Rating: 
Summary: Great idea--passable execution.
Review: Like most customer-reviewers, I didn't hesitate in buying this book. The idea is worth five stars: from a prologue that begins in the last ten minutes of an Abbott & Costello comedy, to the logical explanations of the many inconsistencies of the Frankenstein Monster Universal saga. But...as much as I'm a nerdy-fan of the genre, I do also pine for artistic integrity--even in those old, dumb movies. The idea of the atmospheric, black & white horror films of the 30's and 40's has always over-shadowed my actual viewing pleasure. Even today, I gaze up at my collection of VHSs and savor the memories of the classic monsters--realizing that as soon as I pop one of those tapes in, I will instantly become disappointed and, yes, a little bored. The same is true with Mr. Rovin's book. He has constructed a plot that moves you forward; not with the enertia that one would effortlessly follow a well-constructed story--but by being tugged and prodded along solely for the purpose of following through with an idea that merits some sort of closure. Oh well, it was kind of fun to read and it did have some very good moments. And what truly great writer would ever even stick a toe in this completely new literary genre: The novelization of classic monster fan's imaginations?
Rating:
Summary: Torn...
Review: My favorite friends, the Universal Monsters are back in an all-new novel. If you're looking for a light, fluffy novel that will keep you turning the pages, then this is for you. There's good but more bad to be found here. I'll just list the points of each: GOOD: it's nice to see the monsters treated seriously. Gone is the buffoonery treatment to be found in the A&C Meet Frankenstein movie (of which this novel picks up the action after). The monsters kill, and graphically. The mood is often nicely menacing. And, the book did keep me turning the pages, it was absorbing. I read this book in two days. BAD: the characterization is almost non-existent. Characters are developed with the broadest of strokes: Wolfman, sympathetic. Dracula, totally evil. Etc. I found the writing to be a bit stilted. The author's annoying insistance of name-dropping names of characters or actors from classic horror-land of yesteryear. A cute idea overdone. Also annoying is the need to have Dracula's minions mutter "Yes, master." over and over. This is the only point(s) where the serious tone of the book dissolves to remind me of the A&C movie (not a good thing). Couldn't Dracula's slaves just silently obey commands? Lastly, the utter predictability of the action, especially the (overly maudlin) ending. No surprises here. Overall, a great idea executed fairly well.
Rating: 
Summary: Return to Greatness!
Review: Our old friends the Universal Monsters return in style with this new novel. Rovin's great respect and obvious passion for these characters shines through and makes for wonderful pulp-filled reading. The references to movies, both famous and obscure, were a welcome addition to an already well-crafted plot. I fear it won't sell enough for the series to continue, but then I remember: the Monsters never die!
Rating:
Summary: A Must for Universal Classic Horror Fans!
Review: Rovin captures brilliantly the feel of the original Universal Classics. He ties together all original tales and brings them forward into the present time with plausible explanations. He solves some of the unexplained mysteries from the original tales (ex. why Bela turned into an actual wolf rather than a wolf man in the original film). It does get a little gory towards the end. Rovin brings everything to a satisfactory close but gives some tidbits at the end for a sequel. Hopefully the demand will be there for one.
Rating:
Summary: The really bad thing about this novel.
Review: The REALLY BAD thing about Rovin's novel is that he has Larry Talbot claim he has eaten nothing but human flesh since 1941. Even allowing for his prolonged periods of 'death' between movies, this seems silly. Between full moons, Talbot is just a guy! And no lightweight, either. That's my only, piddling beef. Rovin's book is almost as much fun as the Anno Dracula novels and stories of Kim Newman. Like them it is brim-full of in-jokes and cross-references from our favourite genre. Ever wondered what became of blustery Mr McDougall after Talbot bit him? Whether the Florida of A&C MEET... was the same Florida stalked years later by another monster icon? What really happened to vampire newborn Sandra Mornay after the Frankenstein Monster threw her out the window? What became of Chick and Wilbur? And what happened to Lawrence Talbot's second chance at normal life but we all knew Dr Edelmann's theory was bunk, didn't we)? Rovin answers all that, and more. Pity about poor Professor Stevens though.... Tremendous fun! A pity Jeff could not continue with later volumes in this 'series'....
Rating:
Summary: BURIED TREASURE FOR MONSTER FANS!!!
Review: The title and cover may sound cheesy, but this is an incredibly exciting book! There's action, horror, serious violence, classic revivals of all the Universal Monsters, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek references for those "In the Know". Plus we get answers to questions like... What happened to all the monsters after the end of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein? Who would win in a fight between Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster? Who would win in a fight between The Wolf-Man and Dracula? How exactly do all of these monsters from the 1930's end up in the present? This book is a classic monster lovers dream. Trust me, if you grew up watching Creature Feature on Saturday afternoon, then this is the book for you. I have nothing but respect for how Mr. Rovin handles all of the monsters true to their origin and even weaves in all of the numerous films that they appeared in...he does not take the cowards way out and say, "That never happened." This is remarkable considering the references to Frankenstein vs. The Wolf-Man, House of Dracula, and even...The Deadly Mantis. AWESOME! I started out only reading Return of the Wolf Man because I enjoyed Rovin's VESPERS and FATALIS. But in the end, this book outshines both of those fine works and will earn a nice spot on my bookshelf where I can recommend it to others. Well done Mr. Rovin! So turn out the lights and ...READ AND ENJOY!
Rating: 
Summary: Wolfie, Frankie & Drac are Back!
Review: The Universal horror classic movie that fans have been dying for is, at long last ... a book! Fifty years after ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, werewolf Lawrence Talbot, the Frankenstein Monster, and Count Dracula are all revived in Rovin's fast-paced, gore-drenched chiller. The level of graphic violence in the story was never depicted in the classic Universal Pictures horror films, and at times seems out of place. Also, having the Monster actually 8-feet tall is a tad ludicrous, but does make for some interesting shennanigans! Rovin captures Lawrence Talbot perfectly, and creates some interesting characters for the book's contemporary sequences. His handling of Dracula doesn't quite ring true, though. The book's ending sets up the inherent sequel, but where is it?
Rating:
Summary: I really liked this book!
Review: The Wolf Man, as played by Lon Chaney, Jr, has always been one of my favorite characters; from when I was a kid on up to my present age. I was so surprised and happy to come across it accidentally while looking for titles by Jeff Rovin on the internet. Mr. Rovin does a fine job of creating and maintaining the atmosphere of the classic Universal monster movies of the 30's, 40's and 50's. It was a great book, and I eagerly look forward to the next volume in the series, and I hope that there will be a novel soon coming out which will feature my other all-time favorite monster, the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Rating:
Summary: They're baaaack!
Review: This book is a classic for anyone that loves the classic Universal Monsters. Rovin's use of obscure names and incidents from other Universal films (horror as well as Abbott and Costello) is a wonderful trip down trivia lane.He seamlessly picks up the story at the end of the monsters last film appearance in A and C meet Frankenstein and brings us up to date. The horror is played straight and there are surprises around each corner. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: FANG-TASTIC
Review: This has to be the best book that I have ever read.I can easily imagine all the characters including Bela Lugosi's Dracula,Glenn Strange's Monster and the remorseful Larry Talbolt as played by that great actor Lon Chaney Jr.The book itself takes off where the film "Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein" ended but oh my, gosh what an AWESOME read.I read this book in two days,i just could not put it down.The atmosphere was just like the classic Universal films that I grew up watching late at night.Even set in the modern day,the book kept the same atmosphere and you just didn't know just what to expect.Jeff Rovin showed great respect for the Monsters and for Larry Talbot and in my mind"s eye I could picture Lon Chaney saying the words that Jeff Rovin wrote.I'm sure if he was alive, Lon Chaney would've loved what Mr Rovin did for his "Baby".Plus having the lawyer named Henry Pratt was a good inside joke.I would recommened this booknot only to people who like the Universal monsters but to people who like horror and to just about anyone.I hope this isn't Mr Rovin's only story with the Monsters,I hope there are more to come.A truly Fangtastic book.
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