User blog:GoosebumpsArt/Revenge of the Living Dummy (Review)

(Upon the request of a couple of fellow users, I'm starting a review series. I'll do my best to discuss the Goosebumps franchise in the most fair way possible. I'll try to review the books that I finish reading and any books that I remember clearly.)

No spoilers.
Click this link and let it play as you read this review.

After a hiatus of about 8 years, Goosebumps returned like a Phoenix from the ashes. For any fans in 2008, Goosebumps was back! The first book to be released in this revival was Revenge of the Living Dummy. Was it any good though? I'll spoil my opinions a bit early to relieve suspense. It was actually okay.

Biggest complaint; it's pretty repetitive. If you've read any Night of the Living Dummy book, you'll immediately figure out a majority of the "twists" in this book.

The best thing about the book; It does a good job of tackling two supernatural villains at the same time. The book features The Mind Stealer and Slappy the Dummy, and neither character feels like they don't belong in the story. The story balanced both characters in a way that made sense!

Also, occasionally throughout this book, the reader is "subtly" reminded that the book is set in the 21st century. Everytime this book mentions a cell phone, it feels like Stine is trying to remind us that the book is new.

Spoilers.
Slappy didn't actually die! Who would have guessed? It's not like he's died and come back four times prior to this book...

Rating & Explanation
Not a bad book. There are problems with the book, but it actually does many things right. Has this review gone on for too long already?