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Goosebumps #28
Cuckoo Clock of Doom
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!
118 pages, Library Binding
First published February 1, 1995
103 people are currently reading
4,071 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stine
1,598books18kfollowersRobert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children's literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
October 12, 2018
#28 "Keep your eye on the birdie!"
Michael hates his little sister Tara. She is abusive and mean to him constantly. when his father brings home an antique cuckoo clock his father warns both of the children not to touch it because it was very expensive. But Michael season opportunity to get Terra in trouble for once instead of himself. When he messes with the cuckoo clock he ends up getting trapped in a time warp from hell!
Michael hates his little sister Tara. She is abusive and mean to him constantly. when his father brings home an antique cuckoo clock his father warns both of the children not to touch it because it was very expensive. But Michael season opportunity to get Terra in trouble for once instead of himself. When he messes with the cuckoo clock he ends up getting trapped in a time warp from hell!
April 29, 2015
Now you know what I had to live with.
Now you know why I did the terrible thing that I did.
Anyone in my place would have done the same.
Wow, I really liked this book!
Michael is twelve and his seven-year-old sister Tara is demon spawn. She makes his life miserable, deliberately humiliating him, physically hurting him, lying to their parents about him, and getting him beaten up by other kids. I mean, she is really evil. She even tortures the family cat.
Michael can never tell anyone what is going on because they never believe him. To them, Tara is a sweet and innocent cute little girl. And of course, any retaliation on Michael's part seems like "picking on his little sister."
One day, Michael's father brings home a old German cuckoo clock. On the side is a small dial.
On the right side of the clock I saw a little dial. It had a gold face and looked like a miniature clock. But it had only one hand.
Tiny numbers were painted in black along the outside of the dial, starting at 1800 and ending at 2000. The thin gold hand pointed to one of the numbers: 1995.
Michael's dad has wanted the clock for 15 years, but was never able to afford it. However, recently the antiques dealer has discovered a flaw in the clock, and Michael's dad gets it at a discounted price.
The clock is supposed to be enchanted, and Michael sees it as a tool for revenge...
...
This story knocked my socks off! It was creepy, funny, and had a great ending. This is definitely one of the better and more enjoyable Goosebumps books.
P.S. The cat's name is Bubba.
Now you know why I did the terrible thing that I did.
Anyone in my place would have done the same.
Wow, I really liked this book!
Michael is twelve and his seven-year-old sister Tara is demon spawn. She makes his life miserable, deliberately humiliating him, physically hurting him, lying to their parents about him, and getting him beaten up by other kids. I mean, she is really evil. She even tortures the family cat.
Michael can never tell anyone what is going on because they never believe him. To them, Tara is a sweet and innocent cute little girl. And of course, any retaliation on Michael's part seems like "picking on his little sister."
One day, Michael's father brings home a old German cuckoo clock. On the side is a small dial.
On the right side of the clock I saw a little dial. It had a gold face and looked like a miniature clock. But it had only one hand.
Tiny numbers were painted in black along the outside of the dial, starting at 1800 and ending at 2000. The thin gold hand pointed to one of the numbers: 1995.
Michael's dad has wanted the clock for 15 years, but was never able to afford it. However, recently the antiques dealer has discovered a flaw in the clock, and Michael's dad gets it at a discounted price.
The clock is supposed to be enchanted, and Michael sees it as a tool for revenge...
...
This story knocked my socks off! It was creepy, funny, and had a great ending. This is definitely one of the better and more enjoyable Goosebumps books.
P.S. The cat's name is Bubba.
January 4, 2020
The Cuckoo Clock of Doom (Goosebumps #28), R.L. Stine
Deciding to get even with his bratty little sister, who always gets him in trouble, Michael Webster fiddles with their father's antique clock, planning to blame Tara, and accidentally sets time backwards. TV tie-in. Adapted by Carol Ellis from the teleplay by Billy Brown & Dan Angel; based on the novel by R.L. Stine
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز چهارم ماه ژانویه سال 2008 میلادی
عنوان: ساعت محکومیت؛ نویسنده: آر. ال. استاین؛ مترجم: مرتضی نادری� دره� شوی (شوری)؛ تهران، ویدا، 1386؛ در 160 ص؛ شابک 9789642912056؛ چاپ دوم و سوم 1389؛ چاپ چهارم 1390؛ چاپ پنجم 1397؛ در 151 ص؛
عروسک خیمه شب بازی امی سرش را از دست میده�. بنابراین امی از خانواده� اش میخواه� یکی دیگر برایش بخرند. پدرش اسلپی را برایش میخرد� اسلپی یک کمی زشت است اما حداقل سرش سر جایش است! امی دوست دارد نمایش همیشگی� اش را تمرین کند. مثل این است که این عروسک میدان� چه در ذهن امی میگذر� و خودش شروع به حرکت میکن�. خیلی به آنه� خوش میگذر� تا اینکه اسلپی شروع به اجرای نمایش خودش میکن�. یک اجرای ترسناک که اصلا جالب نیست. ا. شربیانی
Deciding to get even with his bratty little sister, who always gets him in trouble, Michael Webster fiddles with their father's antique clock, planning to blame Tara, and accidentally sets time backwards. TV tie-in. Adapted by Carol Ellis from the teleplay by Billy Brown & Dan Angel; based on the novel by R.L. Stine
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز چهارم ماه ژانویه سال 2008 میلادی
عنوان: ساعت محکومیت؛ نویسنده: آر. ال. استاین؛ مترجم: مرتضی نادری� دره� شوی (شوری)؛ تهران، ویدا، 1386؛ در 160 ص؛ شابک 9789642912056؛ چاپ دوم و سوم 1389؛ چاپ چهارم 1390؛ چاپ پنجم 1397؛ در 151 ص؛
عروسک خیمه شب بازی امی سرش را از دست میده�. بنابراین امی از خانواده� اش میخواه� یکی دیگر برایش بخرند. پدرش اسلپی را برایش میخرد� اسلپی یک کمی زشت است اما حداقل سرش سر جایش است! امی دوست دارد نمایش همیشگی� اش را تمرین کند. مثل این است که این عروسک میدان� چه در ذهن امی میگذر� و خودش شروع به حرکت میکن�. خیلی به آنه� خوش میگذر� تا اینکه اسلپی شروع به اجرای نمایش خودش میکن�. یک اجرای ترسناک که اصلا جالب نیست. ا. شربیانی
September 8, 2021
It’s hard to pick out my favourite from the Goosebumps series, but a story that involves time is always going to be high up on my list!
It starts with the use trope of Michael and he’s sister Tara constantly bickering, when their father purchases an antique clock Michael feels that this could be the perfect time to finally get Tara back.
Turning the cuckoo’s head around soon leads to dire consequences, as Michael starts to become younger by the day.
It soon becomes a race against time as he needs to turn the head back around, getting younger by the day - this will be no easy task.
This one has always stuck with me. It’s more of a fun breezy read with some Sci-Fi elements.
The TV episode probably helped cement my love of this story.
It starts with the use trope of Michael and he’s sister Tara constantly bickering, when their father purchases an antique clock Michael feels that this could be the perfect time to finally get Tara back.
Turning the cuckoo’s head around soon leads to dire consequences, as Michael starts to become younger by the day.
It soon becomes a race against time as he needs to turn the head back around, getting younger by the day - this will be no easy task.
This one has always stuck with me. It’s more of a fun breezy read with some Sci-Fi elements.
The TV episode probably helped cement my love of this story.
December 2, 2010
Ahhh, the Goosebump days. I would borrow so many of these from the library they seriously considered extending my limit of books checked out at one time. R.L. Stine you were a reprieve from a harsh and dreary childhood in which my mind wandered far away from the troubles of the day. I stole books into my bed and read far into the night by the faintest of lights. I might have better eyesight were it not for you; however, I regret not one page or line.
December 22, 2019
Not one of the strongest of the series, that's for sure.
I think I was most put off by how horrible the sibling was. I mean, can I blame Goosebumps for how much I fought w my siblings growing up? Stine sure ain't helping the parents with this one.
I'm also just not a fan of time travel(ish) stories, or the frustrations of people being trapped in the wrong body etc.
But hey, it still had a fun creepy factor and the moral of not touching things you've been told not to touch.
I think I was most put off by how horrible the sibling was. I mean, can I blame Goosebumps for how much I fought w my siblings growing up? Stine sure ain't helping the parents with this one.
I'm also just not a fan of time travel(ish) stories, or the frustrations of people being trapped in the wrong body etc.
But hey, it still had a fun creepy factor and the moral of not touching things you've been told not to touch.
June 27, 2024
Fun concept. And as is often the case with these books the ending is great.
April 9, 2024
Title : The Cuckoo Clock Of Doom
Plot:Tara the terrible is a really bad little sister she always gets her older brother Michael into trouble and goes out of her way to ruin all of Michaels things like unwrapping his gifts at a birthday party tripping him into a cake and telling his crush that he likes her.One day Michaels dad brings home an antique cuckoo clock that can supposedly cause time travel if performed right.The clock does have a flaw in it though but the family dont know what it is.The clock has dates on the side telling you what year it is.Michael finally finds away to get back at Tara for all of the mean things shes done to him.One day she sees her get a stern talking to from her dad and its because she keeps touching the Cuckoo clock.This gets Michael to twist the birds head backwards causing time to go backwards as well.
What I thought about this book as a kid: This was my very first original Goosebumps book and the one that made me fall in love with the series.I have a funny story about this one that I've told a thousand times.When I was a kid I had about 7 or so random Goosebumps books that I just kept in my closet under my toys.I didn't take care of books as a kid like I do now.Anyway I had a friend that I showed my small collect to and he told me I needed to read this one.It was one of his favorites and it has a some really cool photos.I of course told him this book had no pictures but he refused to Believe me so I basically read this book out of spite and absolutely loved it.
What I thought about this book as an adult:There were so many things I didn't remember in this book and things I didn't know the answers to.I didn't remember Michael knowing it was the clock doing this until much later on.I also didn't remember any of the scenes outside of the birthday party.Like at all.This book also went by very fast even for Goosebumps standards I feel like I could read this again and again.I also forgot how funny this book was at times, but it also had a great feeling of dread and hopelessness.The scene where Michael goes to the den to figure out the Cuckoo clock and it hasn't shown up yet is really great.I still had a lot of fun with this book.If I had any complaints it would be that we don't learn why this clock suddenly starts going backwards faster.I give The Cuckoo Clock Of Doom a perfect five out of five stars.This also has one of the darkest endings and I loved the flaw in the clock tie back to the beginning.
Plot:Tara the terrible is a really bad little sister she always gets her older brother Michael into trouble and goes out of her way to ruin all of Michaels things like unwrapping his gifts at a birthday party tripping him into a cake and telling his crush that he likes her.One day Michaels dad brings home an antique cuckoo clock that can supposedly cause time travel if performed right.The clock does have a flaw in it though but the family dont know what it is.The clock has dates on the side telling you what year it is.Michael finally finds away to get back at Tara for all of the mean things shes done to him.One day she sees her get a stern talking to from her dad and its because she keeps touching the Cuckoo clock.This gets Michael to twist the birds head backwards causing time to go backwards as well.
What I thought about this book as a kid: This was my very first original Goosebumps book and the one that made me fall in love with the series.I have a funny story about this one that I've told a thousand times.When I was a kid I had about 7 or so random Goosebumps books that I just kept in my closet under my toys.I didn't take care of books as a kid like I do now.Anyway I had a friend that I showed my small collect to and he told me I needed to read this one.It was one of his favorites and it has a some really cool photos.I of course told him this book had no pictures but he refused to Believe me so I basically read this book out of spite and absolutely loved it.
What I thought about this book as an adult:There were so many things I didn't remember in this book and things I didn't know the answers to.I didn't remember Michael knowing it was the clock doing this until much later on.I also didn't remember any of the scenes outside of the birthday party.Like at all.This book also went by very fast even for Goosebumps standards I feel like I could read this again and again.I also forgot how funny this book was at times, but it also had a great feeling of dread and hopelessness.The scene where Michael goes to the den to figure out the Cuckoo clock and it hasn't shown up yet is really great.I still had a lot of fun with this book.If I had any complaints it would be that we don't learn why this clock suddenly starts going backwards faster.I give The Cuckoo Clock Of Doom a perfect five out of five stars.This also has one of the darkest endings and I loved the flaw in the clock tie back to the beginning.
July 8, 2020
Again a great read of the master of children's horror. Excellent read on a Saturday night and Sunday afternoon! I really enjoyed it and it reminded me about that I have seen this one in the series on tv. When I started it, I could not put it down and it kept my attention throughout even as a grownup. So a well deserved 5 stars.
November 1, 2018
I have watched the tv episode of this which I was that fussed about. Definitely has a better ending in the book.
December 31, 2021
I spent a month re-reading all 62 original Goosebumps books to see if they still hold up today, you can check out my 3.5 hour vlog here:
You can also check out my entire ranking of the original Goosebumps books from worst to best here:
You can also check out my entire ranking of the original Goosebumps books from worst to best here:
October 24, 2024
Overall this was a unique one and I enjoyed the read!
Reading notes...
God this sister is terrible!!!! And I can't stand parents that are so unfairly biased towards one kid, and clearly don't care as much for the other one.
I'm already finding this one to be interesting! I can't wait to see where this goes with the clock!
Tara is the worst goosebumps character ever
Reading notes...
God this sister is terrible!!!! And I can't stand parents that are so unfairly biased towards one kid, and clearly don't care as much for the other one.
I'm already finding this one to be interesting! I can't wait to see where this goes with the clock!
Tara is the worst goosebumps character ever
September 30, 2023
4.5/5 really good I’ll just say that. The end of the book makes it you wish it got a sequel.😔 slappy has 19 books but this book couldn’t get one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2019
Sempre più indietro
"L'altro ieri era il compleanno. Ieri pure. Oggi mancano due giorni al mio compleanno. Perché non è mai la notte successiva? Forse il tempo sta davvero andando a ritroso..."
Se avessi letto questo volumetto da piccolo, penso che sarebbe diventata uno dei miei maggiori spauracchi.
Bravo l'autore a gestire con dovizia il malefico e inquietante meccanismo dei viaggi nel tempo a ritroso.
Inutile sottolineare che sia proprio l'intuizione narrativa a reggere l'opera; personaggi e dinamiche - queste alle volte davvero ingenue e forzatissime - sono chiaramente modellati per un bambino nella fascia dagli otto ai dieci anni d'età.
Eppure, messo un attimo da parte l'approccio bambinesco, trapela dalla narrazione una certa paura verso lo scorrere del tempo e l'incapacità di concepire il nostro cambiamento in relazione agli anni che passano.
Gradevole, se contestualizzato nella sua semplicità.
"L'altro ieri era il compleanno. Ieri pure. Oggi mancano due giorni al mio compleanno. Perché non è mai la notte successiva? Forse il tempo sta davvero andando a ritroso..."
Se avessi letto questo volumetto da piccolo, penso che sarebbe diventata uno dei miei maggiori spauracchi.
Bravo l'autore a gestire con dovizia il malefico e inquietante meccanismo dei viaggi nel tempo a ritroso.
Inutile sottolineare che sia proprio l'intuizione narrativa a reggere l'opera; personaggi e dinamiche - queste alle volte davvero ingenue e forzatissime - sono chiaramente modellati per un bambino nella fascia dagli otto ai dieci anni d'età.
Eppure, messo un attimo da parte l'approccio bambinesco, trapela dalla narrazione una certa paura verso lo scorrere del tempo e l'incapacità di concepire il nostro cambiamento in relazione agli anni che passano.
Gradevole, se contestualizzato nella sua semplicità.
September 19, 2024
Αυτή ήταν μια ιστορία που με είχε προβληματίσιε ιδιαίτερα όταν την είχα πρωτοδιαβάσει. Είχε κάποια βασικά, ουσιαστικά στοιχεία τα οποία μου άρεσαν, αλλά υπήρχαν και ορισμένα άλλα που δεν είχαν καταφέρει να με αγγίξουν. Με την επανάληψη κατέληξα στο συμπέρασμα πως ίσως να φταίει το ότι η δομή της είναι λιγάκι πιο ενήλικη και πιο περίπλοκη απ' ότι μας έχει συνηθίσει ο Stine. Και κάπως έτσι, αναλογιζόμενη όλα αυτά και βάζοντάς τα στο ζύγι, κατέληξα στο ότι μου άρεσε αρκετά, κι ας μην είναι από τα πολύ αγαπημένα μου.
November 22, 2007
You are all rating these Goosebumps books too generously. I know it has nostalgic memories for you, or something. But I remember reading them and being disappointed and annoyed. Nothing scary ever happened. And they were written shit-ily.
June 22, 2007
R.L. Stine was overrated. He remains that way.
October 24, 2023
Not my favorite entry, but still good and intense. R.L. Stine crafted a story that really made me feel like I was right there with the main character through all the trouble! Would recommend.
January 16, 2025
I'm doing a full series reread and while this one wasn't a favorite it's still good. I was just as annoyed by Tara, the little sister, as I was when I first read this lol.
The Cuckoo Clock of Doom follows Michael as his dad has recently just purchased an antique cuckoo clock. His dad says that the store owner claims that it's enchanted. Tara, Michael's younger sister, is always getting him into trouble. In his parents eyes, she is their perfect little angel. He's constantly upset and trying to find a way to get her caught to prove to his parents that he isn't the bad child. One night he decides to sneak downstairs to mess with the cuckoo clock to make it look like Tara did it. However, when Michael wakes up the next day he finds that he's reliving his past birthday over again. What did he do?
The Cuckoo Clock of Doom follows Michael as his dad has recently just purchased an antique cuckoo clock. His dad says that the store owner claims that it's enchanted. Tara, Michael's younger sister, is always getting him into trouble. In his parents eyes, she is their perfect little angel. He's constantly upset and trying to find a way to get her caught to prove to his parents that he isn't the bad child. One night he decides to sneak downstairs to mess with the cuckoo clock to make it look like Tara did it. However, when Michael wakes up the next day he finds that he's reliving his past birthday over again. What did he do?
January 11, 2025
العدد ده مقرأتوش وانا صغيرة وأكيد لأنه مش مترجم وانا كنت بقرأ السلسلة المترجمة فقط ، بس ماعتقدش كنت هحبه وقتها ومحبتهوش حاليا وحاسة ان القصة اتقطعت في النص فبقت مبتورة وملهاش طعم ولا معنى وحتى حلقة المسلسل نفس الشئ. الفكرة كانت واضحة ان مايكل اللىى عنده ١٢ سنة متعقد بسبب احته اللى عندها ٧ سنين لأنها طول الوقت بتحرجه وبتسخف عليه ومحدش بيصدقه وهو اللى بيتحمل نتايج افعالها وكان بيتمنى انها متبقاش موجودة وبيحصل حاجة تحققله الامنية دي وخلاص على كدا🙄
October 19, 2019
I admit, I'm a sucker for time-loop stories, though this is actually an inventive twist on the concept: time moving inexorably backwards. The details don't quite sum -- the protagonist wakes in prior days, but the actions of people and objects don't literally move in reverse -- but for the purposes of storytelling one must allow these small logical lapses. I did wonder, though, when the time warp took place after he lay his head on the pillow. 12:01 AM? And was he shifted to a new bed? I suppose he was asleep for the white flash that the book later shows.
The strength here, primarily, is the emotional response Stine was able to evoke towards his antagonist. Tara is the worst sibling imaginable. I particularly like the scene where it's shown she was a terror even as an infant. The fact that I remember her name but not the main character's is indicative of her centrality to the story. The reader wants justice; and in one of the most delightfully nasty and vindictive twists in Goosebumps history, justice is served on the last page. I think this story stood out to me as a kid because it was one of the few endings in which a Goosebumps protagonist actually won, instead of victory being flung back in their face at the final second. How I Learned to Fly is another in this mold, though in counterpoint, as the MC loses in a literal sense but gains in reality, getting both the girl and a simple, peaceful life -- a very sweet turn.
The Cuckoo Clock of Doom will always be a stand-out.
The strength here, primarily, is the emotional response Stine was able to evoke towards his antagonist. Tara is the worst sibling imaginable. I particularly like the scene where it's shown she was a terror even as an infant. The fact that I remember her name but not the main character's is indicative of her centrality to the story. The reader wants justice; and in one of the most delightfully nasty and vindictive twists in Goosebumps history, justice is served on the last page. I think this story stood out to me as a kid because it was one of the few endings in which a Goosebumps protagonist actually won, instead of victory being flung back in their face at the final second. How I Learned to Fly is another in this mold, though in counterpoint, as the MC loses in a literal sense but gains in reality, getting both the girl and a simple, peaceful life -- a very sweet turn.
The Cuckoo Clock of Doom will always be a stand-out.
October 6, 2020
Un cuento o relato de corte juvenil pero muy disfrutable para todas las edades, la verdad es que lo disfrute recordando mi infancia y juventud a través de este relato, cuenta la historia de Michael, un preadolescente de doce años que sufre los estragos que le hace pasar su pequeña hermana Tara que es un todo un demonio (en sentido figurado), pues siempre le juega a Michael bromas bastante pesadas. Un día su padre compra un viejo reloj y que según el vendedor de antigüedades donde lo adquirio, este tiene una maldición. Y bueno hasta ahi se puede contar que no sea spoiler, la verdad es que es muy entretenido y fácil de leer, ideal para pasar un buen rato, distraerte y salir de algún bloqueo de lector o para descansar de lecturas mas complejas o libros grandes.
August 9, 2010
This book had to be my ultimate favorite book of Goosebumps definitely!! I had to keep reading and I couldn't stop because the book was so suspenseful!! The family gets a cuckoo clock and the dad says that no one is allowed to touch the clock at all! Micheal hates his little sister Tara so much. He decides to turn the bird backwards...just for the fun of it. Then the next day when he woke up he found out that is was the day before! He went back in time! How awesome! But the next day he's a year younger! Oh why does he have to go through this terrible life again! the next day he's 6. Then he's five! What's going on here. He has to turn the clock back quick before something even more terrible happens!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2017
talk about unfair
what's worse than being bullied by your own kid sister?
that plus your parents believing in her
what's worse than being bullied by your own kid sister?
that plus your parents believing in her
November 19, 2017
See that is what you get for touching things!!!
Michael and Tara's parents like to make sure the kids have what they need, So when they get an antique clock and then the kids not to play with it... what do you think they do??? YUP
THEY TOUCH IT!
He turns the cuckoo around thinking that it would be a funny joke ntot knowing that now the time would go backwards. Imagine living all the Messed up parts of your past over? like falling out of a tree and breaking your arm. SUX.
In the end he does manage to turn the time back by turning the clock back to normal but he did it when he was 2 years old... Not sure I believe that!
It was a cute book , nice concept.
Michael and Tara's parents like to make sure the kids have what they need, So when they get an antique clock and then the kids not to play with it... what do you think they do??? YUP
THEY TOUCH IT!
He turns the cuckoo around thinking that it would be a funny joke ntot knowing that now the time would go backwards. Imagine living all the Messed up parts of your past over? like falling out of a tree and breaking your arm. SUX.
In the end he does manage to turn the time back by turning the clock back to normal but he did it when he was 2 years old... Not sure I believe that!
It was a cute book , nice concept.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
This Goosebumps is kinda f*cked up
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April 12, 2025
This was cute. The main character was a brat, but it worked for the story. It is a unique story that I would recommend to middle-grade readers who enjoy good-humored spooky tales but are not looking to be horrified.
March 11, 2021
The Cuckoo Clock of Doom is an odd Goosebumps book. It's yet another entry where the 'horror' (and in this example I use that term very loosely) originates from an object, in this case a cuckoo clock, and this trope is rarely my favourite. I've accused these books of being padded before - most recently in
A Night in Terror Tower
- but it has yet to be more apparent than in The Cuckoo Clock of Doom. We basically read the same series of events twice, and for some unfathomable reason the second time these events play out there is very little done to change the course of action. I know R.L. Stine churns books out at a rapid pace, but the writing here is incredibly lazy.
And yet... I did find myself chuckling on occasion during The Cuckoo Clock of Doom. The protagonist, Michael, has some wry observations, although admittedly it's not clear if these are actually intended to be comical or not. The logic within this book is inconsistent, but once Stine pushes past the repeated events I did find myself more interested in how the plot plays out. At no point is this a particularly spooky Goosebumps book, but I didn't mind it too much overall.
2.5/5
Goosebumps Ranked
1) One Day At Horrorland - 4/5
2) Stay Out of the Basement - 4/5
3) Attack of the Mutant - 3.5/5
4) Welcome to Dead House - 3.5/5
5) Piano Lessons Can Be Murder - 3.5/5
6) Night of the Living Dummy - 3.5/5
7) The Girl Who Cried Monster - 3.5/5
8) The Werewolf of Fever Swamp - 3.5/5
9) The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight - 3/5
10) The Haunted Mask - 3/5
11) The Ghost Next Door - 3/5
12) Monster Blood - 3/5
13) Deep Trouble - 3/5
14) Say Cheese and Die! - 3/5
15) A Night in Terror Tower - 2.5/5
16) Why I'm Afraid of Bees - 2.5/5
17) The Cuckoo Clock of Doom - 2.5/5
18) Be Careful What You Wish For... - 2.5/5
19) The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb - 2.5/5
20) Monster Blood II - 2/5
21) My Hairiest Adventure - 2/5
22) Go Eat Worms! - 2/5
23) Return of the Mummy - 2/5
24) Let's Get Invisible! - 2/5
25) Welcome to Camp Nightmare - 2/5
26) You Can't Scare Me - 1/5
And yet... I did find myself chuckling on occasion during The Cuckoo Clock of Doom. The protagonist, Michael, has some wry observations, although admittedly it's not clear if these are actually intended to be comical or not. The logic within this book is inconsistent, but once Stine pushes past the repeated events I did find myself more interested in how the plot plays out. At no point is this a particularly spooky Goosebumps book, but I didn't mind it too much overall.
2.5/5
Goosebumps Ranked
1) One Day At Horrorland - 4/5
2) Stay Out of the Basement - 4/5
3) Attack of the Mutant - 3.5/5
4) Welcome to Dead House - 3.5/5
5) Piano Lessons Can Be Murder - 3.5/5
6) Night of the Living Dummy - 3.5/5
7) The Girl Who Cried Monster - 3.5/5
8) The Werewolf of Fever Swamp - 3.5/5
9) The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight - 3/5
10) The Haunted Mask - 3/5
11) The Ghost Next Door - 3/5
12) Monster Blood - 3/5
13) Deep Trouble - 3/5
14) Say Cheese and Die! - 3/5
15) A Night in Terror Tower - 2.5/5
16) Why I'm Afraid of Bees - 2.5/5
17) The Cuckoo Clock of Doom - 2.5/5
18) Be Careful What You Wish For... - 2.5/5
19) The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb - 2.5/5
20) Monster Blood II - 2/5
21) My Hairiest Adventure - 2/5
22) Go Eat Worms! - 2/5
23) Return of the Mummy - 2/5
24) Let's Get Invisible! - 2/5
25) Welcome to Camp Nightmare - 2/5
26) You Can't Scare Me - 1/5
June 20, 2022
Goosebumps: Cuckoo Clock of Doom by R.L. Stine is a time travel adventure in reverse. Cuckoo Clock of Doom is Goosebumps book 28 in the original series order. This is one of the least scary goosebumps books. It has one of the most obnoxious characters in Tara. The story is more of a morality tale that is done for laughs, it reminds me a lot of Goosebumps book Be Careful What You Wish For where it is the lead character's choices that get them in trouble. I can remember the Goosebumps episode for the Cuckoo Clock of Doom which was one of my favorites. In the episode you can feel the ticking clock running out, the story finally gets tense the last 30 pages or so. The story idea is really good it could have been executed a lot better. The final twist is the most sinister so far from goosebumps, and saves the book from being 2 stars. I have a sister that I used to read to and I remember reading that last line and it is a bit terrifying, this book is a reread but I could not remember the story at all, it has probably been 25 years.
Plot Summary: Michael has just turned 12 and it was the worst thanks to his little sister Tara the Terrible. Just days before his birthday his dad gifted himself with an old cuckoo clock. Michael is always getting in trouble because of his little sister he wishes he could redo his birthday knowing all of Tara's pranks. Michael finds away to get even with Tara as she has become obsessed with her dads new cuckoo clock and has already been yelled at once. Michael thinks if he keeps getting blamed for what Tara does she can get in trouble for what he does, so Michael waits and until the cuckoo bird pops out then twist the head backwards. The next day a strange thing happens it his birthday, his 12th birthday again, did he get his wish? Or did something else happens, when Michael's wish turns into a nightmare.
What I Liked: The Time aspect was pretty cool. The idea for the plot is a really good idea. The final twist is so sinister and one of the best twist that was forecast from the beginning. Stine did a good job of setting up interesting dates through out the day, that make the reader remember exactly which one and how he can avoid it. I liked the little thing about the door lock not working and getting fixed and what that sets up.
What I Disliked: The lack of tension and hurry, if I knew time was running out I would not sit calmly in school. Tara is the most annoying character so far in Goosebumps, but this one does play into the final twist. The plot could have been a lot tighter and the dates could have had more meaning.
Recommendation: This is a goosebumps you can skip. It's not really scary and set up more as a comedy like Be Careful What You Wish For. I would recommend you checking out the Goosebumps Tv episode for the Cuckoo Clock of Doom it is tension filled unlike the novel. I rated Cuckoo Clock of Doom 3 out of 5 stars. Here's my full ranking of the 28 Goosebumps books that I have read in order to my favorite to least favorite: 1) A Night in Terror Tower, 2) Stay Out of the Basement, 3) Ghost Beach, 4) Piano Lessons Can Be Murder, 5) The Haunted Mask, 6) One Day At Horrorland, 7) Night of the Living Dummy, 8) Welcome to Camp Nightmare, 9) The Phantom of the Auditorium, 10) The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb, 11) Say Cheese and Die, 12) Let's Get Invisible, 13) The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight, 14) Welcome to Dead House, 15) Monster Blood II, 16) The Girl who Cried Monster, 17)Deep Trouble, 18) The Ghost Next Door, 19) My Hairiest Adventure, 20) Be Careful What You Wish For... , 21) Return of the Mummy, 22) Why I'm Afraid of Bees, 23)Attack of the Mutant, 24) Go Eat Worms!, 25) The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, 26) Cuckoo Clock of Doom, 27) Monster Blood, And 28) You Can't Scare Me!
Plot Summary: Michael has just turned 12 and it was the worst thanks to his little sister Tara the Terrible. Just days before his birthday his dad gifted himself with an old cuckoo clock. Michael is always getting in trouble because of his little sister he wishes he could redo his birthday knowing all of Tara's pranks. Michael finds away to get even with Tara as she has become obsessed with her dads new cuckoo clock and has already been yelled at once. Michael thinks if he keeps getting blamed for what Tara does she can get in trouble for what he does, so Michael waits and until the cuckoo bird pops out then twist the head backwards. The next day a strange thing happens it his birthday, his 12th birthday again, did he get his wish? Or did something else happens, when Michael's wish turns into a nightmare.
What I Liked: The Time aspect was pretty cool. The idea for the plot is a really good idea. The final twist is so sinister and one of the best twist that was forecast from the beginning. Stine did a good job of setting up interesting dates through out the day, that make the reader remember exactly which one and how he can avoid it. I liked the little thing about the door lock not working and getting fixed and what that sets up.
What I Disliked: The lack of tension and hurry, if I knew time was running out I would not sit calmly in school. Tara is the most annoying character so far in Goosebumps, but this one does play into the final twist. The plot could have been a lot tighter and the dates could have had more meaning.
Recommendation: This is a goosebumps you can skip. It's not really scary and set up more as a comedy like Be Careful What You Wish For. I would recommend you checking out the Goosebumps Tv episode for the Cuckoo Clock of Doom it is tension filled unlike the novel. I rated Cuckoo Clock of Doom 3 out of 5 stars. Here's my full ranking of the 28 Goosebumps books that I have read in order to my favorite to least favorite: 1) A Night in Terror Tower, 2) Stay Out of the Basement, 3) Ghost Beach, 4) Piano Lessons Can Be Murder, 5) The Haunted Mask, 6) One Day At Horrorland, 7) Night of the Living Dummy, 8) Welcome to Camp Nightmare, 9) The Phantom of the Auditorium, 10) The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb, 11) Say Cheese and Die, 12) Let's Get Invisible, 13) The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight, 14) Welcome to Dead House, 15) Monster Blood II, 16) The Girl who Cried Monster, 17)Deep Trouble, 18) The Ghost Next Door, 19) My Hairiest Adventure, 20) Be Careful What You Wish For... , 21) Return of the Mummy, 22) Why I'm Afraid of Bees, 23)Attack of the Mutant, 24) Go Eat Worms!, 25) The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, 26) Cuckoo Clock of Doom, 27) Monster Blood, And 28) You Can't Scare Me!
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