House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings, #1)

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House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings #1)

by Robert Liparulo (Goodreads Author)

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 2,878 ratings · 461 reviews

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-uppe...more

Hardcover, 295 pages

Published May 6th 2008 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

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Community Reviews

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Feb 28, 2011 Jackie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller

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 themselves traveli...more 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 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!

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Sep 29, 2010 Aaron Vincent rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror-dark-fantasy

Also posted here.

I bought this from Fullybooked thinking that the first two books of the Dreamhouse Kings series combined in one volume and sold for the price of one book is a sweet deal. I was wrong. After reading the first book, House of Dark Shadows, I realized that it should really be sold that way because House of Dark Shadows is nothing but just a 280+ pages long prologue.

Xander King is a fifteen-year old boy who ~~swallowed the whole movie listing~~ is an aspirant movie director. Together wit...more Also posted here.

I bought this from Fullybooked thinking that the first two books of the Dreamhouse Kings series combined in one volume and sold for the price of one book is a sweet deal. I was wrong. After reading the first book, House of Dark Shadows, I realized that it should really be sold that way because House of Dark Shadows is nothing but just a 280+ pages long prologue.

Xander King is a fifteen-year old boy who ~~swallowed the whole movie listing~~ is an aspirant movie director. Together with his family, they moved from the city somewhere in California to a secluded small town. They found this strange Victorian house at the middle of the woods and dumbly decided to live there. And the rest, as they say, is history.

As I’ve said, nothing really happens here. They just discovered some weird stuff inside and outside their house. They found this room that is like a portal to their school and this weird clearing that is something like an anti-gravity area but that’s it. These places wasn’t visited again throughout book and I’m guessing that it will be used in the sequels. This is exactly why I think it just one long prologue. The climax is just a replay of what happened in the supposedly “prologue” of this book. A prologue of a prologue? Pretty brilliant, don’t you think? That’s a first.

Liparulo also created underdeveloped and unstable characters. He even committed a horrendous crime in series. There is this character named Toria that hardly did anything and I am guessing again that he will use this character in the sequels. I know some series that a certain character that exist from the first book and was only given a spotlight at the sequels but these characters somehow leaves at least a small impression to the reader. In House of Dark Shadows, Toria is just the youngest of the King siblings —period.

One thing that I didn’t like the most is the constant reference to some movies whenever something is happening. It’s like saying “Remember that scene in that movie, now imagine that happening to Xander”. He is mocking the imaginative ability of his readers. The horror!

I’m beyond disappointed but atleast there’s a single lesson I learn from this: There’s a reason publishers chose to combine two novels in one. I’m leaving this series for now even if I already have the second book. The prologue —er, I mean the first book isn’t interesting enough for me to continue reading it.(less)

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May 21, 2008 Ken rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young boys who like adventure stories

Liparulo's adult books, "Comes a Horseman" and "Germ" are among the best thrillers I have ever read, so I had very high expectations for his young readers series. Book one disapointed me. I'll at least give book 2 a chance and see if it improves, since I know the man can write a great book.

The King family moves to a new and remote little town and moves into a spooky old house. That pretty much sums up the first half of the book. In the second half, things actually start to happen. The house has...more

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Mar 17, 2009 Jena Marston rated it 4 of 5 stars

Hi everyone, I am doing a book review on House of Dark Shadows, by Robert Liparulo. I signed up with Thomas Nelson publishing to get free books in exchange for a book review on my blog and Amazon.

I have to admit, at first I was worried that this book would have too many religious things in it, which for me is a turn off when I am reading a fictional book, but it didn’t. That said, House of Dark Shadows amazed me! I had a really hard time putting it down.

It follows a family, the King family, who...more Hi everyone, I am doing a book review on House of Dark Shadows, by Robert Liparulo. I signed up with Thomas Nelson publishing to get free books in exchange for a book review on my blog and Amazon.

I have to admit, at first I was worried that this book would have too many religious things in it, which for me is a turn off when I am reading a fictional book, but it didn’t. That said, House of Dark Shadows amazed me! I had a really hard time putting it down.

It follows a family, the King family, who has just moved from L.A. to a small town called Pindale. They stay in a motel until the parents decide to buy a really old, Victorian home that needs a lot of work.

They fix up the home while staying in the motel until the house is ready to be lived in. Once the kids move in to their new room they start to explore the home and find a lot of strange things, rooms that should not exist, portals that take them from the Linen closet to their locker at school. Later they stumble upon a hidden hallway with rooms that are portals to different time periods. This would be a dream come true to most kids, but is it more freedom than the boys, Xander and David, can handle?

This is book 1 in the Dreamhouse Kings series. I have already checked out book 2 from the library and look forward to book 3 coming out soon. My only complaint about the book was all the references to brand name or popular items. I don’t mind a few references, this book seemed to be on the heavy side. It personallyÂ takes me away from the story, I want to use my imagination, give me something generic, and it also dates the book, people reading this book years from now will be confused if they have no idea what is being referenced.

That complaint aside, great book for teens, but also great for adults. It was scary and intense, but not so much that I won’t let my child read this a few years from now. I really enjoyed the writing and the story telling. This book was not what I expected. It was a lot of fun to read, and really hard to put down. I recommend this book to anyone with teenage boys, and even girls, or to anyone who wants to get sucked into a great series.(less)

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Jan 13, 2009 Jill Williamson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review by Jill Williamson

Fifteen-year-old Xander King is not happy to be moving away from Pasadena, California to live in the tiny town of Pinedale. Everything he’s always wanted was in Pasadena: his friends, his girlfriend, Hollywood. An amateur filmmaker, Xander wants to make movies someday, and living in Pinedale isn’t going to help.

When the Kings finally find a house, it’s nothing like Xander would have imagined living in, and everything he’d expect to see on the silver screen. Haunted isn’...more

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Dec 04, 2008 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

I knew just from reading the premise of this one that I would find much to love in House Of Dark Shadows. (Though the same could be true of reading the premise of 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson.) In this case, however, I was proven correct. I only have one bad thing to say about House of Dark Shadows---and that is that it is the first of a series. And the ending...well...it leaves you wanting more. But even that bad news has a silver lining, the sequel Watcher in the Woods is already available. Do...more
I knew just from reading the premise of this one that I would find much to love in House Of Dark Shadows. (Though the same could be true of reading the premise of 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson.) In this case, however, I was proven correct. I only have one bad thing to say about House of Dark Shadows---and that is that it is the first of a series. And the ending...well...it leaves you wanting more. But even that bad news has a silver lining, the sequel Watcher in the Woods is already available. Don't you wish all series books were published like that!

Xander and David are two brothers who are in for the greatest thrills of their young lives--at fifteen and twelve respectively. Though the reader won't be surprised by the adventure and danger elements of the story--the cover, the premise, the prologue--the characters themselves, Xander and David, NEVER expected to find danger of the life and death variety in this small and dinky hick town. But danger is what is lurking in every room of their new house. The house itself is the cause of the danger. Of the adrenaline.

The book is action-packed. It's well paced. If you like adventures of the spooky sort. Part science fiction. Part adventure. Part mystery. It offers much to readers of almost all ages. (I'd say ten and up if I had to label it at all.)

Though the book is published by a Christian publishing house--it's a clean read, by the way--there is nothing religious or spiritual about it. Just two kids exploring a spooky, old house and finding their ordinary lives turned upside down and inside out. No sermons to be found within its pages. There is nothing un-Christian about it. But there is nothing specifically Christian about it either. It's a book anyone could enjoy. I feel the need to say this because sometimes Christian fiction has the reputation (sometimes unfairly so) of being...well....dinky in nature, poorly written, weak plots, flimsy characters, etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it. It would be great for challenges as well--assuming that Carl has his Sci-Fi Experiment again this winter OR his R.I.P. challenge next fall.(less)

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May 06, 2013 Loretta Polhamus rated it 5 of 5 stars

A friend gave me the book for my grandson as this series is geared towards the younger preteen/teen readers. However, lacking a new book to start I opened this one and was hooked. Robert Liparulo brings this book to life with edge of the seat horror without all the sex and cussing some other books add. An old house they move into has rooms leading to other times loaded with danger like when David finds himself in the middle of a gladiator fight; someone comes in and kidnaps their mother and take...more

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Apr 04, 2013 A'ndrea Wilson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I purchased this book because I found it as a bargain book at a Christian bookstore and I read it for a reading challenge. The prologue turned me off. It was a bit confusing, the prologue immediately jumped into the middle of a situation that didn't make sense...until later in the book. I was hesitant about continuing to read it after the shaky start, but I decided to take a chance, and I am glad that I did.

Let me say that this is a young adult novel. I did not get that sense from reading the s...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Karlye Price rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-that-have-changed-me

During my eighth grade year and our school’s last book fair, I came across this mysterious and slightly cheesy book title “House of Dark Shadows”.
Skimming through JUST the first page this book became my instant favourite. I don’t entirely know exactly how to write a review to express my love for this book but it gave me inspiration for so many things. DO NOT, AND I REPEAT DO NOT SKIP THE BEGINNING. The flash-back that starts the book sets the whole series. You then are greeted with the unhappy...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Hollowspine rated it 2 of 5 stars

From the back of the book I was in mind of a creepy mystery house, but the story wasn't exactly as expected.

The King family moves into a dilapidated, but large old house, that had seemingly been abandoned in the night by it's previous residents.

From the moment he sees the house Xander senses something strange about it. Sounds come from strange directions and he swears that someone was watching him from inside the house before they entered.

But, despite these weird forebodings the family moves in....more

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Aug 12, 2012 Maria D'Isidoro rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, childrens, fantasy, horror, history, mystery, paranormal, sci-fi, series, middle-grade, time-travel, magical-doors

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 18, 2012 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Mindy Terry, Anyone who likes Time stories

Shelves: blog-books

My Take on It: This story took a while to get into. I’m not sure if it was the elaborate descriptions or the whiny attitude of the principal character (Xander) in the initial chapters but at first it seemed cumbersome. Fortunately the chapters were short and within the first 100 pages, things really picked up. I appreciated the map given by the author at the beginning- I think otherwise following all the physical twists and turns in an already convoluted story would have been nearly impossible...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Cheyenne Prince rated it 5 of 5 stars

Robert Liparulo’s House of Dark Shadows will draw you in and leave you checking your doors for parallel worlds.

(view spoiler)...more

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May 21, 2012 Joseph rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 08, 2012 Eva rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mediocre

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Keluarga King, Edward, Getrude dan tiga anaknya--Alexander, David, dan Victoria; pindah ke sebuah kota kecil dari Pasadena yang lebih besar. Tentu saja perubahan ini membuat Alexander yang menginjak usia remaja, marah. Gimana nggak? Pindah dari tempat yang penuh dengan layanan WiFi gratis ke lokasi yang isinya pohon semua? Wow... jelas para pecinta Apple product ga bisa terima.
Tapi nampaknya bokap punya alasan kuat untuk ke sana, jadi Alexander cuman bisa ngiyem sampe akhirnya dia pindah ke ruma...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Seawood rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: creative writing classes as an example of "how not to write teen fiction"

I gave up at 40% and deleted it off my Kindle. Just unbearable rubbish - a good idea absolutely squandered by a terrible writer. Completely unbelievable teenagers, parents who are nothing more than pathetic deus ex machina to give the kids a reason to be in the creepy house. No sense of style whatsoever, no reason to go on. No edge, no dilemmas, no coming-of-age/finding yourself interest. Even the meant-to-be-scary prologue was hard going. Written as though the writer was wishing it was a screen...more

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Sep 16, 2011 Rachel Thompson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal

Xander King is unhappy because his family is being transplanted from Pasadena to a small town in northern California. The only thing that might make this all turn out okay is their strange, creepy house, which adds excitement into their move.

The entire house's atmosphere really creeped me out. I loved the crazy things Xander noticed about the place, such as the way sound behaved, or how people seemed to appear where they shouldn't be, so I was looking forward to settling in for a truly scary boo...more

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Apr 03, 2011 Leanne rated it 2 of 5 stars

I heard great things about this book, but for me, it was just "eh." I honestly skimmed through the middle of it. It's probably good for 7th/8th graders, but to be honest, I've read much better geared to that age group.

It just didn't "wow" me. The characters didn't make me love them. I wasn't even really interested in them. Will I read the rest of the series? Not any time soon.

Oh- and one thing that bugged me wicked bad is on pg. 55.

Here it is taken right from the book:

But Xander liked the old Ed...more

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Aug 09, 2010 Bluerose's Heart rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, christian, clean, fantasy, young-adult-12-and-up

This book really creeped me out! I did read most of it while my husband was gone and my little boy was asleep. It was storming pretty bad, and me and puppy dog are terrified of storms! So that setting may have contributed to the creepy factor.
The ending is a major cliffhanger, so I strongly recommend having the next one lined up. I don't, so now I have to wait. I will read the next one outside in the daytime. I don't think I'll be so creeped out that way. (I do want to make note that I read a l...more

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Jun 21, 2010 Bruce Judisch rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my first foray into the young adult thriller genre, and I entered with guarded expectations. Modern young adult readers have been conditioned to supernatural worlds largely without boundaries through the imaginations of writers such as JK Rowling and Lemony Snicket. Therefore, the Christian writer nudging this genre must marry other-worldly story lines into a Christian world view gingerly, as there exists the danger of contorting one or the other beyond reason in the attempt to achieve a...more

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Apr 06, 2010 Erin (Bookish in a Box) rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Dreamhouse Kings series is an engaging read, centering mostly on brothers Xander and David King, as well as the rest of the King family. When they move to a new home, they discover it has secrets as dark as its past, and they must save themselves from the evils inside.

The premise might sound like a bad B-movie, but don't be fooled: House of Dark Shadows is great entertainment. Personally, I tend to avoid books with male protagonists, but Mr. Liparulo tells the story so skillfully that I forg...more

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May 13, 2009 Kleiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

We all know the story. An urban family relocates to a rural town. The teenage protagonist is too cool for Hicksville. They move into a dark, secluded Victorian house that has been empty for decades and was last occupied by a family that disappeared under mysterious circumstances. They see and hear strange things, as the house seems to be alive.

Well, this is just the beginning for the King family in House of Dark Shadows. Liparulo builds a fast-paced adventure on this age-old premise. His writin...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Kelli rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Final rating: 3 stars.

Hmmm. This is going to be a rather complicated review. I say complicated because I have mixed feelings about this book.

So, basically, this is the first book in a series centered around a family known as the Kings. The Kings have just moved into a new house in the town of Pinedale, due to their father's job. Xander, the point of view we are seeing/hearing everything from, is...I believe 15 years old?...and starts feeling strange things the moment he steps into their new...more

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Feb 14, 2011 TC rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Ok, I think I'm starting to dislike trilogies and series of books. It seems as though that is all I am reading these days, can't one of these books just end at the last page? *sigh*

my thoughts:

1. The prologue is amazing and it sucked me right in.

2. house sounds like a great layout and fun mystery

3. This book takes way too long to get moving

4. Author writes really well and makes you like the characters, if it wasn't for his good writing, I would have ditch the book right away.

5. seems like it was...more

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Jan 20, 2011 Jillian -always aspiring- rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Kidlets, ages 9-12

Shelves: titles-i-love, disappointing-books, could-have-been-better, 2011-reads

(Actual rating: 2.5 stars)

This book had caught my eye a few times in the bookstore, but I had never really picked it up to read the back cover blurb. The decision was made for me, though, when I found out the Kindle edition was free for a limited time. I didn't think much about it: I snagged it and downloaded it.

Now, I have always loved the idea of something insignificant turning out to be something much more, hiding something mystical and mysterious behind a normal facade. Take, for instance, t...more

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Feb 17, 2013 B. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought this was a great young adult horror story. Two brothers and their family move to a weird house in the middle of nowhere, and weird things start to happen. The kids are likeable, and credible in a horror movie sort of way. Frequent horror movie references, on the other hand, are one of the book's weaknesses. I'd have like the story to stand on its own without being propped up by frequent references. A few were fine for flavor, but Liparulo ladled on too many.

On the other hand, the story...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Meredith W. rated it 5 of 5 stars

The King family moved to a small towm in California, and David and Xander are not happy at all about the move. When they get there, they find a house...more The King family moved to a small towm in California, and David and Xander are not happy at all about the move. When they get there, they find a house full of strange and very spooky things. When David and Xander find a room to stay in, they soon discover that the linen closet in the hall teleports them to a locker at the new school they are...more

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Dec 31, 2010 Krystl Louwagie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I had this book on my wish-list (after seeing it at Marshall school's scholastic book fair). And, lucky for me, it was one of Amazon's free books for the Kindle!

I felt like a happy little boy reading this book. :p General premise: Dad moves family out to new town with only cryptic reasons of why they're moving. And, to top that off, they move into a creepy, weird, house. There's not much credit given to females (they're kept in the dark about the secrets of the house while the two brothers and f...more I had this book on my wish-list (after seeing it at Marshall school's scholastic book fair). And, lucky for me, it was one of Amazon's free books for the Kindle!

I felt like a happy little boy reading this book. :p General premise: Dad moves family out to new town with only cryptic reasons of why they're moving. And, to top that off, they move into a creepy, weird, house. There's not much credit given to females (they're kept in the dark about the secrets of the house while the two brothers and father all conspire about them). There are a couple moments of feeling the annoying cliches-two brothers who have a good relationship, rough-housing, what not, and a father who they also have a good relationship with, and of course, he's more lenient than the Mother, lets them get away with stuff, etc.

But, as you see, I gave the book a pretty high rating-as most of you know, I'm not as excited about female characters as male ones, so it's pretty easy for me to ignore the injustices given to them in this book. I loved the attitude of the boys-they were slightly scared of the house, but more excited and curious-like when I want a really bad, huge storm to hit even though I know I might have to drive it in. There's just something about it that too exciting to want normalcy, even if it'd be better. The action/fighting scenes in this book were actually ones I could follow well and that I enjoyed, keeping me thoroughly interested (a lot of times those scenes confuse and lose me and I just read quickly through them to find out the ending result).

It's a young adult book with serious, dark parts that are interesting without being depressing or too dark for their readers (although, I'm pretty sure there's not a lot that I could consider too dark, being as that's the sort of thing I like). It's a book in a trilogy, and it's set up nice for it; the book has a real ending and a real beginning for the next book-the book opened lots of doors, explained enough to feel satisfied, but also enough to keep the reader interested in continuing and allowing for a lot more to be tied in.

There was a moment at the end of the book where the main character gets mad at the father-and it's very justified-but it's dropped quicker than I thought it should be, and was too easily resolved, though I understood the author's decision to do it, (it is best for the success of the journey they must know embark on), I was still unhappy about the fast recovery of their relationship (I never would've forgiven that quickly-or, probably ever trust the man again).

Anyways, I really enjoyed it-it was an easy, short read that kept me thoroughly interested the whole time, and I look forward to reading more. Though I doubt they're all free. ;)
Oh-I also enjoyed how the character was always comparing his life to movies I've seen. :p
Something interesting-at the end there's a contest for young adults to write in what elements should come in the next books, and the winners get their ideas incorporated into the book-this writer must not have control issues with what he writes about and the worlds he's created. :p(less)

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Jun 01, 2011 Sesana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, fantasy, horror, magic, monsters, mystery, young-adult

Is it just me, or does it seem like Robert Liparulo had read House of Leaves very shortly before writing House of Dark Shadows? I kept getting reminded of House of Leaves throughout. Not necessarily a bad thing, of course. There's a lot of great inspiration you could take from House of Leaves. Sadly, this one just doesn't quite seem to measure up, to me.

The first thing that bothered me was how unrealistic the reactions of pretty much everybody were. The whole reason that the King family are at t...more

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Dec 08, 2008 Carol(ina) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: tweens, teens, suspense fans

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....more 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.

This was a great start to what seems like a great series. The book was suspenseful, a bit creepy, and just wonderful.

Everything was so vividly described; it was as if you were watching a movie or in the character's head. It transported you into the book and made it seem as if you were in the story.

Sometimes it was hard to differentiate the characters from each other since they weren't that well-developed, but hopefully that it'll change in future books. I did like that Xander was a horror movie fan because whenever something creepy happened he used examples from movies to describe what was happening.

This book is so engrossing that it makes it hard for you to put it down. Since it’s fast-paced as well, it’s a fast read. The rooms that transport you to different places, or to different times, were original (at least for me).

The creepy or suspenseful things that happened in the book were well-written and interesting. You get so caught up in what’s happening that you don’t really complain about how the characters aren’t developed enough.

The ending was surprising but if you pay close attention to small details it could be predictable. It ended in a cliffhanger and I just want to rush and buy the sequel (out now), to find out what happens next with the King family. I was mad at the father for reasons I cannot say (it’s a spoiler) but I kind of understand his reason for doing what he did.

Overall, this a great new series that I recommend to reluctant readers, guys, and fans of suspenseful novels. Plus, it would make a great Christmas gift to an older/younger brother or a male cousin!(less)

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Book Crazy!: * The Book Of The Month February :D (CLOSED)	1	5	Jan 30, 2013 12:39am

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Fantasy

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Young Adult

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Mystery

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Horror

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Fantasy > Paranormal

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Science Fiction > Time Travel

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Adventure

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Thriller

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Christian

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Christian Fiction

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About Robert Liparulo

Robert Liparulo's novels, Comes a Horseman, Germ, Deadfall and Deadlock have received rave reviews, and his short story "Kill Zone" is included in the anthology Thriller, edited by James Patterson. He is also the author of the best-selling young adult series DREAMHOUSE KINGS: House of Dark Shadows, Watcher in the Woods, Gatekeepers, Timescape, Whirlwind, and Frenzy. Robert lives in Colorado with h...more

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Books by Robert Liparulo

Watcher in the Woods (Dreamhouse Kings, #2)

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Trivia About House of Dark Sha...

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Quotes from House of Dark Shadows

“Bravery is not the absence of fear but the forging ahead despite being afraid” — 24 people liked it

“Knowledge was like candy: you never turned it down, especially if you didn't have to work too hard to get it.” — 17 people liked it

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title link	preview: House of Dark Shadows
avg rating	preview: House of Dark Shadows Goodreads rating: 3.89 (2878 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2330877.House_of_Dark_Shadows?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348270984l/2330877.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2330877.House_of_Dark_Shadows?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo[/url]

House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings #1)

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