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elleldee's review against another edition
2.0
The end. Best line of the novel.
The acknowledgements did help explain a lot of the erratic storyline and the randomness. Still, it felt like the whole series was written like a short story contest, that should have ended long ago.
The acknowledgements did help explain a lot of the erratic storyline and the randomness. Still, it felt like the whole series was written like a short story contest, that should have ended long ago.
courtneyvanpay's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
anniemariek's review against another edition
4.0
First Look: 5/5 I love the cover! And the title is just plain cool. I also like the how the mom is the only light figure.
Setting: 5/5 Well, hmmm, let's see... Creepy old house? Check. Atlantis? Check. Ancient Rome? Check. Random, viciously morbid settings throughout history all stuff into one book? Check! Like the Pendragon series, this book does a great job of bouncing around to countless different settings. Though it's based on Earth, the history-jumping is a wild ride all on its own.
Characters: 3/5 Xander has remained my favorite since the beginning. He seems like the most three-dimensional one in the series. (Yes, that's right, I like the character who tends to have anger-spazz moments.) David was sort of getting to that point and I liked him and felt for him, but all the others fell a bit flat for me. Dad, as he was simply known throughout the series, was too...typical. So was the mom, but she wasn't really in much of the series anyway. Taksidian, the villain, would be really creeping me out one minute, but the next he'd do or say something that would just downright make me laugh. Don't get me wrong; he was scary, but he seemed awkwardly written at times. I hoped this book would prove that Toria deserved to be in the story, but...guess not. I felt like her only point was to add cuteness to otherwise freaky situations.
Plot: 4/5 This book is paced a bit slower than Whirlwind, which is good. Whirlwind really was...a whirlwind. That being said, this entire series moves insanely fast. The whole six books take place over, what, ten days? Whew! It was a little jarring, which was good. I like that in this kind of series. I thought the ending was fitting, too, but...my predictions were incorrect. I thought...erm, that certain people would die, but nope, they didn't. Now I'm just wondering why that disappoints me so much.
Uniqueness: 4/5 This series is unlike any other, combining Christian fiction with haunted houses with time travel. However, the plot arc of each book was very, very similar to the one before it.
Writing: 4/5 Oh, Liparulo never fails to make me smile in some way or other with his writing. Only he would have half his characters battling certain death in Atlantis while the other half sits at a drive-through, wondering why the first characters won't pick up their phones. And he does like to put a lot of emphasis on food, of all things. It's a bit weird, how he puts very mundane things into the spotlight when they don't need to be there at all. Other than those weird little things, I mostly like his writing.
Likes: The word bicep only appeared once in this book! Yahoo! It was used dozens and dozens of times in the previous books. And for goodness' sake, that's Jesus! Loved that twist.
Not-so-great: Okay, really? That beginning was almost a bit...cruel. Yes, I was freaking out. And then to leave us hanging through a whole 330-something pages? Harsh. And I'm sorry, but...the guy bit David. That is so gross.
Total Score: 4/5 And so the Dreamhouse series concludes. Despite my nitpicks, this was by all means a good ending to the series. This entire book is a bit of a frenzy, but then again, that's how I like my books. Like the other books, it was a somewhat jarring read. Be warned, these books are not without their morbidness. Revisit all of the most terrible scenes in history? Sure, why not? But I love time travel books, and I like history, and I love the concept of messing it up. A high fours stars for Frenzy. Recommended, but make sure you read House of Dark Shadows, Watcher in the Woods*, and so on, first!
*Creepiest cover/title combo ever, by the way. I love it. The title is stalkerish and then there's this vague outline of a guy, just standing there, watching you...
Read even more reviews at http://anniesepicblog.blogspot.com!
Setting: 5/5 Well, hmmm, let's see... Creepy old house? Check. Atlantis? Check. Ancient Rome? Check. Random, viciously morbid settings throughout history all stuff into one book? Check! Like the Pendragon series, this book does a great job of bouncing around to countless different settings. Though it's based on Earth, the history-jumping is a wild ride all on its own.
Characters: 3/5 Xander has remained my favorite since the beginning. He seems like the most three-dimensional one in the series. (Yes, that's right, I like the character who tends to have anger-spazz moments.) David was sort of getting to that point and I liked him and felt for him, but all the others fell a bit flat for me. Dad, as he was simply known throughout the series, was too...typical. So was the mom, but she wasn't really in much of the series anyway. Taksidian, the villain, would be really creeping me out one minute, but the next he'd do or say something that would just downright make me laugh. Don't get me wrong; he was scary, but he seemed awkwardly written at times. I hoped this book would prove that Toria deserved to be in the story, but...guess not. I felt like her only point was to add cuteness to otherwise freaky situations.
Plot: 4/5 This book is paced a bit slower than Whirlwind, which is good. Whirlwind really was...a whirlwind. That being said, this entire series moves insanely fast. The whole six books take place over, what, ten days? Whew! It was a little jarring, which was good. I like that in this kind of series. I thought the ending was fitting, too, but...my predictions were incorrect. I thought...erm, that certain people would die, but nope, they didn't. Now I'm just wondering why that disappoints me so much.
Uniqueness: 4/5 This series is unlike any other, combining Christian fiction with haunted houses with time travel. However, the plot arc of each book was very, very similar to the one before it.
Writing: 4/5 Oh, Liparulo never fails to make me smile in some way or other with his writing. Only he would have half his characters battling certain death in Atlantis while the other half sits at a drive-through, wondering why the first characters won't pick up their phones. And he does like to put a lot of emphasis on food, of all things. It's a bit weird, how he puts very mundane things into the spotlight when they don't need to be there at all. Other than those weird little things, I mostly like his writing.
Likes: The word bicep only appeared once in this book! Yahoo! It was used dozens and dozens of times in the previous books. And for goodness' sake, that's Jesus! Loved that twist.
Not-so-great: Okay, really? That beginning was almost a bit...cruel. Yes, I was freaking out. And then to leave us hanging through a whole 330-something pages? Harsh. And I'm sorry, but...the guy bit David. That is so gross.
Total Score: 4/5 And so the Dreamhouse series concludes. Despite my nitpicks, this was by all means a good ending to the series. This entire book is a bit of a frenzy, but then again, that's how I like my books. Like the other books, it was a somewhat jarring read. Be warned, these books are not without their morbidness. Revisit all of the most terrible scenes in history? Sure, why not? But I love time travel books, and I like history, and I love the concept of messing it up. A high fours stars for Frenzy. Recommended, but make sure you read House of Dark Shadows, Watcher in the Woods*, and so on, first!
*Creepiest cover/title combo ever, by the way. I love it. The title is stalkerish and then there's this vague outline of a guy, just standing there, watching you...
Read even more reviews at http://anniesepicblog.blogspot.com!
angelwolf45's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so awesome. My definite favorite in the series. It was the hardest to put down and very breath taking of a book.
This had so much going on and you wondered what was going to happen. How they were going to deal with somethings that they end up finding out and just generally trying to get survive in that crazy house. I had to make myself take a break because I needed a break from the fast pace action packed book that this was. It was the most amazing book within the series and it ended well for me. I would love more but it was a very good conclusion to the series.
I was very pleased with what happened. One thing that happened in this book I almost tossed the book to the floor out of surprise with what Robert Liparulo did with the characters and I was freaking out in a good way because it was a nice surprise and it was that one moment that made it my favorite in the series. I felt that one moment was a very good way to start the end of the book.
This book had the most amazing book in the series with everything that happened and it was a very very good book it was awesome.
If this is how I like his young adult series I think I am going to like his other books because I really liked how he tells a story.
This had so much going on and you wondered what was going to happen. How they were going to deal with somethings that they end up finding out and just generally trying to get survive in that crazy house. I had to make myself take a break because I needed a break from the fast pace action packed book that this was. It was the most amazing book within the series and it ended well for me. I would love more but it was a very good conclusion to the series.
I was very pleased with what happened. One thing that happened in this book I almost tossed the book to the floor out of surprise with what Robert Liparulo did with the characters and I was freaking out in a good way because it was a nice surprise and it was that one moment that made it my favorite in the series. I felt that one moment was a very good way to start the end of the book.
This book had the most amazing book in the series with everything that happened and it was a very very good book it was awesome.
If this is how I like his young adult series I think I am going to like his other books because I really liked how he tells a story.
librosyalgomas's review against another edition
5.0
Hermosa saga, buen final, aunque me quede con ganas de mas. Para los que no les guste el romance y amen la ciencia ficción y los viajes en el tiempo les recomiendo esta saga!!!!
fictionaladventures's review
3.0
This was definitely my favorite of the series! I can definitely remember why I loved these so much back in like middle school. They're great books if you're into books that kind of border the line between middle grade and young adult. I also love that while this series isn't a Christian series, the main family is just casually a Christian family and it's amazing. Like it doesn't preach at you at all, it's just a part of who that family is.
Spoiler
One of the few things I remembered about this series was that in the final book they met Jesus, and that scene still made me super emotional. It was written very well and was a scene with a feeling of complete awe. I had chills. Absolutely loved that one of the times they went back in time was to Jesus, and that that was where they found their mother. Loved that!j_lynn_a80's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
chandativey's review against another edition
5.0
i loved the ending & how they met jesus. for some reason i totally did not see that coming. :)
novelbloglover's review against another edition
3.0
Book review
Title: Frenzy
Author: Robert Liparulo
Genre: psychological/ paranormal/ family
Rating: ***
Review: I’ve been on a wild and incredible journey, traveling to amazing and dangerous worlds and going on adventures that boggle the mind. All from the comfort of my own safe, secure, portal-free home.
I’ve enjoyed some of the best reading ever, courtesy of master storyteller Robert Liparulo, and his magnificent creation: the Dreamhouse Kings series. For six books I’ve traveled with Xander, David (Dae), Toria and Dad…all looking for Mom.
And to think…six books over many, many months for me, yet…it’s only been a WEEK for the King family! But oh, what a week it’s been!
I’ve met some heart-warming characters, like Jesse and Kael. I’ve also gotten acquainted with some vicious and vile creations…longing for them to meet their doom. Along the way I’ve had my imagination stretched far and wide, and watched the threads of a seriously epic story weave together.
Portals into the unknown…gateways into moments in history…like the Civil War…Atlantis…and a history of a house that is almost unbelievable.
But Robert Liparulo makes it believable…enough so that you’ll be careful around linen closets and school lockers for a long, long time!
And it all culminates in this sixth volume, “Frenzy”…and what a frenzy of events this is. Will the Kings find Mom? Can they all make it out alive? Will the mystery of their house be solved? And can the madman behind it all be stopped?
These questions are answered…pretty much…in this last book of the series. You may have noticed by now this isn’t my usual review. To share details is to ruin the story…and I won’t do that to you. Instead, I’m hopefully whetting your reading appetite for some wild adventures that will take your breath away in this…the final book.
One scene in particular had me in tears at its simple beauty…and its truth. Once you’ve read the book, you’ll know exactly which one I mean. Another had me wanting to cheer out loud at the heroism and cleverness shown. Again, you’ll know it when you read it.
Robert Liparulo has created a masterpiece that tops anything else in the teen market today. His books may not have the length of Harry Potter, but they have a more powerful message. They may not have vampires and romance…but you can sink your teeth into these meaty pieces of fiction!
I was ecstatic to read the interview included at the end of “Frenzy”, indicating more adventures with the Dreamhouse Kings may be coming soon. I think Robert Liparulo had as much fun writing these tales as we’ve all had reading them.
Make the “Dreamhouse Kings” a part of your collection. Begin with “House of Dark Shadows” and continue on to “Frenzy”…not missing a page in between. The suspense truly does build to a climatic conclusion…that really isn’t the end.
Title: Frenzy
Author: Robert Liparulo
Genre: psychological/ paranormal/ family
Rating: ***
Review: I’ve been on a wild and incredible journey, traveling to amazing and dangerous worlds and going on adventures that boggle the mind. All from the comfort of my own safe, secure, portal-free home.
I’ve enjoyed some of the best reading ever, courtesy of master storyteller Robert Liparulo, and his magnificent creation: the Dreamhouse Kings series. For six books I’ve traveled with Xander, David (Dae), Toria and Dad…all looking for Mom.
And to think…six books over many, many months for me, yet…it’s only been a WEEK for the King family! But oh, what a week it’s been!
I’ve met some heart-warming characters, like Jesse and Kael. I’ve also gotten acquainted with some vicious and vile creations…longing for them to meet their doom. Along the way I’ve had my imagination stretched far and wide, and watched the threads of a seriously epic story weave together.
Portals into the unknown…gateways into moments in history…like the Civil War…Atlantis…and a history of a house that is almost unbelievable.
But Robert Liparulo makes it believable…enough so that you’ll be careful around linen closets and school lockers for a long, long time!
And it all culminates in this sixth volume, “Frenzy”…and what a frenzy of events this is. Will the Kings find Mom? Can they all make it out alive? Will the mystery of their house be solved? And can the madman behind it all be stopped?
These questions are answered…pretty much…in this last book of the series. You may have noticed by now this isn’t my usual review. To share details is to ruin the story…and I won’t do that to you. Instead, I’m hopefully whetting your reading appetite for some wild adventures that will take your breath away in this…the final book.
One scene in particular had me in tears at its simple beauty…and its truth. Once you’ve read the book, you’ll know exactly which one I mean. Another had me wanting to cheer out loud at the heroism and cleverness shown. Again, you’ll know it when you read it.
Robert Liparulo has created a masterpiece that tops anything else in the teen market today. His books may not have the length of Harry Potter, but they have a more powerful message. They may not have vampires and romance…but you can sink your teeth into these meaty pieces of fiction!
I was ecstatic to read the interview included at the end of “Frenzy”, indicating more adventures with the Dreamhouse Kings may be coming soon. I think Robert Liparulo had as much fun writing these tales as we’ve all had reading them.
Make the “Dreamhouse Kings” a part of your collection. Begin with “House of Dark Shadows” and continue on to “Frenzy”…not missing a page in between. The suspense truly does build to a climatic conclusion…that really isn’t the end.