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.