July 02, 2012

Review: Red Rain by R.L. Stine

Title: Red Rain
Author: R.L. Stine
Hardcover: 384 pgs
Publisher: Touchstone
Published:  October 9, 2012


Travel writer Lea Sutter finds herself on a small island off the coast of South Carolina, the wrong place at the wrong time. A merciless, unanticipated hurricane cuts a path of destruction and Lea barely escapes with her life. In the storm’s aftermath, she discovers orphaned twin boys and impulsively decides to adopt them. The boys, Samuel and Daniel, seem amiable and immensely grateful; Lea’s family back on Long Island—husband Mark and their two children, Ira and Elena—aren’t quite so pleased. But even they can’t anticipate the twins’ true nature—or predict that, within a few weeks’ time, Mark will wind up implicated in two brutal murders, with the police narrowing in.

For the millions of readers who grew up on Goosebumps, and for every fan of deviously inventive horror, this is a must-read from a beloved master of the genre.

I've talked about R L Stine on this blog before - how I've met him twice, how much I love his writing and how his Goosebumps series are what actually spurred my passion and love for books and reading.

But because I placed him on such a high pedestal, I was both excited and extremely nervous about reading his first adult novel, Red Rain. As if the title weren't intriguing enough, the cover is incredibly mysterious - but would his great reputation be enough for Stine to transition to the adult world?

The answer? This book is creepy!!!!

I don't think I would call it scary, not like Stephen King scary, but man oh man, R.L. Stine knows how to give you shivers and real-life goosebumps!

The story begins with a hurricane ravaging this tiny, little island. At the end of all the devastation, Lea, a travel blogger, watches as red rain literally falls from the sky. And then, out of nowhere, these two boys walk out of the rain and she instantly falls in love with them. Lea adopts the two boys as her own (even though she already has two children) and brings them back to her home where all hell breaks loose!

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: there is nothing scarier than demon children! LOL. The Shining, Village of the Damned, The Omen...the list can go on and on - children are scary! And I would definitely add Red Rain to that list.

This novel will definitely creep you out (if not scare your socks off). It is filled with suspense, violence and a little bit of sex - do not let your kids read this one!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

17 comments:

  1. I MUST READ THIS!!!!! Oh my goodness I love Stine. I was obsessed with the Goosebumps books when I was younger. Mr. J and I even picked up a couple of the movies to watch and reminisce over just recently.

    I reiterate... I MUST READ THIS!

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  2. I didn't even know he was still writing. I am SO excited to see that he is. I will definitely be picking this up!!! :D

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  3. I loved the Goose Bump series too. I am sure it is just as creepy as you say. Thanks for sharing; otherwise I wouldn't have known he wrote an adult book or any book of his other than the goosebump series.

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  4. Hey I remember reading Goose Bumps in middle school:) I hadn't thought to look him up, but now I am definitely going to have give his adult writing a try!

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  5. This is not something I would expect from RL Stine. I'm very intrigued by the sound of it. I enjoy the darker and grittier fiction :)

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  6. I love RL Stine! I read his books as a kid and I didn't know he branched out into other genres! His Goosebumps series creeped me out, so I'm sure this will too!!

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  7. Wow...goosebump author...blast from the past!! Loved those books. Sounds interesting!!

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  8. I grew up on R..L. Stine. This post definitely brought back good memories.
    Great review. You have made me want to start reading R L Stine again! Thanks!

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  9. It's been so long since I read RL. Stine's book. Never expect that he will change genre. But I believe this book's gonna be a good book.

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  11. I love R.L. Stine! He was my favorite author as a child and a young adult. I own practically every book he has ever written prior to the year 2000. Even some under the pen name Jovial Bob Stine. It might interest some of you to know that he used to write comedy and GI Joe books before switching to horror, and this is not his first adult horror novel. I believe "Superstitious" was his first and I know he has written at least one other before "Red Rain", I believe it's called "The Sitter" but I don't remember for sure. Regardless though, I still love Stine and I'm glad to see he is writing again.

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  12. I also grew up on Goosebumps, and it also opened my mind to reading books as I grew up. Unfortunately life takes you by the hands sooner or later and free time becomes a tight issue. I hope this book hits Israel, I'd love to get some nostalgic origins back

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  13. I thought his first adult novel was Superstious. I have every one of his books.

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  14. I can't wait 'til this book comes out. I just read an excerpt and boy did it creep me out. I definitely want a copy of R.L. Stine's first adult book.

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  15. Thanks for your review :)

    I'm definitely putting this one on my TBR list. Children can be creepy. For example:
    . The Bad Seed by William March -- saw the movie and read the book. Enjoyed both
    . Twice Burned by Kit Craig

    I also thought Stine's first adult book was Superstitious. I read it and enjoyed it.

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