Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare 2

by Joe Oliveto

Did you love reading classics like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark as a child? Then you'll love the second entry in the Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare series. Inspired by kids classics like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, The Scary Story Reader, and The Scariest Stories You've Ever Heard, Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare is a creepy collection of urban legends and frightening tales from folklore. Each story is accompanied by its own illustration. Stories include... On the Hunt - When a hunter goes missing, it seems his spirit is out for vengeance from beyond the grave. Light - A young boy follows a mysterious light through the woods, even as it leads him deeper and deeper into the forest. In the Snow - A terrifying clue left behind in the snow proves a young girl's imaginary nighttime visitor might not be imaginary at all... These stories, and many more, make Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare 2 the perfect gift for anyone who loves creepy tales from folklore. Be sure to check out other entries in the series too!

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Young Adult, Short Stories, Childrens, Horror Thriller

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2017

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of book with scary, spooky, haunting tales! I really enjoyed reading them, though some scared the poop out of me. Haha.

These books are a tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Well, I can honestly tell you that this tribute is MILES better than the book it pays tribute to. See my review on Goodreads for that book. I just wasn’t a fan of those stories. I can tell you that slightly put me off from this one when I found out about them, but I decided to give it a shot because this was a tribute, written by someone else.

And indeed, good choice to me, because while these stories also featured some things I didn’t like in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (like sudden endings or weird crap happening without any idea what is going on), most of them scared the wits out of me. Well, with the exception of a few that just had me feeling very sad. A few stories were a recognisable, probably because I read them in other books or heard about them. One especially stood out, the clown in the basement. Haha, last year (or was it that year before, really COVID messes with my mind) I read a Dutch book about that same story. That one was way more worked out and if I had to pick between the story here or that book, I would go for the book.

The stories are all short, just a few pages each, but the author often manages to make it very creepy, spooky, or eerie. Some stories definitely had me looking around when I saw a shadow or thought I saw something move. Yes, I read this one during the late evening, so maybe not the brightest idea, but I thought since this one was a tribute… maybe it wouldn’t be scary. Haha, on the contrary, this author CAN write.

The stories feature dead moms searching for milk, black-eyed kids (NOPE), monsters that swoop in at night, killers (so many killers, really at times I just wanted ghosts back), blood, gore, revenge, scary ghosts, footprints, people standing in corners and staring at you in the night, eggs in things so thank you I won’t be eating things now, lost kids, pranks go wrong, clowns, hide and seek, and many many more things! We get stories from the past and the present and in-between. I loved the diversity in the stories and that you never knew what would be next!

The illustrations (if you would call them that) ranged from creepy to spooky to yawn and weird. Sometimes just made me laugh.

All in all, this is a series I would recommend. Spooky times are here!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining horror listening 🎶🔰

This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book two of three

A number of short horror stories some better than others but that is normal.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of fantasy world 🌎 horror novels 👍🔰. 2024 😈😠

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought I would start the season with some ghost stories. Nice collection.

[April Juarbe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull

Some of the story concepts were interesting, but the stories themselves were dry. No detail, no imagery, repetitive sentence structure.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever had a book you just knew you had to own the moment you heard of it? That’s the case with me and Scary Stories to Tell if you Dare. The first one is good, but the sequel, which I’m reviewing today, is even better.

For starters, the biggest advantage the book has over the first is the choice of stories. That’s not to imply the first installment had a bad selection - on the contrary, its selection was also chilling - but I like the second book’s selection just a bit more.

In case the title wasn’t any indication, the series draws inspiration from the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books, similar to Cemetery Gates Media’s book Corpse Cold. While not quite as adult and graphic as the latter, the book remains well-written and scary in its story selection, especially the section of stories that are inspired by true accounts. Personally, my favorite inclusion is the clown statue, since that’s an urban legend I’m fond, in part because of how realistic it is - you can totally imagine it happening in real life. The attached drawing is incredibly disturbing to look at, especially if you're afraid of clowns. The back of the book states that “each (story) is accompanied by its own eerie illustration,” but a casual reader wouldn’t be able to tell if that was a photo or a hand drawn picture. Seriously, I would have a mini heart attack if I saw the clown in person; it’s no less freaky to look at in printed form.

Which brings me to another point the book has going for it - the pictures. Each story’s illustration is in black and white, with a fittingly shady look. Author Joe Oliveto has made an excellent choice for accompanying pictures, and my favorites: Black Eyes, which depicts a shadowed figure whose eyes are completely black, Bunny Man, which shows a faceless hooded figure holding out his hand; and the illustration for “Scary Songs to Sing if You Dare,” featuring what I can only assume is a demonically grinning pumpkin. Or is it a skull? The surreality of the picture makes it even spookier.

It’s hard to find any minus point with the book - when reading, all I noticed was a single typo, once in the whole book. But even that’s easy to overlook, and overshadowed by the creepiness of the story. One story I initially had a minor issue with was “The Attic,” due to the slightly overused horror story of an unidentified call originating from the protagonist’s home, but the terrifying writing in the story, combined with an appropriately grim ending (if it can even be called that, since it’s a cliffhanger), quickly changed my mind about it.

One further plus point I’ll give the book is that at the end, Oliveto includes notes on the origins behind each story, some of which he relates to his own childhood. I hadn’t been familiar with most of these stories, so it was a pleasant introduction - and I can’t wait to see what the author has in mind for future installments.

To sum things up, the book is an excellent collection of horror folklore, both fictional and purportedly real, and engages the reader from start to finish. To whoever’s reading this: listen to that voice telling you to buy the book, trust me. Wait, that voice isn’t real...is it?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

[Meg Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the “Scary Stories to Tell If You Dare” collection.

This second collection was my favorite in the series! The stories were chilling as well as reminiscent of all urban legends that I heard as a kid. Some of my favorite stories in this collection included: “On The Hunt”, “The Bullet”, “Annie’s House”, “The Witch of the Woods”, “The Closet”, “Bunny Man”, “The Clown”, and “Unsolved Murder”.

Just like I appreciated how Oliveto included a real true crime case based in Louisiana in the third collection, I also appreciated how he included a fictionalized version of the Hinterkaifeck murders that took place in Germany in the story, “Unsolved Murders”. Additionally, “Bunny Man” and “The Clown” are iconic urban legends; these legends further enhancing my reading experience. Not to mention, the illustration of the clown statue was creepy as hell!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series over the course of two snow days! It was fun to examine the parallels between Oliveto’s stories and Schwartz’s stories, as well as scare myself with some iconic urban legends and horror tropes!

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an oldie but goodie. I grew up with this book, my kids did, I'm passing to my grandkids, and I just introduced it to my niece is and nephew at our camping trip and they loved it. Now every time when we go camping they want me to bring the book and read the stories and act out the sounds in the motions in the books at the classic. Never ever doesn't get old. This collection will definitely be one that will be worth its weight in gold. Actually, it will exceed what it's worth for its weight. Did I say that right? I think so. I'm not sure as definitely going to be a collectible

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember in 4th grade when we had to write a one page scary story and then read it to the class. Most were short on details, had no build up and ended abruptly in the most matter-of-fact manner. That's what these stories reminded me of. And the scary songs fell flat for me without music....maybecthey would fate better in an audiobook format.

[Melissa Lenore Hamann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I also liked this book, though I felt a lot of the stories weren't as creepy as the first edition, and more just internet stories I'd heard before that were creepy when I was 10 and browsing the internet beyond Neopets for the first time.

[Kisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and decent to read.

I decided to read this book because I read this first one as a kid and would be so scared. This one was decent but I wish it was a little more detailed with the stories.

[Duranduran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this next book in the series. Just as good as the first part of the series. Creepy, spooky stories and some with truth to it It's a simple read, but fun all around. Once again the author puts where the stories originated from and some background. I loved this aspect

[Liaylah Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very eerie and creepy but a good book for people who struggle to read to long of the same story good for middle school students can be kinda creepy but the art and illustration is great, over all a great book would recommend this book

[Savayla Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

It wasn't that scary for me but I still likes it.😊 it may scare younger kids but kids my age it may not creep out.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always been one of my favorite childhood books. I know every single story front to back. The illustrations are incredible.

[Marquez]

cool

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

#2 my brother still talk about how these were the best to read to each other to get the other scared

[Saimyjai · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book ever

[Janely]

it was a really good book my fave story was the cat in the shopping bag or the drum

[Kelli Walton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hard to compare to the classic scary stories from Alvin Schwartz.

[Chase]

GOOD

[Savannah Ireland]

it gave me the heeby jeebys

[Roberth ventura]

This book is one of the best books that i have read. Because it not only have scary stories but also some funny ones.

[Melina · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is impossible to overstate the relevence of this book in my personal development

[Xavier Keaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good I read it when I was little and every story I would get nightmares almost every time.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shivered the fuck out of my timbers in 4th grade

[Angie Nichvalodoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite I would borrow from the library all the time!quite creepy for kids but lots of fun. The illustrations are phenomenal and add to the creepy feel of the story.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick short stories perfect for children around 8 to 10. Similar to Scary stories to tell in the dark but lacking the art work.

[Javier Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good book i liked it

[Jmouseketeer · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Joe Oliveto’s Scary Stories to Tell If You Dare 2 is a nostalgic throwback to those eerie anthologies many of us devoured under the covers with a flashlight. Styled in the spirit of Alvin Schwartz’s classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this sequel delivers a series of original horror tales aimed primarily at younger readers—though there’s a timeless quality to the format that can appeal to horror fans of all ages.

Let’s start with what works: the presentation is fantastic. There’s a moody charm to the book, with story titles that tease just enough dread, and short tales that make it easy to binge through in one sitting or stretch over spooky nights. It captures the campfire-style storytelling vibe well, and you can feel Oliveto’s passion for the genre. Many stories lean into urban legend territory, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

However, Scary Stories to Tell If You Dare 2 does struggle to carve out a truly unique identity. The writing, while accessible, often lacks the punch or psychological depth that could elevate these tales from “fun” to “chilling.” There are definitely a few standouts—stories that cleverly twist your expectations or end on a note of eerie ambiguity—but many others feel formulaic or too safe, especially for readers accustomed to darker or more complex horror.

The tone lands squarely in middle-grade to YA territory, and while that isn’t inherently a flaw, it does mean adult readers might find the scares a bit tame. If you’re a seasoned horror fan, you may be left wanting more: more suspense, more risk, and more emotional or thematic bite.

That said, this collection could be a fantastic gateway into horror for young readers. It’s creepy without being traumatizing, strange without becoming disturbing, and it encourages imagination—something the horror genre, when done right, always does best.

🕯️ Final Thoughts:
While Scary Stories to Tell If You Dare 2 doesn’t revolutionize the horror anthology, it doesn’t have to. It’s a solid entry into the spooky storytelling genre, especially for a younger audience. If you're looking for something quick, atmospheric, and lightly unsettling, this may just scratch that seasonal itch. But if you're seeking the next Goosebumps or Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, you might find it more of a whisper than a scream.