Robert Liparulo’s book, House of Dark Shadows, a hard back book with a photo to spook a mystery reader, is a great YA fantasy. Some would say more sci-fi than mystery, and yet the ominous sense of intrigue is a page turner.
There are readers that skip over the prologue, however, Liparulo’s tantalizing tale begins from the first page and the prologue’s last line is a definite page turner: “The door closed, separating her from her family forever.”
To move from that phrase to the tale of an ordinary relocation of a family, could be a letdown. Not so, Liparulo allows the reader to relax before stirring the imagination with “Big Foot” and a haunted house.
There are good qualities to this book: Pre-teen to YA will enjoy the story from the move through the haunted house; Liparulo uses all the senses to portray the scenes—and he succeeds in scaring the reader at times; the author gives a definite sense this is a decent family, they respect each other and work together; although not overly religious, good moral values are portrayed and church is mentioned. I liked the idea of a reader’s guide, also.
I realize the author and publisher set the reader up to buy book two, but in this case I felt cheated. If I were buying the book, I’d want more resolution. I still enjoyed the read from cover to cover.
There are readers that skip over the prologue, however, Liparulo’s tantalizing tale begins from the first page and the prologue’s last line is a definite page turner: “The door closed, separating her from her family forever.”
To move from that phrase to the tale of an ordinary relocation of a family, could be a letdown. Not so, Liparulo allows the reader to relax before stirring the imagination with “Big Foot” and a haunted house.
There are good qualities to this book: Pre-teen to YA will enjoy the story from the move through the haunted house; Liparulo uses all the senses to portray the scenes—and he succeeds in scaring the reader at times; the author gives a definite sense this is a decent family, they respect each other and work together; although not overly religious, good moral values are portrayed and church is mentioned. I liked the idea of a reader’s guide, also.
I realize the author and publisher set the reader up to buy book two, but in this case I felt cheated. If I were buying the book, I’d want more resolution. I still enjoyed the read from cover to cover.
Kat the reader
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