Book Review of #1 the Betrayal by R.L Stine
Author Name: R.L Stine
ISBN: 0-671-86831-4
Publisher: Archway Paperback, Parachute Inc
Type of book: Kid to young adult?
Year it was published: August 1993
Summary:
Why do so many horrifying things happen on Fear Street? Nora knows.
She knows how the terror began. She knows about the young girl who burned at the stake-and the bloody feud between two families that caused the unspeakable horror that has lasted 300 years!
She knows, and she wants to tell.
Are you sure you want to hear it?
Characters: The characters are one dimensional and have very little personality distinguishing them from one another. The story is mostly focused from female perspective and supposedly it takes place from witch hunts in Salem until 1725. The characters were also victims of circumstance and although they attempted to stand up for themselves, (as in the case of Susana who tries to deal with the mob that wants her and her mother to be burned.) I am not sure what to think of the characters; are they one dimensional on purpose or do one dimensional characters tend to appeal to children?
Theme: If there are possible themes to this book they are this: revenge, eventually destroys everything and leaves with nothing, it is also never ending. Don't do bad things to others, treat others how you would like to be treated, etc. Personally though, there are doubts that these books have any sort of meaning and they might be published to make money and not for any value.
Plot: The plot was highly simple and for the most part was told in flashback, sort of, from 1900 there is reminiscence back to 1692, 1710 and 1725. The powers that the author kept mentioning that the characters possessed barely made an entrance, and I would have liked to know more about the Fiers background besides what the author states what happened to them. The violence in the book is purely for entertainment purpose rather than anything else.
Author Information: R.L Stine was born on October 8th 1943 and is most famous for other Fear Street series along with Goosebumps series and Nightmare Room. Goosebumps and Nightmare Room were made into TV series ages ago.
Opinion: As a teenager I remember how much I loved and read the series over and over again. My mind at the time wasn't able to comprehend that this wasn't a good book. Its simply filler. The title itself is self explanatory so to speak, at least in how it pertains to the beginning of the book. Out of the three book series, this is far more consistent and the power is far more visible.
2 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
I LOVED this book. I have a question though and hopefully someone can answer. What is the follow up to this book called? I must read it!
ReplyDeleteI think other two are called the secret and the burning. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete