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Fear Street Relaunch #3
Dziewczyna znikąd
Jedna z trzech książek serii „Ulica Strachu” inspirowana cyklem filmów o tym samym tytule. Produkcje dostępne na platformie Netflix od lipca 2021 roku.
Lizzy Palmer jest nowa, piękna i pełna tajemnic. Kiedy rozpoczyna naukę w Shadyside High, szybko nawiązuje znajomość z Michaelem i jego dziewczyną Pepper. Michael jest nią coraz bardziej zafascynowany, mimo że nic o niej nie wie. Skąd pochodzi? Gdzie mieszka? I dlaczego tak na niego działa? Wkrótce zaprasza ją do udziału w wyścigach na skuterach śnieżnych, jednak zabawa kończy się tragedią. W dodatku gdy w podejrzanych okolicznościach zaczynają umierać ich znajomi, Pepper nabiera podejrzeń, że za wszystkim stoi właśnie Lizzy. Tymczasem oboje z Michaelem zostają wciągnięci w sprawę morderstwa sprzed ponad sześćdziesięciu lat i muszą się zmierzyć z wyzwaniem, jak pozostać żywym na Ulicy Strachu.
Lizzy Palmer jest nowa, piękna i pełna tajemnic. Kiedy rozpoczyna naukę w Shadyside High, szybko nawiązuje znajomość z Michaelem i jego dziewczyną Pepper. Michael jest nią coraz bardziej zafascynowany, mimo że nic o niej nie wie. Skąd pochodzi? Gdzie mieszka? I dlaczego tak na niego działa? Wkrótce zaprasza ją do udziału w wyścigach na skuterach śnieżnych, jednak zabawa kończy się tragedią. W dodatku gdy w podejrzanych okolicznościach zaczynają umierać ich znajomi, Pepper nabiera podejrzeń, że za wszystkim stoi właśnie Lizzy. Tymczasem oboje z Michaelem zostają wciągnięci w sprawę morderstwa sprzed ponad sześćdziesięciu lat i muszą się zmierzyć z wyzwaniem, jak pozostać żywym na Ulicy Strachu.
328 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2015
120 people are currently reading
3433 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stine
1,680 books18.7k followersRobert 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 484 reviews
October 29, 2023
The Lost Girl is the perfect story to be told via audiobook. I had an absolute blast listening to this one. Perfect for Spooky Season reading as well!
I felt all the nostalgia, all the chills, all the hilarious wacky over-the-top, spine-tingling teen horror moments...
The Lost Girl is part of the six-book Fear Street Relaunch that was released between 2014 and 2017. I believe this is the first time it has ever been released in audiobook format.
In this story, a new student has arrived at Shadyside High. Lizzy is gorgeous, mysterious and seems to have her sights set on popular student, Michael.
Michael doesn't know what to think of Lizzy. Sure, she's odd, but she just moved here and she doesn't have any friends, they can at least be nice to her.
Michael's girlfriend, Pepper, has a lot more to say about the Lizzy situation and it's not good. However, Lizzy is still able to infiltrate their friend group, mostly due to Michael's kindness.
During an afternoon of snowmobiling together, there's a horrific accident. After which the group of teens make a decision that ultimately comes back to haunt them.
They begin to feel hunted and before long, bodies start dropping. Although many in the group believe the snowmobile accident is the cause of all their troubles, Pepper thinks Lizzy may be behind everything. Who's right?
This is the present perspective. There is also a past perspective, a horrific murder from 1950 that seems to be tied to the current tragedies.
As the past and present perspectives begin to come together, the terrifying truth is revealed. Shadyside is a complex town with a long history of violence and mysterious happenings. This story is just one example of how crazy it can get!
I had so much fun reading this story. I haven't read a Fear Street book in over 20-years and this definitely brought back a lot of nostalgia for me.
I think the audiobook format is an incredible way to take in this fun, fast-paced story. There are two narrators, one for the past perspective and one for Michael's present perspective.
While both were great, the narrator for Michael's perspective, Dan Bittner, really stole the show for me.
He put so much energy into his reading. I was on the edge of my seat. I was so engaged. I was literally exclaiming things randomly out loud while listening. I just couldn't help it! It was fantastic.
I have two more Fear Street Relaunch audibooks to listen to soon, The Dead Boyfriend and Give Me a K-I-L-L, so stay tuned for those reviews!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. It was such a good time and I am really looking forward to getting to the others. I know a lot of Readers are really going to enjoy these audiobooks!!!
I felt all the nostalgia, all the chills, all the hilarious wacky over-the-top, spine-tingling teen horror moments...
The Lost Girl is part of the six-book Fear Street Relaunch that was released between 2014 and 2017. I believe this is the first time it has ever been released in audiobook format.
In this story, a new student has arrived at Shadyside High. Lizzy is gorgeous, mysterious and seems to have her sights set on popular student, Michael.
Michael doesn't know what to think of Lizzy. Sure, she's odd, but she just moved here and she doesn't have any friends, they can at least be nice to her.
Michael's girlfriend, Pepper, has a lot more to say about the Lizzy situation and it's not good. However, Lizzy is still able to infiltrate their friend group, mostly due to Michael's kindness.
During an afternoon of snowmobiling together, there's a horrific accident. After which the group of teens make a decision that ultimately comes back to haunt them.
They begin to feel hunted and before long, bodies start dropping. Although many in the group believe the snowmobile accident is the cause of all their troubles, Pepper thinks Lizzy may be behind everything. Who's right?
This is the present perspective. There is also a past perspective, a horrific murder from 1950 that seems to be tied to the current tragedies.
As the past and present perspectives begin to come together, the terrifying truth is revealed. Shadyside is a complex town with a long history of violence and mysterious happenings. This story is just one example of how crazy it can get!
I had so much fun reading this story. I haven't read a Fear Street book in over 20-years and this definitely brought back a lot of nostalgia for me.
I think the audiobook format is an incredible way to take in this fun, fast-paced story. There are two narrators, one for the past perspective and one for Michael's present perspective.
While both were great, the narrator for Michael's perspective, Dan Bittner, really stole the show for me.
He put so much energy into his reading. I was on the edge of my seat. I was so engaged. I was literally exclaiming things randomly out loud while listening. I just couldn't help it! It was fantastic.
I have two more Fear Street Relaunch audibooks to listen to soon, The Dead Boyfriend and Give Me a K-I-L-L, so stay tuned for those reviews!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. It was such a good time and I am really looking forward to getting to the others. I know a lot of Readers are really going to enjoy these audiobooks!!!
March 9, 2022
Wowza! After a hundred books, one comes to expect the unexpected in the cursed town of Shadyside. Even still, it's a surprise to find such a high quantity of bizarre events all in one book. There's your standard witchcraft (classic) and teens receiving threatening calls (cell phones can't ruin that trope!) but also animated corpses, ghosts and/or supernatural caverns in the Fear Street woods. I would say it throws in everything but the kitchen sink, but I'm pretty sure the sink is used too.
Plot-wise, Stine fans will recognize a collage of familiar dilemmas found in the Goosebumps and Fear Street universes. There's considerable creativity with the deaths, however, which are extra gory for today's generation. Some murders rival the R-rated horrors found in the Final Destination movies. I actually got squeamish a few times!
My general criticism of the Fear Street Re-Launch series has been that the books are too long and thus bloated with filler. I can say The Lost Girl does not have that problem, though it might have swung too far to the other extreme. Something crazy happens every chapter, which is good, but eventually it reaches silly territory. Not entirely unwelcomed, I should add. But goofier than preferred.
With so many iconic deaths and out-there twists, it's hard to complain too much. Check it out!
Plot-wise, Stine fans will recognize a collage of familiar dilemmas found in the Goosebumps and Fear Street universes. There's considerable creativity with the deaths, however, which are extra gory for today's generation. Some murders rival the R-rated horrors found in the Final Destination movies. I actually got squeamish a few times!
My general criticism of the Fear Street Re-Launch series has been that the books are too long and thus bloated with filler. I can say The Lost Girl does not have that problem, though it might have swung too far to the other extreme. Something crazy happens every chapter, which is good, but eventually it reaches silly territory. Not entirely unwelcomed, I should add. But goofier than preferred.
With so many iconic deaths and out-there twists, it's hard to complain too much. Check it out!
July 28, 2015
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
I used to read R.L. Stine's Fear Street books when I was younger and just loved them. It's nice to read a new one many years later.
At first a lot of the things going on in the book was getting on my nerves. The way some of the characters acted, but it turned out awesome when I found out the whole story! I don't want to give out any spoilers so lets see if I can put this together in a way that makes sense :) Mild spoilers then.
The book goes back and forth in time, telling two different stories. Back in 1950 Beth watched her father die a horrific death at the hands of Martin Dooley. It was just a very sick way to be killed. She had a bit of powers she learned from her grandmother but she couldn't help her dad. I could not even begin to imagine! The bad guys spot her and take off after her, but she runs into the Fear Street woods. Martin's son Aaron chases after her. They are both soon lost.
Now to present day. You have Michael, his girlfriend Pepper and a few of their friends. It is their senior year of high school and they are just trying to get through it.
A new girl named Lizzy arrives on the scene and causes problems with everyone. She ends up breaking up Micheal and Pipper and horns in on everything.
One day they all go out on snowmobiles and Michael hits a guy coming out of the woods. He thinks he kills him and they all leave him there because they are scared.
Then Michael starts getting threatening phone calls saying he and his friends are going to die. It's from the guy that Lizzie says is named Angel, a guy who was bad news from her old school. He's the same guy they left in the woods!
Some people are killed and the story gets a little creepy, but finally at the end it all falls into place and at that point it reeks of old school Fear Street :)
**I would like to thank NETGALLEY and ST. MARTIN'S PRESS for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book for my honest review.**
I used to read R.L. Stine's Fear Street books when I was younger and just loved them. It's nice to read a new one many years later.
At first a lot of the things going on in the book was getting on my nerves. The way some of the characters acted, but it turned out awesome when I found out the whole story! I don't want to give out any spoilers so lets see if I can put this together in a way that makes sense :) Mild spoilers then.
The book goes back and forth in time, telling two different stories. Back in 1950 Beth watched her father die a horrific death at the hands of Martin Dooley. It was just a very sick way to be killed. She had a bit of powers she learned from her grandmother but she couldn't help her dad. I could not even begin to imagine! The bad guys spot her and take off after her, but she runs into the Fear Street woods. Martin's son Aaron chases after her. They are both soon lost.
Now to present day. You have Michael, his girlfriend Pepper and a few of their friends. It is their senior year of high school and they are just trying to get through it.
A new girl named Lizzy arrives on the scene and causes problems with everyone. She ends up breaking up Micheal and Pipper and horns in on everything.
One day they all go out on snowmobiles and Michael hits a guy coming out of the woods. He thinks he kills him and they all leave him there because they are scared.
Then Michael starts getting threatening phone calls saying he and his friends are going to die. It's from the guy that Lizzie says is named Angel, a guy who was bad news from her old school. He's the same guy they left in the woods!
Some people are killed and the story gets a little creepy, but finally at the end it all falls into place and at that point it reeks of old school Fear Street :)
**I would like to thank NETGALLEY and ST. MARTIN'S PRESS for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book for my honest review.**
March 2, 2016
Only memorable thing: A person is covered in honey, oats thrown onto them, then pent-up starved houses are let out to EAT THE PERSON TO DEATH. No rescue from that, either.
EDIT (2nd March): Ugh, that should read "horses" - not "houses" ;-) Sorry about that.
EDIT (2nd March): Ugh, that should read "horses" - not "houses" ;-) Sorry about that.
August 16, 2021
I grew up reading Fear Street books, and I am loving the relaunch!
It's an easy read, with a clever and interesting plot.
Can't wait to try out more from my old friend R.L. Stine; I've missed you friend.
Much love to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for my DRC.
It's an easy read, with a clever and interesting plot.
Can't wait to try out more from my old friend R.L. Stine; I've missed you friend.
Much love to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for my DRC.
August 18, 2021
Honestly, YA horror doesn't get enough credit. Enjoyed as an audio book and the narrator sounded almost like Casey Kasem and did an amazing job. The story is wonderfully gruesome and eerie. There are two storylines, as you learn about Beth and her father's horse farm. Intermingled between the story of Michael and him meeting the new girl, Lizzie, at school and the havoc she brings into his life. I hung on every word and had to listen to the whole book in one sitting. I loved every bit of it!
It's a new show on NETFLIX, so just 1 more audio book and I plan to binge the three movies! I can hardly wait!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
It's a new show on NETFLIX, so just 1 more audio book and I plan to binge the three movies! I can hardly wait!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
February 1, 2023
Fun fact about me.I'm terrified of horses. I always have been.With that out of the way. I bring you The Lost Girl.A book in the Fear Street relaunch series. The story begins with a prologue, explaining that our main character Beth is really proud and excited for her dad. He is about ready to open up his own ranch.He was a stable boy all his life and was mistreated poorly from his former employer. Martin Dooley. But his former employer doesn't like Beth's dad mostly because of jealousy and worried his ranch will run him out of business. plus the fact that his daughter turned down his son multiple times ,and when he attacked her she made him swallow his tongue with powers. Oh yes I should mention Beth has powers. Anyway the families are feuding and end up kidnapping Beth's dad.And I'm not going to say what they do to him but it has something to do with honey, oats and horses. And it's actually terrifying. For some reason Beth couldn't use her powers to help her dad though and we go to present day. We get this guy named Michael. He's at the grocery store shopping.He sees this girl who is very breath taking and he is infatuated with her. He also sees her sneak a ham and now he thinks he needs to see if he can help her. He goes outside to his dog being tied up and the girl actually aproches him first.She claims her name is Mindy barkson or something not giving him her name.But that's ok bc she knows his name somehow already. We cut to Michael at his house waiting for his current girlfriend pepper to come buy to study. But who do we get instead ? This same girl. Somehow she knows where he lives and he invites her inside. It's super cold outside. His parents even feed her. And she eats like a champ. When all of this is over she kisses Michael on the cheek when his girlfriend pepper walks in on them.Eventually Michael and his friends invite who we now learn is named Beth,to a snowmobile trip. His dad owns a snowmobile shop so he lets all the kids drive up the mountain on them.Michael ends up running over a guy that's crossing his path and he doesn't seem to be able to stop. and then we get a classic I Know what you did last summer scenerio,where some kids want to tell on themselves and others don't. When they finally decide to tell, the corpse is gone. We go back to another different time period after the horse murder thing. I cant really spoil this part, but it's amazing.A guy gets stabbed in the eye and lit on fire. And after that we're at part three and we are at a graveyard rubbing stones like we're at Ghost Beach or something. and Michael sees the guy they hit with the snowmobile climbing out of a graveyard. Michael ends up getting phone calls from this guy they hit and threats, the classic stuff. But it gets pretty crazy. Pepper. Gets attacked and gets her hair sent to Michael in a bag for lunch. we get a car chase scene and a really awesome furnace scene. which is even more graphic somehow. then the horse scene. The Lost Girl is a really fun, gory book. The only negatives I had for this book was really the pacing. The book had an incredible opening but does get a little muddled down in the middle.But then has a great ending.I also thought most of it was a little predictable except for two destiny I've parts. I give The Lost Girl a four out of five stars .
May 25, 2024
What the fuck. Oh my gosh. The ending 😩
November 12, 2021
Δείτε επίσης και στο Chill and read
Ήρθε η ώρα λοιπόν για το τρίτο και πιο πρόσφατο βιβλίο της σειράς «Οδός Τρόμου» που κυκλοφορεί στα Ελληνικά από τις Εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο. Μπορώ να πω πως μου άρεσε περισσότερο από το δεύτερο βιβλίο και αυτός είναι ένας λόγος που δίνω δεύτερες ευκαιρίες! Μπορεί να μην τρελάθηκα με το προηγούμενο βιβλίο, όχι ότι ήταν κακό, αλλά έχω αναφέρει ήδη τι δε μου άρεσε, αυτός όμως δεν ήταν λόγος να μην προχωρήσω στο επόμενο.
Πάμε λοιπόν και πάλι πίσω στο Σέιντισαϊντ και για την ακρίβεια πάμε και πίσω στο χρόνο για να διαβάσουμε για κάποια γεγονότα που παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην εξέλιξη της ιστορίας που θα διαβάσουμε στο παρόν. Βρισκόμαστε στο 1950 και γνωρίζουμε μια οικογένεια που είναι φτωχή μεν, αγαπημένη δε, και που κάνει τα πρώτα βήματα σε μια δική της επιχείρηση. Η Μπεθ είναι ένα κορίτσι που μπορεί να υπερασπιστεί τον εαυτό της, κυρίως χάρη σε κάποιου είδους δυνάμεις που έμαθε να χειρίζεται από τη γιαγιά της. Ο πατέρας της, από εκεί που ήταν πάντα υπάλληλος, αποφάσισε να ανοίξει το δικό του στάβλο, μια δουλειά που ξέρει καλά, αλλά που το μονοπώλιο το είχε ο μέχρι τώρα εργοδότης του. Όμως η προσπάθεια αυτή δε θα έχει την ευτυχή κατάληξη που όλοι περίμεναν και σύντομα, πατέρας και κόρη θα εξαφανιστούν.
Επιστρέφουμε στο παρόν και γνωρίζουμε τον Μάικλ Φροστ, την κοπέλα του την Πέπερ και τα υπόλοιπα παιδιά της παρέας τους. Ο Μάικλ, ενώ κάνει τα ψώνια που του έχει ζητήσει η μητέρα του, γνωρίζει τη Λίζι Πάλμερ που από ότι φαίνεται είναι καινούρια μαθήτρια στο Λύκειο του Σέιντισαϊντ Χάι. Όπως ο ίδιος αρχίζει να υποψιάζεται, η κοπέλα είναι μάλλον φτωχή και καταλήγει να την καλέσει να κάνει σνόουμομπιλ με εκείνον και τους φίλους του. Όμως, ενώ όλοι περνάνε καλά και διασκεδάζουν, συμβαίνει ένα τραγικό ατύχημα με αποτέλεσμα όλη η παρέα να αναστατωθεί. Σύντομα τα πράγματα αρχίζουν να αγριεύουν καθώς οι φίλοι του Μάικλ, ο ένας μετά τον άλλο, δέχονται την επίθεση ενός εκδικητικού ανθρώπου.
Αυτή τη φορά ο Στάιν βάζει στο παιχνίδι μυστικά του παρελθόντος και μαγικές δυνάμεις και καταφέρνει να κρατήσει το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος. Δεν είναι δύσκολο να συνδέσει κανείς τα δύο γεγονότα, αυτά του παρελθόντος με αυτά του παρόντος, αλλά δεν είναι εύκολο να καταλήξει σε αυτό που σκέφτηκε ο συγγραφέας εξ αρχής. Και αυτό ήταν το πιο ενδιαφέρον κομμάτι της όλης υπόθεσης.
Είναι αρκετά ξεκάθαρο πως για ότι συμβαίνει στο σήμερα φταίει το νέο κορίτσι, η Λίζα Πάλμερ. Άλλωστε τα προβλήματα ξεκίνησαν από όταν εμφανίστηκε αυτή στο Σέιντισαϊντ. Είχα μια κάποια αίσθηση για το τι μπορεί να συνέβαινε και τελικά δεν έπεσα πολύ μακριά από την αλήθεια, όχι όμως και μέσα. Κι αφού κι αυτό το βιβλίο, όπως και τα υπόλοιπα της σειράς απευθύνεται σε εφήβους και παιδιά, χαίρομαι που δεν ήταν τόσο προφανές για μένα, γιατί λογικά, θα έχει τουλάχιστον ένα ψήγμα ενδιαφέροντος περισσότερο για τους [ιο νέους αναγνώστες!
Με χαρά βλέπω πως η θεωρία που είχα σχηματίσει στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο συνεχίζει να έχει βάση. Στο «Μην ξενυχτήσεις» είχαμε σαν βασική ηρωίδα τη Λίζα, ενώ εδώ έχουμε τη Λίζι, που όσο να πεις δεν έχει και μεγάλη διαφορά! Εδώ να πω πως διαβάζοντας τα βιβλία το ένα μετά το άλλο νιώθω τη σύνδεση μεταξύ τους, τόσο λόγω της πόλης όσο και λόγω των ονομάτων.
Ήρθε η ώρα λοιπόν για το τρίτο και πιο πρόσφατο βιβλίο της σειράς «Οδός Τρόμου» που κυκλοφορεί στα Ελληνικά από τις Εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο. Μπορώ να πω πως μου άρεσε περισσότερο από το δεύτερο βιβλίο και αυτός είναι ένας λόγος που δίνω δεύτερες ευκαιρίες! Μπορεί να μην τρελάθηκα με το προηγούμενο βιβλίο, όχι ότι ήταν κακό, αλλά έχω αναφέρει ήδη τι δε μου άρεσε, αυτός όμως δεν ήταν λόγος να μην προχωρήσω στο επόμενο.
Πάμε λοιπόν και πάλι πίσω στο Σέιντισαϊντ και για την ακρίβεια πάμε και πίσω στο χρόνο για να διαβάσουμε για κάποια γεγονότα που παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην εξέλιξη της ιστορίας που θα διαβάσουμε στο παρόν. Βρισκόμαστε στο 1950 και γνωρίζουμε μια οικογένεια που είναι φτωχή μεν, αγαπημένη δε, και που κάνει τα πρώτα βήματα σε μια δική της επιχείρηση. Η Μπεθ είναι ένα κορίτσι που μπορεί να υπερασπιστεί τον εαυτό της, κυρίως χάρη σε κάποιου είδους δυνάμεις που έμαθε να χειρίζεται από τη γιαγιά της. Ο πατέρας της, από εκεί που ήταν πάντα υπάλληλος, αποφάσισε να ανοίξει το δικό του στάβλο, μια δουλειά που ξέρει καλά, αλλά που το μονοπώλιο το είχε ο μέχρι τώρα εργοδότης του. Όμως η προσπάθεια αυτή δε θα έχει την ευτυχή κατάληξη που όλοι περίμεναν και σύντομα, πατέρας και κόρη θα εξαφανιστούν.
Επιστρέφουμε στο παρόν και γνωρίζουμε τον Μάικλ Φροστ, την κοπέλα του την Πέπερ και τα υπόλοιπα παιδιά της παρέας τους. Ο Μάικλ, ενώ κάνει τα ψώνια που του έχει ζητήσει η μητέρα του, γνωρίζει τη Λίζι Πάλμερ που από ότι φαίνεται είναι καινούρια μαθήτρια στο Λύκειο του Σέιντισαϊντ Χάι. Όπως ο ίδιος αρχίζει να υποψιάζεται, η κοπέλα είναι μάλλον φτωχή και καταλήγει να την καλέσει να κάνει σνόουμομπιλ με εκείνον και τους φίλους του. Όμως, ενώ όλοι περνάνε καλά και διασκεδάζουν, συμβαίνει ένα τραγικό ατύχημα με αποτέλεσμα όλη η παρέα να αναστατωθεί. Σύντομα τα πράγματα αρχίζουν να αγριεύουν καθώς οι φίλοι του Μάικλ, ο ένας μετά τον άλλο, δέχονται την επίθεση ενός εκδικητικού ανθρώπου.
Αυτή τη φορά ο Στάιν βάζει στο παιχνίδι μυστικά του παρελθόντος και μαγικές δυνάμεις και καταφέρνει να κρατήσει το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος. Δεν είναι δύσκολο να συνδέσει κανείς τα δύο γεγονότα, αυτά του παρελθόντος με αυτά του παρόντος, αλλά δεν είναι εύκολο να καταλήξει σε αυτό που σκέφτηκε ο συγγραφέας εξ αρχής. Και αυτό ήταν το πιο ενδιαφέρον κομμάτι της όλης υπόθεσης.
Είναι αρκετά ξεκάθαρο πως για ότι συμβαίνει στο σήμερα φταίει το νέο κορίτσι, η Λίζα Πάλμερ. Άλλωστε τα προβλήματα ξεκίνησαν από όταν εμφανίστηκε αυτή στο Σέιντισαϊντ. Είχα μια κάποια αίσθηση για το τι μπορεί να συνέβαινε και τελικά δεν έπεσα πολύ μακριά από την αλήθεια, όχι όμως και μέσα. Κι αφού κι αυτό το βιβλίο, όπως και τα υπόλοιπα της σειράς απευθύνεται σε εφήβους και παιδιά, χαίρομαι που δεν ήταν τόσο προφανές για μένα, γιατί λογικά, θα έχει τουλάχιστον ένα ψήγμα ενδιαφέροντος περισσότερο για τους [ιο νέους αναγνώστες!
Με χαρά βλέπω πως η θεωρία που είχα σχηματίσει στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο συνεχίζει να έχει βάση. Στο «Μην ξενυχτήσεις» είχαμε σαν βασική ηρωίδα τη Λίζα, ενώ εδώ έχουμε τη Λίζι, που όσο να πεις δεν έχει και μεγάλη διαφορά! Εδώ να πω πως διαβάζοντας τα βιβλία το ένα μετά το άλλο νιώθω τη σύνδεση μεταξύ τους, τόσο λόγω της πόλης όσο και λόγω των ονομάτων.
September 24, 2015
I received a copy from Netgalley.
actual rating 1.5 stars.
I think it was 90s nostalgia that made me request this title. RL Stine is a very familiar name to me, even though I never read any of the original Fear Street books or even any of the old Goosebumps titles. I did often like RL Stine's Point Horror titles which I read over and over as a teen. So I thought I'd give this one a try.
I don't quite know what to say on it. It had its moments. It wasn't scary in the slightest, at least not to me. It felt more like a Lifetime teen thriller movie, or at a stretch it reminded me very much of the old Nickelodeon show 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?'. It had some rather unexpectedly gory moments. But the downsides were the plot felt a bit too much at times like 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' and the end was utterly ridiculous.
Started out with a fairly intriguing premises, in the 1950s, with a seemingly likeable heroine, Beth, who had some unusual abilities. And an unwanted interest from local rich boy Aaron. She told him point blank she was not interested, but he was not the type to take no for an answer. Literally. Beth's abilities help her fight him off. But he screams "witch" and freaks. The dialogue is a little silly.
Then there's some rivalry between Aaron's father, who owns a big ranch, and Beth's father, who wants to start a new ranch. Competition is not appreciated by the reigning ranch and there are deadly consequences. This was the first surprisingly disturbing event. It was twisted and rather shockingly brutal and gory. Beth witnessed the event and had the makings of a strong, likeable heroine who thinks on her feet and wants to do something about the injustice. But she's caught and it all goes pear shaped.
Fast forward to modern day and in the same high school seventy years later, teens Michael and Pepper are hanging out. They're boyfriend/girlfriend, Michael's your average high school boy, Pepper is a feisty redhead with every redhead cliche. Something they poke fun at a lot in the book. This reader's eyes rolled a lot, but at least they seem to know its an overused cliche that redheads are temperamental and passionate and fiery etc. Michael wants to be a writer, he and Pepper run the school blog. He has a group of friends who seem like reasonably nice teens. Even if they do act dumb and say dumb things.
Then out of nowhere beautiful new girl Lizzy comes in. Michael is captivated by her right away noticing how pretty she is. Even though he sees her shoplift food from a grocery store and she knows his name before he's even introduced himself, he doesn't seem to see anything beyond how pretty she is. And suddenly, Lizzy is everywhere. Though weirdly enough has no contact info. No Facebook page, no phone, no email. No one knows where she lives or where her previous school was. Yet she waltzes around and inserts herself into Michael's group of friends.
No one seems to think this is weird. A terrible accident involving drinking and Snowmobiles is where things take a dark turn. Also, plotwise feels an awful lot like 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. Something terrible happens but the kids cover it up. Then creepy phone calls start and Michael's friends start having horrible accidents. Its supposed to be scary and confusing but the dialogue in the phone calls is so ridiculous it just makes me snigger, along the lines of "you killed me and now every one of you is going to suffer terribly..." It just makes me think along the lines of "the call is coming from inside the house!"stupidity.
At least they finally have the sense to get the police involved, but as usual in this type of teen thriller, experienced law enforcement officers are useless and its up to Michael to figure it all out. But of course, that's sort of why as a reader, you tend to like this sort of thing, even if it is unrealistic and daft. Michael is zoning out by this point, and everyone else is finally clueing into the fact that there's something not right about Lizzy. Yet when Michael thinks on this, the sensible line of thinking he has goes right out the window when Lizzy mysteriously reappears.
It did have some fairly good moments while Michael figures out the truth about Lizzy and with Pepper's help finds the connection to the 1950s story at the start of the book. (It is very obvious, but whatever). The book was okay until this point. It wasn't the creepiest thing i've ever read, but certainly not one of the worst. It was fast paced and to be honest, once I started it was fairly impossible to put it down.
The end was so stupid though. Completely spoiled it for me. In fact, it knocked what would have been a three star book down to a 1 star rating. It was just absurd. Though the last page did give me a grin, so I bumped my rating up 1/2 a star.
Other than the end, a reasonably entertaining read.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for approving my request to view the title.
actual rating 1.5 stars.
I think it was 90s nostalgia that made me request this title. RL Stine is a very familiar name to me, even though I never read any of the original Fear Street books or even any of the old Goosebumps titles. I did often like RL Stine's Point Horror titles which I read over and over as a teen. So I thought I'd give this one a try.
I don't quite know what to say on it. It had its moments. It wasn't scary in the slightest, at least not to me. It felt more like a Lifetime teen thriller movie, or at a stretch it reminded me very much of the old Nickelodeon show 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?'. It had some rather unexpectedly gory moments. But the downsides were the plot felt a bit too much at times like 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' and the end was utterly ridiculous.
Started out with a fairly intriguing premises, in the 1950s, with a seemingly likeable heroine, Beth, who had some unusual abilities. And an unwanted interest from local rich boy Aaron. She told him point blank she was not interested, but he was not the type to take no for an answer. Literally. Beth's abilities help her fight him off. But he screams "witch" and freaks. The dialogue is a little silly.
Then there's some rivalry between Aaron's father, who owns a big ranch, and Beth's father, who wants to start a new ranch. Competition is not appreciated by the reigning ranch and there are deadly consequences. This was the first surprisingly disturbing event. It was twisted and rather shockingly brutal and gory. Beth witnessed the event and had the makings of a strong, likeable heroine who thinks on her feet and wants to do something about the injustice. But she's caught and it all goes pear shaped.
Fast forward to modern day and in the same high school seventy years later, teens Michael and Pepper are hanging out. They're boyfriend/girlfriend, Michael's your average high school boy, Pepper is a feisty redhead with every redhead cliche. Something they poke fun at a lot in the book. This reader's eyes rolled a lot, but at least they seem to know its an overused cliche that redheads are temperamental and passionate and fiery etc. Michael wants to be a writer, he and Pepper run the school blog. He has a group of friends who seem like reasonably nice teens. Even if they do act dumb and say dumb things.
Then out of nowhere beautiful new girl Lizzy comes in. Michael is captivated by her right away noticing how pretty she is. Even though he sees her shoplift food from a grocery store and she knows his name before he's even introduced himself, he doesn't seem to see anything beyond how pretty she is. And suddenly, Lizzy is everywhere. Though weirdly enough has no contact info. No Facebook page, no phone, no email. No one knows where she lives or where her previous school was. Yet she waltzes around and inserts herself into Michael's group of friends.
No one seems to think this is weird. A terrible accident involving drinking and Snowmobiles is where things take a dark turn. Also, plotwise feels an awful lot like 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. Something terrible happens but the kids cover it up. Then creepy phone calls start and Michael's friends start having horrible accidents. Its supposed to be scary and confusing but the dialogue in the phone calls is so ridiculous it just makes me snigger, along the lines of "you killed me and now every one of you is going to suffer terribly..." It just makes me think along the lines of "the call is coming from inside the house!"stupidity.
At least they finally have the sense to get the police involved, but as usual in this type of teen thriller, experienced law enforcement officers are useless and its up to Michael to figure it all out. But of course, that's sort of why as a reader, you tend to like this sort of thing, even if it is unrealistic and daft. Michael is zoning out by this point, and everyone else is finally clueing into the fact that there's something not right about Lizzy. Yet when Michael thinks on this, the sensible line of thinking he has goes right out the window when Lizzy mysteriously reappears.
It did have some fairly good moments while Michael figures out the truth about Lizzy and with Pepper's help finds the connection to the 1950s story at the start of the book. (It is very obvious, but whatever). The book was okay until this point. It wasn't the creepiest thing i've ever read, but certainly not one of the worst. It was fast paced and to be honest, once I started it was fairly impossible to put it down.
The end was so stupid though. Completely spoiled it for me. In fact, it knocked what would have been a three star book down to a 1 star rating. It was just absurd. Though the last page did give me a grin, so I bumped my rating up 1/2 a star.
Other than the end, a reasonably entertaining read.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for approving my request to view the title.
August 5, 2015
Okay I don't get R.L. Stine. I never have. I grew up on Fear Street and despite none of these books ever making a lick of sense (how hundreds upon hundreds of adults and teens could be murdered in various supernatural ways over the years with literally NO ONE thinking something weird is going on could simply never be explained to my satisfaction) I admit to a grudging fascination and respect for the guy. I mean c'mon its cool to write horror for teens and in the case of the Goosebumps series kids. As a librarian and a mom I think its great to make a genre usually reserved for adults something kids will enjoy.
This book however makes absolutely zero sense in context of the rest of the series and in terms of its writing.
To start with protagonist Michael comes offs as a 45 year old step dad trying way to hard to be cool for the kids. Seventeen year olds do not talk like this. Ever. Nothing destroys a book faster for me than an unbelievable or unrelatable narrator. Not to mention the fact that he and the rest of what pass for characters totally blend into each other. You have a major problem when their names are the only things distinguishing them from each other.
The "story" such as it is? Awful. From the utterly pointless flashbacks (having the story begin in the 50's serves absolutely no purpose especially when we spend no time with Lizzy once she's gone through the time tunnel.) Which brings me to the time tunnel. A time tunnel? Really? That's your ending? A totally unexplained, out of no where plot device so stupid my two year old could have written it? The gore is just plain absurd. Eaten by horses? Really?
Look gang the world of teen lit has changed in the years since the first Fear Street and its past time for the Stine machine to come to grips with that. I know many of these novels are ghost written and I've got no problem with that. But, sticking to Stine's style shouldn't mean abandoning all other attempts at writing a coherent story with believable characters who do believable things in context of the world they're in and it means having enough respect for your readers not to fob off pointless, intelligence insulting deux es machina on them.
This was awful. I wouldn't recommend to anyone let alone its intended audience. There's better, far more intelligent, scarier stuff out there thank god.
This book however makes absolutely zero sense in context of the rest of the series and in terms of its writing.
To start with protagonist Michael comes offs as a 45 year old step dad trying way to hard to be cool for the kids. Seventeen year olds do not talk like this. Ever. Nothing destroys a book faster for me than an unbelievable or unrelatable narrator. Not to mention the fact that he and the rest of what pass for characters totally blend into each other. You have a major problem when their names are the only things distinguishing them from each other.
The "story" such as it is? Awful. From the utterly pointless flashbacks (having the story begin in the 50's serves absolutely no purpose especially when we spend no time with Lizzy once she's gone through the time tunnel.) Which brings me to the time tunnel. A time tunnel? Really? That's your ending? A totally unexplained, out of no where plot device so stupid my two year old could have written it? The gore is just plain absurd. Eaten by horses? Really?
Look gang the world of teen lit has changed in the years since the first Fear Street and its past time for the Stine machine to come to grips with that. I know many of these novels are ghost written and I've got no problem with that. But, sticking to Stine's style shouldn't mean abandoning all other attempts at writing a coherent story with believable characters who do believable things in context of the world they're in and it means having enough respect for your readers not to fob off pointless, intelligence insulting deux es machina on them.
This was awful. I wouldn't recommend to anyone let alone its intended audience. There's better, far more intelligent, scarier stuff out there thank god.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2015
This was a spooky read! The story switches back and forth between the 1950s and the present day. R L Stine slowly reveals the mystery and horror connecting the two time periods. It worked really well. Being an adult reader, I had a vague idea where the story was going, though this didn't stop it from being quite creepy or put me off from finishing it.
I grew up reading R L Stine in primary school. My all time favourite was 'Say Cheese and Die' from the Goosebumps series (I actually re-read it quite recently...). Funnily enough though, I don't remember them being quite as gruesome as this one was at times. I did find it entertaining and I enjoyed reading from a younger persons perspective. R L Stine still knows how to write a good horror story!
I would recommend this for more older children and the even older ones (those who are young at heart) that want to relive their childhood reading memories! Thank you to the publisher via net galley for my copy to read and review.
I grew up reading R L Stine in primary school. My all time favourite was 'Say Cheese and Die' from the Goosebumps series (I actually re-read it quite recently...). Funnily enough though, I don't remember them being quite as gruesome as this one was at times. I did find it entertaining and I enjoyed reading from a younger persons perspective. R L Stine still knows how to write a good horror story!
I would recommend this for more older children and the even older ones (those who are young at heart) that want to relive their childhood reading memories! Thank you to the publisher via net galley for my copy to read and review.
October 6, 2015
Source: I received a copy of this book via Netgalley from the publisher, thanks to St. Martin's Griffin.
Cost: Free
Title: The Lost Girl
Series: Fear Street Relaunch #3
Author: RL Stine
Overall Rating: 5 stars
As a massive RL Stine fan, you cannot imagine my excitement when I got that email from Netgalley telling me that my request had been accepted. And a chance to review one of the new Fear Street books? Sign me right up!
The beginning of this book begins ominously...A girl named Beth discussing her gifts, her very witchcraft like gifts. She means no harm.
At first.
But when she watches her father die at the hands of Martin Dooley, things change. And suddenly, she disappears along with Aaron Dooley, Martin's nephew. And generations pass and Michael and his girlfriend Pepper are befriend the newest addition to their school. A cute black haired girl named Lizzy. Lizzy who always seems lost. One day, when Michael and his friends, along with Lizzy, go snowmobiling a tragic accident happens and one by one, Michael's friends begin to die. Murdered by a dead man. But who is truly behind it? And where does Lizzy fall into all this?
This is the perfect October read. Truly bone chilling. I read the last 30% or so in bed last night and honestly, terror filled me. It's only Fear Street books of Stine's that can have that effect on me. This is so well written and I'm so glad that RL Stine decided to relaunch this series for the new generation.
This series will be greeted with open arms, well by me at least.
I need to catch up with books one and two.
If you're a fan of horror, a fan of great story telling or an old Goosebumps addict, you need to get into this series.
Cost: Free
Title: The Lost Girl
Series: Fear Street Relaunch #3
Author: RL Stine
Overall Rating: 5 stars
As a massive RL Stine fan, you cannot imagine my excitement when I got that email from Netgalley telling me that my request had been accepted. And a chance to review one of the new Fear Street books? Sign me right up!
The beginning of this book begins ominously...A girl named Beth discussing her gifts, her very witchcraft like gifts. She means no harm.
At first.
But when she watches her father die at the hands of Martin Dooley, things change. And suddenly, she disappears along with Aaron Dooley, Martin's nephew. And generations pass and Michael and his girlfriend Pepper are befriend the newest addition to their school. A cute black haired girl named Lizzy. Lizzy who always seems lost. One day, when Michael and his friends, along with Lizzy, go snowmobiling a tragic accident happens and one by one, Michael's friends begin to die. Murdered by a dead man. But who is truly behind it? And where does Lizzy fall into all this?
This is the perfect October read. Truly bone chilling. I read the last 30% or so in bed last night and honestly, terror filled me. It's only Fear Street books of Stine's that can have that effect on me. This is so well written and I'm so glad that RL Stine decided to relaunch this series for the new generation.
This series will be greeted with open arms, well by me at least.
I need to catch up with books one and two.
If you're a fan of horror, a fan of great story telling or an old Goosebumps addict, you need to get into this series.
September 23, 2020
4 stars. I loved the opening part and this one felt a lot more mature than a lot of Fear Street books in terms of violence horror, but that ending sucked. LOL. Review to come.
August 6, 2022
Μία ακόμα ιστορία τρόμου στο Σέιντισαϊντ - και μπορώ να πω πως είναι η πιο αγαπημένη μου, από τις τέσσερις που έχω διαβάσει ως τώρα. Είναι ακριβώς αυτό το στυλ που μου αρέσει να διαβάζω!
Ο συγγραφέας μάς μεταφέρει αρχικά πολλές δεκαετίες πίσω, στο 1950. Τότε, μια τραγική ιστορία είχε λάβει χώρα στο Σέιντισαϊντ. Η έφηβη Μπεθ Παλμιέρι ήταν πολύ χαρούμενη και περήφανη για τον πατέρα της, που από εργάτης σε στάβλους κατάφερε να ανοίξει τους δικούς του και να μετατραπεί σε ιδιοκτήτη. Όμως κάποιος είναι αποφασισμένος να μην το επιτρέψει και σύντομα η ευτυχία της οικογένειας της Μπεθ μετατρέπεται σε τραγωδία...
Πολλά χρόνια μετά, στο σύγχρονο Σέιντισαϊντ, ο Μάικλ Φροστ είναι ένας συνηθισμένος έφηβος, όπως τόσοι άλλοι, που αγαπά να περνά χρόνο με το κορίτσι του και τους φίλους του. Μια μέρα, γνωρίζει ένα παράξενο κορίτσι, τη Λίζι Πάλμερ, που ισχυρίζεται πως έχει χαθεί και ζητά τη βοήθειά του. Ο Μάικλ πράγματι τη βοηθά, όμως νιώθει ταυτόχρονα μια παράξενη έλξη για εκείνη. Το νεοφερμένο στην πόλη κορίτσι θα προκαλέσει πολλούς μπελάδες στον Μάικλ - και οι τσακωμοί με την κοπέλα του θα είναι το μικρότερο πρόβλημά του. Ποια είναι η μυστηριώδης Λίζι; Πώς συνδέεται το παρόν με το παρελθόν και ο Μάικλ με την Μπεθ; Και τι κρύβεται στο σκοτεινό δάσος κοντά στη Φίαρ Στριτ;
Δεν γράφω άλλα, γιατί νομίζω πως ό,τι και να πω από όσα θέλω, θα αποτελέσει spoiler. Απλώς θα πω πως τέτοια βιβλία θέλω να διαβάζω -από τον R.L. Stine και γενικότερα- και πως το συγκεκριμένο σε καμία περίπτωση δεν νιώθεις ως αναγνώστης ότι σε εμπαίζει. Οπωσδήποτε υπάρχει το υπερβολικό και υπερφυσικό στοιχείο, όμως δοσμένο με τέτοιον τρόπο και εντεταγμένο σε μια πλοκή που δεν το κάνει να φαίνεται ψεύτικο ή τόσο υπερβολικό, για ένα βιβλίο του συγκεκριμένου είδους.
Έξτρα μπόνους η ατμοσφαιρική μετάβαση στο παρελθόν, όπου διαδραματίζεται μια ιστορία με κάθε άλλο παρά ευτυχισμένο τέλος, που όμως καταφέρνει και μπαίνει στην καρδιά σου. Έξυπνος και ο δεσμός της με το σήμερα, αν και κάπως αναμενόμενος.
Γενικά, αν κάποιος μου ζητούσε να του προτείνω ένα βιβλίο της σειράς Fear Street, θα του πρότεινα σίγουρα το συγκεκριμένο. Θεωρώ πως αξίζει να διαβαστεί από τους φαν του συγγραφέα, του είδους και όχι μόνο.
Ο συγγραφέας μάς μεταφέρει αρχικά πολλές δεκαετίες πίσω, στο 1950. Τότε, μια τραγική ιστορία είχε λάβει χώρα στο Σέιντισαϊντ. Η έφηβη Μπεθ Παλμιέρι ήταν πολύ χαρούμενη και περήφανη για τον πατέρα της, που από εργάτης σε στάβλους κατάφερε να ανοίξει τους δικούς του και να μετατραπεί σε ιδιοκτήτη. Όμως κάποιος είναι αποφασισμένος να μην το επιτρέψει και σύντομα η ευτυχία της οικογένειας της Μπεθ μετατρέπεται σε τραγωδία...
Πολλά χρόνια μετά, στο σύγχρονο Σέιντισαϊντ, ο Μάικλ Φροστ είναι ένας συνηθισμένος έφηβος, όπως τόσοι άλλοι, που αγαπά να περνά χρόνο με το κορίτσι του και τους φίλους του. Μια μέρα, γνωρίζει ένα παράξενο κορίτσι, τη Λίζι Πάλμερ, που ισχυρίζεται πως έχει χαθεί και ζητά τη βοήθειά του. Ο Μάικλ πράγματι τη βοηθά, όμως νιώθει ταυτόχρονα μια παράξενη έλξη για εκείνη. Το νεοφερμένο στην πόλη κορίτσι θα προκαλέσει πολλούς μπελάδες στον Μάικλ - και οι τσακωμοί με την κοπέλα του θα είναι το μικρότερο πρόβλημά του. Ποια είναι η μυστηριώδης Λίζι; Πώς συνδέεται το παρόν με το παρελθόν και ο Μάικλ με την Μπεθ; Και τι κρύβεται στο σκοτεινό δάσος κοντά στη Φίαρ Στριτ;
Δεν γράφω άλλα, γιατί νομίζω πως ό,τι και να πω από όσα θέλω, θα αποτελέσει spoiler. Απλώς θα πω πως τέτοια βιβλία θέλω να διαβάζω -από τον R.L. Stine και γενικότερα- και πως το συγκεκριμένο σε καμία περίπτωση δεν νιώθεις ως αναγνώστης ότι σε εμπαίζει. Οπωσδήποτε υπάρχει το υπερβολικό και υπερφυσικό στοιχείο, όμως δοσμένο με τέτοιον τρόπο και εντεταγμένο σε μια πλοκή που δεν το κάνει να φαίνεται ψεύτικο ή τόσο υπερβολικό, για ένα βιβλίο του συγκεκριμένου είδους.
Έξτρα μπόνους η ατμοσφαιρική μετάβαση στο παρελθόν, όπου διαδραματίζεται μια ιστορία με κάθε άλλο παρά ευτυχισμένο τέλος, που όμως καταφέρνει και μπαίνει στην καρδιά σου. Έξυπνος και ο δεσμός της με το σήμερα, αν και κάπως αναμενόμενος.
Γενικά, αν κάποιος μου ζητούσε να του προτείνω ένα βιβλίο της σειράς Fear Street, θα του πρότεινα σίγουρα το συγκεκριμένο. Θεωρώ πως αξίζει να διαβαστεί από τους φαν του συγγραφέα, του είδους και όχι μόνο.
October 20, 2021
3,5/5 ⭐
August 27, 2015
What self-respecting bookworm of the 90s could have avoided the spine-tingling thrill of an R. L. Stine book? Raised on a bloody diet of Goosebumps and Fear Street books, I was hooked on them. In Fear Street, older teens dealt with scarier beasties while navigating the emotional trauma of puberty and teen angst. What could go wrong?
R. L. Stine's newest Fear Street book, The Lost Girl, packs more gore and drama into its slim 272 pages than George R. R. Martin brings to a wedding, and it had my mature, sensible and adult self shouting "EW! EW! GROSS! WHY?!" In fact, at times the violence was a bit too much for me. It seemed like the violence was so well developed that it may have been the main character, while the rest of the book fell a bit flat, intent on propelling you towards the blood and gore but without much substance otherwise.
Dragging the reader by the hair from the 1950s to modern day Fear Street, the story twists and turns through the creepy woods, throwing jump scares out willy-nilly and terrifying you. Michael is in his last year of high school, with a feisty red-haired girlfriend, some good mates and a part time job at his dad's snowmobile shop. When a mysterious and beautiful girl shows up out of nowhere, he's fascinated by her, and slowly becomes obsessed. That is, until he is threatened and his friends are attacked, one by one. And somehow it's all connected to a brutal murder that took place in the 1950s.
Read my full review.
R. L. Stine's newest Fear Street book, The Lost Girl, packs more gore and drama into its slim 272 pages than George R. R. Martin brings to a wedding, and it had my mature, sensible and adult self shouting "EW! EW! GROSS! WHY?!" In fact, at times the violence was a bit too much for me. It seemed like the violence was so well developed that it may have been the main character, while the rest of the book fell a bit flat, intent on propelling you towards the blood and gore but without much substance otherwise.
Dragging the reader by the hair from the 1950s to modern day Fear Street, the story twists and turns through the creepy woods, throwing jump scares out willy-nilly and terrifying you. Michael is in his last year of high school, with a feisty red-haired girlfriend, some good mates and a part time job at his dad's snowmobile shop. When a mysterious and beautiful girl shows up out of nowhere, he's fascinated by her, and slowly becomes obsessed. That is, until he is threatened and his friends are attacked, one by one. And somehow it's all connected to a brutal murder that took place in the 1950s.
I was falling helplessly into a darkness I'd never seen before. And as I fell, I knew I was fading, fading, fading away... Is this what it feels like to die?
Read my full review.
August 1, 2015
Growing up, summer wasn't complete without a trip to the beach and a handful of Fear Street novels. I can't even express the wave of nostalgia that came over me was I started in on this ARC- it felt like being in middle school all over again. "The Lost Girl" was just like the R.L. Stine Fear Street novels of my pre-teen-hood, creepy, gruesome and fast-plotted.* While by no means realistic, these books hit the sweet spot of being entertaining but still with some substance. I'm so glad that this author continues to write, and I can't wait to add his newest works to my collection and one day pass them along to my own children.
"The Lost Girl" takes readers back to Shadyside where the mysterious arrival of a new girl in town is (of course) tied to a series of strange accidents and occurrences. Main character Michael, finds himself drawn to Lizzy, not realizing that a past tragedy from 60 years ago will come back to haunt them. Just as in other Fear Street novels, Shadyside's dark history has a way of always rearing its ugly head. That said, you won't really need to know the background of the other books to enjoy "The Lost Girl."
While as an adult reader I had an inkling of where the story was going to go, I was still pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns of the plot. Clocking in at just under 300 pages, "The Lost Girl" should keep you busy for a few days if you can put it down.
*Even now, some of the awful deaths/accidents in his novels still creep me out majorly.
Disclaimer: An ARC of this novel was provided to me for the purpose of review by the publisher.
"The Lost Girl" takes readers back to Shadyside where the mysterious arrival of a new girl in town is (of course) tied to a series of strange accidents and occurrences. Main character Michael, finds himself drawn to Lizzy, not realizing that a past tragedy from 60 years ago will come back to haunt them. Just as in other Fear Street novels, Shadyside's dark history has a way of always rearing its ugly head. That said, you won't really need to know the background of the other books to enjoy "The Lost Girl."
While as an adult reader I had an inkling of where the story was going to go, I was still pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns of the plot. Clocking in at just under 300 pages, "The Lost Girl" should keep you busy for a few days if you can put it down.
*Even now, some of the awful deaths/accidents in his novels still creep me out majorly.
Disclaimer: An ARC of this novel was provided to me for the purpose of review by the publisher.
September 14, 2015
My View:
I have never read an R L Stine book before but as my children read many when they were teenagers I thought I would give this a shot and see what sort of energy and vibe this author exudes. I was firstly surprised by the level of horror/violence expressed in this book – (no spoilers) but the horse/oats/honey scene at the beginning is mind boggling and some of the later incidents are almost as horrific – I must admit I was surprised by the level of violence - this was not quite what I was expecting.
Story wise – I liked the dual time line/historical aspect of the narrative, but I think the ending was rushed – but as I am not in the target audience for this book maybe my concerns are more about my age and related expectations. I think this has the great makings for an adult horror story or film. Characters - were a little superficial and under developed for my liking but that being said again I am not the target audience for this book, teenagers may be more accepting than I was.
All in all an interesting read that I feel could be effectively developed to reach an adult audience.
I have never read an R L Stine book before but as my children read many when they were teenagers I thought I would give this a shot and see what sort of energy and vibe this author exudes. I was firstly surprised by the level of horror/violence expressed in this book – (no spoilers) but the horse/oats/honey scene at the beginning is mind boggling and some of the later incidents are almost as horrific – I must admit I was surprised by the level of violence - this was not quite what I was expecting.
Story wise – I liked the dual time line/historical aspect of the narrative, but I think the ending was rushed – but as I am not in the target audience for this book maybe my concerns are more about my age and related expectations. I think this has the great makings for an adult horror story or film. Characters - were a little superficial and under developed for my liking but that being said again I am not the target audience for this book, teenagers may be more accepting than I was.
All in all an interesting read that I feel could be effectively developed to reach an adult audience.
July 31, 2021
This story was quite spooky and twisty! I enjoyed every bit of the audio book!
Michael's life takes a strange turn when he meets a new girl in town. Lizzie is different, a bit mysterious and somehow mesmerizing. His girlfriend, Pepper, is definitely less than enthused about Michael's developing obsession with Lizzie Palmer. When a strange snowmobile accident pits a psycho against Michael and his friends, events surrounding Lizzie just get stranger and stranger.
At first I found the plot a bit confusing. The intro didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book, but as the story progressed I found myself completely engaged with the story. I didn't expect the ending -- a totally Fear Street appropriate ending! I listened to the audio version of this story. The audio is just over 5 hours and narrated by Brittany Pressley and Dan Bittner. They gave a great performance! Very entertaining listen.
Definitely an R. L. Stine Fear Street story! Loved it! Can't wait to watch the Netflix stories!
**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Michael's life takes a strange turn when he meets a new girl in town. Lizzie is different, a bit mysterious and somehow mesmerizing. His girlfriend, Pepper, is definitely less than enthused about Michael's developing obsession with Lizzie Palmer. When a strange snowmobile accident pits a psycho against Michael and his friends, events surrounding Lizzie just get stranger and stranger.
At first I found the plot a bit confusing. The intro didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book, but as the story progressed I found myself completely engaged with the story. I didn't expect the ending -- a totally Fear Street appropriate ending! I listened to the audio version of this story. The audio is just over 5 hours and narrated by Brittany Pressley and Dan Bittner. They gave a great performance! Very entertaining listen.
Definitely an R. L. Stine Fear Street story! Loved it! Can't wait to watch the Netflix stories!
**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
October 1, 2015
This is R.L Stine's scariest work yet (which I would know since I've been an avid fan of his for the past twelve years). This book tells a story in two different timelines but the reader is held up wondering until the end of the book. This book was terrifying, it was intriguing, it was gripping and it held me in suspense till the last page. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys horror or R. L Stine's works.
Oh and one last thing- I've prided myself on finding the ending of every single Stine novel before it happens. This book gives nothing away (and it's suspense both irritated and intrigued me). Read it. Now.
Oh and one last thing- I've prided myself on finding the ending of every single Stine novel before it happens. This book gives nothing away (and it's suspense both irritated and intrigued me). Read it. Now.
August 22, 2015
Love, Love, Love this author! This book was just as good as his Fear Street series for me that I grew up reading. I remember begging my mom to buy me R.L. Stine books all the time when I was younger and these books never disappoint me. I guess I will never out grow R.L. Stine and the Fear Street! I am so glad he has started writing this series again for kids to enjoy in a another generation! This book was so great I would reread it and buy it for my niece. * I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
January 6, 2026
This was a straight cheese-fest almost all the way through. Filled with overused cliches, tropes, and predictable plot twists. (And lots of plot holes and stupid character decisions, my God)
Besides one disgusting, gruesome scene in the beginning, this book is largely forgettable. I think I need to start reading more of the older fear street books.
1.5 / 5
Besides one disgusting, gruesome scene in the beginning, this book is largely forgettable. I think I need to start reading more of the older fear street books.
1.5 / 5
August 22, 2015
Oh my gosh a new RL Stine book? I love it!!!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
October 25, 2021
Διαβάστε το review στο site μας:
https://www.culture21century.gr/2021/...
Νιώθω πως όσα χρόνια κι αν περάσουν, κι όσων χρόνων να φτάσω η ίδια, θα υπάρχουν πάντοτε ορισμένα πράγματα, ή και ορισμένες παλιές αγάπες, εντός κι εκτός εισαγωγικών, στις οποίες θα επιστρέφω με κλειστά μάτια, απλά και μόνο επειδή κάποιες αποφάσεις είναι μονόδρομος και δεν μπορείς να ξεφύγεις από αυτές. Σε αυτή την κατηγορία ανήκουν και οι ιστορίες του R.L. Stine, που έχουν σημαδέψει τα παιδικά μου χρόνια, μα και τις πρώτες μου αναγνωστικές εμπειρίες, χαρίζοντάς μου άπλετες στιγμές διασκέδασης, γέλιου, μυστηρίου και τρόμου. Κι αν οι "Ανατριχίλες" ανήκουν στο χρονοντούλαπο της Ιστορίας, υπάρχουν και πιο φρέσκες προτάσεις του συγγραφέα, όπως τα βιβλία της σειράς "Οδός Τρόμου", όπου κυκλοφορούν απ' τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο.
Στο τρίτο βιβλίο της σειράς, "Το χαμένο κορίτσι", γνωρίζουμε τη Λίζι Γουόκερ, που μόλις έχει μετακομίσει στο Σέιντισαϊντ Χάι και ως εκ τούτου είναι το κύριο θέμα συζήτησης, ειδικά στη νέα της σχολική κοινότητα. Ο Μάικλ δεν είναι σίγουρος τι ακριβώς να σκεφτεί για τη Λίζι, καθότι αρκετά παράξενη και ιδιαίτερη, όμως θέλει να την στηρίξει, αφού είναι μόνη της σε μια νέα πόλη. Η κοπέλα του η Πέπερ, από την άλλη, δεν βλέπει με τόσο καλό μάτι τη νεοφερμένη, αλλά παρασυρόμενη από την καλοσύνη του Μάικλ, αποφασίζει να πράξει όπως εκείνος, ενσωματώνοντάς την στην παρέα τους. Όμως, όσο πιο κοντά έρχονται, τόσο περισσότερο ο Μάικλ νιώθει να γοητεύεται από την παρουσία της, την ίδια ώρα που η Λίζι νιώθει πως κάτι δεν πηγαίνει καθόλου καλά μαζί της. Εφηβική ζήλια ή ισχυρό ένστικτο;
Η απάντηση δεν είναι τόσο εύκολη όσο φαίνεται, ειδικά όταν μετά από τραγικό ατύχημα που συμβαίνει κατά τη διάρκεια ενός αγώνα σνόουμπολ, όπου ο Μάικλ έχει προσκαλέσει τη Λίζι να τον συνοδεύσει, οι φίλοι του Μάικλ αρχίζουν να δολοφονούνται ο ένας μετά τον άλλον και ο πανικός όλο και κορυφώνεται. Η Πέπερ είναι σίγουρη πως ο ερχομός της Λίζι στην πόλη τους δεν ήταν τυχαίος και πως εκείνη είναι που ευθύνεται για τα φρικτά εγκλήματα που λαμβάνουν χώρα σε αυτήν. Ποιος ο λόγος, όμως, ένα έφηβο κορίτσι ν' αφαιρεί τη ζωή άλλων ανθρώπων; Τι μπορεί να επιζητά από μια τέτοια βαρβαρότητα και το σημαντικότερο, τι σχέση μπορεί να έχει ένας φόνος που έγινε τη δεκαετία του '50 με την φρικαλεότητα του σήμερα;
Έχω τη βεβαιότητα πως, απ' τα έως τώρα βιβλία της σειράς, "Το χαμένο κορίτσι" είναι το πιο ιδιαίτερο, το πιο περίπλοκο και το πιο καλά δουλεμένο. Έχουμε μια ιστορία που τόσο η πλοκή όσο και η αφήγησή της μοιράζονται ανάμεσα στο παρελθόν και στο παρόν, τα οποία και συνδέονται με τρόπους που δεν μπορούμε να φανταστούμε αρχικά και που όσο ξετυλίγουμε το κουβάρι του μυστηρίου γύρω από τη σύνδεσή τους, τόσα περισσότερα ανακαλύπτουμε, τα οποία μας βοηθούν να λύσουμε έναν γρίφο που έχει να μας προσφέρει, εκτός από έντονες στιγμές δράσης κι αγωνίας, πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες απαντήσεις που θα μας λύσουν κάθε μας απορία.
Σίγουρα, η ιστορία του παρελθόντος είναι πιο ενδιαφέρουσα, και αρκετά πιο άγρια και βίαιη από την ιστορία του παρόντος, αλλά ο Stain έχει καταφέρει να τις δέσει τόσο αρμονικά, με τη μία να συμπληρώνει την άλλη, στην προσπάθεια να κλείσει ένας κύκλος εκδίκησης που ξεκίνησε περισσότερα από 60 χρόνια πριν, αλλά που έχει μείνει ανολοκλήρωτος και μακριά από τη λύτρωση. Λίγο splatter, πολύ μυστήριο, λίγο μεταφυσικό στοιχείο, πολύ άγρια διάθεση και τρομακτική αισθητική, είναι μερικά από τα στοιχεία που χαρακτηρίζουν την εν λόγω ιστορία που σίγουρα θα καθηλώσει τους εφήβους, αλλά θα καταφέρει να κρατήσει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον και των ενήλικων θεατών, με αδυναμία στα θρίλερ αυτού του είδους. Περιμένουμε πως και πως και την τηλεοπτική μεταφορά της σειράς στο αγαπημένο μας Netflix και, αν μη τι άλλο, κάτι μου λέει πως θα το διασκεδάσουμε πολύ.
https://www.culture21century.gr/2021/...
Νιώθω πως όσα χρόνια κι αν περάσουν, κι όσων χρόνων να φτάσω η ίδια, θα υπάρχουν πάντοτε ορισμένα πράγματα, ή και ορισμένες παλιές αγάπες, εντός κι εκτός εισαγωγικών, στις οποίες θα επιστρέφω με κλειστά μάτια, απλά και μόνο επειδή κάποιες αποφάσεις είναι μονόδρομος και δεν μπορείς να ξεφύγεις από αυτές. Σε αυτή την κατηγορία ανήκουν και οι ιστορίες του R.L. Stine, που έχουν σημαδέψει τα παιδικά μου χρόνια, μα και τις πρώτες μου αναγνωστικές εμπειρίες, χαρίζοντάς μου άπλετες στιγμές διασκέδασης, γέλιου, μυστηρίου και τρόμου. Κι αν οι "Ανατριχίλες" ανήκουν στο χρονοντούλαπο της Ιστορίας, υπάρχουν και πιο φρέσκες προτάσεις του συγγραφέα, όπως τα βιβλία της σειράς "Οδός Τρόμου", όπου κυκλοφορούν απ' τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο.
Στο τρίτο βιβλίο της σειράς, "Το χαμένο κορίτσι", γνωρίζουμε τη Λίζι Γουόκερ, που μόλις έχει μετακομίσει στο Σέιντισαϊντ Χάι και ως εκ τούτου είναι το κύριο θέμα συζήτησης, ειδικά στη νέα της σχολική κοινότητα. Ο Μάικλ δεν είναι σίγουρος τι ακριβώς να σκεφτεί για τη Λίζι, καθότι αρκετά παράξενη και ιδιαίτερη, όμως θέλει να την στηρίξει, αφού είναι μόνη της σε μια νέα πόλη. Η κοπέλα του η Πέπερ, από την άλλη, δεν βλέπει με τόσο καλό μάτι τη νεοφερμένη, αλλά παρασυρόμενη από την καλοσύνη του Μάικλ, αποφασίζει να πράξει όπως εκείνος, ενσωματώνοντάς την στην παρέα τους. Όμως, όσο πιο κοντά έρχονται, τόσο περισσότερο ο Μάικλ νιώθει να γοητεύεται από την παρουσία της, την ίδια ώρα που η Λίζι νιώθει πως κάτι δεν πηγαίνει καθόλου καλά μαζί της. Εφηβική ζήλια ή ισχυρό ένστικτο;
Η απάντηση δεν είναι τόσο εύκολη όσο φαίνεται, ειδικά όταν μετά από τραγικό ατύχημα που συμβαίνει κατά τη διάρκεια ενός αγώνα σνόουμπολ, όπου ο Μάικλ έχει προσκαλέσει τη Λίζι να τον συνοδεύσει, οι φίλοι του Μάικλ αρχίζουν να δολοφονούνται ο ένας μετά τον άλλον και ο πανικός όλο και κορυφώνεται. Η Πέπερ είναι σίγουρη πως ο ερχομός της Λίζι στην πόλη τους δεν ήταν τυχαίος και πως εκείνη είναι που ευθύνεται για τα φρικτά εγκλήματα που λαμβάνουν χώρα σε αυτήν. Ποιος ο λόγος, όμως, ένα έφηβο κορίτσι ν' αφαιρεί τη ζωή άλλων ανθρώπων; Τι μπορεί να επιζητά από μια τέτοια βαρβαρότητα και το σημαντικότερο, τι σχέση μπορεί να έχει ένας φόνος που έγινε τη δεκαετία του '50 με την φρικαλεότητα του σήμερα;
Έχω τη βεβαιότητα πως, απ' τα έως τώρα βιβλία της σειράς, "Το χαμένο κορίτσι" είναι το πιο ιδιαίτερο, το πιο περίπλοκο και το πιο καλά δουλεμένο. Έχουμε μια ιστορία που τόσο η πλοκή όσο και η αφήγησή της μοιράζονται ανάμεσα στο παρελθόν και στο παρόν, τα οποία και συνδέονται με τρόπους που δεν μπορούμε να φανταστούμε αρχικά και που όσο ξετυλίγουμε το κουβάρι του μυστηρίου γύρω από τη σύνδεσή τους, τόσα περισσότερα ανακαλύπτουμε, τα οποία μας βοηθούν να λύσουμε έναν γρίφο που έχει να μας προσφέρει, εκτός από έντονες στιγμές δράσης κι αγωνίας, πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες απαντήσεις που θα μας λύσουν κάθε μας απορία.
Σίγουρα, η ιστορία του παρελθόντος είναι πιο ενδιαφέρουσα, και αρκετά πιο άγρια και βίαιη από την ιστορία του παρόντος, αλλά ο Stain έχει καταφέρει να τις δέσει τόσο αρμονικά, με τη μία να συμπληρώνει την άλλη, στην προσπάθεια να κλείσει ένας κύκλος εκδίκησης που ξεκίνησε περισσότερα από 60 χρόνια πριν, αλλά που έχει μείνει ανολοκλήρωτος και μακριά από τη λύτρωση. Λίγο splatter, πολύ μυστήριο, λίγο μεταφυσικό στοιχείο, πολύ άγρια διάθεση και τρομακτική αισθητική, είναι μερικά από τα στοιχεία που χαρακτηρίζουν την εν λόγω ιστορία που σίγουρα θα καθηλώσει τους εφήβους, αλλά θα καταφέρει να κρατήσει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον και των ενήλικων θεατών, με αδυναμία στα θρίλερ αυτού του είδους. Περιμένουμε πως και πως και την τηλεοπτική μεταφορά της σειράς στο αγαπημένο μας Netflix και, αν μη τι άλλο, κάτι μου λέει πως θα το διασκεδάσουμε πολύ.
December 19, 2015
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher (St. Martin's Press) via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fear Street Relaunch is back!!!
A wave of nostalgia sweeps over me, every time I see R.L Stine's name in bookstores. Reading it years later, I realized I must acquire an extreme case of Pavlovian conditioning on R.L Stine's books. Seeing a neutral stimulus like a book with similar cover and font style like Stine's already elicits conditioned responses like "goosebumps" and an automatic internal replay of spooky stories from childhood. Childhood memories wouldn't be complete without a handful of Goosebumps series. That being said, my heart was bursting in excitement when the publisher approved my request. An advanced digital copy of R.L Stine book? A spine-chilling journey in Fear Street? Let me join the ride down the memory lane. What a great opportunity to revisit the past!
THE PLOT & THE CHARACTERS
This the third book in the Fear Street Relaunch novel and it wasn't even that long, it's only 270 pages in Kindle edition, so I just flew through it. I was extremely glad because I literally finished this book in one sitting! This was definitely a quick read. The story switches back and forth between two different time period and setting. One was in the present year and the latter was set in the year 1950. The first few chapters were already filled with horror and violence. The protagonist's narration sent chills down my spine. Some parts of the story has been told 60 years ago. I wasn't even born that time and reading it halfway through, I would admit I suffer from a bad case of Nostalgiosity.
The story started off in the year of 1950. The narrator in this time period was named Beth Palmieri. Beth's father decided to start a new business in town. Much to the distaste of their competitor, an owner of a big ranch, was the fact that Beth's father used to be their worker; a subordinate. Unexpectedly, business rivalry ends in a grusome murder. When I said that the murder was gruesome, it was indeed gruesome in nature. Beth's father has been ravenoulsy devoured by horses right before her eyes. A handful of horses pounced on her father's body voraciously, how crazy is that? Unfortunately, the witness to the crime was never found since then.
Switching to the present day, sixty years later, our narrator Michael met a strange girl named Lizzy. This lost girl kept on appearing before him saying she was a new girl lost in town. For no apparent reason, this "new-girl-lost-in-school" drama strangely happened multiple times. Michael was so drawn to her beauty that he found himself befriending the lost girl in spite of his girlfriend's disapproval.
THE WRITING STYLE
This is what I like about Stine's writing style, in the absence of unnecessary elucidation, the first few chapters started with pure action! Everything was so fast-paced. On my age though, the narration wasn't that scary for me and the plot twist didn't take me by surprise. Still, in the end, I can say that I enjoyed the entire story. The format of this installment remained faithful to the old school vibe of his previous novels.
I must say that the plot twist was perfect for the target audience. This is the same reason why I gave the book with a high rating. The story's level of excitement, the fast-paced plot, the blend of gore elements and unnerving narration were parallel to the assumed target audience.
OVERALL
If you're looking for an Autumn night's spooky reads, Stine's The Lost Girl is right up your alley. This story has myriad elements that are a sure scare and mind-boggling: flawless historical narratives, eerie setting, unforeseeable plot twists, gruesome murder, tons of secrecy and lastly your typical R.L Stine's storytelling. This is a great installment to Fear Street Relaunch.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for sending me a copy!
Fear Street Relaunch is back!!!
A wave of nostalgia sweeps over me, every time I see R.L Stine's name in bookstores. Reading it years later, I realized I must acquire an extreme case of Pavlovian conditioning on R.L Stine's books. Seeing a neutral stimulus like a book with similar cover and font style like Stine's already elicits conditioned responses like "goosebumps" and an automatic internal replay of spooky stories from childhood. Childhood memories wouldn't be complete without a handful of Goosebumps series. That being said, my heart was bursting in excitement when the publisher approved my request. An advanced digital copy of R.L Stine book? A spine-chilling journey in Fear Street? Let me join the ride down the memory lane. What a great opportunity to revisit the past!
THE PLOT & THE CHARACTERS
This the third book in the Fear Street Relaunch novel and it wasn't even that long, it's only 270 pages in Kindle edition, so I just flew through it. I was extremely glad because I literally finished this book in one sitting! This was definitely a quick read. The story switches back and forth between two different time period and setting. One was in the present year and the latter was set in the year 1950. The first few chapters were already filled with horror and violence. The protagonist's narration sent chills down my spine. Some parts of the story has been told 60 years ago. I wasn't even born that time and reading it halfway through, I would admit I suffer from a bad case of Nostalgiosity.
The story started off in the year of 1950. The narrator in this time period was named Beth Palmieri. Beth's father decided to start a new business in town. Much to the distaste of their competitor, an owner of a big ranch, was the fact that Beth's father used to be their worker; a subordinate. Unexpectedly, business rivalry ends in a grusome murder. When I said that the murder was gruesome, it was indeed gruesome in nature. Beth's father has been ravenoulsy devoured by horses right before her eyes. A handful of horses pounced on her father's body voraciously, how crazy is that? Unfortunately, the witness to the crime was never found since then.
Switching to the present day, sixty years later, our narrator Michael met a strange girl named Lizzy. This lost girl kept on appearing before him saying she was a new girl lost in town. For no apparent reason, this "new-girl-lost-in-school" drama strangely happened multiple times. Michael was so drawn to her beauty that he found himself befriending the lost girl in spite of his girlfriend's disapproval.
THE WRITING STYLE
This is what I like about Stine's writing style, in the absence of unnecessary elucidation, the first few chapters started with pure action! Everything was so fast-paced. On my age though, the narration wasn't that scary for me and the plot twist didn't take me by surprise. Still, in the end, I can say that I enjoyed the entire story. The format of this installment remained faithful to the old school vibe of his previous novels.
I must say that the plot twist was perfect for the target audience. This is the same reason why I gave the book with a high rating. The story's level of excitement, the fast-paced plot, the blend of gore elements and unnerving narration were parallel to the assumed target audience.
OVERALL
If you're looking for an Autumn night's spooky reads, Stine's The Lost Girl is right up your alley. This story has myriad elements that are a sure scare and mind-boggling: flawless historical narratives, eerie setting, unforeseeable plot twists, gruesome murder, tons of secrecy and lastly your typical R.L Stine's storytelling. This is a great installment to Fear Street Relaunch.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for sending me a copy!
August 25, 2023
2/5⭐
Odrobinę lepsza, niż "Zabójcze gry", ale znowu wszytko przewidziałam (oprócz jednego, NAJGORSZEGO zwrotu akcji XD)
Odrobinę lepsza, niż "Zabójcze gry", ale znowu wszytko przewidziałam (oprócz jednego, NAJGORSZEGO zwrotu akcji XD)
February 24, 2016
4.5 stars. Being sick has its advantages, I can read more than I normally can. :)
Not a terribly long review due to the high amount of twists and turns (though of course, quite a few are not that difficult to figure out within a few pages), but I want people to go into this fresh, so I will just keep it to the surface of the book.
I am so delighted that R.L. Stine is doing Fear Street again, even though it has several influences from the new era (technology-wise), it still retains its old school vibe. I am sure that if you remove the nowadays-technology this book would just match with the older series perfectly. It feels like R.L. Stine never stopped writing these Fear Street books, like there isn't a big gap between the series, and that is an amazing skill.
The book itself was great, there are enough plots and twists and turns, and like I said, most of them are quite easy to figure out, but for some reason I don't mind that in this book. Because the rest is so good. The characters are pretty great (though a bit on the dumb side, that they never thought of that person), they are interesting and also quite fun. I did like the mystery part/when poop really started to hit the fan.
I didn't always like the main character, the things he did, it just was wrong, and I wanted to smack him to get some sense back in him.
The ending was, once again, a bit predictable, but it was still awesome and super creepy, and left me with a very creeped-out feeling.
There were some tropes that I am just getting tired about. Since it might spoil the book, I am just going to keep it to that. I hope that we will get some new tropes, or newly invented tropes. I don't need to see that one trope keep popping up in horror/paranormal books. It is just a bad trope.
The book is separated in Past and Present, though Present takes the cake with the most pages/chapters. It was really interesting that the past was also added to the mix, it gave more insight to a few characters, and also later on gets mentioned.
All in all, a great book and I would highly recommend it. This is a great read for the Halloween season that is now here.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Not a terribly long review due to the high amount of twists and turns (though of course, quite a few are not that difficult to figure out within a few pages), but I want people to go into this fresh, so I will just keep it to the surface of the book.
I am so delighted that R.L. Stine is doing Fear Street again, even though it has several influences from the new era (technology-wise), it still retains its old school vibe. I am sure that if you remove the nowadays-technology this book would just match with the older series perfectly. It feels like R.L. Stine never stopped writing these Fear Street books, like there isn't a big gap between the series, and that is an amazing skill.
The book itself was great, there are enough plots and twists and turns, and like I said, most of them are quite easy to figure out, but for some reason I don't mind that in this book. Because the rest is so good. The characters are pretty great (though a bit on the dumb side, that they never thought of that person), they are interesting and also quite fun. I did like the mystery part/when poop really started to hit the fan.
I didn't always like the main character, the things he did, it just was wrong, and I wanted to smack him to get some sense back in him.
The ending was, once again, a bit predictable, but it was still awesome and super creepy, and left me with a very creeped-out feeling.
There were some tropes that I am just getting tired about. Since it might spoil the book, I am just going to keep it to that. I hope that we will get some new tropes, or newly invented tropes. I don't need to see that one trope keep popping up in horror/paranormal books. It is just a bad trope.
The book is separated in Past and Present, though Present takes the cake with the most pages/chapters. It was really interesting that the past was also added to the mix, it gave more insight to a few characters, and also later on gets mentioned.
All in all, a great book and I would highly recommend it. This is a great read for the Halloween season that is now here.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 24, 2015
The story takes place on two time periods. We start in 1950 and the main character here is Beth. Beth has supernatural abilities which she uses in a very difficult situation. After terrible things happen to her and her family, the story abruptly shifts to present day where we meet our main character Michael. He’s in his senior year and he loves to drive snow mobiles (his father sells that sort of equipment). One day, a mysterious girl appears at his school. She appears everywhere he goes. Then, horrible things start happening to Michael and his friends. He suspects if the new girl is somehow connected to these events…
What I liked about the story
I like the Fear Street series more than I like Goosebumps (they were too immature for my taste), so these new additions to the old series are very welcome. As any RL Stine book, the story flows fast. I read The Lost Girl in a day and I was entertained every single minute. I liked the ending where everything resolved quite nicely. The main character was likeable and he managed to overcome the problems well.
What I didn’t like about the story
I have read so many RL Stine books (especially in the Fear Street series), but I found this one particularly predictable. I knew what was going to happen from the start. Also, there isn’t much depth to his writing which it isn’t a surprise to any RL Stine fan. But that didn’t stop me to enjoy the story.
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next Fear Street novel, which comes out around spring next year.
What I liked about the story
I like the Fear Street series more than I like Goosebumps (they were too immature for my taste), so these new additions to the old series are very welcome. As any RL Stine book, the story flows fast. I read The Lost Girl in a day and I was entertained every single minute. I liked the ending where everything resolved quite nicely. The main character was likeable and he managed to overcome the problems well.
What I didn’t like about the story
I have read so many RL Stine books (especially in the Fear Street series), but I found this one particularly predictable. I knew what was going to happen from the start. Also, there isn’t much depth to his writing which it isn’t a surprise to any RL Stine fan. But that didn’t stop me to enjoy the story.
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next Fear Street novel, which comes out around spring next year.
January 26, 2016
The Lost Girl needs to get lost and stay lost. It was fine until page 47, but nearly every page after that was terrible. The chapters from 1950 are the only ones worth bothering with, the 2015 stuff was nothing more than played out drivel from some of R.L. Stine's worst books, and it started to lack all sense heading towards the end.
R.L. Stine books with a male main character usually end up being garbage, and this one follows down the same lousy trail that so many of his older books have. It definitely reads like 1999, when there was almost no chance of his books being good.
He's obviously set on trying to appear more relevant by mentioning android phones and Facebook, but it actually backfires and works against him. It feels like he's trying too hard, and he will pick things to mention that aren't exactly fresh.
He really needs to stop it with the clothing descriptions, at first I liked how he hadn't changed anything up since the 1980's. The girls are still wearing vests over T-shirts and mini-skirts over leggings, but now it's coming across that he's very much out of step.
R.L. Stine books with a male main character usually end up being garbage, and this one follows down the same lousy trail that so many of his older books have. It definitely reads like 1999, when there was almost no chance of his books being good.
He's obviously set on trying to appear more relevant by mentioning android phones and Facebook, but it actually backfires and works against him. It feels like he's trying too hard, and he will pick things to mention that aren't exactly fresh.
He really needs to stop it with the clothing descriptions, at first I liked how he hadn't changed anything up since the 1980's. The girls are still wearing vests over T-shirts and mini-skirts over leggings, but now it's coming across that he's very much out of step.
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