oddly's review
3.0
The premise of this story is just crazy enough to work, putting together two things I really like: summer camp horror and spooky haunted theaters.
Though I enjoyed going along for this crazy ride of gargoyles and acting camp, the story did leave me wanting a bit more. Perhaps the story needed a bit more space to stretch out and could have been successful as a longer novella.
My main issues were lack of character development and not enough time spent with the evil entity. There are a lot of characters; once all the kids from the camp were introduced, I had a bit of trouble remembering who was who. Additionally, there is a really interesting side character named Eris who I felt could have been incorporated more into the plot. The backstory of what's going on and the final confrontation felt rushed and I would have liked to learn a bit more about what was going on.
Still a fun entry in the Rewind or Die series, if a bit underdeveloped.
Though I enjoyed going along for this crazy ride of gargoyles and acting camp, the story did leave me wanting a bit more. Perhaps the story needed a bit more space to stretch out and could have been successful as a longer novella.
My main issues were lack of character development and not enough time spent with the evil entity. There are a lot of characters; once all the kids from the camp were introduced, I had a bit of trouble remembering who was who. Additionally, there is a really interesting side character named Eris who I felt could have been incorporated more into the plot. The backstory of what's going on and the final confrontation felt rushed and I would have liked to learn a bit more about what was going on.
Still a fun entry in the Rewind or Die series, if a bit underdeveloped.
n0rmann's review
3.0
Another fun offering in the "Rewind or Die" series, I think I'm 17 or 18 in. Not bad, but not nearly as violent as expected, based on the rest of the series.
djohan's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
morganjanedavis's review
3.0
3.5
When Vivian gets offered a job as a counselor at a theatre Summer camp she views it as the perfect opportunity for a resume-builder as she works towards her undergrad in Performing Arts. All she has to do is help kids with the basics of acting and put on a few shows throughout a couple of months: what could go wrong?! Viv is making friends and all is well until counselors and kids start disappearing, random bursts of wind carry the stench of rotting meat throughout the building, and growling noises become hard to ignore. Can Vivian figure out what's happening to her students and staff members before it's too late?
I enjoyed this! Book 17 in the Rewind or Die series truly read like an old school Goosebumps novel. The gargoyles is really what made the book exude that energy imo, very much something silly turned ominous. While this was a fun read, I felt that the action was sparse throughout the middle of the book. The portions where the counselors were just goofing around and hanging out were drawn out and I would have loved to have read a little bit more of a build up besides just discussion about the events before the climax of the book was revealed. I thought the ending tied everything together well. I'd recommend this if you're in the mood for an old school middle grades type of spooker.
When Vivian gets offered a job as a counselor at a theatre Summer camp she views it as the perfect opportunity for a resume-builder as she works towards her undergrad in Performing Arts. All she has to do is help kids with the basics of acting and put on a few shows throughout a couple of months: what could go wrong?! Viv is making friends and all is well until counselors and kids start disappearing, random bursts of wind carry the stench of rotting meat throughout the building, and growling noises become hard to ignore. Can Vivian figure out what's happening to her students and staff members before it's too late?
I enjoyed this! Book 17 in the Rewind or Die series truly read like an old school Goosebumps novel. The gargoyles is really what made the book exude that energy imo, very much something silly turned ominous. While this was a fun read, I felt that the action was sparse throughout the middle of the book. The portions where the counselors were just goofing around and hanging out were drawn out and I would have loved to have read a little bit more of a build up besides just discussion about the events before the climax of the book was revealed. I thought the ending tied everything together well. I'd recommend this if you're in the mood for an old school middle grades type of spooker.
kkehoe's review
1.0
I think there was a concept buried somewhere in this confusion of characters and scenes, but the writing couldn't support it.
brennanlafaro's review
3.0
As I’ve come to expect from these Rewind or Die books, this one kicks off with a bang. We get a unique creature that, although completely at home in horror lit, I don’t think I’ve read anything that features them. Sridhar excels at the sensory descriptions put on the page here. We can hear, see, and feel all the terrible things going around us.
The story focuses around the haunted Basilio Theater, more specifically a theater summer camp occurring there. Our main character, Vivian, is working as a counselor. We’re introduced to other counselors as well as campers, a relatively sizable cast for such a short book. Whenever I have the following issue, I’m always willing to admit it could be my problem, but I found the cast of characters difficult to keep track of and keep straight. I could’ve used a bit more character development to help me differentiate and become more invested when people begin to go missing.
This is a tough review to write because the main issue I had with the story was due to pacing. I want to be objective and hold the story up on it’ own merits, but the Rewind or Die logo gives me a certain expectation. As bonkers as the first part goes, the story never really gives us that over-the-top sensibility again, and we keep looking for it. We get a bit of action toward the end, but there’s a very large portion in the middle where we deal in drama (literally and figuratively) and a bit of slow-burn mystery. It makes for a slightly slower read than we’re used to.
What I liked about Offstage Offerings is the unique setting where the story takes place. While we’ve seen haunted theater, the haunting on display here isn’t traditional, though that notion is touched upon by the author. Same thing with summer camps, but combining the two is a nice touch. One thing I’ve really loved about this series is just how different the books all are from each other while still nailing the 90’s VHS aesthetic, and in that respect, Offstage Offerings is a nice addition.
I received a copy from the author for review consideration.
The story focuses around the haunted Basilio Theater, more specifically a theater summer camp occurring there. Our main character, Vivian, is working as a counselor. We’re introduced to other counselors as well as campers, a relatively sizable cast for such a short book. Whenever I have the following issue, I’m always willing to admit it could be my problem, but I found the cast of characters difficult to keep track of and keep straight. I could’ve used a bit more character development to help me differentiate and become more invested when people begin to go missing.
This is a tough review to write because the main issue I had with the story was due to pacing. I want to be objective and hold the story up on it’ own merits, but the Rewind or Die logo gives me a certain expectation. As bonkers as the first part goes, the story never really gives us that over-the-top sensibility again, and we keep looking for it. We get a bit of action toward the end, but there’s a very large portion in the middle where we deal in drama (literally and figuratively) and a bit of slow-burn mystery. It makes for a slightly slower read than we’re used to.
What I liked about Offstage Offerings is the unique setting where the story takes place. While we’ve seen haunted theater, the haunting on display here isn’t traditional, though that notion is touched upon by the author. Same thing with summer camps, but combining the two is a nice touch. One thing I’ve really loved about this series is just how different the books all are from each other while still nailing the 90’s VHS aesthetic, and in that respect, Offstage Offerings is a nice addition.
I received a copy from the author for review consideration.
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