Robert Liparulo, a journalist turned novelist, has broadened his writing portfolio recently. Known as an author of
thrillers for adults, he launched an exciting new series of dark adventures for young people. The Dreamhouse Kings
series begins with this book, House of Dark Shadows. Released as a small hardcover, this book is sure to
become a favorite for young readers.
House of Dark Shadows begins with the King family moving from Pasadena to a small town in northern
California. Pinedale could be any small town in the US, and as far as the three King children are concerned it might
as well be in Siberia! Fifteen-year-old Alexander (Xander), a budding movie maker, misses his friends, especially his
first girl friend Danielle. David (12), a rising soccer star, is convinced that the Pinedale school doesn't have a
winning team. But Victoria (9) thinks the move is a grand adventure. None of the children realize just how much
moving to Pinedale will change their lives—and it all begins with the mysterious, Victorian fixer-upper that
they move into.
The house is full of contradictions. As they begin to explore and clean the monstrous house, they discover that
sounds often seem to be coming from different parts of the house than they’re supposed to. Family members, who are
seen going upstairs, end up in the first floor hall. Then, there are the secret passageways that don't just lead to
another part of the house, but to other parts of Pinedale, and beyond. And, scaring all of them, are the mysterious
footprints found in the house and the bulky appearances in the shadows of the night.
House of Dark Shadows is full of adventure and fresh new ideas of what can be chilling. This first book
ends as a nail-biting cliff hanger, with much unresolved.
Liparulo has crafted a very tightly written book that appeals not only to its targeted youth audience but to
adults as well. Though this book has been catalogued as a young adult book, like the Harry Potter series, there are
some scary moments, but there isn't anything in House of Dark Shadows that would mark this book particularly
for readers 15-23. The language and content are suitable for older elementary students as well.
There are two more books in this series so far:
Watcher in the Woods and
Gatekeepers. Luckily, I have
my hands on Book 2 and will be reviewing it next month. I have to find out what happens next!