Stage Fright

Creepers

by Edgar J. Hyde, Chloe Tyler (Illustrator)

Jo, Melissa, and Jenny, the stars of the school play, are about to discover that being granted everything you wish for has consequences. When the girls come face to face with the real witches from the play and a mysterious ghost from the past, the three friends realize they must do whatever they can to stop the witches' evil plan.

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Childrens, Paranormal, Young Adult, Fiction, Halloween

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Brenda]

I was happily surprised with how gruesome this ended up being! It’s definitely heaviest in the beginning where we get the play-by-play of what the witches do, but it’s done admirably well where I’m grossed out but still enjoying things (and I think kids would be the same).

The plot is simple enough—girls must work together to beat evil witches. It’s a fast moving story that literally won’t let you be bored. Too much happening too quickly in the best way.

[Brian]

These "Creepers" books are simple, quick reads... obviously designed to get a much younger audience than me, but I've enjoyed finding them at my local Dollar Tree stores. So far I have found #1-#15 and I'm assuming there will be more? "Stage Fright" was better than the first one, "The Piano" and I'll describe it as high school girls accidentally conjur up the "Hocus Pocus" witches during a school play... but who hasn't? Am I right? The nice thing about these "Creepers" books is that parents can read them in a night to check if it's okay to pass on to the kiddies. I'm looking forward to the next one!

[Rachel]

This was one of the more dark ones. Can I post trigger warnings?

Maggots. Hate em.

[Cheryl]

Reading this book definitely gave me R.L. Stine's Goosebumps book vibes. Which brought me back to my childhood. While, I was a fan of the feel of this book, I do have to admit that it does read better for the younger audience. I say this only because I was not really afraid.

The horror factor was mild for me but for the younger audience it is just right. There are a few illustrations throughout this book. They helped to really bring the story to life. I thought the girls were going to be not very enjoyable. I say this only because they are popular but they were relatable and I did feel for them.

This book was a quick read. I look forward to checking out the other books in this series.

[Lisa Firek]

Ok I actually liked this one better than the first one it was actually kind of scary and had me freaked out for one of the chapters this one is really good and had more story than the first one it looks like each book from the creeper series they have different characters just like Goosebumps so it’s a nice change of pace.

[Ana Ibarra]

3.5, This one is a bit better, the characters were questioning their sanity as supernatural things were happening. It added more sense to the story.
But everything else the same, the story is good, the ending was a fun twist.
Been a little longer, it added more sense to everything, the story, characters, the ending.

[Jordan Anderson]

Here we have another “Creepers” book that does exactly the same thing they’ve all done: introduce a silly plot with stereotypical characters, getting caught in the exact same situation involving ghosts or monsters or another benign issue that they all come together to solve with the of friendship or something silly.

I’ll grant that Stage Fright is a tad bit better than others. It opens up surprisingly violently for a kids book (even though you find out it that whole part is part of a play), but like every other book, the conclusion is lackluster and the spooks are dumb.

Am I coming in harsh with this review? Maybe, especially considering this book and this series is geared toward readers almost 30 years younger than I am, however that’s not necessarily an excuse for lame writing, laughable characters, and an overall lack of anything exciting. Not every Goosebumps book was a slam dunk, sure, but at least R. L. Stine knew not to make a book simple just because a kid was going to read it.

[Riddhi Ahuja]

This thrilling and horror story was super entertaining and interesting to read. I give it 4 stars because I think it's missing some details but other than that I recommend. The book begins with a very realistic story of three witches. This story becomes a school play and turns out it was just 3 girls playing their roles. This takes a big turn when some abnormal activities start happening such as the fake wishes they made in the play becoming true. The girls start investigating and discover the writer of the play passed away and start looking for her grave. The soul of the writer tells them how they can fix things and save the soul of the writer that has been trapped by the witches. Meanwhile, two of the girls had been told this, and the other girl had been stuck with the witches who wanted the girl to become one of them. She ends up being saved and the girls work together to edit the play and make it so they can save the soul of the writer of the play.

[April Grob]

This reminds me of a kid's version of McBeth, but it's more like McBeth meets The Haunted Mask. I love it! Definitely a recommended read for 3 grade to middle grade, with parent permission, of course. I personally don't think there's anything crazy in this book, but if you are parent that doesn't allow your child to read Goosebumps, then you won't let them read this.

[Sharron Joy Reads]

Jo, Melissa and Jenny are the stars of the school play, they play powerful witches and soon they realise that they have powers. They are playing real characters who want to come back to this world and spread their evil.
Horrific powerful witches against a trio of school girls, what can go wrong? A juicy little tale of good versus evil.

[Tree]

Loved it, it was a nice easy read and an addicting story, likely going to read it again because it was just so fun!

About the horror: The bits in the cemetery and in the rehearsals will forever be stuck in my brain, I’m on the older side and didn’t feel scared reading it but it still made its mark

[J.D.]

As a horror book targeted for younger readers, this one was pretty good! I think it would be a freaky read for preteens and had a good overall message.

Also it did get a bit gruesome which is unusual in the younger aged horror books I've read in the past.

[Jill Davis]

The beginning had be almost crying because the witches were so cruel! Then I was in for a surprise! I liked the simplicity of the book. The fact that it's short, fast, but actually a very good story! Like a campfire story.

[Pamela]

another interesting little book from this series this one having to do with 3 young ladies playing lead roles as witches in a school play unbeknowst to them these witches are real and trying to enslae them and the whole town...read to see what happens..off to the next book

[Margaux]

Fun kids horror series. In the second installment in the series, a group of friends is acting in a school play. But they run into some trouble, and they're forced to face some fears to save their school!

[Jonathan]

I enjoyed it, though it was fairly dark for a kids book. The second to last chapter also seemed like it needed editing.

My kid found it a little too spooky at parts and liked the piano one better.

I probably recommend it for 12 year olds and older

[Beavers]

Loved this one! The beginning just sucked me in right away. I might be searching for a more complete edition of this book to see just what was cut out for my dollar tree release. This one could make a fun pg-13 horror movie if anyone ever wanted to flesh it out and adapt it.

[Maddy H]

Not my genre of book, but it did actual have a concrete ending with a bit of a “cliff hanger” if that’s what you’d call it. Like I said not my kinda book but not bad.

[Linda]

good book on to the next

[Donna]

Little bit of unbelievable. But I have read worst stories than this.

[Sam]

3.5⭐️ Gave me very much hocus pocus, Sanderson sister vibes!

[Tor Domay]

A fun and fairly original witch story. The imagery and spectacle is actually top-notch, but there's still something left to be desired when it comes to the cut and paste vibe of the lead characters.

[Secret]

Very good and fast little read. Enjoyed the story very much.

[Louise]

Ghostwritten by Joan Love, who was also responsible for Doctor Death, my favourite Creepers book. This one is also pretty good. Simple enough to follow for young readers, but with lots of intrigue.

[Paula Katrina]

cute. straight and simple

[Alise]

I love an old-fashioned library research scene in a horror novel

[Samantha Stewart]

This is not the book I meant to read but it was quick and simple. Not bad.

[Emma]

Found this as I was clearing out and had never actually read it. Thought I'd see if it matched up to Goosebumps. Absolutely did not.

[Candice Azalea Greene]

This was a really fun one!

[Singe]

A little spooky read
A goosebumps like story, feels like a oneshot.
Very creepy artwork that adds to the story.
3.5⭐️