Fablehaven:Rise of the Evening Star and Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

I enjoyed the first Fablehaven book, but to be honest, would not have put it in the same category as Harry Potter. However, I'm repenting of that now. The books get better and better, the adventures intensifying with each turn of the page. I won't give much away, but I want you to know that I have fallen in love with Fablehaven, and if you like Harry Potter-esque books, this series is for you. And it's not some copycat either. It is definitely wonderful and well-written in its own right.

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull

The Society of the Evening Star is getting stronger. Seth and Kendra are no longer safe at home. Will they be safer at Fablehaven?

Their grandparents have invited three magic experts to live with them and help them find a powerful artifact hidden in Fablehaven. Are they trustworthy or is there a traitor in their midst? Will they find the artifact before the Society of the Evening Star does?

This book is full of adventure, humor, bravery, and of course, magic.


Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

The Society continues to get stronger. Fablehaven is in great danger. A mysterious plague is spreading through the mythical characters, turning good creatures dark and evil.

Will Seth and Kendra be able to help save Fablehaven from falling? They have both earned special powers through their brave acts, but will their gifts be enough to make a difference?

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Without fail, when people find out that I review books, and that I particularly enjoy YA Fantasy, the first question they ask is, "Have you read Fablehaven?"

Until now, the answer was no. I know. Many of you are shocked. You might even stop reading my book review blog because 'how could I possibly NOT have read Fablehaven before now?'

Well, I have my excuses, but you don't really need to hear them, so let's get on with the review already.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

13 year old, Kendra, and her younger brother, Seth, are being shipped off to visit their grandparents, who they hardly know.

Before long, they discover that Grandma and Grandpa's house is much more than it seems. In the forest just past the yard, strange creatures roam.

It's Fablehaven...a preserve for mythical creatures like fairies, witches, trolls, you name it. Seth, who is always ready to explore and break the rules, leads Kendra into all sorts of troublesome adventures.

Fablehaven is the first book in an intensely popular fantasy series. The good news is that the fifth (and final) book was recently released, so if you are just getting into the series (like me), you won't have to wait for the sequels to come out.

Highly recommended for Harry Potter fans looking for another great fantasy series. I can't wait to get a hold of book 2.

For a review of Water Keep, the first book in another one of Brandon Mull's bestselling series, click here.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Fablehaven (The Website)

By Brandon Mull

Shadow Mountain Publishing

Kendra eyes the set of keys her grandfather has handed her. She can’t wait to see what they will unlock but perhaps she should have not been so curious. The keys, curiosity and broken rules place Kendra and her brother in danger and force them to face the greatest challenge of their lives. Kendra and her brother Seth are not exactly thrilled to be spending several weeks with their grandparents while mom and dad go on a cruise. They hardly know their grandparents who turn out to be caretakers of mystical creatures gathered on a hidden refuge called Fablehaven. The sanctuary survives as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world.

Midsummer Night’s Eve turns their world upside down as they come face to face with jealous fairies, plotting witches, greedy trolls and mischievous satyrs. To save Fablehaven, her family and even the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears the most.

This first fantasy novel from Brandon Mull is a read that the entire family can enjoy. Imaginative and fast-paced action move the story along and readers won’t want to put it down. I connected with the characters and was drawn to a sister who always did the expected and a brother who always was adventure and trouble, which is like my family.

This book is a middle level read and appropriate for young people grades 4-8. Loyalty, courage and problem solving are great themes in this book. Watch for Mull’s second book, The Rise of the Evening Star.

Review by Leann Moody

www.dms.provo.edu/students/index.html

Interview with Brandon Mull of Fablehaven Fame!!!

Brandon Mull has worked as a comedian, a filing clerk, a patio installer, a movie promoter, a copywriter and briefly as a chicken stacker. For a couple of years, he lived in the Aracama Desert of Northern Chile, where he learned Spanish and juggling. He currently lives on the side of a mountain above a prison with his wife and two children.

He has two books: Fablehaven and Rise of the Evening Star, published by Shadow Mountain. Local author Brandon Mull recently visited Dixon Middle School in Provo as part of a book tour around the state and country. He talked with students about the power of imagination and reading. He also took time to answer some of their questions:

Question: How did you become a writer?

Brandon Mull: Fablehaven is the first book that was published but I have been working on it for a while. I was dreaming of it in high school and writing sincerely since college, which has been quite a few years already.

Question: Did you like writing as a kid?

Bandon Mull: I was one of those kids who kind of lived in his head. I was off in a fantasy world and then I read Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia and books like that as I was growing up. I saw that other people are off in their imaginations, too.

Question: You said you have worked in comedy. What did you do?

Brandon Mull: I became interested in comedy in college because there was a comedy troupe called Divine Comedy. I was having some success writing and performing comedy so branched off and did some stand up. I try to put some humor in my books.

Question: How many books will there be?

Brandon Mull: For sure there will be a least three books. There might be too much story there so it might have to stretch to an extra book.

Question: Where do your characters come from?

Brandon Mull: It has to come from human interaction and you give each character attributes of people that you know. So there’s a boy in the book named Seth, who’s one of the main characters and he has a lot of the same tendencies that my little brother and I had. When we lived in Connecticut we could explore the woods around our home. He’s sort of a daredevil. I also had an encounter in Chile with someone who professed to be a witch. This experience had a little bit of an influence on an encounter that happens in the book, but in a more fantasy way instead of in a real way.

Question: Your main character is a girl. How did you come up with her?

Brandon Mull: Kendra is the main character. She’s a girl who‘s a little more cautious than her brother and more responsible. A lot of the action in the book comes from their interplay, her being responsible and Seth always getting into trouble.

Question: What if I want to become a writer?

Brandon Mull: I would read a lot and write. Just keep writing and use your imagination.


Posted by Leann Moody
www.dms.provo.edu/students/index.html