I post reviews of books and games and stuff here, as well as my thoughts on the creative process.
~!~ Latest Gamebook: The Galactic Pirate ~!~
~!~ Latest Anthology: Invasion of the Road Weenies ~!~
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Listed below are the series I own one or more entries of. As I finish them, I’ll add a link to a review under their respective brand. I try to keep the intended age group in mind when I discuss these books, since most of them are for middle grade and teen readers. Granted, when I was a wee one, I was an idiot savant in the reading department, so my thoughts on these books may be totally different from the next fella.
Also, I will include each book’s number in its respective series, but the articles will be listed in the order I read them. So don’t be surprised if Twistaplot #6 is listed first, and #1 near the bottom. It just means #6 was the first book I read for the purpose of this blog.
Writing Gamebooks the Uncle Mac Way
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The series where it all started. These books put the reader in the role of the hero as he/she adventures through a variety of settings, from the deep sea to the himalayas, from outer space to the distant past. Meant for younger readers, so the focus is more on the novelty of the gamebook genre rather than deep narratives.
#10: Prisoner of the Ant People
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A sister series to CYOA in a way, definitely meant for young readers as text on the page is usually sparse. Not as long-running as CYOA and other series, but the quality level is pretty similar.
#10: Invasion of the Black Slime (And Other Tales of Horror)
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Another sibling series to CYOA, these edutainment titles teach the reader about different time periods while they take on the role of a time travel agent seeking obscure data that has been lost through the aeons. Great artwork and premise, same reading level as the previous two series.
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Goofy gamebook series that never takes itself seriously, often to a fault. The books are very short and not very involved. Tonally in the same ballpark as Goosebumps. A VERY mixed bag that is occasionally worth a read.
#13: Midnight at Monster Mansion
#4: Golden Sword of Dragonwalk
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This gamebook franchise focused on licensed properties like GI Joe, Transformers, Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Jem and the Holograms to name a few. Quality varies quite a bit, but there are a few gems in here.
#16: GI Joe: Operation Poison Dart
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A puzzle- and game-heavy series that emphasizes pulp sci-fi comic art rather than plain text. The reader becomes an interplanetary spy who takes on dangerous missions like tracking down fugitives, solving mysteries, and exploring alien worlds. Easily my favorite gamebook series as a kid.
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These chapter books have the occasional puzzle or game, and mainly focus on the adventures of Mario and Luigi, though two volumes were set in Hyrule. The Mario books tend toward the lighthearted comedy adventure end of things.
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Fantasy chapterbooks with multiple paths and endings, and a unique gimmick where every other book has a male or female protagonist. Overall these books have an old school Disney vibe (less Beauty and the Beast, more Black Cauldron). One of my favorites.
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A very short-lived series from the 1980s. Largely in the CYOA style, but the narrative seems a bit punchier.
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A very obscure series of gamebooks based on Bible stories.
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A gamebook series for young readers with a reputation for excellent storytelling.
Terror in the Fourth Dimension
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A more advanced gamebook brand, going as far as involving character sheets and dice combat. A hugely popular and long-running series that is still going strong today, co-authored by Steve Jackson (the Munchkin guy).
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A “Fighting Fantasy” style trilogy set in ancient Greece. Extremely difficult series with unforgiving combat and some questionable design/writing choices, but overall a must-read in spite of its flaws.
#2: At the Court of King Minos
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You are a ninja on a fictional world who goes on a variety of missions, usually to kill somebody evil. Utilizes a very nuanced combat system.
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An epic solo RPG series that is still popular today, considered one of the greatest gamebooks of all time. Very advanced even by Fighting Fantasy standards.
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Possibly the most complex gamebook series ever, this is another solo RPG system that is still around today.
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These gamebooks and oddities don’t fall into the categories listed above for any number of reasons. Maybe they’re one-shots, or exceptionally gimmicky, or otherwise completely defy human description. Think of it as a grab-bag of mystery crap!
You Can Be The Stainless Steel Rat!
Super Eye Adventure: Treasure Hunt
Give Yourself Goosebumps: One Night in Payne House
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I grew up a big fan of short story anthologies, especially scary ones. Here are some favorites.
I started out writing scary tales in my early writing career, and I largely had these books to thank for that.
These are two-part reviews where the first section covers my overall thoughts of the anthology, and the second part recaps and reviews the individual stories.
More Scary Stories For Sleepovers
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The edgier cousin to Sleep-Overs. Stories tend to rely more on gruesome imagery than clever twists.
The Slithering Corpse & Other Sinister Stories
The Dripping Head & Other Gruesome Stories
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Another YA horror series in the same vein as Sleepovers, centered around folklore and outdoorsiness.
Scary Stories for Stormy Nights
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A hysterical series of short story collections about a weird school and its equally weird students.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
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If I talk about an anthology that isn’t part of a series, or a series I don’t intend to revisit, I’ll post it here.
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~ GALLERY ~
A collection of unusual book covers I’ve discovered over the years. Newest ones are posted at the top.
Uncle Mac's Gamebook Shack 