Horror Audiobook: 'A Midsummer Night's Scream' by R.L. Stine

A Midsummer Night's Scream by R.L. Stine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I really enjoy a fresh take on A Midsummer Night's Dream, but this one's a bit hard to love. The plot is full of holes, the writing is hacky, and actual references to Shakespeare's play are few and far between. The Puck character never even says, "Lord, what fools these mortals be."

One thing I really didn't like was the main character Claire's tendency to call other girls and women "sluts." To be fair, many young women do really use this term. However, I don't think many thoughtful teenage girls would appreciate the stereotype that they are shallow, catty, and judgmental. In real life, this kind of name-calling can lead to bullying, and a young person who is bullied and doesn't know how to get help may even contemplate suicide. I know this personally because my cousin's 12-year-old daughter committed suicide in May 2015 after being bullied at school about not wearing designer clothes and being "poor." I have strong negative feelings toward girl-on-girl name-calling, or any name-calling between teens. Young folks really need to be positively reinforced for being kind and gentle toward each other.

But if you like kitschy early-1980s horror films, especially of the slasher variety, you might be able to appreciate this book on that level. I did care enough about the characters to root for Claire and Delia to live. It's not the worst young adult horror story ever. It's just not brilliant.

I purchased this audiobook at a library used media sale with my own finds and was not obligated in any way to review it. This review represents my own personal opinion.

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Rereaders Anonymous - Guest Post by Emily

My name is Emily, and I'm a rereader.

It's a downfall. I mean sure, reading is good. I acknowledge that. It's just that I have such an extensive list of books I want to read that I really shouldn't be reusing my energy. And the classics! Let's not even start on how I didn't have required reading at Hillbilly High and there are ten jillion important books I need to read that it seems the rest of the world has already read.

But here's the thing - I'm picky. I start a book and within the first fifty pages I'm either reading like a fiend or I'm finding excuses to quit.

I'm so vehement about using my time wisely when it comes to books I don't really enjoy, but I will gladly invest...and reinvest...with books I love.

I've always done this. Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the few R.L. Stine's I could sneak past my mother...those got read repeatedly.

Then I discovered Stephen King. All bets were off for a while.

Then Harry Potter. The Hunger Games.

But here's the thing - not everyone can be Stephen King. Or Chuck Palahniuk, Augusten Burroughs, or any of the authors I've devoted myself to.

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I find a niche - a comfort zone - and I become fiercely devoted. I suppose that's why I reread the ones I love. I fall in love with characters and stories, and terracing is like going to visit an old friend.

I've tried to join book clubs, recommendation groups. But it comes across as a little odd when I try to define my preferences. Horror, memoir, weird perverse and freaky? Yeah, try to define all that to the prims and propers of the Internet literary world.

So basically, until I find a new adventurous part of my anatomy, I will branch out...cautiously. I will read the ones I love again. And I will reserve my right to toss off a crappy book no matter how much the masses adore it.

Find Emily online at Emylibef, and while you are out there on the blogosphere, don't forget to stop by Erin O'Riordan's guest post on Joan Swan's blog.