier 2 is a triumph. It takes everything that worked in the film—the brutal violence, the terrifying villain, the relentless tension—and deepens it with psychological horror, character development, and rich world-building. By turning what was a primarily visual horror experience into a multi-layered novel, Waggoner gives fans a new way to appreciate the terror of Art the Clown and the strength of Sienna Shaw.
Terrifier 2 is not for the faint of heart, but for those who can stomach its brutal world, Waggoner’s novelization is an unforgettable, blood-soaked ride that solidifies Art the Clown’s place as one of horror’s most iconic villains and proves that even the most terrifying stories can reach new heights when given the right treatment in print.
October 20, 2024
After 150 pages I was bored and realized I didn’t care one bit about what was going on. To be fair, I’m not a fan of the movies either, so I went in knowing it may not work out. I like Tim Waggoner though. His writing is not the problem; it’s just not a very good movie and so translates to a bad book.
July 8, 2025
I love the movie (Sienna is one of my favorite final girls ever), but I found the book kinda boring.
January 12, 2025
Just as brilliant as the film! 🩸
November 20, 2024
Love the film. It's just like watching it full stop, the best book I've read so far.😁
October 19, 2024
terrifier has quickly become my all time favorite horror franchises so when i found out this existed i was ecstatic! this was just as gnarly as the movie and i had so much fun with this. obviously like trigger warning because art delivers some pretty gnarly kills lol
August 29, 2025
2 Stars ⭐️. This story just wasn’t for me. I enjoyed Art as a character and Sienna as a Final girl but so much book for so little actual story. I had more questions than answers. I was not a fan of the format or pacing. Too many POVs and dream sequences that amounted to nothing. Felt like the book was in itself overwritten with filler and not substance to add to the plot.
October 7, 2025
This is the best movie novelization I have ever read! The big question I had heading into this was how could you possibly portray Art as he's a mute character and I was afraid you'd lose his personality in written form. The clever thing Tim Waggoner did to combat this was to use almost an inner monologue through a third person narration allowing Art to jump off the page just as he does on screen. Another thing the author does really well is fleshing out characters making them feel more real and giving their deaths more gravitas. There's also some additional characters added to the story that really help fill in the world (that is until Art gets a hold of them). Along with that are extra scenes with both new and existing characters that felt like short stories sprinkled throughout the overarching narrative and they were a fantastic addition (especially Brandon's tale). And In case you were wondering, this is every bit as depraved and gruesome as the movie.
January 7, 2025
it's no secret that terrifier 2 is one of my favorite horror movies of all time. it's also no secret that i LOVE novelizations of my favorite films. i was destined to love this one from the get go. the only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star book for me was that we got so, so, so much more from art, and not too much more from sienna than what we got in the film. i'm a sienna shaw fangirl. i wanted more of her.
TW. cannibalism, clowns, horror, violence, murder, gore, suicide, child abuse, drugging.
TW. cannibalism, clowns, horror, violence, murder, gore, suicide, child abuse, drugging.
November 30, 2024
През живота си доста пъти съм чел книги по сценарии на филми и като изключим романа на Матю Стоувър по “Отмъщението на ситите”, който е шедьовър, рядко съм оставал доволен. “Терифайър 2” обаче наистина се е получила много добре, книга, позволяваща ми отново да преживея ужаса от срещата с най-страховития злодей на нашето време. Цялото ми ревю прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/terrifier-2-th...
https://citadelata.com/terrifier-2-th...
October 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! I'm not sure what that speaks of me, but I am a huge fan of the Terrifier movie series, so there's that. But if you are a fan of the movies, definitely give this a read. The author did an amazing job of capturing the movie written down. If you re looking for a great splatterpunk read, then again, give this a go!
August 16, 2025
Once again Tim Waggoner nails a novelization of a horror movie. He does an excellent job of turning Terrifier 2 into a book. My favorite part is that he adds depth to the silent main character Art. If you’re a fan of the films I definitely recommend checking this out.
4 🩸 🤡
4 🩸 🤡
October 11, 2024
Absolutely gnarly! This is a must-read if you're a Terrifier/Art The Clown fan!
November 11, 2024
A well done adaptation, with enough additional insight to make it worthwhile.
October 11, 2024
Enjoyed that they made this into a novel for us folks that are too visually scared to watch the movie 😂😂
November 3, 2024
A fantastic adaptation that expands on the movie and doesn't shirk on the gruesomeness. Highly entertaining!
December 28, 2024
All the true Art fans have to read this one!
Super fun being immersed inside this one in text versus film.
Super fun being immersed inside this one in text versus film.
October 15, 2024
Genuinely concerned for what type of person the author is considering the topics he decided to add to this…………
October 13, 2024
Excellent novel of the film . Expanding the film. Really enjoyable .
May 21, 2025
A fun, brutal and entertaining read. Adds a lot of lore to the characters and universe.
And dude, that scene 👀 Jesus.
And dude, that scene 👀 Jesus.
May 16, 2025
a fantastic adaptation that’s just as brilliant as the film! I could be a little bias since I’m a huge fan of the movies but it was a fun and definitely gnarly read! If you’re a fan of movies you’ll definitely be a fan of the book!
October 25, 2024
I can't be the only one who was shocked that friggin' Terrifier of all things got a novelization. Take it from a Terrifier fan, I didn't know so many of us could read 😂
At first glance it might seem weird to skip the first film and jump straight to adapting Terrifier 2, but given that T2 is what actually kicks off something resembling a story and not a practical effect gore showcase, it makes sense. One of the common criticisms of the film counterpart was its pacing, the amount of lore introduced, and how it was delivered. Some, myself included, felt some of the additions were confusing and/or not expanded upon enough, so I was initially excited about the novelizations announcement thinking it would be a great opportunity to address some of these complaints, and to an extent the opportunity was taken.
What the author has given us is a very faithful yet slightly expanded version of the film. It's fair to say that if you didn't like the movie, you probably won't like this. That being said, if you even had a passing enjoyment of the movie, there's plenty here to like.
The pacing feels a lot better, more natural, then it did on the big screen. There's a better sense of flow, and each and every side character is fleshed out to a degree not possible in the movie. Even if it's just a quick page or two written from their perspective, it helps ground the story and add a bit of weight to each of their inevitable deaths. I was surprised in a lot of ways that it nearly felt like a Stephen King novel in that regard, that being the intimate lens placed upon characters.
And speaking of characters, there's a bundle of new ones added. Complete with new scenes and new kills to go along with them. For the most part, their inclusion fit right in almost as if they were deleted scenes from the movie. They're mostly used in the first half of the book, offering entertaining explanations for how Miles Counties' infamous murderer and sadist acquired his van, as well as extending the carnage he inflicts If you were hoping to get a sneak peak inside his twisted mind, you do get a few glimpses. His characterization is...surprising, to say the least. I'm not sure that I'm entirely sold on his portrayal here, to be quite honest, and his humorous physical performance doesn't land how it should.
As messed up as the movies are, there's a dark bone of humor and fun to be had. In the book, there aren't really any moments that will have you laughing. Another thing that doesn't translate well, and it's a BIG thing, are the kills.
Look, it's Terrifier. I don't need to tell you what this franchise is about. And the written word was a fantastic opportunity to make people squirm in a whole new way. Sadly, the kills, for as heinous and brutal as they are, are written in such a dry, sterile way that they lose most if not all impact. They're missing that visceral OOMPH that the movies have. The kills are what sets the franchise above the typical slasher fare, and without them, we're left with a serviceable at best story with a pretty generic structure. That really sucks to say, but it's the truth.
It seems Tim Waggoner either wasn't up the task or simply wasn't interested in properly adapting this important element. Quite frankly the prose and writing quality is basic at best, and lazy as all hell at worst. One of the films kills involving a shotgun and shaving cream is literally described as "he pulled the trigger, and her head exploded." That's it.
Where's the chunks of bone and blood flying? The squelch of hot brain broth and curdled flesh pulp splashing the wall? There's so much that could have been done, and instead, we're delivered a book that is by no means bad, but unremarkable. It won't win over new fans, but it's a neat diversion for die hard fans.
At first glance it might seem weird to skip the first film and jump straight to adapting Terrifier 2, but given that T2 is what actually kicks off something resembling a story and not a practical effect gore showcase, it makes sense. One of the common criticisms of the film counterpart was its pacing, the amount of lore introduced, and how it was delivered. Some, myself included, felt some of the additions were confusing and/or not expanded upon enough, so I was initially excited about the novelizations announcement thinking it would be a great opportunity to address some of these complaints, and to an extent the opportunity was taken.
What the author has given us is a very faithful yet slightly expanded version of the film. It's fair to say that if you didn't like the movie, you probably won't like this. That being said, if you even had a passing enjoyment of the movie, there's plenty here to like.
The pacing feels a lot better, more natural, then it did on the big screen. There's a better sense of flow, and each and every side character is fleshed out to a degree not possible in the movie. Even if it's just a quick page or two written from their perspective, it helps ground the story and add a bit of weight to each of their inevitable deaths. I was surprised in a lot of ways that it nearly felt like a Stephen King novel in that regard, that being the intimate lens placed upon characters.
And speaking of characters, there's a bundle of new ones added. Complete with new scenes and new kills to go along with them. For the most part, their inclusion fit right in almost as if they were deleted scenes from the movie. They're mostly used in the first half of the book, offering entertaining explanations for how Miles Counties' infamous murderer and sadist acquired his van, as well as extending the carnage he inflicts If you were hoping to get a sneak peak inside his twisted mind, you do get a few glimpses. His characterization is...surprising, to say the least. I'm not sure that I'm entirely sold on his portrayal here, to be quite honest, and his humorous physical performance doesn't land how it should.
As messed up as the movies are, there's a dark bone of humor and fun to be had. In the book, there aren't really any moments that will have you laughing. Another thing that doesn't translate well, and it's a BIG thing, are the kills.
Look, it's Terrifier. I don't need to tell you what this franchise is about. And the written word was a fantastic opportunity to make people squirm in a whole new way. Sadly, the kills, for as heinous and brutal as they are, are written in such a dry, sterile way that they lose most if not all impact. They're missing that visceral OOMPH that the movies have. The kills are what sets the franchise above the typical slasher fare, and without them, we're left with a serviceable at best story with a pretty generic structure. That really sucks to say, but it's the truth.
It seems Tim Waggoner either wasn't up the task or simply wasn't interested in properly adapting this important element. Quite frankly the prose and writing quality is basic at best, and lazy as all hell at worst. One of the films kills involving a shotgun and shaving cream is literally described as "he pulled the trigger, and her head exploded." That's it.
Where's the chunks of bone and blood flying? The squelch of hot brain broth and curdled flesh pulp splashing the wall? There's so much that could have been done, and instead, we're delivered a book that is by no means bad, but unremarkable. It won't win over new fans, but it's a neat diversion for die hard fans.
November 14, 2025
I am a HUGE Terrifier fan, with Terrifier 2 being my favorite of the trilogy so far, so I was so excited to read this novelization, but I overall find myself feeling rather disappointed. There is a lot of new content and a lot of new kills that are not in the movie, and while that was kind of cool to experience as a fan, none of it really enhanced the story for me in any way. Some of it doesn't even make much sense. I also wish that the new content was more evenly distributed throughout the novel. While I do understand that once you reach the climax at the Terrifier attraction, there isn't much more you can add (although there is actually a new scene near the end during the aforementioned climax, but I honestly hate it; it's so cheesy and silly and is one of the main aspects of this novelization that bring it down for me), but most of the new scenes are jam-packed at the front end of the novel; you don't even get to Sienna making her costume at her workbench (the opening credits of then film) until approximately 60 pages in. I also really wish that the infamous Bedroom Scene™ had been written from Art's perspective. If you are a big Terrifier fan like I am, then I would recommend adding it to your platter of Terrifier experiences, but the film itself is far, far superior, and I don't think that I would have liked this at all had I read it without having seen the film.
September 26, 2025
📖 Book Review: Terrifier 2 by Tim Waggoner
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Okay sooo… this book was basically a blood soaked rollercoaster 🎢💀 If you’ve seen the movie, you know exactly what kind of chaos Art the Clown brings, and Tim Waggoner really leaned into that energy. This wasn’t just gore for the sake of gore (though omg there’s A LOT 🩸) it’s basically a slasher novel with supernatural vibes that tries to dig a little deeper into the lore.
✨ Tropes you’ll find here:
🤡 Creepy killer clown
🩸 Final girl showdown
👻 Sinister supernatural entity
🎃 Halloween night horror
👩👦 Protective sister/younger brother duo
What I liked:
– The atmosphere. The writing really captured that Halloween night horror movie feel 🎃 It felt cinematic, like you could see each kill scene play out on the page.
– Sienna as a final girl. I actually liked her arc, grieving, strong, but still vulnerable. Her relationship with Jonathan gave the story more heart than I expected.
– The lore expansion. We got more insight into Art’s connection with the sinister entity, which added some depth instead of him just being a mindless slasher.
What didn’t work:
– The gore. Look, I’m not squeamish, but some of it was over the top. Like, so descriptive that it lost the scare factor and just felt… kinda gross 🤢
– The pacing. Parts dragged between kill scenes, and I found myself zoning out.
– Predictability. Aside from a few creepy moments, it followed the classic slasher beats without giving me that fresh horror twist I was craving.
Overall: If you’re a die hard Terrifier fan, you’ll probably eat this up (pun intended 😅) It’s gruesome, chaotic, and unapologetically extra. But as a book? It didn’t scare me as much as I hoped, it was more like reading a novelized gorefest with some cool final girl energy. Solid, but not mind blowing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Okay sooo… this book was basically a blood soaked rollercoaster 🎢💀 If you’ve seen the movie, you know exactly what kind of chaos Art the Clown brings, and Tim Waggoner really leaned into that energy. This wasn’t just gore for the sake of gore (though omg there’s A LOT 🩸) it’s basically a slasher novel with supernatural vibes that tries to dig a little deeper into the lore.
✨ Tropes you’ll find here:
🤡 Creepy killer clown
🩸 Final girl showdown
👻 Sinister supernatural entity
🎃 Halloween night horror
👩👦 Protective sister/younger brother duo
What I liked:
– The atmosphere. The writing really captured that Halloween night horror movie feel 🎃 It felt cinematic, like you could see each kill scene play out on the page.
– Sienna as a final girl. I actually liked her arc, grieving, strong, but still vulnerable. Her relationship with Jonathan gave the story more heart than I expected.
– The lore expansion. We got more insight into Art’s connection with the sinister entity, which added some depth instead of him just being a mindless slasher.
What didn’t work:
– The gore. Look, I’m not squeamish, but some of it was over the top. Like, so descriptive that it lost the scare factor and just felt… kinda gross 🤢
– The pacing. Parts dragged between kill scenes, and I found myself zoning out.
– Predictability. Aside from a few creepy moments, it followed the classic slasher beats without giving me that fresh horror twist I was craving.
Overall: If you’re a die hard Terrifier fan, you’ll probably eat this up (pun intended 😅) It’s gruesome, chaotic, and unapologetically extra. But as a book? It didn’t scare me as much as I hoped, it was more like reading a novelized gorefest with some cool final girl energy. Solid, but not mind blowing.
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