Robert Liparulo

When I downloaded the book, I had the wrong impression of it. I thought it was a just horror story. I hate horror movies, but I love horror novels. I thought I’d give it a go since haven’t read one in ages. But, I was wrong about House of Dark Shadows; it’s far from being just a horror story. It’s quite the page turner filled with time travel, adventure, spookiness, and suspense— the kind of suspense that made me subconsciously start reading faster.

When Xander and David found show more themselves traveling through a portal in their linen closet to a locker in their new school, I thought I had everything figured out. I thought I knew exactly who the perpetrator was who left the big, bare footprints in the dust. But, goodness was I wrong! This novel has so many twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing all the way through.

I loved the family dynamics in the story. Reading about the interactions between Xander and his younger brother, David, was a joy. The Kings have a healthy and realistic relationship with each other; they’ve just gotten in the habit of keeping some important secrets from each other, but what family doesn’t?

I also loved the descriptions; they were so vivid in this novel. I had a movie rolling in my mind the whole time as I read.

Sometimes I did have trouble keeping track of the two brothers. I thought more could have been done to develop the two characters. But, perhaps this will come in time during the second book of the series. I also found the father’s logic troubling. Without it, there wouldn’t be much of a story, but it’s kind of unbelievable.

The book also makes a number of pop culture references. I mean a lot. A few seemed relevant, even humorous. But, after a while I felt like there were far too many, and I didn’t think they were adding anything to the story. I can’t imagine reading this novel years down the line since I think many of the reference will be lost on readers.

Overall, the story was great! It’s perfect for reluctant readers because it’s fast paced, full of action, and a relatively short read. I’m definitely grabbing a copy of the second book of the series, Watcher in the Woods (out now), because I really want to know what happens next! show less

Robert Liparulo gives us a genuinely terrifying thrill ride here, using a menace born in the racial hatred of the Third Reich, nurtured by a personal vendetta, and brought to life by 21st-century technology. And it’s all the more frightening for being far too plausible.

The stakes here are nothing less than the control of a designer virus, keyed to the DNA of specific victims, about to be set loose on the public. Liparulo gets the maximum mileage out of it as his characters fight to stay show more alive long enough to unravel the mystery and eliminate the danger while being hunted by an implacable, almost superhuman assassin.

Four stars for this page-turner. show less

Even though fantasy is not my genre of choice, and even though this is Juvenile fiction (and I am very old) and even though the book suggests that the first two novels in the series should be read first (and I had not read either of them) I LOVED THIS BOOK! I know it makes no sense other than it's a compelling story with believable characters, told in a page-turning fashion. What a thriller!

My only objection is that there is no conclusion. The book simply stops and leaves the reader panting show more for the next volume in this series. I can't wait to get my hands on that next book! show less

I was honestly expecting the books to get not as good as the series went on but this one was just as good! I love the way the story is constantly developing and changing! Fortunately or unfortunately, Xander is still a cocky 15 year old who doesn't listen to adult reason and hasn't changed in his quest to save his mother, even though the circumstances have changed.

Either way.
This book continues to be told from the viewpoint of David, which I wasn't expecting. Because the first book was show more written from Xander's perspective and the 2nd book was written from David's perspective, I honestly expected the 3rd book to be written from Toria's perspective! I guess I'm still waiting for the narrator perspective to change.

I find it ironic that Xander, the filmmaker, isn't the storyteller! I think it's hilarious. Xander is such the perfect 15 year old that he can't see beyond himself and, therefore, couldn't tell a story to save his life. David feels for others and sees beyond himself, making him the perfect storyteller.

It's been a fantastic series so far! On to book 5! show less