R. L. Stine

When his father brings home an antique cuckoo clock, Michael is cautioned not to touch it, but he turns back the hands and suddenly he is getting younger by the minute -- a year younger to be exact.

The Cuckoo Clock of Doom

alina s

Maggie Gordon

The Cuckoo Clock of Doom has a really cool concept for a horror story, but absolutely abysmal characters. A common fault in the Goosebumps series is that the bad characters are simply intolerable. Sure, this is a series for kids and your villains are probably going to be a bit more transparent than a more nuanced, adult depiction (though this doesn't have to be the case!), but Goosebumps makes little sociopaths who no one but the beleaguered main character notices. In this story, Michael is constantly tormented by his little sister who injuries him and lies constantly to her parents. However, she's seen as an adorable little angel and only Michael gets in trouble. Given little Tara's actions, it seems implausible that her parents wouldn't notice her general evilness, but she's one of our antagonists so I guess she gets a free pass?

The central plot of the story revolves around a cuckoo clock with mysterious powers. When Michael turns the head of the bird that pops out on the hour, he begins living his life backwards (but he can't seem to effect much of what happens to him). He retains his memories as he gets younger and younger, which is a horrifying thought. Even when he's a baby, he has the mind of his 12 year old self. (Shudders) On the other hand, my horror was diminished by the fact that as soon as he deaged to a point when Tara didn't exist, I was full of glee that I no longer had to read about that nightmare...

When Mike Webster turns back the hands of an antique clock, he finds he's reliving his past and getting younger by the minute--in fact, he's losing a year each day...and he was only 12 to begin with!

The Cuckoo Clock of Doom

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