Bel Reviews: Lisi Harrison—"The Ghoul Next Door"
The Ghoul Next Door is the second instalment in the Monster High series, following the RAD’s (Regular Attribute Dodgers) 
of Merston High School, and their struggle with fitting in with normal society and trying to be themselves at the same time.
In this novel we’re following Frankie and her friends as the fallout from book one becomes the nail biting storyline for book two. There is no stopping evil Bekka’s plans to get Brett back and the RAD’s want to go public, safely. Cleo is busting a gut to become the next big thing in Teen Vogue, but what on earth are they all going to do when all hell breaks loose?
There was just as much shameless product placement in this book as there was in last one. However with the release of the merchandise, almost in sync with the book this time, I feel we have faces to add to the names in the book. (This is, for those of us who haven’t watched episodes of the Monster High cartoons on Pay TV or on the ‘net)
I still feel that Lisi Harrison has added positive messages in the book. The importance of loyalty, how nasty peer pressure is, and being true to yourself, is just the beginning. If we scratch a little deeper there is also not making judgments on your first impressions of someone and trusting your gut instincts.
The parents took a large step back in this instalment and I’m glad. They weren’t there to totally screw up the plot and although it did seem a little weird that they went from super protective in book one, to extremely laid back in this one, it felt like perhaps they were feeling a little silly for being such butt heads previously.
This is not an intellectual’s book… only read it if you’re in the mood for fun and a few giggles. The story moves quickly and had me hooked enough to want to read through a headache. It was worth the squinting.
Bring on book 3, Where There’s A Wolf There’s A Way, out later in 2011.
The Ghoul Next Door — Lisi Harrison
Published 1st April 2011 by Little Brown Book Group
Paperback, 256 pages
