While painful to read a book as slowly as I have been managing to read the Fablehaven series with my older boys (I bought the series last Christmas and we just finished book #2), it is worth the slow pace to discover right along side them the ever increasing complex magical world of Fablehaven.
I liked the first book well enough, but the series really got going for me in this second book. With most of the background story and characters already sketched, a much more interesting story was made possible. New magical creatures, more peril and a deeper cast of supporting characters were all enjoyably introduced. Brandon Hall must be very pleased with the imaginations that are going hogwild in his increcible fantasy world.
Best of all, it's more than just fairies, monsters and magic. Embedded in the fantasy are real-life applications about agency, obedience, trust and courage. Seth and Kendra, while still a tad predictable and flat, are characters that I feel comfortable introducing to my children. Their experiences, behavior and judgment, along with the necessary consequences are good lessons neatly disguised behind lifesize enchanted puppets, greedy satyrs, shrinking potions and traitorous narcoblixes. Sound interesting? It is.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Book Review - Fablehaven 2 - Rise of the Evening Star
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3 comments:
I've really liked this series. Ansel and I have both read them and are looking forward to the last book!
How did I miss your funny FHE comment? I saw the wrestling comment... :) I laughed out loud about the butternut-squash-soup-sinner-at-your-place reference!
I agree that the characters are kinda flat in this series, but I like it anyway too! This is a series I read because my kids were reading them and I too am anxious for the last book. Great review.
A few weeks ago Brandon Mull was at Costco signing books, so we bought our own copy of #2 (somehow we owned all the others except #2) and stood in line to have him sign in. The boys were all like "hey, I'm just hanging out here, trying to be cool" while really they were out-of-their-skin excited.
Dare I confess: I have NOT read Fablehaven. I know: bad mother, bad librarian, bad reader. I have lost some of my interest in fantasy. But the kids have loved them!
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