R. L. Stine was one of my favorite authors when I was younger. He wrote two popular series, the Fear Street series and the Goosebumps books. I admit I never cared for the Goosebumps books, but I was still excited to read this even though I knew he was encouraged to write an adult book by his former Goosebumps fans.
Red Rain is Stine's attempt at an adult horror story. It is very similar to the Goosebumps books as it has a lot of paranormal aspects to it and centers on preteens. Red Rain is basically a Goosebumps book with some sex and death.
The novel is about a travel writer who is caught in an island hurricane off the South Carolina coast. After witnessing the death and the destruction on the island she decides to adopt twin boys who have lost their parents and home.
Sound far-fetched? It is, but Stine acknowledges that by having the other characters dubious of this decision as well. The husband questions the adoption and when odd things start happening he can't help wondering how the twins are involved. The book starts out creepy enough, especially in the macabre details of the hurricanes victims, but slowly loses steam. There are two "surprises" to the ending, one which got me, but as a former Stine reader should not have.
Overall, it was worth it to reread a former favorite, but I would not encourage him to write another until his plots grow with his readers.
Meredith @ Central
