I realise that not every Goosebumps book is scary - R.L. Stine has occasionally dipped into writing stories which focus more on adventure than spooks, like Deep Trouble and The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena. Bad Hare Day is another entry that doesn't really deliver on the spooks, but it is also remarkably lacking in adventure, or, really, anything notable.

This book primarily concerns itself with the world of magicians, and features a protagonist, Tim, who has made liking magic his whole personality. He's keen to host magic shows for his friends, and is determined to impress with various tricks. It's not exactly a set-up which lends itself to spooks, and although Stine does attempt to cram a little bit of horror in once a magician's box of tricks is acquired, he's quick to back out of it with weak explanations.

I don't know if this is specific to the UK version of the book, but a somewhat significant plot point is revealed which doesn't occur in the book until right near the end. Seems like an odd choice. The one element of this book which I didn't mind was the relationship between Tim and his younger sister, Ginny. I thought it was interesting having the older brother openly acknowledge that his little sister is tougher than him, and for there to be an element of fear there. But honestly, it's an interesting dynamic which perhaps only really shines because so much of the rest of the book is about a kid performing magic tricks.

Finally, I know how Stine loves a ridiculous twist ending, but the one here is laughably bad. Bad Hare Day might serve as a good way to introduce Goosebumps to someone wanting to test the waters, especially since the horror is so light it's practically absent, but this wasn't for me. And I don't even mind magic.

1/5

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) The Headless Ghost - 3.5/5
6) The Phantom of the Auditorium - 3.5/5
7) Piano Lessons Can Be Murder - 3.5/5
8) Night of the Living Dummy - 3.5/5
9) The Girl Who Cried Monster - 3.5/5
10) The Werewolf of Fever Swamp - 3.5/5
11) The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight - 3/5
12) The Haunted Mask - 3/5
13) The Ghost Next Door - 3/5
14) Ghost Beach - 3/5
15) Monster Blood - 3/5
16) Night of the Living Dummy II - 3/5
17) The Haunted Mask II - 3/5
18) Deep Trouble - 3/5
19) Say Cheese and Die! - 3/5
20) A Night in Terror Tower - 2.5/5
21) Why I'm Afraid of Bees - 2.5/5
22) The Cuckoo Clock of Doom - 2.5/5
23) Be Careful What You Wish For... - 2.5/5
24) The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb - 2.5/5
25) Monster Blood II - 2/5
26) My Hairiest Adventure - 2/5
27) Night of the Living Dummy III - 2/5
28) Go Eat Worms! - 2/5
29) Monster Blood III - 2/5
30) The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena - 2/5
31) It Came from Beneath the Sink! - 2/5
32) Return of the Mummy - 2/5
33) Let's Get Invisible! - 2/5
34) Welcome to Camp Nightmare - 2/5
35) A Shocker on Shock Street - 1.5/5
36) Revenge of the Garden Gnomes - 1.5/5
37) How I Got My Shrunken Head - 1.5/5
38) The Horror at Camp Jellyjam - 1.5/5
39) The Barking Ghost - 1.5/5
40) Bad Hare Day - 1/5
40) You Can't Scare Me - 1/5