Dreamhouse Kings – a Young Adult Book Series

By Robert Liparulo

I love series books. I happened upon one of Robert Liparulo’s books in a used bookstore, not aware that it was a young adult series. From the book’s description, I was intrigued, from the first few pages, I was hooked. And so began my wanderings through the King house, page by page and room by room, I discovered a wonderful series for any age.

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. But not only can they go from the house to the past, people from the past can come through into their house. Someone does- and kidnaps Mom, taking her into some unknown place in the past. The family begins a quest for Mom, which takes them to the most dangerous and fascinating places throughout time. Then the Kings learn a terrible secret: Their being in the house is no accident, and they must do much more than “simply” find their mother. (description from www.dreamhousekings.com – check out website for great information.)

The amazing thing about Liparulo’s books, is that you’re alongside the characters… creeping up the stairs to the third floor where they hear footsteps, running for their lives from cannibals in some long ago time, or fighting a Gladiator in Rome. Liparulo’s imagination runs wild on a face-paced chase through time and people. It’s a wonderful way for young adults to learn a little history by “being” in the middle of fighting in the Civil War, or watching the Titantic slip beneath chilly waters (just to name a few).

This book carries a warning however, once you start with the first book, you can’t put them down. I was borrowing these from the library (as I usually do) and as I started the first book, I would request the next one in the series. This worked fine until the last book, Frenzy, which took much longer to get (apparently a fellow library patron was reading along with me). It took 6 weeks to get the last book, and I nearly drove my librarian nuts asking if it was ready yet (even though I could clearly check online).

If you enjoy a great story with mystery and suspense, no matter your age, find this wonderful series and read them. My hat is off to Robert Liparulo, with a request to do another series soon!

The Books:

Book 1- House of Dark Shadows

Book 2 – Watcher in the Woods

Book 3 – Gatekeepers

Book 4 – Timescape

Book 5 – Whirlwind

Book 6 – Frenzy