We remind ourselves over and over that the Goosebumps collection is not designed for adults, but also we find it hard to believe sometimes they are written for middle grade readers as well. This goes the same for One Day at HorrorLand, the 16th book in the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine.
The next ride might be their last…The Morris family got lost trying to find Zoo Gardens Theme Park. But that’s okay. They found another amusement park instead. It’s called HorrorLand. In HorrorLand there are no crowds. No lines. And the admission is free. It seems like a pretty cool place. But that was before that heart-stopping ride on the deadly Doom Slide. And that terrifying experience in the House of Mirrors. Because there’s something weird about the rides in HorrorLand. Something a little too creepy. A little too real…
While One Day at HorrorLand is a fun installment in the Goosebumps series with a tight story overall, there were some elements that left me scratching my head. As I revisit these classic stories as an adult I find myself questioning certain plot points that seem outlandish for even a middle-grade horror novel. The sudden explosion of the families car as soon as they exit the vehicle was one that caught even me by surprise.
Despite the minor qualms I have for this installment in the Goosebumps series, R.L. Stine continues to prove his ability to write with fantastic world building and suspense. He kept us going through the short novel following this families crazy and horrific journey through HorrorLand. There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises to keep you guessing, even as an adult.
While One Day at HorrorLand is a tight story overall, it lacks in comparison to other classic Goosebumps stories. However, it is definitely a book worth revisiting as an adult because it takes almost no time to read and is a nice nostalgic trip down memory lane.
One Day at HorrorLand is available at bookstores everywhere. Checkout the audiobook narrated by Tara Sands on Libro.fm and support local bookstores.
