Who loves classic horror stories? The Werewolf of Fever Swamp by R.L Stine is the fourteenth book of the Goosebumps book series. The book was first published in 1993 and was adapted into movies later with several international releases. If you’re looking for a book with a suspenseful jump-scare vibe then The Werewolf of Fever Swamp suits that.
The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is a classic horror which maybe some 90s teens would relate to the nostalgia. So, basically, this classic horror book is a werewolf story set in a creepy swamp, where the main characters are kids, and with unexpected plot twists.
This book was really popular and had been the talk of the town so many readers already know how The Werewolf of Fever Swamp ended, but the question is if this book is worth re reading. Or for those who haven’t picked this book yet, does this make a great horror book? Read this honest review to find out.
Read Book As The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
- Part 1: Setting of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
- Part 2: Plot of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
- Part 3: Characters of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
- Part 4: Review of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
Part 1: Setting of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
This is perfect. This is catchy. This is what I like best about the book, The Werewolf of Fever Swamp. The swamp itself which is the center of all the creepy incidents happening in the story really gives me goosebumps.
This makes The Werewolf of Fever Swamp different from the rest of the werewolf books I read. Fever Swamp is a deadly swamp located in Florida. The swamp has a scary history which is the reason why this was named ” fever swamp is that some time ago the residents there had been struck by a terrible fever that caused them madness and death.
So, with this concept built around the setting, the fever swamp then appears scary to me, yet intriguing and inviting, plus with the twist involving this place, I could say that the setting of the story The Werewolf of Fever Swamp has been perfectly thought of.
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Part 2: Plot of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
The book comes with this teaser – who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? I love it. That’s catchy and that gives a children’s story vibe, yet I tell you even adults would get scared of this too.
The Werewolf of Fever Swamp tells the story of Glady Tucker and Emily who was forced to move to a fever swamp in Florida because their scientist father needed to study the effects of a Floridian swamp on a group of deer.
So, the turning point of the story, The Werewolf of Fever Swamp happens when the children explore the swamp but then get lost in it. And after that a lot of things happen, also they meet some weird people such as the hermit and a strange local girl named Casie, and they also make a new friend.
Living near the swamp was full of scare and puzzles, there are instances when the children hear howling and night and would find dead animals during the day. Grady was convinced that a werewolf is responsible for the terrible things happening around the fever swamp, and with Casie convincing him, the kids come up to believe that the werewolf is the hermit.
Unexpected Plot Twist
The plot of the book really lives up to its title – The Werewolf of Fever Swamp. Let me spoil you with little events in the plot for I can’t help telling this for this is brilliant. I admire the author for coming up with an intelligent concept of plot twists.
So, the kids of fever swamp are fully convinced that the culprit is the hermit. They even spend time investigating him but it turns out that the hermit isn’t a werewolf. One night when Grady went to the swamp to investigate, he found his friend Will there and told him that he is investigating too.
But then Grady lost sight of Will, while he was trying to follow him. The next thing that happened is he was attacked by a werewolf. He fainted. And went home when he regained consciousness. All seemed fine until a month had passed, and the full moon came. Now, Brady becomes The Werewolf of Fever Swamp. And the werewolf who bit him? It was his friend Will.
Part 3: Characters of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
I like the concept of kids as the main protagonists of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp. It makes the story unique, and vulnerable. In horror stories, when the main character is vulnerable the more it feels scary.
Grady Tucker
He is the main protagonist of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp. He is a twelve-year-old boy who turned into a werewolf later on. In the movie adaptation of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, in 1996, the character of Grady Tucker was played by Brendan Fletcher.
Emily Tucker
She is Grady’s sister. Emily of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is a 16 years old girl who always brags about her intellect and was unhappy when they moved to Fever swamp.
Michael Tucker and Mrs Tucker
They are the scientists’ parents of Grady and Emily. Their research is the reason why the family was forced to move to a fever swamp.
Swamp Hermit
He is the scary-looking old man of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp. The hermit was first suspected by the kids as the werewolf terrorizing the swamp.
Will Blake
He is Grady’s neighbor. They become friends and explore the swamp together. He is originally The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, who befriended Grady and bit him in the future.
Casssie
She is the red-haired, weird local girl who gossips to Grady about the legends concerning the swamp, and tells them that the hermit is The Werewolf of Fever Swamp.
Part 4: Review of The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is a good read indeed. The swamp is creepy and perfect. The characters are all finely crafted. I like the hermit having a mysterious past, the boy Will who is independent, and turns out to be a werewolf, plus the concept of Grady and Emily having a scientist parents which caused them to move to fever swamp.
All these elements jive well and have made the entire book interesting. All in all I could say that The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is a children’s book that will surely be appealing to adults too.
