"Dreamhouse Kings Series Book 2: Watcher in the Woods" by Robert Liparulo

If the house weren't creepy enough..... Now, the King family must deal with several new problems - problems like strange people watching their house at night, the threat of losing their home, and the first day of school! Will they be able to find their mom? Can they bring her back from the worlds beyond the portals? Can they figure out how the portals work? And who is the man who wants to take their house?
These questions are asked but not answered in this book.
It is not easy to write a series of books that is multiple volumes long and retain interest and curiosity throughout the middle parts. Usually the first and last books are most interesting, because they contain the introduction and the resolution of the story. In Book #2 of this series, author Robert Liparulo does a superb job of carrying on the story, introducing new information, and enticing us to reach for Book #3.
While Book #1 seemed to focus more on Xander, the eldest King child, this book gives a better glimpse at the character of David, second child and youngest boy. He wrestles with the choice between submitting to Dad's cautious plan of action (or INaction) or secretly joining Xander on forbidden and dangerous schemes of their own. There is also a sinister new villain with a mysterious history....
In all, the book did an admirable job of delivering more of what Book #1 great, while leaving just enough to be desired so that I'll finish the series. I'm a little ashamed to think of these books as JUVENILE fiction! They are just as good (although a good deal shorter) than much "adult" fiction I've read. I read this book easily in three days, at a slow pace. So, it will not be difficult to finish the series of six books.
I give this book five out of five stars!