Monster High 4: Back and Deader Than Ever

Monster High 4: Back and Deader Than Ever  by Lisi Harrison (Little, Brown Atom/Hachette)

PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 97819074410666
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

The latest book in the Monster High series is full of familiar weird characters and one or two new ones. Frankie Stein's ambition to have the RADs accepted by the Normies has at last been successful, but no sooner has this happened, Draculaura (Lala) discovers her dad is intent on splitting Salem students apart by building another high school specifically for the RADs. Lala is determined this won't happen and when she hears about a glamorous contest which will fund the winning high school, she infuses everyone with her own passion. This isn't hard, because the T'eau Dally contest also includes a chance for a couple to star in a national ad campaign, complete with glamorous clothes and photo shoots. The fight is on to save Merston High.

Meanwhile, Melody Carver is catapulted into a singing gig, which quickly leads to bigger things, upsetting her boyfriend, Jackson who had other plans for them over the coming school vacation. Granite, another member of the band, is seriously challenging Melody's and Jackson's relationship.

The time comes for Principal Weeks to choose a couple for the leadership of Merston High. Frankie is hoping she and Brett will win, but so are Cleo and Deuce and Haylee and Heath. All have been drumming up voter support and the competition has been fierce. Will it all be worth it? And will their school be chosen by T'eau Dally?

As is typical of this series, there is an overlay of gloss and glamour, the freaky and the fantastic. A newcomer, an Australian called Blue infuses the scene with Ocker slang, including the term "iced sammies" which is a complete mystery to me. And since when did prawns come from a reservoir? But then again, everything is at least slightly over the top and imaginative, including the offbeat language.

In this fourth book, I feel the plot and purpose is not as well defined as the previous three titles. It didn't capture my interest nearly as well and I find it hard to imagine the series expanding further. But it is lively and quirky, and many fans, to borrow a term from Frankie, may think it Voltage!

With the heavy focus on relationships, I think Monster High 4 is more likely to be enjoyed by over twelve year olds, however, the Mattel toys and games will no doubt attract the target age group of ten plus.

Monster High 3: Where There's a Wolf There's a Way

Monster High 3: Where There's a Wolf There's a Way by Lisi Harrison (Atom/Hachette)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978 1 907410 65 9
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Lisi Harrison is back in high form with her third book in the series, Monster High. Clawdeen Wolf is the featured member of the RADs in this story. She is worried her Sassy Sixteen birthday bash won't eventuate now that the RADs are in hiding, following the exposure of many of their faces on a video filmed by Frankie Stein. Frankie's heart-mission is to unite the normies and the RADs in one peaceful, accepting group, but now things are further apart than ever, thanks to Bekka, ex-girlfriend of Brett who is set on destroying the RADs.

Suspicion rages everywhere as to who to blame and whether Cleo de Nile, who was at a Teen Vogue photo shoot at the time, knew the video would expose the RADs. With identities destroyed by order of the chief of the RADs, it is impossible to make contact by phone and those RAD parents' who have decided to stay in Salem, keep their children off the streets.

Frankie is suspicious that her new love interest, Brett, gave Channel Two the unblurred interviews. She can't contact him and is beginning to believe he is in hiding because he is guilty of this betrayal. When her invisible friend Billy takes shape she finds herself attracted to him big-time, and her interest in Brett fades.

Melody Carver who was at the Teen Vogue shoot with Cleo de Nile and controlled the camels by singing to them, was told she sounded just like her mother, Marina. As Melody's mother's name is Glory, a seed of suspicion is planted. She knows she will have to find out if she is adopted to have any peace of mind. Another problem is how to persuade her RAD boyfriend Jackson's mum to stay in Salem and not send Jackson away to London. But the good news is that Melody now has great powers of persuasion.

Typical of this monster series, the adventures of the Merston High students are wrapped in crazy fashion statements, teenage speak, and music idols such as Lady Gaga and Pink. By the end of the book, Frankie's dream has moved slightly closer, Melody has discovered an amazing secret revealed by Marina, and Clawdeen's persistence has paid off. Readers will not be disappointed.

Monster High 4 Back and Deader than Ever is due out in 2012.

Monster High: The Ghoul Next Door

Monster High: The Ghoul Next Door  by Lisi Harrison (Poppy/Little, Brown/Hachette)

PB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-907410-64-2

Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

This is the second book in the highly inventive and amusing series, Monster High. The series is based on a concept by Mattel who supports the series with merchandise. Universal Pictures have signed to produce a feature film. More information can be discovered at www.monsterhigh.com  

Lisi Harrison weaves her exciting storyline and its theme of acceptance for everyone with her usual flair and imagination.  Using jealousy, envy and suspicion as her tools of conflict, she also includes ingredients all girls love – fashion, cosmetics, boys, lavish backdrops and the lure of being on-camera. Humour is very much evident (along with the latest teenage speak).

To date, the plan to get the normies to accept the monster RADs (Regular Attribute Dodgers) has failed. Brett Redding is in shock at the hospital after accidentally biting the head off Frankie Stein while kissing, thus revealing her monster status and sending panic among the normie students at Merston’s High Monster Dance. Now the police are out in force hunting Frankie and watching out for any other monsters that may be living in Salem, Oregon.

Cleo De Nile, an Egyptian mummy with queenly airs was not impressed when Deuce, the boy she covets, asked pretty Melody Carver, a normie, to the dance. She likes to be centre of attention, and her popularity has diminished since the arrival of Frankie and Melody at Merston. She approves of Frankie’s plan to try and gain the normies’ acceptance of monsters, but as the story unfolds, her jealousy of Melody creates serious problems.

Melody fears not only for Frankie, but for her boyfriend, Jackson Jekyll, who changes into D.J. Hyde when he overheats. Bekka Madden, her ex-best friend, is totally jealous of Frankie and the kiss she shared with Brett, Bekka’s boyfriend, and is threatening to expose a video of Jackson in mid-change. In desperation, Melody confides in her beautiful sister, Candace. To her surprise, Candace is sympathetic and decides the normies cause to support the RADs is to be called NUDI –Normies Uncool with Discriminating Idiots.

Seemingly impossible hurdles are overcome with great panache, together with scenarios of deep suspicion between the RADs and the NUDIs. But a surprising truce takes place between Cleo and Melody.

The story ends with the RADs once more fleeing for cover, and a conundrum for Melody which ensures readers will wait impatiently for Book Three in the Monster High series, due out in 2012.  

Monster High

Monster High by Lisi Harrison (Atom/Little, Brown/Hachette)

PB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-90741-063-5

Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Monster High is the first in a humorous, clever series written by New York Times best selling author, Lisi Harrison. The author has teamed with the brand giant, Mattel, who will release Monster High merchandise in April 2011 to coincide with the next instalment.

The story revolves around two teenagers, Frankie Stein, whose grandmother was the Bride of Frankenstein, and Melody Carver. Frankie is the creation of her scientific parents, monsters Victor and Viveka, complete with green skin, batteries, bolts and seams. In a matter of days, Victor will fill her brain to the point where she will act and think as a fifteen-year old girl.

Melody Carver is moving with her family to Salem, Oregon, where she will attend Merston High. Melody’s looks have been enhanced by her plastic surgeon father, primarily to change her very large nose and reduce breathing problems as she suffers from asthma. It was asthma which had stolen her one amazing attribute – the voice of an angel.  Her hopes that the operation will enable her to sing again do not eventuate, but she has a new and very pretty face, and has lost weight. She hates how everyone treats her differently now that she is attractive, and downplays her looks in every way.  

About to attend high school after being schooled at home, Frankie is also determined to be accepted as she is, green skin and all. Her parents warn her she will have to cover her skin with thick makeup (Fierce and Flawless) as they do, to be accepted into normal society, otherwise she will freak out the normies and there would be dire consequences for all monsters or RADS – Regular Attribute Dodgers.  After a disastrous tryout at another school, Frankie quickly discovers her parents are right.

Merston High is where the normies and RADS connect – especially at the Monster Dance. The normies are determined to show they are not afraid of the rumour that monsters are abroad. Once again, Frankie and her RAD friends attempt to bridge the gap between the two groups. It is a spectacular failure. Furthermore, Frankie and Melody find themselves competing for the affections of Jackson, a RAD with Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde personas. Nevertheless, they are equally determined to fight on in the battle for love and universal acceptance.

Lisi Harrison’s fresh twist on romance, teenage angst and the challenge of fitting in has produced a highly entertaining and imaginative, if freaky, read.  It has the hallmark of success.