Showing posts with label Fablehaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fablehaven. Show all posts
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Book Review: Dragonwatch
Dragonwatch: A Fablehaven Adventure, Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Shadow Mountain, Salt Lake City, UT, 2017. This is a continuation of the Fablehaven story. I must admit, Mull keeps the adventures coming and I seem to enjoy them all. We continue the follow the adventures of Seth and Kendra, brother and sister. However this time they are facing the dragons, rather than the demons. The dragons have sensed their increased power after the fall of the demons in Fablehaven. Now they want their freedom. However the dragon watchers fear this will lead to similar scenes of days of old when the dragons ruled, and humans huddled in fear. Kendra and Seth become the caretakers of Wyrmroost, a dragon sanctuary, from which the dragons are not allowed to leave. because together they destroyed a dragon in Fablehaven. All their skills are tested, and they even have to grow. In this case Kendra is fairy kind, and Seth dark. Together they make a formidable team. They work much better together in this book than the first series. The change is good to see.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Book Review: Fablehaven (5): Keys to the Demon Prison
Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Shadow Mountain, Salt Lake City, UT, 2010.
This is the fifth and climatic installment of this fascinating fantasy series. It is interesting things always seem to be able to get worse. And in this book, both of the siblings, Kendra and Seth end up prisoners of the evil Sphinx. However there are things even more evil than the misguided Sphinx, who himself repents in the end. Seth himself is fooled by the demon Graulas, who had earlier befriended him. He tricks Seth into restoring him, but that doesn't go too well. So we are faced with a last desperate battle against the demons as the arise from their captivity ready to take over the world. There are many unexpected twists in this show, and it keeps you jumping until the end. The only sad part is having to say goodbye to the characters. However I understand there is a sequel five book set coming out. So the fun continues.
This is the fifth and climatic installment of this fascinating fantasy series. It is interesting things always seem to be able to get worse. And in this book, both of the siblings, Kendra and Seth end up prisoners of the evil Sphinx. However there are things even more evil than the misguided Sphinx, who himself repents in the end. Seth himself is fooled by the demon Graulas, who had earlier befriended him. He tricks Seth into restoring him, but that doesn't go too well. So we are faced with a last desperate battle against the demons as the arise from their captivity ready to take over the world. There are many unexpected twists in this show, and it keeps you jumping until the end. The only sad part is having to say goodbye to the characters. However I understand there is a sequel five book set coming out. So the fun continues.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Book Review: Fablehaven (4): Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Fablehaven: Secrets 0f the Dragon Sanctuary, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Aladdin Paperback, New York, 2009.
The adventure continues. In this book, the team decides to go after one of the keys to one of the magical items which is needed to open the demon prison. They go after it in the hopes of keeping it away from the Sphinx, who seems to be able to work the Oculus, where he can see where anything in the world. The key is in a very dangerous realm of the dragons. They hope to re-hide it where he can't get to it. However, in this they are mistaken due to a major betrayal in the end. I must admit, I never saw it coming. In this book it is always hard to tell who is on the bad side and who is on the good.
The adventure continues. In this book, the team decides to go after one of the keys to one of the magical items which is needed to open the demon prison. They go after it in the hopes of keeping it away from the Sphinx, who seems to be able to work the Oculus, where he can see where anything in the world. The key is in a very dangerous realm of the dragons. They hope to re-hide it where he can't get to it. However, in this they are mistaken due to a major betrayal in the end. I must admit, I never saw it coming. In this book it is always hard to tell who is on the bad side and who is on the good.
Book Review: Fablehaven (3): Grip of the Shadow Plague
Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague, by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Aladdin Paperbacks, New York, 2008.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series of fantasy books, in which a world of magical creatures exists with reserves in remote areas. In this case, we get a double bonus, as two stories are told at the same time. One is the visit to the Table Mesa Reserve, and the other is at home in the Fablehaven Reserve. Both reserves are under attack by forces of the Morning Star. Both stories lead to the deaths of heroic characters. The story around Fablehaven is the most dire. Some type of shadow plague has been unleashed, and slowly the humans are turned to shadows, and the creatures are turned to dark. Only giving up light can these forces be combatted. Also a visitor from the past is able to help them in their struggles.
I am really enjoying the characters/ The interaction between the siblings, Seth and Kendra, is really enjoyable, and you also get the hint of the love behind the relationship even thought they bump heads. The overprotection of the grandparents gets annoying, although is understandable. This is a great series to red if you are looking for some fun. This book answers the questions about the Sphinx' true nature, is he bad or good.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series of fantasy books, in which a world of magical creatures exists with reserves in remote areas. In this case, we get a double bonus, as two stories are told at the same time. One is the visit to the Table Mesa Reserve, and the other is at home in the Fablehaven Reserve. Both reserves are under attack by forces of the Morning Star. Both stories lead to the deaths of heroic characters. The story around Fablehaven is the most dire. Some type of shadow plague has been unleashed, and slowly the humans are turned to shadows, and the creatures are turned to dark. Only giving up light can these forces be combatted. Also a visitor from the past is able to help them in their struggles.
I am really enjoying the characters/ The interaction between the siblings, Seth and Kendra, is really enjoyable, and you also get the hint of the love behind the relationship even thought they bump heads. The overprotection of the grandparents gets annoying, although is understandable. This is a great series to red if you are looking for some fun. This book answers the questions about the Sphinx' true nature, is he bad or good.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Book Review: Fablehaven (2): Rise of the Evening Star
Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Alladin Paperbacks, New York, (2007)
This is the second in this series. This book starts with the end of school, and Seth and Kendra are almost done with classes. With just a week to go, a new student appears. All the students see a handsome boy. Kendra, because of her experience with the fairies, sees him as an ugly beast. She tries to protect her friends from him, but this only leads to trouble. Someone shows up to help, proclaiming to be a monster exterminator type person. However the process of this gets Seth bit by a monster, who now is intent on devouring the rest of him. They figure the man has been lying to them, and they are rescued by Vanessa and taken to their grandparents home. The also meet Tanu and Coulter who are helping their grandparents defend Fablehaven while finding an old powerful relic. The secrecy of Fablehaven has been compromised, so they want to rescue the artifact and place it elsewhere.
However their is a spy amongst them. They know because people have been added to the guest list. Otherwise the magical boundaries would keep them safe.
This book is very tense. It involves good and bad teaming up to accomplish a goal. However at the same time, it obscures who is good and who is bad and what roles they play in the scheme of things. Seth is rescues by being placed in a protective egg. the monster does eat him, but he eventually comes out the other end, and the monster goes dormant again. In this book, Seth's courage plays a very important part. As again do Kendra's skills. However it is Warren and Vanessa who must defeat the protecting beast to rescue the artifact.
This is the second in this series. This book starts with the end of school, and Seth and Kendra are almost done with classes. With just a week to go, a new student appears. All the students see a handsome boy. Kendra, because of her experience with the fairies, sees him as an ugly beast. She tries to protect her friends from him, but this only leads to trouble. Someone shows up to help, proclaiming to be a monster exterminator type person. However the process of this gets Seth bit by a monster, who now is intent on devouring the rest of him. They figure the man has been lying to them, and they are rescued by Vanessa and taken to their grandparents home. The also meet Tanu and Coulter who are helping their grandparents defend Fablehaven while finding an old powerful relic. The secrecy of Fablehaven has been compromised, so they want to rescue the artifact and place it elsewhere.
However their is a spy amongst them. They know because people have been added to the guest list. Otherwise the magical boundaries would keep them safe.
This book is very tense. It involves good and bad teaming up to accomplish a goal. However at the same time, it obscures who is good and who is bad and what roles they play in the scheme of things. Seth is rescues by being placed in a protective egg. the monster does eat him, but he eventually comes out the other end, and the monster goes dormant again. In this book, Seth's courage plays a very important part. As again do Kendra's skills. However it is Warren and Vanessa who must defeat the protecting beast to rescue the artifact.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Book Review: Fablehaven
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman, Deseret Book Alladin Paperbacks (original Deseret Book) New York, 2006.
This is a fantastic read in the young adult mythical fiction variety. We are introduced to a new world, and in particular the faerie resort at Fablehaven, where Grandma and Grandpa preside over a refuge. Grandmother is missing, and Kendra and Seth come to stay for a couple weeks while their parents are on a cruise. They find lots of rules, with little explanation. Seth ventures beyond his boundaries time and again, and comes close to falling into deep trouble many times. His disobedience finally gets them all the adults captured. He does manage to save the chicken. When Seth gets captured as well, things look really desperate for Kendra, who must save everyone, from a witch, imps and other strange creatures.
This story is very clever and original and a fun read.
This is a fantastic read in the young adult mythical fiction variety. We are introduced to a new world, and in particular the faerie resort at Fablehaven, where Grandma and Grandpa preside over a refuge. Grandmother is missing, and Kendra and Seth come to stay for a couple weeks while their parents are on a cruise. They find lots of rules, with little explanation. Seth ventures beyond his boundaries time and again, and comes close to falling into deep trouble many times. His disobedience finally gets them all the adults captured. He does manage to save the chicken. When Seth gets captured as well, things look really desperate for Kendra, who must save everyone, from a witch, imps and other strange creatures.
This story is very clever and original and a fun read.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)