House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo.

Because as interrupted writers we barely have enough time to write, let alone read, I’m hoping this Saturday Morning Review column will make it easier for you to choose which books to read and which ones to skip. This column will strive to bring you reviews of the best of the best in CBA. And if you read a really great book, and would like to write a review, email me at portraitwriter (at) gmail (dot) com.

I haven’t seen the Young Adult years in…years, but I can tell you that this series is SCARY even for adults. I finished House of Dark Shadows a little while ago and can testify that it’s freakier than Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews and just about as scary as The Amityville Horror. Did I mention this book was scary, LOL? But I finished it. I just didn’t read it at night. Seriously. And I’m thankful that my house has neither an attic or a basement or I wouldn’t be able to sleep! I know it’s just fiction, but while I was reading the story I was in it, so it seemed real to me. Too real.

So far I haven’t found a spiritual element (like they didn’t even pray when scared) but it’s still an incredibly entertaining tale of horror. I dare say it ranks right up there with any number of scary secular novels. There is even some blood in the book. Did I mention it was scary? Bottom line…this is top notch fiction but it is tolerable even for big honking chickens like me. In fact, I want to read the next book right away…but it’s dark outside, so that’ll have to wait until tomorrow!