13th out of 368 books
—
258 voters
House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings #1)
by
Robert Liparulo (Goodreads Author)
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
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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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 Xander and David found themselves traveli...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 whoswallowed the whole movie listing is an aspirant movie director. Together wit...more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Let me say that this is a young adult novel. I did not get that sense from reading the s...more
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Robert Liparulo’s House of Dark Shadows will draw you in and leave you checking your doors for parallel worlds.
(view spoiler)...more
(view spoiler)...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jan 20, 2011
Jillian -always aspiring-
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Kidlets, ages 9-12
(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
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
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
On the other hand, the story...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...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
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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
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
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
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
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| Book Crazy!: * The Book Of The Month *February* :D (CLOSED) | 1 | 5 | Jan 30, 2013 12:39am |
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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“Bravery is not the absence of fear but the forging ahead despite being afraid”
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