Where There's a Wolf, There's a Way (Monster High #3) by Lisi Harrison

The newest edition of the Monster High series focuses on Clawdeen, as well as our usual narrators (Frankie and Melody). The monster documentary was released, but yet no faces were blurred. The RADs identities have been discovered and many of them are forced to leave town. This is basically the aftermath and what happens next, while developing some interesting relationships and putting twists into the plot line.

I liked the overall plot, yet I found it to be a little bit boring compared to the last two books. I liked Clawdeen's character and Melody's discovery. I also liked how Billy has become a regular and is growing more interesting. I have to say that he's my favorite character by far! I hope he'll get his own book at some point... The usual pop culture references were enjoyable and the writing is simple and fun.

I didn't find this one as good as the first two, but I'm still looking forward to reading the fourth book, where Lala gets her time in the spotlight. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High #2) by Lisi Harrison

**If you haven’t read the first book in the series, I would recommend you do so before reading this review, because it contains spoilers**

In Monster High, we were left with a terrible cliffhanger with Melody trying to protect Jackson, while trying to save Frankie too. In The Ghoul Next Door, they create a plan and put it into action. It doesn’t work out quite the way they want it to, and before they know it, with the help of Brett they are making a documentary about teenage monsters to try to convince the public that they aren’t dangerous. It’s going to air on Channel 2, but of course they are going to blur out everyone’s faces, so they can’t be identified.

This part I disagree with, because wouldn’t they be able to recognize the monster’s voices or clothes with someone they sat next to in school? They could probably still be identified, but nice idea Frankie!

In the first book, the story shifts between Melody’s story and Frankie’s story. In the sequel, Melody and Frankie’s part is still told, but there is also Cleo’s side.

Cleo is spoiled, stuck up, arrogant, and selfish. But what else could you expect from a queen? Her dad returns from a trip to Egypt and brings home ancient jewels from Aunt Nefertiti. Before they know it, Cleo is going to be in a Teen Vogue photo shoot with the jewels. She’s so excited about it, and wants to share it with her friends. But her friends aren’t really interested in her at the moment, because they’re caught up with the documentary (it airs on the same day as the photo shoot, what a coincidence!). So she has to plot what to do so that her friends will stop focusing on the documentary, and more on HER!

That part reminds me of Mean Girls, because the queen is being dethroned and tries to get back on top. Classic chick-lit plot basically :)

One part I personally enjoyed was on page 23:

Just as Melody lifted her index finger over the touch screen, her phone was lifted from her hand.

“What are you doing?” she squealed at Candace.

“Trying to have a little family fun,” her sister teased, taunt-waving the phone. “You’ve been a total text maniac all night, and I want to know what’s going on.”

“Melody!” Beau said sternly. “Have you been sexting?”

That part actually made me laugh, like a parent would just automatically assume that!!!

I love how this book also has text message conversations, a poster, and a “missing” chapter. It makes for a unique read :)

I enjoyed chapter 14, which was written in Billy’s point of view. Billy is a ghost (which btw, they just kinda threw in the story! Lol) and so his picture doesn’t appear on the top of the page. And the writing fades at the end of the chapter. Nice effect!

I enjoyed all the pop culture references and how the book “explained” itself. I love books where sometimes you get the feel that it’s real, and there was a reason the book was written. At one part in the story, the characters get excited and say that someday maybe an author will write a teen series about them, and that Jackson drew doll versions of them. I like books that do this, and you feel like its real, even when you know its not.

Of course, there was another cliffhanger, which means that I’ll be reading the third book lol.

I would recommend this book to anyone who liked the first, or someone who wants a quick, light, fun read. It’s a guilty pleasure, and can be a bit dramatic, but if you aren’t bothered by the cheerleader-esque cattiness of it, you’ll enjoy it! 4 out of 5 stars for me :)

Monster High (Monster High #1) by Lisi Harrison

I read this book a few weeks ago, but I wanted to review it before I had to return it to the library so here it goes! This will be a quick review because I've got caught up in a whole bunch of different stories since I read it, so you know how that goes.... :)

I honestly have no idea why I wanted to read this book lol. I knew that it was based off of dolls, TV show, etc, the whole thing! :P But the cover was pretty cute, and I had read books by Harrison, so I decided to give it a try.

I really liked the idea of this book,  having monsters living in Salem and attending secret meetings, trying to fit in, etc. It's quite cute, and some parts are easy to relate to, being a teenager myself.

Something about the plot I must disagree on is the romance between the Melody, Frankie, DJ, and Jackson. DJ and Jackson are the same person, but different personas because he's related to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. LOL! Bipolar much? So when it gets too hot, Jackson changes to DJ. Melody and Jackson have a thing, and then Frankie and DJ have a thing. So basically, the guy is with both the girls. But he's not the same person! This just bugs me so much. And also, Frankie was in love with Brett like 10 seconds ago, so what's with the sudden interest in DJ? Goshh such fickle characters!!

It's a really fun, quick, light read, nothing too serious about it. Doesn't involve too much concentration, which is something I lack occasionally lol.

Another complaint is how the story ended. You know there's going to be a second book, but that doesn't mean that the author can just stop right in the middle of the action! >:( But she does, so we'll all just forced to wait for the sequel, The Ghoul Next Door , to figure out what happens.

Overall, it's a cute, creative story that's worth reading if you're in the mood. I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.