Book Review! House of Dark Shadows: Dreamhouse Kings Book I

Thursday, August 6, 2009


House of Dark Shadows: Dreamhouse Kings Book I
by Robert Liparulo
Available Now!
When the Kings move from L.A. to a secluded small town, fifteen-year-old Xander is beyond disappointed. He and his friends loved to create amateur films . . . and the tiny town of Pinedale is the last place a movie buff and future filmmaker wants to land.

But he, David, and Toria are captivated by the many rooms in the old Victorian fixer-upper they moved into—as well as the heavy woods surrounding the house.
They soon discover there's something odd about the house. Sounds come from the wrong directions. Prints of giant, bare feet appear in the dust. And when David tries to hide in the linen closet, he winds up in locker 119 at his new school.

Then the really weird stuff kicks in: They find a hidden hallway with portals leading to far-off places—in long-ago times. Xander is starting to wonder if this kind of adventure is a teen's dream come true . . . or his worst nightmare.

Honestly, I don't think I've ever read a more attention grabbing first chapter EVER in a book (okay, technically it was a prologue). From there on out I was hooked.

Xander King is our gutsy, yet sensitive protagonist and big brother to David and Toria. The King's are a very close family who keep no secrets from each other...or do they? There is a diabolical shadow hanging over the family, is it the house or secrets from the past?

What we have here is an intense and gripping novel for teens. There were times in the book that I found myself reading so fast to find out what happens that I ended up having to re-read parts because I knew I probably missed something, I had to make myself slow down a little! The house itself is an absorbing setting, rich with details that definitely add to the overall creepiness factor. But the heart of this story is the King family themselves. Wonderful character development had me caring and concerned about what happened to each and every one of them.

So if you haven't guessed yet, yes I loved this book, Mr. Liparulo is a great writer! It is well paced enough to keep you turning the pages and there are some genuine surprises here! There is just enough gore and violence to keep it PG-13 but enough to make you grimace a time or two. With the well rounded plot this book has wide appeal but is a sure hit with middle school boys who are often a difficult audience to please!

Up until now I have never read any of Robert Liparulo's books but I'm definitely adding him to my "Authors to Watch" list! This is the 1^st book in the Dreamhouse Kings series and I will be reviewing them all! The latest release, book #4 Timescape was released in July 2009.

Appropriate for 7th grade on up.

4.5 points