Watcher in the Woods (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 2) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: portal door, Civil War, World War, King David (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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)

Review

"A powerhouse storyteller delivers his most fantastic ride yet!"
-Ted Dekker, bestselling author of Chosen and Infidel

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595544968
• ISBN-13: 978-1595544964
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Let the Marketing Fool You!, May 7, 2008

By	Jake Chism "www.FictionAddict.com" (Krum, TX USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fast read!, June 26, 2008

By	Paul Turner "CEO of Thrillerfandom" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for all ages, June 5, 2008

By	W. Wirtanen "Wild Wil" (St. Louis MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.