Helpful Score: 8
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
It's very rare, in this day and age of Harry Potter mania (and yes, I admit I'm a very devoted victim!) to find a fantasy story that can actually hold your attention. With FABLEHAVEN, though, new author Brandon Mull manages to do just that from the very first page to the last. Not to mention, thank the fairies, that there's already another book planned in the series.
The premise is simple enough: two siblings, thirteen-year-old Kendra and her eleven-year-old brother, Seth, are relegated to spending time with their paternal grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson, while their parents enjoy a seventeen-day Scandinavian cruise. At first glance, that might not seem so strange, but you have to understand that their family's relationship with the grandparents Sorenson is sort of an odd one. They don't visit much, they don't call; in fact, Kendra and Seth don't really know their grandparents that well at all.
This is a forced, mandatory vacation though, so the kids don't have much choice in the matter. And when they finally reach Fablehaven, where, unbeknown to them, their Grandfather is the caretaker, they're a little overwhelmed. First, there were the No Trespassing and Private Property signs that gave way to one that said Certain Death Awaits. Now, they find out that however pretty and secluded Fablehaven may be, there's no television, no radio, and a ton of rules -- not all of which make sense.
What follows is two weeks of more adventure, trouble, suspense, and magic than the kids could have ever dreamed of. When their rash actions, and disobedience to some important rules, leads to retribution from the magical world of Fablehaven, Kendra, Seth, Grandpa Sorenson, and even Grandma, who seems to be missing, are in for a ride.
FABLEHAVEN is a great fantasy novel perfect for everyone, from young adults to those young at heart. With a cast of characters ranging from witches to fairies, satyrs to imps, strange chickens and conniving trolls, there's definitely something for everyone. I plan to give my copy of FABLEHAVEN to my ten-year-old son to read next, and I'm pretty sure he'll enjoy it as much as I did (not to mention my mom, who gets it when he's done!). Kudos to Mr. Mull for such a great debut fantasy novel, and for giving me something absolutely wonderful to read during my Harry Potter-deprived winter. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
It's very rare, in this day and age of Harry Potter mania (and yes, I admit I'm a very devoted victim!) to find a fantasy story that can actually hold your attention. With FABLEHAVEN, though, new author Brandon Mull manages to do just that from the very first page to the last. Not to mention, thank the fairies, that there's already another book planned in the series.
The premise is simple enough: two siblings, thirteen-year-old Kendra and her eleven-year-old brother, Seth, are relegated to spending time with their paternal grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson, while their parents enjoy a seventeen-day Scandinavian cruise. At first glance, that might not seem so strange, but you have to understand that their family's relationship with the grandparents Sorenson is sort of an odd one. They don't visit much, they don't call; in fact, Kendra and Seth don't really know their grandparents that well at all.
This is a forced, mandatory vacation though, so the kids don't have much choice in the matter. And when they finally reach Fablehaven, where, unbeknown to them, their Grandfather is the caretaker, they're a little overwhelmed. First, there were the No Trespassing and Private Property signs that gave way to one that said Certain Death Awaits. Now, they find out that however pretty and secluded Fablehaven may be, there's no television, no radio, and a ton of rules -- not all of which make sense.
What follows is two weeks of more adventure, trouble, suspense, and magic than the kids could have ever dreamed of. When their rash actions, and disobedience to some important rules, leads to retribution from the magical world of Fablehaven, Kendra, Seth, Grandpa Sorenson, and even Grandma, who seems to be missing, are in for a ride.
FABLEHAVEN is a great fantasy novel perfect for everyone, from young adults to those young at heart. With a cast of characters ranging from witches to fairies, satyrs to imps, strange chickens and conniving trolls, there's definitely something for everyone. I plan to give my copy of FABLEHAVEN to my ten-year-old son to read next, and I'm pretty sure he'll enjoy it as much as I did (not to mention my mom, who gets it when he's done!). Kudos to Mr. Mull for such a great debut fantasy novel, and for giving me something absolutely wonderful to read during my Harry Potter-deprived winter. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Helpful Score: 3
I really loved this book. It is well written and the characters are interesting and fun. The mythical creatures that live in Fablehaven are wonderful. A book that is good for children and adults. I will definitely be reading the second book. Be sure to give it a try.
Helpful Score: 2
This is the first out of five books in this series; I have been wanting to read this series for a while. Overall I liked this book; it took a little while to get things set up but then things really took off. This book reminded me a lot of the Spiderwick Chronicles.
Kendra and Seth find themselves stranded at their grandparents' strange house after their parents get sent on a cruise. At first they think it is going to be a boring couple weeks. That is until they drink some strange milk and find themselves in the midst of fairy creatures.
This was a very creative and interesting story. All the characters are very engaging; making this a hard to put down book. It did take a while to set up the story, that made the beginning of the book drag a little bit, but once things started getting interesting they got *really* interesting. It is a book that might be a little scary for very young children but other than that it is very all-age appropriate.
I can't wait to see what Mull comes up with for the next book!
Kendra and Seth find themselves stranded at their grandparents' strange house after their parents get sent on a cruise. At first they think it is going to be a boring couple weeks. That is until they drink some strange milk and find themselves in the midst of fairy creatures.
This was a very creative and interesting story. All the characters are very engaging; making this a hard to put down book. It did take a while to set up the story, that made the beginning of the book drag a little bit, but once things started getting interesting they got *really* interesting. It is a book that might be a little scary for very young children but other than that it is very all-age appropriate.
I can't wait to see what Mull comes up with for the next book!
Helpful Score: 1
This is the best series my family and I have ever read. My children are 9 and 11. When I started reading this series out loud to my children, my husband was listening from the other room. We started trading nights reading to the children and then eventually he took over. He love the books that much. Now, each of my children has read the entire series on their own!
Helpful Score: 1
I got this series for my stepson because he loves to read and needed something new.
He really liked it, and wanted me to read it too, so I have.
The series is great for his age (12 years) with nothing too childish, and it's just a little grown up, as the main characters, Seth and Kendra, are kids around this age too.
They are forced into some very grown up situations and forced to save their family, while learning all about the world of Fablehaven with its fantastical creatures, both good and bad. It doesn't have that "tooth fairy" feel, and the bad guys are really dangerous in this series, like you can definitely picture yourself not wanting to meet them in real life.
I really enjoyed it, and was glad he liked it so much.
He really liked it, and wanted me to read it too, so I have.
The series is great for his age (12 years) with nothing too childish, and it's just a little grown up, as the main characters, Seth and Kendra, are kids around this age too.
They are forced into some very grown up situations and forced to save their family, while learning all about the world of Fablehaven with its fantastical creatures, both good and bad. It doesn't have that "tooth fairy" feel, and the bad guys are really dangerous in this series, like you can definitely picture yourself not wanting to meet them in real life.
I really enjoyed it, and was glad he liked it so much.
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book on a fluk, I couldn't find anything else I liked at the library. I loved it, and I am in my 40's. It kept me intrigued. Although, I do love a good supernatural thriller, I felt this was a fantastic book for anyone of any age!
Loved this book! Can't wait to start Book 2, whenever someone posts it! :-)
wholly cow! I know this is a young adult novel but i still found myself unable to put it down!
Great read for children and adults!
I am writing this from my perspective as an adult who reads YA and childrens books also.
This is a fun book to read! Similar to other fantasy/magical type books that have become beloved by children everywhere. This is a wonderful chapter book for precocious 2nd graders through.... adults.
The story line is gripping. The child characters act like children (impulsively, bravely and very caring) not miniature adults. The magical creatures spark the imagination.
I can say that I recommend this book, and I'm planned on reading the next in the series to see what else happens!
This is a fun book to read! Similar to other fantasy/magical type books that have become beloved by children everywhere. This is a wonderful chapter book for precocious 2nd graders through.... adults.
The story line is gripping. The child characters act like children (impulsively, bravely and very caring) not miniature adults. The magical creatures spark the imagination.
I can say that I recommend this book, and I'm planned on reading the next in the series to see what else happens!
At first this book didn't exactly hold my attention for very long. However, about midway through the book the story really kicks off. This is a book that I would have adored as a child. I would recommend it to any young reader or any adult who still hasn't lost touch with their inner child. The characters are endearing and the world of Fablehaven is one I would love to live in.
The start of a great adventure! Make sure you have the next four books available because these books get better with each story. Keep that in mind as you read this first book. Seth might get on your nerves to the point where you want to put the book down... but keep reading! I did, and now this is one of my favorite series to read. Fun for all ages!
I was hooked on this series from book 1. The beginning was a little slow on the buildup, but once it got going, you just can't put it down. For parents concerned about language, it's perfect as there is nothing to worry about there. I read the entire series and they are very good. The author is very imaginative. I've never read a single one of the Harry Potter books, and am not interested, but I've heard the Fablehaven series are comparable.
I borrowed them from the library and am now in the process of adding them to my own collection.
I borrowed them from the library and am now in the process of adding them to my own collection.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I'm excited to read book two.
Having devoured Harry Potter series, Kane Chronicles, etc... My daughter (10) and a couple of her friends all have read this book and loved it. In fact she read this first one before her 10th birthday and immediately asked for the rest of the series as birthday gifts. She is now on book 4 and has already asked if she can start the Five Kingdoms series next.
Loved this book. My kids recommended it to me, and it was worth every minute spent reading it. I'm now on the hunt for the second book in the series!
