Reviews

Camp Creepy is the Parent Trap-Series of Unfortunate Events mashup you didn’t know you needed! Continuing on their journey to find their missing parents, Theo, Alexander, Will and Edgar find themselves at a perfectly *gasp* normal summer camp navigating classic summer activities like canoeing, team sports, arts and crafts, and of course, the quintessential summer camp activity, mind-dying…er…I mean…tie-dying!!

Vampiric Vacation was a touch too slow for my taste but Camp Creepy has officially redeemed the series. After a dreary detour at the world’s most dreadful daycare, I am happy to report that (almost) everything I loved most about Wretched Waterpark is officially back. Fingers crossed that the delightful underworld vibes from book one will finally make a reappearance. Only one way to find out! See you at the Menacing Manor!

Thank you to Netgalley, Kiersten White, Delacorte Press and Random House Childrens for the e-arc!

*Spoiler thoughts for discussion below. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. *

The tie-dye mind control was simply inspired and you can’t change my mind. However, I did have to take star off for (1) the quality of the mystery solving and (2) the regressing character development.

(1) Yes, this is a middle grade series, and yes, the main characters are children, but I still struggled with their failure to be at all suspicious of their surroundings despite the two terrifying encounters they’ve just had. I’m sorry to say that it feels like Alexander and Theo are becoming worse detectives. Although my favorite character may have just switched mid-series to Will, I mean what a moment of character development, but it’s such a shame she’s just been off in her own world this whole time. I’d love a chapter from her perspective in the next book.

(2) Theo and Alexander didn’t retain ANY of the lessons they were supposed to have learned from Wretched Waterpark and while I did really enjoy following Theo on her journey filling the shoes of both twins while Alexander was brainwashed, it definitely felt like this all happened because Alexander was blatantly ignored, again. The kids are approaching each mystery the same way, despite actively discussing how they’ve learned so much from their recent dangerous encounters. Theo is brashly running off to do whatever she wants while Alexander’s highly rational words of caution are dismissed and he is made to feel wrong for being himself. Ugh. I’d definitely be interested to know other opinions on this. What am I missing here?

craigelizabeth2023's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

alli_the_bookaholic13's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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