Book Summary: House of Dark Shadows- GG

House of Dark Shadows

By Robert Liparulo

Taking place in an ancient Victorian in Pinedale, California, House of Dark Shadows is an awesomely descriptive book. Basically, the King family moves from Pasadena for the sole purpose (known only to Edward King, the protagonists’ dad) of rescuing his mother from time itself. Seriously, the house is home to a hall of portals, doors into past times in history. Xander and David quickly discover this, and “go over” to another time. Xander is sent to the Roman Colosseum, where he is almost murdered by a bloodthirsty gladiator, and David ends up deep in the jungle, stalked by three tigers and hunted by natives. Agreeing that the portals are dangerous, they seal the false wall into the hall, but strange things start happening. Like the weird noises late at night. And the enormous man that kidnaps Xander’s mom and disappears into the portals. This book was really detailed and descripted, with several awesome fight scenes, but seemed somewhat lacking as far as the plot moving along. It basically seemed like 286 pages of two boys going back in time for five minutes. I finished it less than a day. However, the second one is better at keeping the story going, and also has the great detailed imagery that first attracted me to this series.