It’s always a fun time taking the trip down memory lane and reading a Classic Goosebumps story by R.L. Stine, even with books that don’t resonate as well with us as some. The Haunted Mask is just that book. It was a fun read, but just not one of our favorites.
How ugly is Carly Beth’s Halloween mask? It’s so ugly that it almost scared her little brother to death. So terrifying that even her friends are totally freaked out by it. It’s the best Halloween mask ever. It’s everything Carly Beth hoped it would be and more. Maybe too much more. Because Halloween is almost over and Carly Beth is still wearing that special mask…
The Goosebumps books have been classics for those who were born or grew up in the 1990s. However, not all of them are wonderful. R.L. Stine has a keen ability to create tension and suspense for middle grade readers and most of the time with adult readers as well. However, The Haunted Mask just didn’t do it for us.
We find the Goosebumps books with a “this really could happen” but just a bit of an off-the-wall storyline are the best. The idea of a haunted mask turning someone into a deranged version of themselves to get back at her friends is a wonderful concept, but felt a bit too rushed and forced. From her friends bullying Carly Beth hard to the store owner, we felt like this characters were not fully developed and realistic. We could connect with anyone.
The Haunted Mask has a great plot and story, but really failed a bit on execution. The biggest takeaways from any Goosebumps book we read is the trip back in time, the nostalgic feelings, and the quick and easy read. R.L. Stine made an impact on a generation, actually he continues to make an impact, and us 1990s kids thank him for creating these fun reads for us to breeze through as adults.
The Haunted Mask is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook is available on Libro.fm narrated by Jorjeana Marie.
