Book Review: Hawkins Horrors (2022)

 I spent a dollar last year to buy this Book.  I just needed to save it for the right Season.

Stranger Things, as I'm sure you know, is a very big franchise.
With a new and final Season in production, why not look at some, well, Expanded Universe Stories.

EU- it's not just for Star Wars anymore!

2022's Hawkins Horrors is a Collection of Horror Short Stories told by the Characters from the Show.
Oh, and I'm reviewing a Book, so Screen Caps are suggestive, but not from it.

Let's check it out...

Our Heroes are going to hang out at the local Video Store for a Midnight Movie Party.

The problem- the power goes out!

To keep things going, they begin to tell scary stories (in the dark).

'Are You Afraid of the Dark'

In 'A Little Voice,' a young woman working at the local Sanitarium falls for a young patient.

When death happens though, she finds that the voices aren't always in your head!

In 'Do or 20-Sided Die,' Dustin tells the tale of how he got a special D-20 for his D&D playing.

However, it comes with a curse!

*****

In 'Lovers' Lake,' Robin and Steve tell the tale of some young people going to the Lake to hang out.

They find real horror lurking below the water and need to get away.

'Creepshow 2'

In 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun,' Sam shares the Story of how she tried to join up with some Goth Girls.

Their trip to the Forest, however, unearths a hidden danger!

*****

In 'Don't Be a Pest,' Erica tells the tale of a young man who is suspicious of his new Stepdad.

Is his suspicious job for real or is he hiding something?!?

'The Stepfather'

In 'Two Lunches,' Lucas tells the story of an older Brother who has to keep on eye on his sibling.

He wanders off, however, as a danger lurks in town.
Is he safe?

*****

In 'Talk Back,' Mike shares the tale of a young man is still sad about the death of his younger Sister, even a year later.

Her old Talk and Sing Toy (legally distinct from a real toy) does more than it is supposed to.
Can he trust it?

A quick little wrap-up (which is rare in Anthology Films) and we're done.

An enjoyable collection of Stories.  I'm guessing that I'm older than the Demo for this Book.

That said, so much of the Show is built on '80s Nostalgia, so maybe I'm closer than I think.

Content wise, it is a mixed bag.

I liked most of the Stories, but I don't know how many that I loved.

For instance, 'Lovers' Lake' is a fun one, but the reference is hard to miss.

'Talk Back' as well feels like a proper Creepypasta tale that even I have read.

For fans of the Show, this isn't key canon, but it does make for a fun read in this Season.  

It's not a big investment and it can tide you over while you wait.

A nice bit of PG-13 Horror that is a nice appetizer for Season 5.  It's not groundbreaking, but it is worth a read.