House of Secrets (Columbus)

From legendary Hollywood director Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and bestselling author Ned Vizzini (It's Kind of a Funny Story) comes this first book in an epic new fantasy series. Brendan, Eleanor, and Cordelia Walker once had everything: two loving parents, a beautiful house in San Francisco, and all the portable electronic devices they could want. But everything changed when Dr. Walker lost his job in the wake of a mysterious incident. Now in dire straits, the family must relocate to an old Victorian house that used to be the home of occult novelist Denver Kristoff-a house that feels simultaneously creepy and too good to be true. By the time the Walkers realize that one of their neighbors has sinister plans for them, they're banished to a primeval forest way off the grid. Their parents? Gone. Their friends? A world away. And they aren't alone. Bloodthirsty medieval warriors patrol the woods around them, supernatural pirates roam the neighboring seas, and a power-hungry queen rules the land. To survive, the siblings will have to be braver than they ever thought possible-and fight against their darkest impulses. The key may lie in their own connection to the secret Kristoff legacy. But as they unravel that legacy, they'll discover it's not just their family that's in danger . . . it's the entire world.

Since their last adventure, life in the Walker household is much improved. Dahlia Kristoff (aka the Wind Witch) has been banished. And now the Walkers are . . . rich! The kids are at a new school, Bay Academy Prep, surrounded by the children of bankers and CEOs. But this change in their fortune hasn't brought them happiness. Brendan is having a hard time making friends. Cordelia's worried that her adventures in Denver Kristoff's books have warped her mind-and even her body. And Eleanor just wants things to go back to how they used to be. But while the Walkers are dealing with their issues, Denver Kristoff is looking for his daughter, Dahlia, and no Walker will be safe until she is found. Summoning her to San Francisco will mean bringing all the danger that comes with her and putting the Walkers back in the crosshairs of a mysterious journey through Kristoff's books. Old enemies will make shocking choices and new friends will prove themselves as the Walkers travel from ancient Rome to World War II to Tibet. They'll learn that The Book of Doom and Desire isn't the only thing that can corrupt. And they'll be tested in ways that cut deeper than before, by Denver Kristoff, the Wind Witch, and each other.

The final book in the New York Times bestselling House of Secrets series that was called "a breakneck, jam-packed roller coaster of an adventure" by J. K. Rowling. Created by Hollywood director Chris Columbus (of Harry Potter fame) and bestselling author Ned Vizzini (It's Kind of a Funny Story), with the acclaimed author of the Codename Zero series and the Fourth Stall saga, Chris Rylander. With their last adventure just barely over, the Walker kids thought life would finally go back to normal. But things don't remain calm for long . . . especially when the colossus Fat Jagger turns up in San Francisco Bay-and he's in danger! With the police closing in, the Walkers must figure out how to save their giant friend. When a frost beast is spotted in Santa Rosa-and more mystical creatures start appearing all over America-it's soon clear that the characters from Denver Kristoff's works are invading the real world. It's up to Brendan, Eleanor, and Cordelia to reenter the book world one last time to keep the worlds from colliding, causing mass destruction. They will have to track down three Worldkeepers hidden in Kristoff's books-magical items that when used together will seal the worlds off for good. But the Walkers' first move leads them straight into the Wild West, with lethal outlaws and lawless deputies-and that's just the beginning. They'll encounter dinosaurs, aliens, killer robots, and the Wind Witch herself-with new friends and old-and be faced with some of the deadliest choices they'll ever have to make. The scariest thing of all could be deciding who to trust, since everyone is hiding something. . . .