Fear Street Relaunch Sampler R. L. Stine (2015-2017) Snapshot

The Lost Girl was my first Fear Street book, and man, am I hooked! I didn’t grow up reading R.L. Stine, but my son loves Goosebumps and is now starting to read the Fear Street series. Reading these books is something we both do together and, in my opinion, this series has a broad appeal – both him (9) and I enjoyed it equally.

In The Lost Girl, we follow Lizzy Palmer as she adjusts to life as the new girl at Shadyside High. Everybody is talking about her, and Michael is strangely drawn to her, even though his girlfriend. Peppa is not quite sure if they could trust Lizzy.

Things take a turn for the worse when a group of teens faces a horrible snowmobile accident, after which these friends start feeling like they are being haunted and in danger. Everyone thinks these hauntings and the casualty are related, but not Peppa. She is convinced Lizzy is behind everything.

We have a dual timeline, the present, and the 50s when a horrible murder occurred. As the story progresses, the connection between both timelines makes more and more sense.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Lost Girl as an audiobook produced by Macmillan Audio and narrated by Brittany Pressley and Dan Bittner. I listened to it with my son, who wanted to start listening to audiobooks. We both could easily follow the story. The pacing was phenomenal, and their chemistry was off the charts, which made for a seamless and enjoyable listen.

Just one more thing – I thought this story was going one way, but Stine took it somewhere else, and man, is he savage or what?!?! LOVED it!

My total rating: 4.83

When Caitlin met Blade, it was love at first sight – to the point of obsession. She is head over heels with him, even though her friends warn her to take it slow and be cautious. One day Caitlin sees him with another girl; the next thing she knows is that he is dead, and it seems like she killed him. But how could it be if she doesn’t remember it?

I first listened to The Dead Boyfriend and an audiobook produced by Macmillan Audio for St. Martin’s Griffin and narrated by Brittany Pressley. This is my second Fear Street audiobook, and I can’t imagine anyone else narrating these books. Pressley is dynamic, does a great job giving unique voices to each character, and emotes tension and suspense superbly.

I am falling in love with Stine’s books. They are the right amount of outlandish creepiness, and his world-building is impressive. I feel I’m starting to get to know Fear st. and Shadyside High really well.
The Dead Boyfriend was a crazy ride. I am quickly learning that to enjoy Stine’s books, you need to suspend disbelief, and I am OK with it – but for some reason, the central premise of this book is more out there than I anticipated. That being said, the atmosphere more than made up for it. This book was scary (for a younger audience) and very suspenseful.

My total rating: 4.66

In Give Me a K-I-L-L we follow new girl Heather as she hopes to get into Shadyside High cheerleading squad. Without knowing, she is starting a feud with an entitled rich girl, Devra, who is used to get what she wants, and right now, she wants in the squad.

I thoroughly enjoyed Give Me a K-I-L-L – the characters leaped off the page, the tension between Heather and Devra was palpable. I couldn’t put it down. The cherry on top was all the twists Stine added to the story.

This has been my favourite Fear Street Relaunch book to date. Both the story and the audiobook production by Macmillan Audio from St. Martin’s Griffin. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone. It is the perfect gateway to listening to the Fear Street books. I dare you not to get hooked and want to binge as many FS audiobooks as you can after listening to Give Me a K-I-L-L. I am officially going through withdrawal from Pressley’s voice right now. (in my opinion) She is to Fear Street Audiobooks what Lani Minella was to Nancy Drew games.

My total rating: 5

Until next book, be the hummingbird!