36: The Haunted Mask II
“I’ll slip it on for just a second, I decided…Then slowly, carefully…very carefully…I began to pull the mask down, down, down over my face.”
If you’ve read my review of Goosebumps #11, you’ll know “The Haunted Mask” is one my favourite books in the series — chock-full of Halloween nostalgia and some surprisingly mature subtext, not to mention a well-rounded, emotionally complex protagonist and a rewarding moral payoff. Needless to say, I had high hopes for its sequel, and I’m happy to say it delivers.
“The Haunted Mask II” differs from other Goosebumps sequels in that it doesn’t follow the same protagonist, nor does it mirror its predecessor. Sure, the premise is similar: a kid buys a mask to get revenge on his enemies, and the mask transforms him into something else. But it’s a different kid and a different mask, opening the door to an original story. And, better yet, the effects of the mask are unique, too. Unlike Carly Beth’s mask in the first book, a ravenous-looking monster that infects her with a terrorizing energy, this mask, a creepy old man, drains its victim, makes him feel weak and frail, which might be worse.
The story is told by Steve Boswell, who plays a minor role in the first book, one of the bullies Carly Beth petrifies on Halloween night. Now, a year later, Steve remembers how scary Carly Beth looked, and how the mask changed her forever: “Nearly a whole year has gone by, and we haven’t tried to scare Carly Beth once. I don’t think Carly Beth can be scared. Not anymore.” Still, it doesn’t stop him from pressing her for info; he’s got some first-graders to scare, the annoying, misbehaving soccer team he’s been forced to coach after school. Naturally, Carly Beth cautions him, but he persists nonetheless.
In short, Steve visits the same party store featured in Book One, and despite the store being closed permanently, he manages to get into the basement through a trapdoor in the alleyway. Here, he rifles through cartons of old merchandise, snags a mask, and runs out before the ex-shop owner (now living upstairs) apprehends him.
As expected, the mask, an old man’s face, is exceptionally lifelike — warm and fleshy — and Steve quickly becomes infatuated with it, even before he tries it on. He smooths its stringy yellow hair, fingers the scabs on its face, and kudos to Stine for demonstrating its powerful pull. When he does put it on, he can’t get it off; the rutted old skin adheres to his face, becomes his face, and Steve’s left panicking as his voice starts to crack and grow faint, as his energy depletes.
I’ll pause to say that it’s at this point that Stine really starts to have fun. Not only does Steve look, sound, and feel like an old man, he starts to think like one, too (e.g., instead of sugary cereal, he considers a bowl of hot oatmeal for breakfast—that sort of thing). And the fun continues: when Steve finally shows up to scare the first-graders on Halloween night, his plan is foiled by their unexpected kindness. Even though he looks disgusting, he’s still an old man, and the kids offer him nothing but generosity, asking if he’s lost or needs help. It’s a comedic moment that caught me off guard, something I appreciated this deep into the series.
With Carly Beth’s help, Steve eventually gets the mask off, though I won’t reveal how. But I will note the magic of two foes coming together over a shared experience, a heartwarming moment that softens an otherwise frightening climax. And unlike other Goosebumps books, the falling action doesn’t feel as rushed: Steve and Carly Beth dance their way home along the dark, empty streets, a perfectly juvenile moment offering a breath of crisp autumn air to preface Stine’s signature kicker.
Over all, this is the best Goosebumps sequel you’re likely to read. It’s not on par with the original, but it’s nearly there, straying just far enough from its foundation to build something new—a definite win for readers. And, let’s face it, in a year defined by losses, we can all use a little levity. For me, stepping into October, this was just the ticket.
5/5 drops of Monster Blood.
