There have been some great and some not-so-great Goosebumps books over the years, even if the overall R.L. Stine middle-grade horror collection is iconic. The Werewolf of Fever Swamp should be considered more towards the great side of things. It wonderfully blends creepy atmosphere and emotional stakes into a suspensefully paced horror tale.
There is something weird happening in Fever Swamp. Something really horrible. It started with the strange howling at night. Then there was the rabbit, torn to shreds. Everyone thinks Grady’s new dog is responsible. After all, he looks just like a wolf. And he seems a little on the wild side. But Grady knows his dog is just a regular old dog. And most dogs don’t howl at the moon. Or disappear at midnight. Or change into terrifying creatures when the moon is full. Or do they?
Stine uses the swamp environment to build some pretty severe tension in The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, crafting an unsettling tale without going too overboard, which is what Goosebumps is best known for. Another reminder that this is not made for my age group, but for those in the younger generation of horror readers. This dampened blend of horror, suspense, and unease is a great and wonderful reason to read these books.
Like most Goosebumps stories, when reading as an adult I found the twists and turns a bit more easily discovered. While as a younger reader the confusion and fear of people around our protagonist starting to act a little weird and animals going missing, might be a more of a surprise and the big surprise might have big more impact.
The characters and animals are a true standout in this book. Grady’s relationship with this stray dog was a surprise touch that had me get a bit emotional. There’s loyalty and heartbreak in that bond that gives the horror a bit of emotional weight. That connection makes the ending hit harder and stay with you longer.
The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is a great spot to jump into the Goosebumps series, as it is one of the better entries. It’s creepy, clever, and has just the right amount of horror and great to make this more than just a monster tale.
Goosebumps: The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is available at bookstores everywhere from Scholastic. The audiobook, narrated by Ramón de Ocampo, is available via Libro.fm!
