Young Adult Worth Reading by Nicole O’Dell.
Before I get into this month’s YA Worth Reading selection, I have to send a hearty congratulations to Jill Williamson. She won the Christy Award for the first in her Blood of Kings series, By Darkness Hid, which I reviewed HERE. Great job, Jill!
“If you like creepy and mysterious, this is the house for you! Every room opens a door to magic, true horror, and amazing surprises. I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”
– R.L. Stine (Goosebumps)
When the Kings move to a small town in northern California, they have no idea of the adventures–and terrors–waiting for them. Fifteen-year old Xander and his twelve-year-old brother David make a game of exploring the old Victorian home they move into. One night, they discover an intruder and follow him to a hidden hallway of doors. Each door transports them to far off places in long-ago times.
I just finished Robert Liparulo’s House of Dark Shadows and I must admit, I’m disappointed … that I don’t have book two anywhere nearby. I absolutely could not put this book down and I will be picking up all six books in the series. Um… living in a house very much like the one described in the book, I didn’t wince even a little bit as I went into my own dungeonous basement to do laundry in the dark early-morning hours today. And I certainly did not scurry up the stairs and pull the door tightly closed behind me. Definitely not!
Xander’s father gets a job as a school principal in the far-away sleepy town of Pinedale. Movie buff, Xander King can’t believe he has to leave behind everything, just when he and his best buddies were about to make it big in the movie-making business. But, soon, he finds himself the star in his very own, real-life, horror flick. Think The Chronicles of Narnia meets The Shining.
What secret dangers will Xander and his brother, David, unearth around the next corner or behind the next doorway in a seemingly unending hallway of surprises?
While suspense makes this book impossible to put down, the underlying themes of family and trust make the characters come to life. The male point of view and the colorful and quippy writing style make this a perfect read for boys and girls alike. If you’re looking for something different, start with book one in The Dreamhouse Kings series, House of Dark Secrets, but be sure you have book two close by.
I haven’t read the books that follow House of Dark Secrets yet, but you really must see the covers:
Enjoy!
In other news, I have an iTouch giveaway going on to promote my Teen Talk Radio show. The details are HERE, but you can also enter to win by leaving a comment here. All comments on this post will be considered entries.
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
I will look forward to reading these great books this summer. Love summertime, so much time to read. Mydaughter loves reading too!! Thank you for the wonderful gift giveaway. God Bless!!
I have read other books by this author but have not heard of this series before. It would be great to read this and to win the itouch!
I am always looking for good books to put in the students hands. Thanks for the recommendation and being willing to give rewards to others who love reading.
I teach in a middle school, and I am always glad to find books that I can confidently recommend to our students. Thanks!!
a great posting/review
Oh, I am always looking for a series of books my students will like … these look like sure winners to me. Thanks Mary
I’ve read this series–my whole family has! And every book is fantastic! Actually, each one gets better than the one before, and I love the first one! Our family ranges from nine years old to early teens and two grown-ups. We all had our favorite parts and characters, but every one of us loved the books. Nice to see it recommended.
Wow! I was just telling my fourteen-year old son that he needs to get his hands on a good book now that summer holidays have arrived. And then I got on the computer and read this post! I will be calling our local library to see if they’ve got the series … never heard of these books or the author, but it sure sounds like something he would like!
Thanks so much.
Steph
I just put these on hold at our library! Thanks for posting about these.
I will have to check these out. They sound very interesting and different!
These sound like such fun!! I can’t wait to read and pass on to others.
Absolutely! This series is one of the best YA series I’ve read; so exciting, intriguing, entertaining–and real. I finished Frenzy a couple weeks ago, and wow, what a wild ride! Liparulo is a remarkable author.
My daughter read this book and really liked it but we kinda forgot about the series. I will have to make sure we get the rest of them.
I have 3 of these books in my school library, but I didn’t know about the next two. The first two were on the Scholastic Book Fair this year and our students really enjoy them.
When we travel I will read a book to the group. We have done this since my son was small and even though he is now 17 we all still enjoy the group activity. We’ll start this series this next weekend. Thanks for the recommendation.
looking forward to having my teen read these.
I live Narnia and The Shining. Can’t wait to get these books! They sound amazing.