Watcher in the Woods

This story picks up as if it's just the next chapter of "House of Dark Shadows." That's good, if you had "Watcher in the Woods" handy, because you're going to want to go from one to the next asap. That's also the drawback, when you finish "Watcher" you're even more so going to want the next installment - and it comes out in January 2009. Write faster, Bob! Just kidding, I'm sure he's doing everything he can to keep us going. I have come to really enjoy this family - they bond and grow together throughout this book, and they way they pull together seems to be the antithesis of the disfunctional family we all read about. The adventures in this book become more recognizable by period and character, and I really look forward to the next 2-3 books as I'm sure you will if you buy these books.

Watcher in the Woods is the continuing story of the King family. David King, 12-years-old is facing huge traumas while attempting to keep the outside world from destroying his chance of happiness. Grasping hold of the King family legacy of bravery, David dives into the unknown to save his family at great cost to himself. From the first word to the final "not the end" I cheered and cringed for the Kings. I hope the next book releases very soon. This is book two in the series I'm going to recommend regardless of age or gender. I'd also love to see it turned into a movie. Easily frightened readers might struggle with the intensity, otherwise, this is a powerful story well told.

The second book in the Dreamhouse series is as good if not better than the premier book. The story of how a family pulls together during a major crisis has many twists and turns and holds your interest to the last page. Although the book is labeled as Juvenile Fiction, the story telling is anything but juvenile. Liparulo's plot line keeps you always wondering what is going to happen next. Like the old time movie serials you have a hard time waiting for the next installment.

"Watcher in the Woods" by Robert Liparulo is the second book of the Dreamhouse Kings Young Adult series. I won't summarize the book here, but I will tell you that "Watcher" is packed full of action, excitement and creepiness as the first book in the series, "House of Dark Shadows". Watcher is a book that will pull emotions out of you. Most notably you will be angry with the bull dog politics that put the King's in a corner. Anyone who's ever lived in a small town will understand their plight, and the ending will leave you pumped for the third book, "Gatekeepers" due to release in January of 2009. As with all of Liparulo's writing, this book is written well, and you will not find yourself bored with the prose. Even though it is labeled as a Young Adult book, anyone can pick it up and enjoy it. I highly recommend you do. If you haven't experianced Liparulo's other works: Comes a Horseman, Germ and Deadfall; picking them up while waiting on Gatekeepers will leave you wanting more by this talented author. Parents can rest assured that teens reading the full novels will not be assaulted with foulness, as Liparulo takes a clean, albeit vivid, approach to writing Thrillers. I highly recommend this book and am sure you will enjoy it. Robert Liparulo once again makes it very easy to say: "Five Stars."

Xander and David King can't believe this is happening. Their family has recently moved into a creepy old house with secrets around every corner. Sounds are never what they seem in the house. The hall linen closet is a portal to a locker at their school. And who could forget the strange clearing in the woods out back where you can actually float on air? All of that seems normal compared to the secret rooms that act as portals to other worlds. Now a member of the family has been kidnapped by someone from these other worlds and the King's must work together to bring them back. If things weren't bad enough, a stranger shows up who tries to run the family out of the house. He seems intent on destroying the family's reputation and soon has the local authorities on his side. Now the King's must deal with a new school and unfair perceptions as they secretly band together to find a way to bring back their missing loved one. The more they search the more they begin to understand just how dangerous this house is. Robert Liparulo opens this second installment right where the first left off. Immediately we are sucked back into the tension and mystery that made House of Dark Shadows so enjoyable. Round two is just as exciting as we are taken on another whirlwind thrill ride that never lets up. David King gets most of the spotlight here and it's a blast getting to know this character more. We are treated to more alternate world adventures that are chocked full of action and suspense. Even more secrets are revealed and more questions created, adding to the clever plotlines that Liparulo masterfully weaves. Never is it obvious where the story is going and that's what makes it so addicting. As with the first book, the themes of love and family are beautifully explored bringing a welcome dose of heart to the story. Some readers may be turned off by the "juvenile fiction" tag on the back of the book. Don't let the marketing fool you! This is a quality series that readers of all ages will enjoy. There are enough thrills, chills, mysteries, and action to keep all ages coming back for more. Liparulo's die hard fans will love this series and new readers will be charging to the nearest book store to discover his other works. This is top-notch storytelling on every level!