House of Dark Shadows

December 8th, 2008 • books, reviews

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Review:
House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo

After reading the first paragraph, I could tell that this book is well written and attention grabbing. I loved that it is filled with modern references to movies, songs, books, and people ? a la Gilmore Girls (just more nerdy). I also liked the strong sense of family unity, genuine love, and mutual respect. I find this lacking in most modern entertainment sources ? television, movies, and literature.

Some negative points include the fact that the entire book takes place in the span of a few days. That was too surreal because it felt like the events should have spanned weeks or months. I also correctly predicted the plot twist at the end, which was too typical of this genre. Even though it was a little annoying that I predicted the plot twist, it did not take away from me liking the book in the end.

Upon reading the ending, I still wished I had book two within reach. Knowing there?s more books coming, I don?t expect a resolution of the King family problems in book two either. All in all, the author is a great storyteller with a vivid imagination that truly draws the reader into the story and I can?t wait to read the sequel.

Product Description:
Dream house . . . or bad dream?

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 . . . but 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 off to far-off places–in long-ago times. Xander is starting to wonder if this kind of travel is a teen’s dream come true . . . or his worst nightmare.

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