Reviews

The Fire Game by R.L. Stine

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chemwizard22's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

yyattayy's review

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2.0

This was my first RL Stine book, and I don't know that I'd feel this way when I was younger and less read but I did not like The Fire Game. I did go into the reading knowing that this was a young adult novel, and it wasn't meant to be the next Gone Girl, but something about it just wasn't likeable.

The writing was okay, descriptive enough to get the picture but not overly explanatory, which was a plus. The characters weren't overly memorable, but necessary to keep the story going. Well, all except for Gabe.

What I really didn't like about the story was how the girls could place blame so easily on one friend, based on circumstantial evidence. One minuted they'd be "I'm sure it's this kid who started the fire," and then five pages later we're hearing the same tune but for a different person. It was like the boy who cried wolf; after a number of times of pointing fingers you start to not believe them.

Overall, I liked the beginning of the story, and the brief bit of action at the end, but the whole middle felt almost like a chore to read. I don't think I'd recommend this to any reader above the early young adult level, unless it's really your thing.