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Disney Chills #6
Once Upon a Scream
"I know you, that gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam..."
Dawn misses the big city. Torn away from her favorite place in the world and shipped off to live with her two cooky aunts in the countryside, Dawn is miserable in her new life. While her parents see this as a chance for her to be away from the bad influences that kept getting her into trouble, Dawn sees her new dumpy town of Castletown as a sticky and smelly prison with way too many bugs. But no one seems to care what Dawn wants, so she's stuck helping her aunts in their dusty antique shop and finishing the year out in a new school filled with mean girls.
One day while cleaning some of the junk in the shop, Dawn accidentally pricks her finger on a broken spinning wheel, awakening none other than Maleficent. In exchange for keeping the spinning wheel safe, Maleficent will make sure Dawn's remaining time in Moorsland is smooth sailing. But as kids from her class start coming down with a mysterious sleeping sickness, Dawn starts to realize there is more to this deal than she imagined. And it's going to take more than just a dream for Dawn to take on the Mistress of All Evil.
Grab your nightlight, dear reader, and prepare to be CHILL-ed!
Dawn misses the big city. Torn away from her favorite place in the world and shipped off to live with her two cooky aunts in the countryside, Dawn is miserable in her new life. While her parents see this as a chance for her to be away from the bad influences that kept getting her into trouble, Dawn sees her new dumpy town of Castletown as a sticky and smelly prison with way too many bugs. But no one seems to care what Dawn wants, so she's stuck helping her aunts in their dusty antique shop and finishing the year out in a new school filled with mean girls.
One day while cleaning some of the junk in the shop, Dawn accidentally pricks her finger on a broken spinning wheel, awakening none other than Maleficent. In exchange for keeping the spinning wheel safe, Maleficent will make sure Dawn's remaining time in Moorsland is smooth sailing. But as kids from her class start coming down with a mysterious sleeping sickness, Dawn starts to realize there is more to this deal than she imagined. And it's going to take more than just a dream for Dawn to take on the Mistress of All Evil.
Grab your nightlight, dear reader, and prepare to be CHILL-ed!
256 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2022
10 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 24, 2023
My favorite book in this series so far! Quick and very fun read even though it’s a childrens book ofc, finished in 1 go. I love Maleficent and the references to the original story were well done!
August 20, 2022
When you’re thinking “What should I read when I go on a cruise?” My first thought was the brand new book by Vera Strange! I have fallen in love with this authors “Disney Chills” series and “Once Upon a Scream” has to be one of the best books in the series. I absolutely love Maleficent so to see her amazing horns and green colored skin on the cover of this book I knew I HAD to read it. This story is the perfect mix of scary but also teaches you a lesson all at the same time. I loved reading the story of the two main characters but I also loved hearing the amazing cackle of Maleficent one more time. I want to also give props to Vera Strange/Jennifer Brody for including LGBTQIA+ individuals in this story. I love seeing representations of all forms and I cannot thank Jennifer Brody enough! This book is definitely worth five stars if not more! You will not regret reading this spooooky book and just think, what do you want to read this spooky season? Make sure this is on that list!
September 14, 2023
8Very fun and easy to read. For a middle grade book this was enjoyable as a adult.
The reference to the original story was a nice addition and I've enjoyed this one more than the others even tho I still have to read 3 more in this series.
Our main character is Dawn and she made some stupid decisions but she is a kid and has to learn of the consequences. I think that this book teaches kids to think before they act and that we need to look at our real friends.
The reference to the original story was a nice addition and I've enjoyed this one more than the others even tho I still have to read 3 more in this series.
Our main character is Dawn and she made some stupid decisions but she is a kid and has to learn of the consequences. I think that this book teaches kids to think before they act and that we need to look at our real friends.
February 11, 2023
Another great addition to Disney Chills. Maleficent is always quite scary and doesn’t disappoint in this rendition. I love the inclusion of names and callbacks to the animated source material as well.
December 3, 2024
Stay away from Castle Town....AND that little shop 'Spindles And Things'!
How can you NOT love a Walt Disney retelling of a classic and modernizing it with teens? This is definitely a retelling that you are going to LOVE....I know you will. I did! Maleficent rules!
Once Upon a Scream
Vera Strange takes a very well known Disney classic and brings it to modern life with new teenagers who think that 'this stuff only happens in my fairy tales!' they are in for a big, black and very mean surprise! Yes; Maleficent: the Mistress of All Evil is BACK!! When the town and her new friends start to fall asleep in the most strange of places and time of day, Dawn knows that she has started some kind of 'Sleep Curse'......will that turn into a 'Death Curse'? Find out, in this great middle grade book that i listened to in one sitting.....loved it!
5🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉
How can you NOT love a Walt Disney retelling of a classic and modernizing it with teens? This is definitely a retelling that you are going to LOVE....I know you will. I did! Maleficent rules!
Once Upon a Scream
Vera Strange takes a very well known Disney classic and brings it to modern life with new teenagers who think that 'this stuff only happens in my fairy tales!' they are in for a big, black and very mean surprise! Yes; Maleficent: the Mistress of All Evil is BACK!! When the town and her new friends start to fall asleep in the most strange of places and time of day, Dawn knows that she has started some kind of 'Sleep Curse'......will that turn into a 'Death Curse'? Find out, in this great middle grade book that i listened to in one sitting.....loved it!
5🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉
March 2, 2023
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I figured it was time to re-visit some series I touched on before. One such one was Disney Chills, which is what you'd expect: A Disney take on a middle grade horror series. Each one seems to follow the same basic formula of a down on their luck kid making a deal with a Disney villain they meet and things go wrong.
I read the first one and liked it well enough but did find it clunky in places. You can read my review for details. Due to the clear formula, I wasn't gonna read too many more of these but enough time has passed to where I wanted to sample one. I was gonna go with the Cruella one but I went for this Maleficent one instead.
Dawn is being shipped off to live with her aunts for a while, because her parents feel she has become a trouble maker due to the influnce of her friends. She got caught shoplifting, when it was her friends who did it and they knew things went sour4. They hope this time away will calm her down. Castletown is a deep south town that Dawn hates at first as it's small and rinky dinky,. Her aunts are fine but otherwise things aren't great, especially when she has a run in with some alpha bitches.
After some humiliation, she wants revenge. After accidentally unleashing Maleficent, she gets offered a chance to dole some out. Of course, things spiral from there.
First, "aunts" refers to them being gay aunts. One got married to the other, it is very clear about that. Yes, hearing about this while looking through these to pick one is why I chose this. I'm predictable, sorry. Jennifer Brody/Vera Strange made the quip about how unexpected this is for a Disney series already, and she is queer herself so she's qualified to do it. That puts this next to Frightville in both those ways.
They are one of the highlights, as they are pretty charming and are present for most of it. Neat. Anyway, this was about on par with the other one. It was fairly mixed but I lean positive enough. I was hoping for easy improvement though. For one, Dawn is fairly whiny at the start. I get why she is and it's not Evan bad but it's there.
Her going on about the town made the first quarter or so a drag. She gets better but still. The themes here felt a bit tamer than the other one. It seems to be about toxic friends and how Dawn seems to easily fall for the wrong crowd, and that makes it even easier for her to be manipulated by Maleficent. But while we get her learning a general lesson, that toxic friend thing isn't quite complete.
Those friends who got her in trouble as more shown as fine and Dawn still seems to like them at the end, so the aspect of them being bad influences is just not explored or complete. It's weird. (BTW, those friends both have "brown skin" so there's more diversity Dawn's full name is Dawn Rosa Flores so there's a bit more)
It drags on a bit too long, taking too long to get to the big stuff and getting a bit repetitive. It reaches a good stopping point but goes on a bit longer, mostly for the twist. I praised the first book for having a different type of ending than the usual. I hear they'll all like that and this one felt just cruel. After everything we went for, it just rougher than it needed to be.
Okay now for the positives. Writing is good here, with decent descriptions of locations and some good old vocab words. There's a decent mood and I like how large scale this ends up getting. The big scary thing is a bit lame at first but it ends up working well as it escalates. Maleficent works here, being decently threatening, not much to say there.
Dawn's friendship with a girl named Phillipa is nicely done. The friend aspect can get cheesy but it is nice. Compared to the first book, this puts in more blatant elements of the original movie and it can be hit or miss. Some names are on the nose (Philipa isn't even trying, while the gay aunts being "Fluer? and "Mary" is cute) but some work well in the story.
This is mostly shown in the climax which is maybe too much like the movie but that does make it pretty action-y. Dawn does get better as she sees what her actions lead to and I did get into her. This in general gets better as it goes with solid stake and some fun stuff.
This one is mixed as you can see. Some elements don't feel complete, it can be annoying early on and all that. But when it gets going, the stakes work and there is some nice and fun stuff. The formula probably hurts the series in general but I can forgive that if the core works. Here, it sort of does.
I don't know where I fully land, it's positive but I don't know how much. The highs are higher than the other one I did but the lows are a bit lower. It's weird in that way, that one worked better thematically at least.
I'd say there;s enough that works in these to them fine, you just gotta know there are flaws. Still, they're not too bad and maybe we'll see if one of the others is stronger. For this, I liked it well enough despite some rough patches, included the ending.
It it is what it I guess. This idea has limitations and flaws but I think this rises enough above them despite some problems. Not a series I'm clamoring for a ton of like others but it's not too bad if you know what to expect.
That's about it. I don't know what is next, likely something on the random side before we do other things I've covered before. Got a How to be a Vampire blog review for next week there is that. No matter what, see ya then.
I figured it was time to re-visit some series I touched on before. One such one was Disney Chills, which is what you'd expect: A Disney take on a middle grade horror series. Each one seems to follow the same basic formula of a down on their luck kid making a deal with a Disney villain they meet and things go wrong.
I read the first one and liked it well enough but did find it clunky in places. You can read my review for details. Due to the clear formula, I wasn't gonna read too many more of these but enough time has passed to where I wanted to sample one. I was gonna go with the Cruella one but I went for this Maleficent one instead.
Dawn is being shipped off to live with her aunts for a while, because her parents feel she has become a trouble maker due to the influnce of her friends. She got caught shoplifting, when it was her friends who did it and they knew things went sour4. They hope this time away will calm her down. Castletown is a deep south town that Dawn hates at first as it's small and rinky dinky,. Her aunts are fine but otherwise things aren't great, especially when she has a run in with some alpha bitches.
After some humiliation, she wants revenge. After accidentally unleashing Maleficent, she gets offered a chance to dole some out. Of course, things spiral from there.
First, "aunts" refers to them being gay aunts. One got married to the other, it is very clear about that. Yes, hearing about this while looking through these to pick one is why I chose this. I'm predictable, sorry. Jennifer Brody/Vera Strange made the quip about how unexpected this is for a Disney series already, and she is queer herself so she's qualified to do it. That puts this next to Frightville in both those ways.
They are one of the highlights, as they are pretty charming and are present for most of it. Neat. Anyway, this was about on par with the other one. It was fairly mixed but I lean positive enough. I was hoping for easy improvement though. For one, Dawn is fairly whiny at the start. I get why she is and it's not Evan bad but it's there.
Her going on about the town made the first quarter or so a drag. She gets better but still. The themes here felt a bit tamer than the other one. It seems to be about toxic friends and how Dawn seems to easily fall for the wrong crowd, and that makes it even easier for her to be manipulated by Maleficent. But while we get her learning a general lesson, that toxic friend thing isn't quite complete.
Those friends who got her in trouble as more shown as fine and Dawn still seems to like them at the end, so the aspect of them being bad influences is just not explored or complete. It's weird. (BTW, those friends both have "brown skin" so there's more diversity Dawn's full name is Dawn Rosa Flores so there's a bit more)
It drags on a bit too long, taking too long to get to the big stuff and getting a bit repetitive. It reaches a good stopping point but goes on a bit longer, mostly for the twist. I praised the first book for having a different type of ending than the usual. I hear they'll all like that and this one felt just cruel. After everything we went for, it just rougher than it needed to be.
Okay now for the positives. Writing is good here, with decent descriptions of locations and some good old vocab words. There's a decent mood and I like how large scale this ends up getting. The big scary thing is a bit lame at first but it ends up working well as it escalates. Maleficent works here, being decently threatening, not much to say there.
Dawn's friendship with a girl named Phillipa is nicely done. The friend aspect can get cheesy but it is nice. Compared to the first book, this puts in more blatant elements of the original movie and it can be hit or miss. Some names are on the nose (Philipa isn't even trying, while the gay aunts being "Fluer? and "Mary" is cute) but some work well in the story.
This is mostly shown in the climax which is maybe too much like the movie but that does make it pretty action-y. Dawn does get better as she sees what her actions lead to and I did get into her. This in general gets better as it goes with solid stake and some fun stuff.
This one is mixed as you can see. Some elements don't feel complete, it can be annoying early on and all that. But when it gets going, the stakes work and there is some nice and fun stuff. The formula probably hurts the series in general but I can forgive that if the core works. Here, it sort of does.
I don't know where I fully land, it's positive but I don't know how much. The highs are higher than the other one I did but the lows are a bit lower. It's weird in that way, that one worked better thematically at least.
I'd say there;s enough that works in these to them fine, you just gotta know there are flaws. Still, they're not too bad and maybe we'll see if one of the others is stronger. For this, I liked it well enough despite some rough patches, included the ending.
It it is what it I guess. This idea has limitations and flaws but I think this rises enough above them despite some problems. Not a series I'm clamoring for a ton of like others but it's not too bad if you know what to expect.
That's about it. I don't know what is next, likely something on the random side before we do other things I've covered before. Got a How to be a Vampire blog review for next week there is that. No matter what, see ya then.
October 20, 2024
Love these books! I really hope there will be more in the future, since there are a lot of villains left to use! (I’m hoping for Jafar next.)
July 3, 2023
“Book nerds really are the heroes,” Dawn said with a smirk. Once Upon a Scream is the long-awaited Disney Chills spin on Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Sleeping Beauty is my favorite Disney film, so I had exceedingly high hopes for this book. Author Vera Strange rose to the occasion and set a new standard. Once Upon a Scream is, in my opinion, the most exciting, most clever, and most well-written Disney Chills book to date. No longer a dream, Once Upon a Scream is full of real frights and delights.
Where to begin with all the things I loved about Once Upon a Scream. First, there are so many Sleeping Beauty easter eggs in this story that I lost count. Not only are they a great homage to the classic film, but they are also included in a way that cements Strange’s reputation as a wickedly talented, exceedingly creative, writer. They go beyond simple chapter names and add critical elements to Dawn’s story while simultaneously providing fan service to lovers of Sleeping Beauty. Second, this story is almost like an unofficial sequel to the film. It takes place long after the 14th century in which Sleeping Beauty is set and operates as a modern-day “part two”. Dawn learns about the film’s events via books, tapestries and her friend, Philippa – and Philippa’s dog, Samson. (A charming nod to Prince Phillip and his horse, Samson. Isn’t it great?) Third, Once Upon a Scream is an ode to book nerds. Philippa’s love of books and fairytales assists immensely in Dawn’s quest, and Dawn expressly acknowledges that “book nerds really are the heroes.” This was another part of the story where Strange cultivated the traditional Sleeping Beauty fairytale in a different way while introducing us to a new chilling adventure. Plus, I found this heartwarming and endearing, and as if Strange reaches through the pages and thanks her readers directly via storytelling. An in-story shoutout. Brilliant. Fourth, like earlier books in the series, the protagonist is not a reimagined Disney princess. Dawn is no princess and is very much her own person: a fiery teen who has been grounded for shoplifting after, according to her parents, falling in with the “wrong crowd.” Such grounding consists of being sent to live with her aunts Fleur and Aunt Merry (again, fabulous, isn’t it?) until the year’s end. Interestingly, the school bully in this story is the one who takes on the physical Princess Aurora traits, perhaps educating young readers that looks aren’t everything and things are not always as they seem. Fifth, the spook factor is ever-present and there is no getting used to these alarming endings. There is a lot going on and no one envies Dawn. Nightmares, mazes, crows, curses, thorns. Oh yes, and a famous dark fairy that turns into a dragon. While not quite as unsettling as prior books, the ending to Once Upon a Scream remains intentionally disconcerting. Despite fans of the series living through five Disney Chills novels to date, they don’t get more comfortable. After all, this is no fairytale. Sixth, the underlying themes of Once Upon a Scream (and the other books in the series) are important. Dawn learns from her mistakes and grows throughout the story. “But like some things in life, the past could not be undone. It could only be endured and maybe, one day if you were lucky, righted by your future choices.” Such messages encourage readers to recognize that we are more than the worst thing we have ever done and that there is always room for improvement. While Dawn’s fate makes future choices a little tricky for her, readers should factor such sentiments into their own happily ever after. Thus, Disney Chills reaches new heights in the multilayered, antithetical fairytale that is Once Upon a Scream. Readers will not want to sleep on this one.
Where to begin with all the things I loved about Once Upon a Scream. First, there are so many Sleeping Beauty easter eggs in this story that I lost count. Not only are they a great homage to the classic film, but they are also included in a way that cements Strange’s reputation as a wickedly talented, exceedingly creative, writer. They go beyond simple chapter names and add critical elements to Dawn’s story while simultaneously providing fan service to lovers of Sleeping Beauty. Second, this story is almost like an unofficial sequel to the film. It takes place long after the 14th century in which Sleeping Beauty is set and operates as a modern-day “part two”. Dawn learns about the film’s events via books, tapestries and her friend, Philippa – and Philippa’s dog, Samson. (A charming nod to Prince Phillip and his horse, Samson. Isn’t it great?) Third, Once Upon a Scream is an ode to book nerds. Philippa’s love of books and fairytales assists immensely in Dawn’s quest, and Dawn expressly acknowledges that “book nerds really are the heroes.” This was another part of the story where Strange cultivated the traditional Sleeping Beauty fairytale in a different way while introducing us to a new chilling adventure. Plus, I found this heartwarming and endearing, and as if Strange reaches through the pages and thanks her readers directly via storytelling. An in-story shoutout. Brilliant. Fourth, like earlier books in the series, the protagonist is not a reimagined Disney princess. Dawn is no princess and is very much her own person: a fiery teen who has been grounded for shoplifting after, according to her parents, falling in with the “wrong crowd.” Such grounding consists of being sent to live with her aunts Fleur and Aunt Merry (again, fabulous, isn’t it?) until the year’s end. Interestingly, the school bully in this story is the one who takes on the physical Princess Aurora traits, perhaps educating young readers that looks aren’t everything and things are not always as they seem. Fifth, the spook factor is ever-present and there is no getting used to these alarming endings. There is a lot going on and no one envies Dawn. Nightmares, mazes, crows, curses, thorns. Oh yes, and a famous dark fairy that turns into a dragon. While not quite as unsettling as prior books, the ending to Once Upon a Scream remains intentionally disconcerting. Despite fans of the series living through five Disney Chills novels to date, they don’t get more comfortable. After all, this is no fairytale. Sixth, the underlying themes of Once Upon a Scream (and the other books in the series) are important. Dawn learns from her mistakes and grows throughout the story. “But like some things in life, the past could not be undone. It could only be endured and maybe, one day if you were lucky, righted by your future choices.” Such messages encourage readers to recognize that we are more than the worst thing we have ever done and that there is always room for improvement. While Dawn’s fate makes future choices a little tricky for her, readers should factor such sentiments into their own happily ever after. Thus, Disney Chills reaches new heights in the multilayered, antithetical fairytale that is Once Upon a Scream. Readers will not want to sleep on this one.
December 1, 2022
slight spoiler warning: everyone who keeps up with series knows that all of the books end unhappily/with the villain winning. I reference the unhappy ending alot but there's no spoilers as to what it is or what happens.
A very fun read. You will find yourself right with the protagonist wishing very strong revenge on a horrid HORRID bully. And Maleficent here making herself a dark fairy godmother to the protagonist? Aaaahhh, I almost wish she'd SAID those words ('I'm your fairy godmother') to her. The atmosphere was so eerie you could almost hear the soundtrack from the 'hypnotized Aurora' scene playing any time things started feeling 'off'. (Side note, reading this made me neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to listen to the soundtrack).
I tacked off a star because it has its problems but there's honestly only 2 things (the first one being petty and the second being the real reason I took a star)
1-Maleficent is very repetitive in this. If you were to drink/sip/take a shot for every 'you thought you could defeat/stop/escape me?' or 'the Mistress of All Evil', you'd spend the first half of the book very sober then get to the second or third act and finish the book entirely plastered.
1a- (you know, speaking of her lines, it also kind of feels as if the author watched some sort of 'Maleficent scenes from Sleeping Beauty' video on YouTube and used that to write Maleficent. So much of what she says and does is right out of the movie that it feels like she both does know Maleficent while also not knowing how to write her at all. It's not a REAL problem because Maleficent is one of (if not THEE) strongest villains across Disney and keeping her by the book keeps her strong but it also makes for a very on-the-nose depiction of her and makes her next move(s) and threat(s) very predictable)
2- I get that it's Vera Strange's prerogative with these books to give each one an unhappy ending but in the case of this one, it feels flimsily hand-waved, contrived, and unearned.
Other than that though, this was GREAT and I honestly -HONESTLY- hope that that one theory that some people think/hope is true (the idea that after all the villains are gone through -or just at some certain point- that there'll be a book where either all the kids either unite and fight for their happy endings or some hero comes along and rights what's been wronged) happens because I would LOVE for Maleficent (and Cruella since that's the only other book in this series I've read) to be revisited.
I'd LOVE to see what her end game was and what she does/did when she won.
A very fun read. You will find yourself right with the protagonist wishing very strong revenge on a horrid HORRID bully. And Maleficent here making herself a dark fairy godmother to the protagonist? Aaaahhh, I almost wish she'd SAID those words ('I'm your fairy godmother') to her. The atmosphere was so eerie you could almost hear the soundtrack from the 'hypnotized Aurora' scene playing any time things started feeling 'off'. (Side note, reading this made me neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to listen to the soundtrack).
I tacked off a star because it has its problems but there's honestly only 2 things (the first one being petty and the second being the real reason I took a star)
1-Maleficent is very repetitive in this. If you were to drink/sip/take a shot for every 'you thought you could defeat/stop/escape me?' or 'the Mistress of All Evil', you'd spend the first half of the book very sober then get to the second or third act and finish the book entirely plastered.
1a- (you know, speaking of her lines, it also kind of feels as if the author watched some sort of 'Maleficent scenes from Sleeping Beauty' video on YouTube and used that to write Maleficent. So much of what she says and does is right out of the movie that it feels like she both does know Maleficent while also not knowing how to write her at all. It's not a REAL problem because Maleficent is one of (if not THEE) strongest villains across Disney and keeping her by the book keeps her strong but it also makes for a very on-the-nose depiction of her and makes her next move(s) and threat(s) very predictable)
2- I get that it's Vera Strange's prerogative with these books to give each one an unhappy ending but in the case of this one, it feels flimsily hand-waved, contrived, and unearned.
Other than that though, this was GREAT and I honestly -HONESTLY- hope that that one theory that some people think/hope is true (the idea that after all the villains are gone through -or just at some certain point- that there'll be a book where either all the kids either unite and fight for their happy endings or some hero comes along and rights what's been wronged) happens because I would LOVE for Maleficent (and Cruella since that's the only other book in this series I've read) to be revisited.
I'd LOVE to see what her end game was and what she does/did when she won.
August 23, 2022
I have heard many reviews and thoughts about the Disney Chills series through an audience similar to my own: millennials who not only like Disney and Villains but chilling tales such as "Goosebumps" as well. I always adore short stories with a theme and twist that makes you think about your life and the characters for a long time. I got intrigued by every review saying how "dark" the stories are. Although I am still reading some of the other stand-alone books, I read the latest book "Once Upon a Scream" in one sitting. I could not put it down.
I did not read any of the new middle-grade books yet, so I was afraid of how the writing style would affect me. The writing and language not only fit with the middle-grade audience, but it feels authentic and contemporary with the pre-teens of today with their concerns, interests, and dynamics. Every character felt real and their own person even when they are inspired/referenced by the Disney movie they are portraying (ie. Dawn, the protagonist of the story, is similar to Aurora/Sleeping Beauty, etc.). As for the Disney elements, especially the main antagonist/villain Maleficent, they are melded within the story smoothly. The inclusion of the "Sleeping Beauty" film blends well and Maleficent is not only written in character but there are also new elements within the story that is believable. I could see Maleficent doing such an action. Every chapter had me (and Dawn) guessing what will happen next, how much power Maleficent really has, and whether or not it was just a dream.
I like Vera Strange's writing in that it pays homage to the Disney films we love, adds something new in a scary way, and reminds us why we love villains in the first place!
This is a spoiler-free review, so please read this if you can. The only thing I will say, which can be both a good and bad thing (but mostly good) is that near the climax/end of the story, Strange plays with the expectations that we grew up with and flips them up just when we think the story has reached its conclusion. I had to remind myself that: 1) The main character is a 13-year-old child partaking in nightmarish events and 2) This is a Disney Chills book. There are no Disney heroes to save the day.
I cannot wait to read the other five books and the future installments in this astounding series.
I did not read any of the new middle-grade books yet, so I was afraid of how the writing style would affect me. The writing and language not only fit with the middle-grade audience, but it feels authentic and contemporary with the pre-teens of today with their concerns, interests, and dynamics. Every character felt real and their own person even when they are inspired/referenced by the Disney movie they are portraying (ie. Dawn, the protagonist of the story, is similar to Aurora/Sleeping Beauty, etc.). As for the Disney elements, especially the main antagonist/villain Maleficent, they are melded within the story smoothly. The inclusion of the "Sleeping Beauty" film blends well and Maleficent is not only written in character but there are also new elements within the story that is believable. I could see Maleficent doing such an action. Every chapter had me (and Dawn) guessing what will happen next, how much power Maleficent really has, and whether or not it was just a dream.
I like Vera Strange's writing in that it pays homage to the Disney films we love, adds something new in a scary way, and reminds us why we love villains in the first place!
This is a spoiler-free review, so please read this if you can. The only thing I will say, which can be both a good and bad thing (but mostly good) is that near the climax/end of the story, Strange plays with the expectations that we grew up with and flips them up just when we think the story has reached its conclusion. I had to remind myself that: 1) The main character is a 13-year-old child partaking in nightmarish events and 2) This is a Disney Chills book. There are no Disney heroes to save the day.
I cannot wait to read the other five books and the future installments in this astounding series.
October 30, 2022
I liked this one so much better than like the last four, haha.
Though I thought the constant references to rides were weird, seeing as no one I know in the Disney community associates roses with Sleeping Beauty. I know the name she takes with the fairies is Briar Rose, but roses are WAY more of a Beauty and the Beast thing, or even Alice in Wonderland. So that was weird.
I loved Fleur and Merry and that they were together, that was so cute!!! Love gay aunts haha. Though I did wish Fauna had been in it - when the buyer came in with a green cloak I thought she was finally making an appearance, but no. 😔
I was hoping Dawn and Phillipa would be gay for each other, and even when it came down to the true love’s kiss moment I was like??? Maybe!???? But then no. Stupid puppy kisses. 🙄
As the story went on I was wondering what the twist was going to be as we hurtled towards the happy ending, especially when Dawn defeated the dragon. But then the twist!? Once again I did not see it coming, haha with the rescued Phillipa being Maleficent? But then where did she go??? And then Dawn was just left chained up in a basement!? That’s fucked up yo!
I’m also going to take it as a personal win that the author saw how much I was complaining about the repetitive nature of these books, I think I went about halfway through the book thinking “wow this has been a nice change” before I realized there was repeated stuff, but it was less, and there were different ones: Fleur and Merry calling Dawn “dearie” happened a bit in the first third of the book, then “eons” was used more than once so it’s automatically over-used, and Maleficent kept declaring herself “Mistress of All Evil” which she wouldn’t do more than once, and like my boyfriend said, saying it so often takes away the fear of it.
I thought it was interesting that the book kind of just followed Sleeping Beauty’s plot but I liked it, it worked. It reminded me a lot of the Cruella book in this series, especially with the friends and social media aspect.
I came into this book thinking it was going to be as bad as the rest of them, but this has elevated it back into being not horrible for me. I didn’t think there was even going to be a sixth book, so I hope there’s more going forward!!!
FAVOURITE QUOTES
"But this is awesome! I knew magic was real. It's just like in my books!”
“Book nerds really are the heroes.”
Though I thought the constant references to rides were weird, seeing as no one I know in the Disney community associates roses with Sleeping Beauty. I know the name she takes with the fairies is Briar Rose, but roses are WAY more of a Beauty and the Beast thing, or even Alice in Wonderland. So that was weird.
I loved Fleur and Merry and that they were together, that was so cute!!! Love gay aunts haha. Though I did wish Fauna had been in it - when the buyer came in with a green cloak I thought she was finally making an appearance, but no. 😔
I was hoping Dawn and Phillipa would be gay for each other, and even when it came down to the true love’s kiss moment I was like??? Maybe!???? But then no. Stupid puppy kisses. 🙄
As the story went on I was wondering what the twist was going to be as we hurtled towards the happy ending, especially when Dawn defeated the dragon. But then the twist!? Once again I did not see it coming, haha with the rescued Phillipa being Maleficent? But then where did she go??? And then Dawn was just left chained up in a basement!? That’s fucked up yo!
I’m also going to take it as a personal win that the author saw how much I was complaining about the repetitive nature of these books, I think I went about halfway through the book thinking “wow this has been a nice change” before I realized there was repeated stuff, but it was less, and there were different ones: Fleur and Merry calling Dawn “dearie” happened a bit in the first third of the book, then “eons” was used more than once so it’s automatically over-used, and Maleficent kept declaring herself “Mistress of All Evil” which she wouldn’t do more than once, and like my boyfriend said, saying it so often takes away the fear of it.
I thought it was interesting that the book kind of just followed Sleeping Beauty’s plot but I liked it, it worked. It reminded me a lot of the Cruella book in this series, especially with the friends and social media aspect.
I came into this book thinking it was going to be as bad as the rest of them, but this has elevated it back into being not horrible for me. I didn’t think there was even going to be a sixth book, so I hope there’s more going forward!!!
FAVOURITE QUOTES
"But this is awesome! I knew magic was real. It's just like in my books!”
“Book nerds really are the heroes.”
August 5, 2022
A ScrrrREAM of a good time! ****
If you like a good wish fulfillment meets Goosebumps-style horror story with a twist then you will like all of the Disney Chills series, including this, the 6th in the installment.
Dawn our protagonist is sent to live with her aunts, Fleur and Merry in the country, but instead of making quick friends, she comes up against the ultimate Mean Girls (only it’s not so “fetch”).
In a ‘beware of what you wish for’ scenario, Dawn accidentally awakens the dark fae Maleficent, and makes the ultimate bargain.
Soon, however, things get out of hand and the town falls under a mysterious spell. Can Dawn and her friend, Phillipa (a gender-swapped nod to Prince Phillip), break the curse, and drive the dark fae, Maleficent back to where she came from?
***Minor potential spoilers if this is your first Disney Chills***
This is a nostalgic read for those who love the R.L. Stine Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark series. But don’t expect a happy ending here.
Similar to all the others in the series, Vera Strange asks us to think about the darker side to our wishes and what would happen if dark magic is left unbridled.
What emerges is a fun, warped take on Disney which proves a ScrrrREAM of a good time!
If you like a good wish fulfillment meets Goosebumps-style horror story with a twist then you will like all of the Disney Chills series, including this, the 6th in the installment.
Dawn our protagonist is sent to live with her aunts, Fleur and Merry in the country, but instead of making quick friends, she comes up against the ultimate Mean Girls (only it’s not so “fetch”).
In a ‘beware of what you wish for’ scenario, Dawn accidentally awakens the dark fae Maleficent, and makes the ultimate bargain.
Soon, however, things get out of hand and the town falls under a mysterious spell. Can Dawn and her friend, Phillipa (a gender-swapped nod to Prince Phillip), break the curse, and drive the dark fae, Maleficent back to where she came from?
***Minor potential spoilers if this is your first Disney Chills***
This is a nostalgic read for those who love the R.L. Stine Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark series. But don’t expect a happy ending here.
Similar to all the others in the series, Vera Strange asks us to think about the darker side to our wishes and what would happen if dark magic is left unbridled.
What emerges is a fun, warped take on Disney which proves a ScrrrREAM of a good time!
February 20, 2023
Maleficent is never my favourite when it comes to Disney retellings, but I love this series so I knew I was going to have to push through it.
I did enjoy aspects of the story, but there are a lot of loose ends that come with the ending that felt very rushed.
I’m aware that I’m nowhere near the target audience age for this story, but I feel like even someone half my age would be left with the same questions I have… a shame, because it was an okay read until the ending!
The best one in the series for me so far is the one about Cruella! It was genuinely horrifying and I loved every second of it. Looking forward to the next one with Scar, though! It’ll be really fun to see how and what is done with that story.
I did enjoy aspects of the story, but there are a lot of loose ends that come with the ending that felt very rushed.
I’m aware that I’m nowhere near the target audience age for this story, but I feel like even someone half my age would be left with the same questions I have… a shame, because it was an okay read until the ending!
The best one in the series for me so far is the one about Cruella! It was genuinely horrifying and I loved every second of it. Looking forward to the next one with Scar, though! It’ll be really fun to see how and what is done with that story.
June 22, 2023
Once Upon a Scream is book six of six, in Vera Strange's Disney Chills series. Like the five before it, it was a fun read! I just know book seven (Scar, being released on August 1st) will be too!
💚💜
What is Disney Chills you may ask? A series intended for kids, but, as a Disney adult I still find them entertaining. These aren't the classic tales that I grew up with; this series features our beloved, familiar villains wreaking havoc in completely new stories with clever tie ins to the originals, providing the perfect balance of nostalgia and curiosity.
💚💜
Think of it as if Goosebumps and Aesop’s Fables were to meet and have a baby. Wickedly chilling with an important life lesson. Vera has a clever way of breathing life into old stories, making them new again.
💚💜
What is Disney Chills you may ask? A series intended for kids, but, as a Disney adult I still find them entertaining. These aren't the classic tales that I grew up with; this series features our beloved, familiar villains wreaking havoc in completely new stories with clever tie ins to the originals, providing the perfect balance of nostalgia and curiosity.
💚💜
Think of it as if Goosebumps and Aesop’s Fables were to meet and have a baby. Wickedly chilling with an important life lesson. Vera has a clever way of breathing life into old stories, making them new again.
September 8, 2022
The Disney Chills series of books has so far given five brilliant books and you are always hopeful for another great offering but also hopeful it will not be a poor offering eventually given, thankfully Vera Strange has once again delivered a 5 star book.
Imagine being sent to stay with your aunts and to help them out in their store which is struggling until you uncover an item that was long forgotten, you have struggled to settle in but it appears things are turning for you finally, can it really be true or is it just too good to be true? Follow the story as things unravel and twists and turns abound occur for young Dawn and find out if she will get her happily ever after moment.
Imagine being sent to stay with your aunts and to help them out in their store which is struggling until you uncover an item that was long forgotten, you have struggled to settle in but it appears things are turning for you finally, can it really be true or is it just too good to be true? Follow the story as things unravel and twists and turns abound occur for young Dawn and find out if she will get her happily ever after moment.
November 14, 2024
I’m slowly making my way through this series. This series takes all the Disney stories you love and have the villain target an unexpecting child. This story follows Dawn who accidentally pricks her finger on a spinning wheel while cleaning her aunts shop. In exchange for keeping the wheel safe, she makes a deal with Maleficent to ensure her time in her new town is comfy. What Dawn doesn’t know is that now, everyone that looks at her will fall into a deep sleep.
This is fast paced and a race to break the curse Maleficent has placed over the town. A good book for all types of readers. I look forward to finishing this series.
This is fast paced and a race to break the curse Maleficent has placed over the town. A good book for all types of readers. I look forward to finishing this series.
January 22, 2023
Dawn has been sent to live with her aunts after being her friends were caught stealing.
Dawn moves to Castletown and tries to make friends at her new school. When a popular girl is having a birthday party, Dawn doesn't get an invitation. She accidentally stumbles upon a spinning wheel that unleashes the one thing that will get revenge for not receiving a birthday invitation.
The story of Sleeping Beauty is my absolute favorite. The good thing about this series is that there is never a "happily ever after" The villain always wins.
Dawn moves to Castletown and tries to make friends at her new school. When a popular girl is having a birthday party, Dawn doesn't get an invitation. She accidentally stumbles upon a spinning wheel that unleashes the one thing that will get revenge for not receiving a birthday invitation.
The story of Sleeping Beauty is my absolute favorite. The good thing about this series is that there is never a "happily ever after" The villain always wins.
October 7, 2025
Злодеида е от най-великите образи, появявали се някога във филм на “Дисни”, като дебело подчертавам, че персонажът в книгата е този от оригиналната анимация “Спящата красавица”, а не политкоректната версия на Джоли. Злодеида е величествена, но също и смразяваща. Колкото и изобретателна да е Даун с новата си приятелка Филипа и кучето й Самсон, няма как да надхитрят Господарката на злото. Може би втората най-хубава книга в серията след тази за Скар.
Цялото ми ревю прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/once-upon-a-sc...
Цялото ми ревю прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/once-upon-a-sc...
August 24, 2023
Oh my goodness what an amazing book. This is different for me because I heard it being read to me so I don't have a physical copy. However, I'm still able to remember what happened in this book.
I loved the dynamic between Dawn and Maleficent. I loved the artefacts in the shed they reminded me of the "Sleeping Beauty 1959" animated movie.
It did have a dark ending as well as the best lines for Maleficent which is classic for someone like Maleficent.
I loved the dynamic between Dawn and Maleficent. I loved the artefacts in the shed they reminded me of the "Sleeping Beauty 1959" animated movie.
It did have a dark ending as well as the best lines for Maleficent which is classic for someone like Maleficent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2025
I felt bad for Dawn because she had to go live with her aunts. Leah didn't evite Dawn to her birthday party because she figure out what Dwan did and called her a crimmnorl. Dawn fond this spindle wheel in her aunts shed and then summed the infamous dark fairy Maleficent. Maleficent gets the wheel at the end and gets her power back and buts a sleeping spell on Dawn and chains her to the celller. And traps her their for ever.
August 17, 2024
Hmm..
So this was not my favorite.. I mean it was ok but not as chilling as the others. I was just reading to be done with it.. what happened to the people and her friends. That would have made it a little more eery telling us how her friend went on with her life or the whole town fell asleep something.
So this was not my favorite.. I mean it was ok but not as chilling as the others. I was just reading to be done with it.. what happened to the people and her friends. That would have made it a little more eery telling us how her friend went on with her life or the whole town fell asleep something.
November 5, 2022
The book starting off interesting with the main character Dawn was sent to live with her aunts after getting into some trouble while living with her parents. After she meets the dark fairy the story was a bit slow and not much depth to it.
November 28, 2022
Always love these books, don't care how old I am, they're enjoyable and easy to read plus Disney so what's not to love 🤷♀️.
This one involves a girl in a new town and new school just trying to fit in, mean girls and the mistress of all evil herself Malificent.
This one involves a girl in a new town and new school just trying to fit in, mean girls and the mistress of all evil herself Malificent.
May 3, 2024
To me this one wasn't as good as the others in the series and felt a bit forced. I could also possibly be biased because Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent are no where near favorites for me. Still a genuinely good book and fun read!
August 1, 2022
My favorite of the Disney Chills book.
So good. Vera Strange's best work yet.
So good. Vera Strange's best work yet.
August 11, 2022
And now she was a sleeping beauty for ever!!!!
March 26, 2023
Very good book! Very well written and I was Intrigued the whole time. Loved it!
February 16, 2024
Love the Disney Chills books and I love how Vera Strange lures you into a happy ending, but you know it’s never going to be the case. Really good read.
September 24, 2025
Very good it sticks to the plot it’s kinda slow but so good.😊
January 31, 2024
I seem to be sleeping through Sleeping Beauty month, but we’re getting there slowly! “Once Upon A Scream” is the 6th installment in the Disney Chills series written by @jenniferbrodywriter . These stories are what happens if you mix Goosebumps and Disney, following modern-day kids getting tangled up with some of Disney’s worst villains.
OUAS introduces us to 13-year-old Dawn, a 6th grader who’s just been sent to live with her aunts after a shoplifting incident. Not only does she have to leave in the middle of the school year, but her antiquated aunts live far out in the country, where our city girl is the obvious outlier. Desperate to make the best of her “banishment,” Dawn seeks out friendship in the town-princess, Leah. Though oozing with Southern charm, Leah is anything but nice. After publicly not inviting Dawn to her Sweet 13, plus outing her as a “criminal” to the entire middle school, Dawn is even more of a pariah than before. Friendless, homesick, and dejected, Dawn expects nothing interesting from cleaning her aunt’s storage shed. However, one innocent touch to an ancient spinning wheel brings ravens, green fire, and the Mistress of All Evil. Suddenly, Dawn has the power to make a wish, but at a significant cost. She must now decide if seeking revenge on Leah is worth the price she and her loved ones must pay.
Having now read most of the series, OUAS is officially my favorite of the pack. Dawn’s character was scarily relatable, even with having a Hispanic mother and white father. Her troubles with people not believing her and feeling like she was going nuts ran absolutely true for me. It was like reading a story of myself within my favorite fairytale.
This book, in particular, had references that screamed Edgar Allen Poe to me, which is another favorite of mine. The touches of gothic horror are a PERFECT fit for a villain like Maleficent. Strange does an excellent job writing the ever-powerful and entrancing dark fairy.
Every Disney Chills book is written with the utmost love and attention to detail. It’s fun and spine-tingling for readers of all ages, and I highly recommend picking it up for the Disney lovers in your life.
OUAS introduces us to 13-year-old Dawn, a 6th grader who’s just been sent to live with her aunts after a shoplifting incident. Not only does she have to leave in the middle of the school year, but her antiquated aunts live far out in the country, where our city girl is the obvious outlier. Desperate to make the best of her “banishment,” Dawn seeks out friendship in the town-princess, Leah. Though oozing with Southern charm, Leah is anything but nice. After publicly not inviting Dawn to her Sweet 13, plus outing her as a “criminal” to the entire middle school, Dawn is even more of a pariah than before. Friendless, homesick, and dejected, Dawn expects nothing interesting from cleaning her aunt’s storage shed. However, one innocent touch to an ancient spinning wheel brings ravens, green fire, and the Mistress of All Evil. Suddenly, Dawn has the power to make a wish, but at a significant cost. She must now decide if seeking revenge on Leah is worth the price she and her loved ones must pay.
Having now read most of the series, OUAS is officially my favorite of the pack. Dawn’s character was scarily relatable, even with having a Hispanic mother and white father. Her troubles with people not believing her and feeling like she was going nuts ran absolutely true for me. It was like reading a story of myself within my favorite fairytale.
This book, in particular, had references that screamed Edgar Allen Poe to me, which is another favorite of mine. The touches of gothic horror are a PERFECT fit for a villain like Maleficent. Strange does an excellent job writing the ever-powerful and entrancing dark fairy.
Every Disney Chills book is written with the utmost love and attention to detail. It’s fun and spine-tingling for readers of all ages, and I highly recommend picking it up for the Disney lovers in your life.
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