I never read Goosebumps as a kid, but did read R. L. Stine’s Fear Street, and other authors like that. Funny thing was, I never liked horror. Mystery yes, and if it was a thriller I was okay, but not full out horror. The other funny thing was, I probably was reading horror as there were vampires, witches, ghosts, and occasionally the oddness of the supernatural. As an adult I realized there are levels of thriller/horror, and P. J. Nighty has done just that. Along with Glass House Graphics artists, there is a newer series called You’re Invited to a Creepover in a graphic novel format. As a kid reader, I never went “there” (the “comics” as we called them) but as an adult I have seen how they have changed over the years and there is nothing wrong with comics. Or graphic novels. And when I read the first two of the series I knew that there was nothing wrong with either of them.
You’re Invited to a Creepover V01 Truth or Dare by P.J. Night is a modern haunting in the classic style of 1980s and 1990s ghost stories. The spooky is just enough to make you believe there are really ghosts and the realistic aspects are relatable. The art is typical graphic novel art with details and colors bold, shiny and what is needed to grab the visual aspect of the story. I am not sure I like the ending, but it works for the story. Which is, Abby is a young girl (probably somewhere between sixth and eighth grade) who during a sleepover at her house confesses her crush. But then weird things happen. Texts from an unknown number warning her away from Him. The mysterious redhead outside her window. The note in her drawer, the ripped shirt, and the other spooky things. Is she going mad or is she being haunted by the ex-girlfriend of her crush?
You’re Invited to a Creepover V02 You Can’t Come in Here! by P.J. Night continues the classic thriller from the “old school” of mystery and middle reader thriller/mystery/horror. The ending has a predictable but interesting twist (one I would have loved reading these as a novel ages 10 and up). You do not have to read the series in order (or at least from book one and two this feels to be the case) but it is fun to see how the author wanted things to go. This time we have a girl who has two next door neighbors she spends a lot of time with. But things are odd. Why do they never come to her house? And what about their parents and their robotic response when anyone enters the house? And why is the house so run down? Not to mention was that wolf our narrator sees real or just a crazy dream?
For the sensitive reader, things could be a little much, but nothing is really gratuitous, just well, spooky. The books seem to be based on novels in the lines of Goosebumps and the graphic novels have been updated for diversity in the characters somewhat. However, the covers seem to be wonderfully close to each other, but with some changes.
