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American Chillers #3
Florida Fog Phantoms
Before I even start to tell you this story, you have to realize something: Florida is a cool state. So, when I tell you what happened to me, I'm not doing it to scare you. I don't want you to be frightened or afraid. And if you ever get a chance to come to Florida, you'll have fun. You'll have an awesome time. Just beware of the fog.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
19 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Johnathan Rand
119 books297 followersChristopher Wright is the author of dozens of horror fiction books for children and young adults. He writes under the pseudonyms Johnathan Rand and Christopher Knight. Almost all of Wright's books (save American Chillers) take place in his home state of Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 13, 2021
After more than ten Michigan Chillers and two previous American Chillers, Florida Fog Phantoms is where Johnathan Rand first approaches the level of quality R.L. Stine maintained in the original Goosebumps series. The stage is set for a paranormal encounter in Tampa, Florida when Hurricane Alice lands without causing any real damage. Twelve-year-old Justin Martinez and his neighborhood are relieved the storm wasn't worse, but a thick, clingy fog follows the rains, so that people can hardly see a few feet in front of them. It's mostly just an annoyance until the first night, when Justin's little sister Maria points out what looks like hulking shapes moving aggressively through the fog. Are their eyes playing tricks?
During the night a Great Dane named Princess, who belongs to Justin's friend Caitlin, somehow ends up in Justin's yard. He returns the dog come morning, but weird things happen on the trip back home. Justin and Caitlin see a ghostlike Great White shark swimming in the fog as though in an ocean, and they barely escape its slashing jaws. The shark rips Justin's shirt, it comes so close to devouring him. The fog can't penetrate the house, but now Justin has a new problem: his sister playing in the yard. He and Caitlin run outside to warn Maria, but she runs off into the vapor, where a panther made of fog begins stalking her. What is going on?
Violent animals pervade the fog, but there are fog people, too. A young girl named Amanda tells Justin and Caitlin of the day her town was enveloped and she became a fog phantom. If Justin, Caitlin, Maria, and Princess don't make it indoors before the fog lifts, they will permanently turn into phantoms. If any fog phantom touches them, the same will happen. Amanda cautions that there's a bitter old fog man who uses his power of touch against humans. Avoiding these hazards, Justin and Caitlin search for Maria and Princess, desperate to return home before the fog lifts. Is there any hope of them all making it back alive?
Florida Fog Phantoms is a story with high stakes and steadily building tension. The fact that a single touch irreversibly transforms humans into fog people affords the phantoms a frightening advantage that tinges every moment with suspense. There are no major plot twists, but the narrative is unpredictable enough to be exciting. Aside from the Adventure Club series, this book represents a new high-water mark for Johnathan Rand to this point in his career, and is easily his best juvenile horror novel. I rate it two and a half stars, and considered rounding up to three. If you like R.L. Stine's Goosebumps, I believe you'll appreciate Florida Fog Phantoms. The author knows how to tell an engaging story.
During the night a Great Dane named Princess, who belongs to Justin's friend Caitlin, somehow ends up in Justin's yard. He returns the dog come morning, but weird things happen on the trip back home. Justin and Caitlin see a ghostlike Great White shark swimming in the fog as though in an ocean, and they barely escape its slashing jaws. The shark rips Justin's shirt, it comes so close to devouring him. The fog can't penetrate the house, but now Justin has a new problem: his sister playing in the yard. He and Caitlin run outside to warn Maria, but she runs off into the vapor, where a panther made of fog begins stalking her. What is going on?
Violent animals pervade the fog, but there are fog people, too. A young girl named Amanda tells Justin and Caitlin of the day her town was enveloped and she became a fog phantom. If Justin, Caitlin, Maria, and Princess don't make it indoors before the fog lifts, they will permanently turn into phantoms. If any fog phantom touches them, the same will happen. Amanda cautions that there's a bitter old fog man who uses his power of touch against humans. Avoiding these hazards, Justin and Caitlin search for Maria and Princess, desperate to return home before the fog lifts. Is there any hope of them all making it back alive?
Florida Fog Phantoms is a story with high stakes and steadily building tension. The fact that a single touch irreversibly transforms humans into fog people affords the phantoms a frightening advantage that tinges every moment with suspense. There are no major plot twists, but the narrative is unpredictable enough to be exciting. Aside from the Adventure Club series, this book represents a new high-water mark for Johnathan Rand to this point in his career, and is easily his best juvenile horror novel. I rate it two and a half stars, and considered rounding up to three. If you like R.L. Stine's Goosebumps, I believe you'll appreciate Florida Fog Phantoms. The author knows how to tell an engaging story.
January 10, 2008
This book was a very good book. It has a lot of thrills and scary. If you like to read a thriller then read this book. This boy and his little sister, there friend and her dog were outside when a fog came out of nowhere. The fog was so thick that they couldnt see there feet. Then these creatures that are made out of fog started to appear. This girl suddenly appeared in the fog, and told the group to get out of the fog as fast as they can or be stuck n it forever. That is ironic because they dont even know where they are.
The kids were being followed by an old man in the fog and if he touches them anywhere they would be turned into fog forever. The mood in this book is thrilling, and the tone the other wrote it in was intense. Overall i would recommend this book to people who like to read books that are thrilling.
The kids were being followed by an old man in the fog and if he touches them anywhere they would be turned into fog forever. The mood in this book is thrilling, and the tone the other wrote it in was intense. Overall i would recommend this book to people who like to read books that are thrilling.
July 9, 2021
This is my first time rereading this beloved book of my childhood (as an adult). I was a huge American Chillers fan when I was young and this was my gateway into horror literature along with Goosebumps. After reading one of the newer ones and being severely disappointed, I decided to revisit what used to be one of my favorites, Florida Fog Phantoms...
...And I had a lot of fun with it. I really enjoyed this, even after all these years. I will admit that it brought back a lot of memories of reading it so I may be looking at this one with a biased opinion, but I think this is one of the most solid books Mr. Rand wrote out of all the American and Michigan Chiller books. This one jumps right into suspense and doesn't let up at all through-out the story. There are a few fake-out scares and cliffhanger chapters in the beginning that are a bit annoying... but it doesn't last long as our main character are quickly lost in the thick, soupy fog and being hunted by the creatures living within it.
This book is without a doubt much better written than my last Chiller read, Arkansas Algae Monsters, and I think I may have been correct in my assumption that with the newer ones, it's likely Rand is experiencing writers fatigue or just doesn't care as much as he works to complete the 50-book series.
The writing in this book isn't great by any means, and is still very amateurish in many ways, never quite reaching the quality of Mr. Stine's work, but it's solid enough to make the story work and far more competent than Rand's newer work.
Overall, I had a good time rereading this, even if much of my love for this book is nostalgic and sentimental. Maybe these books haven't aged as well as Goosebumps, but I'm relieved to find that they aren't bad either and I can't wait to reread my other Chiller books in my collection.
...And I had a lot of fun with it. I really enjoyed this, even after all these years. I will admit that it brought back a lot of memories of reading it so I may be looking at this one with a biased opinion, but I think this is one of the most solid books Mr. Rand wrote out of all the American and Michigan Chiller books. This one jumps right into suspense and doesn't let up at all through-out the story. There are a few fake-out scares and cliffhanger chapters in the beginning that are a bit annoying... but it doesn't last long as our main character are quickly lost in the thick, soupy fog and being hunted by the creatures living within it.
This book is without a doubt much better written than my last Chiller read, Arkansas Algae Monsters, and I think I may have been correct in my assumption that with the newer ones, it's likely Rand is experiencing writers fatigue or just doesn't care as much as he works to complete the 50-book series.
The writing in this book isn't great by any means, and is still very amateurish in many ways, never quite reaching the quality of Mr. Stine's work, but it's solid enough to make the story work and far more competent than Rand's newer work.
Overall, I had a good time rereading this, even if much of my love for this book is nostalgic and sentimental. Maybe these books haven't aged as well as Goosebumps, but I'm relieved to find that they aren't bad either and I can't wait to reread my other Chiller books in my collection.
June 23, 2020
After finishing The Moon Pool I wanted to read something more light and fun. This was just perfect. It's a crazy, zany story about a mysterious fog and creatures made out of fog...except they could actually take a big bite out of you! Or actually tear your T-shirt! It's totally impossible situation but while you're reading it you just go with it. Because you know when you pick it up that it's one of those kind of books. It's very creative.
The book does point out some nice details about Florida..
There are some nice plot elements in here, like the kids helping each other, taking responsibility for younger siblings and pets, etc. Reading this also reminded me of how kids can use their imagination to play...how the backyard could become a desert or a jungle or maybe the ocean, the deep reaches of space. It's fun to pretend on a foggy day that the stuff you normally see is gone. Poof! Vanished! I'm sure everyone has thought that. Now imagine that a strange world exists in the fog...
The only thing I'm unsure of is how the sea creatures got turned into fog? Anyway it's fun to read.
The book does point out some nice details about Florida..
There are some nice plot elements in here, like the kids helping each other, taking responsibility for younger siblings and pets, etc. Reading this also reminded me of how kids can use their imagination to play...how the backyard could become a desert or a jungle or maybe the ocean, the deep reaches of space. It's fun to pretend on a foggy day that the stuff you normally see is gone. Poof! Vanished! I'm sure everyone has thought that. Now imagine that a strange world exists in the fog...
The only thing I'm unsure of is how the sea creatures got turned into fog? Anyway it's fun to read.
February 28, 2017
I think it was a great book because at the end of every chapter it left you hanging and you just want to read more and more and then I finally finished the book!!
Read
May 26, 2011Read by Anjie, Summer 2006:
"I chose this series because I'm always looking for books that the LD population could enjoy. The evolving plot carriers the readers interest and provides enough vocabulary so that the reader doesn't feel like they're reading "baby" books. The books are fiction, but include facts about each state. This might spark an interest in a state report. Rand offers his fans a fun and interactive we site: www.americanchillers.com. His books are considered self-contained; however, in the last few chapters Rand cleverly includes a glimpse of his next book to entice the reader. I could see using this series in literacy circles to encourage reading for teens that are lower level readers who struggle to find books that keep their interest without frustration. Students can connect with the books by reading about places they've been to. Rand also has a Michigan series. "
"I chose this series because I'm always looking for books that the LD population could enjoy. The evolving plot carriers the readers interest and provides enough vocabulary so that the reader doesn't feel like they're reading "baby" books. The books are fiction, but include facts about each state. This might spark an interest in a state report. Rand offers his fans a fun and interactive we site: www.americanchillers.com. His books are considered self-contained; however, in the last few chapters Rand cleverly includes a glimpse of his next book to entice the reader. I could see using this series in literacy circles to encourage reading for teens that are lower level readers who struggle to find books that keep their interest without frustration. Students can connect with the books by reading about places they've been to. Rand also has a Michigan series. "
October 26, 2016
hmm...kids and their stories. This was a fun read for my daughter to read to me. She likes Goosebumps so this attracted her. Although, once finished she said she wanted to read a Goosebumps story instead. I am curious about all the other books in this series.
January 9, 2018
The only thing good about this book was that my name was in it. boring storyline
February 17, 2019
It's a good book, but it's very scary. And it makes you not want to go into the fog ever again.
Read
September 5, 2019It was really good that I read it 2 times
October 18, 2019
I loved the way this book was a mystery trying to figure out what's going to happen next.
April 8, 2020
My son LOVED this one! He was on the edge of his seat during the last quarter of the book. He cannot wait to get the next installment in the series. :)
September 1, 2020
A scary and satisfying book!
September 2, 2021
So scary I pissed myself
May 25, 2022
This book is awesome. I loved this book. It is much better than the first one I read. The characters talking makes sense. The story makes sense and the characters ideas flow smoothly. The characters have normal lives that are not exaggerated or hard to believe.
There was suspense in the part with the fog. I thought Amanda was really brave in the middle of the book when Caitlin was in the fog. Caitlin was kind of clumsy at the beginning but not at the end. Finally Maria is the nicest person though the whole book. This was definitely one of the best books in this series. I don't want to read anymore books in this series.
There was suspense in the part with the fog. I thought Amanda was really brave in the middle of the book when Caitlin was in the fog. Caitlin was kind of clumsy at the beginning but not at the end. Finally Maria is the nicest person though the whole book. This was definitely one of the best books in this series. I don't want to read anymore books in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2014
Flordia Fog Phantoms is takes place in Tampa Bay, Flordia. In Tampa Bay a mysterious fog rolls into the city and a family panics after it's been there for two days strait and it still hasn't left the city.
The main character Justin Martinez and his best friend that lives across the street, Catlin McCalla decide to investigate why this is going on while their parents go to visit thier grandpa and grandma for a while. Justin and Catlin are very thoughtful and care about if the other survives this nightmare. They understand that if one would not be to make it through this fog that the other will be heart broken and sypathetic about the other. They both are very good thinkers and can think of a plan to escape, even if it's not a good chance, they'll take that risk because they are brave and they are risk takers. Both of these teens are thirteen years old.
The plot of the book is Justin and Catlin trying to get out of the fog with Justin's sister Maria. But there's another thing too... They have to get out of there and into thier house without getting touched by one of the fog phantoms no matter it be an animal or a fog person they can not get touched, but If they do they are part of the fog forever. Eventually they do get out of thier yard and into thier house just befor the fog lifts to try to take them with it. They later on find a young little girl in the fog looking for her dog. She tells them that she is part of the fog and everything else they need to know.
The message of this book was clear, he wanted you to learn that if you put your mind to be determined to do something, you can over come those obstacles and keep moving forward. If people take risks and try something they never tried before, no matter how bizarre it is then you could very much easily pull it off. Pretty much what he's trying to say is that if your a risk taker and you don't care if it doesn't work, as long as its got a benefit then go for it.
This book was definitely was an easy read. None of the words in this book were very hard at all. This book was a very good mystery for the circumstances of the book it was very well drawn out as it had the mystery and a little bit of, huh, I wonder what's going to happen next. So your never going to know what happens next unless if you read ahead.
The main character Justin Martinez and his best friend that lives across the street, Catlin McCalla decide to investigate why this is going on while their parents go to visit thier grandpa and grandma for a while. Justin and Catlin are very thoughtful and care about if the other survives this nightmare. They understand that if one would not be to make it through this fog that the other will be heart broken and sypathetic about the other. They both are very good thinkers and can think of a plan to escape, even if it's not a good chance, they'll take that risk because they are brave and they are risk takers. Both of these teens are thirteen years old.
The plot of the book is Justin and Catlin trying to get out of the fog with Justin's sister Maria. But there's another thing too... They have to get out of there and into thier house without getting touched by one of the fog phantoms no matter it be an animal or a fog person they can not get touched, but If they do they are part of the fog forever. Eventually they do get out of thier yard and into thier house just befor the fog lifts to try to take them with it. They later on find a young little girl in the fog looking for her dog. She tells them that she is part of the fog and everything else they need to know.
The message of this book was clear, he wanted you to learn that if you put your mind to be determined to do something, you can over come those obstacles and keep moving forward. If people take risks and try something they never tried before, no matter how bizarre it is then you could very much easily pull it off. Pretty much what he's trying to say is that if your a risk taker and you don't care if it doesn't work, as long as its got a benefit then go for it.
This book was definitely was an easy read. None of the words in this book were very hard at all. This book was a very good mystery for the circumstances of the book it was very well drawn out as it had the mystery and a little bit of, huh, I wonder what's going to happen next. So your never going to know what happens next unless if you read ahead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2015
I thought this book was okay. It was very cheesy you could almost tell it was fake. I was so happy to Finish this book to see what the ending was like.... It was lame.
This book takes place in a swamp of Florida, about a few years ago. It was kinda funny how people where freaking out over clouds that had imagery people in them. But it is kinda understandable because if they got touched by one of them they would become a cloud! It was crazy how one minute you could be playing and the next second you are stuck in a cloud.
This book was filled with fear and lots of action. There was always something chasing or trying to kill them. If it wasn't a shark or Panther. It would be a grandpa.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a cheesy thrill. You would like this book if you like American thrillers.
This book takes place in a swamp of Florida, about a few years ago. It was kinda funny how people where freaking out over clouds that had imagery people in them. But it is kinda understandable because if they got touched by one of them they would become a cloud! It was crazy how one minute you could be playing and the next second you are stuck in a cloud.
This book was filled with fear and lots of action. There was always something chasing or trying to kill them. If it wasn't a shark or Panther. It would be a grandpa.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a cheesy thrill. You would like this book if you like American thrillers.
Read
September 9, 2016This is a pretty good book. The book has action and good characters. The plot is also very well put together. If you like action then this book is for you.
December 16, 2014
This book was about a kid named Justin who Had a story to tell about the incident that happened with his little sister and best friend/neighbor Caitlin in the fog of Florida. It was about how Caitlin lost her dog and how Justin found it and it all started when he returned the dog to her. They were lost on the fog fighting off the fog creatures and trying to get back home. In the end they all got home safely and now had a new story to tell.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys American Thrillers or enjoys action and adventure that is all the book is about. I would rate this book very high because i enjoyed it a lot it was a very good book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys American Thrillers or enjoys action and adventure that is all the book is about. I would rate this book very high because i enjoyed it a lot it was a very good book.
Read
February 18, 2015This book was about a kid named Justin who Had a story to tell about the incident that happened with his little sister and best friend/neighbor Caitlin in the fog of Florida. It was about how Caitlin lost her dog and how Justin found it and it all started when he returned the dog to her. They were lost on the fog fighting off the fog creatures and trying to get back home. In the end they all got home safely and now had a new story to tell.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys American Thrillers or enjoys action and adventure that is all the book is about. I would rate this book very high because i enjoyed it a lot it was a very good book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys American Thrillers or enjoys action and adventure that is all the book is about. I would rate this book very high because i enjoyed it a lot it was a very good book.
September 12, 2015
Florida Fog Phantoms
Florida Fog Phantoms by Johnathan Rand is very exciting but yet gives you the shivers. Justin lives in Florida and a hurricane has just passed through and left a very thick fog. a dangerous for. A suspicious fog. Justin and his friend Caitlin start to see shapes and figures in the fog and soon they can hear it. They soon hear their names being discussed. They know they are being watched and followed.
Florida Fog Phantoms by Johnathan Rand is very exciting but yet gives you the shivers. Justin lives in Florida and a hurricane has just passed through and left a very thick fog. a dangerous for. A suspicious fog. Justin and his friend Caitlin start to see shapes and figures in the fog and soon they can hear it. They soon hear their names being discussed. They know they are being watched and followed.
October 19, 2016
This book is about a kid named Justin Martinez and his friend Caitlin McCalla and they live in Tampa Bay area of Florida and one day a thick mysterious fog appears. In the fog Justin and Caitlin run into mysterious creatures. I didn't like this book because the idea of there being creatures made of fog seems like a dumb idea. Another reason I didn't like it was because the fog phantoms could actually harm them. I would recommend this book to readers that like fiction and adventure.
April 10, 2015
This book or novel was about kids who live in Florida named Justin and Caitlyn. I enjoyed this book because of how scary and awesome and has ghosts or phantoms.
I thought the book was good and was a horror story.
I recommend this book for everyone that can handle a horror story. My favorite part in the story was when the shark passed by.
I thought the book was good and was a horror story.
I recommend this book for everyone that can handle a horror story. My favorite part in the story was when the shark passed by.
October 20, 2016
If you like going on vacation to Florida then this might change your mind. This was one of my favorite book so far that I have read in mystery books. If you like getting chill then you should read this book. I could not wait until the next chapter because I was so into it. I would really recommend this book to readers that like mystery books.
May 21, 2014
I'm 31, and an 8 year old friend of mine asked if I wanted to borrow this book of his because he knows I enjoy reading. I read it in under an hour, and enjoyed it. I wonder which one my friend will let me borrow next.
September 9, 2016
This book is okay. It is not one of the best by Johnathan Rand. There is something happening with the fog, and the main character have to find out how to survive the for. If you like mystery this book if for you.
November 14, 2007
This book was really good. If you love mysteries then check out the rest of the series.
October 7, 2008
its okay i liked it
December 5, 2010
Fog monsters.. Eh. I have read scarier stories than this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews