The Hand of Power

Fear Street Sagas #16

by R.L. Stine

Margarete Fier feels very fortunate when Peter Sturdevant rosettes her from a mob. But more danger awaits when she finds a secret source of power hidden in his haunted mansion.

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Historical Fiction, Horror Thriller, Fiction, Childrens

181 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1999

About the author

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

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

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

http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...

Reviews

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margarete Fier is known for her visions which makes people suspicious that she may be a witch. After seeking safety at Peter the patroon's house, she discovers that his family has some dark secrets of their own linking back to a shaman's hand of dark power.

This is truly the last book released in the Fear Street Sagas series since The Raven Woman was cancelled before publication. While there is a Fier and dark powers present in the storyline, there really isn't enough going on in this book to keep it interesting.

[Sharell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best Fear Street book I've ever read. It wasn't a typical Fear family vs. everyone else situation, for those of you familiar with the series. It actually had a well-thought out backstory which deals with Native American legend, hence the name, "The Hand Of Power". If you can find this now rare book, consider yourself lucky!

[Mandi Casutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good it had two stories that act as one

[Desiree Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love R.L. Stines older books bring back so much memories of high school a great fast past book into how it all started with the fears.

[Gabi Porcz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only Fear Street Sagas book that I don't have in physical format, so I was really pleased to find it online and read it digitally.
It involves two storylines (40 years apart) that intersect nicely. Being YA horror, it is quite tame, but there are some scenes where blood is shed.
There is a scene toward the conclusion which somewhat reminded me of the film, "And Now The Screaming Starts" (based on the novel "Fengriffen" by David Case.) Being a romantic at heart (yes, there are guys out there like me that are true romantics), the ending was perfect.
Am giving The Hand Of Power four stars and recommend it to those who enjoy gothic horror on a YA level. Please note: R.L. Stine's name appears on the cover but it is actually Cameron Dokey that wrote the novel.
Good luck trying to obtain a paperback copy. It will work out much cheaper if you simply read it online.

[Khurshid Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back with another story about the evil that plagues the Fear Family.

All the stories so far is about the evil they have unleashed until now

This time there is no need to fear a fier
This time they have are the answer to the evil

Back in time an evil was unleashed
Back in time that evil overpowered all it touched
Back in time no one had the courage to fight it

Until now

[Amber "Epp" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I liked the Fear Saga more than just plain old fear street the series just had more to it for me .... I really loved all the twisted tales from this series so much fun

I had an absolute blast reading all of these again in 2013 .... :)

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margarete Fier is grateful that the patroon, Peter Sturdevant, saved her from an angry mob that accuses her of witchcraft due to her ability to see into the past. When he asks her to find a relic of his grandparents' legacy, Margarete discovers it's one of danger & death.

Combining two storylines, we get a clear origin of this hand of power and its special ability. Like the other sagas books that stars a Fear family member, Margarete is a very likeable and developed character. The story is less on slasher horror and is more of a Gothic tone, though there are a few gory moments. It's easier to get into the origin story as there is a heavy air of mystery and how the two timelines connect together. Although, it's the last book in the series to be released before the series' cancellation, it ends on a much more happier note than other Sagas books. And that makes it well worth the read in a Fear Street book.

[AB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember I read this when I was young. Such a great book, a real thriller.

[Jonathan Askenazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice love story