This is the third of the Goosebump books, and like all of them, it’s a bite-sized spooky read that gives off a sort of childhood Halloweeny feel. I didn’t like it quite as much as the first book, which has been my favourite so far, but I did think it was better than the second.
The story in this one sees a young boy named Evan who has to stay with an older relative who he really doesn’t like while his parents take care of something. He feels sad and isolated, but soon makes friends with a local girl called Andy, and together the two of them find a tin of something called “Monster Blood.”
What I liked about this story was that I never had any idea where it was going. There’s a vaguely uneasy atmosphere as they play with the Monster Blood, which is obviously a little suspicious. There are a few angles that you think the story might take, and while I won’t ruin anything (as it’s hardly a typical or predictable storyline) I will say that I was quite pleased with what happened and didn’t find myself getting bored at any point along the way. It even has a surprising level of backstory.
Towards the end, I thought it was genuinely quite a disturbing read. The ultimate conclusion sanitises some of the really dark stuff that happens, but that’s fine – it’s children’s literature, you’ve got to expect a happy ending to some extent. It gives a good taste of just how creepy Goosebumps has the potential to be. I also happen to think that Evan and Andy are the best duo I’ve seen in the series so far and they bring a good sense of fun to it and are both pretty endearing.
Regardless of your age, I recommend giving Monster Blood a try if you’re in the mood for something light and spooky.
Rating: 8/10
