Fablehaven
 Fablehaven book cover | |
| Author | Brandon Mull |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Shadow Mountain |
Publication date | July 30, 2006- Spring 2010 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Fablehaven is a New York Times best-selling children's literature fantasy series written by Brandon Mull.[1] The book series, which to date includes Fablehaven, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star, and Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague are published by Shadow Mountain in hardcover and Simon and Schuster in paperback.
Premise
Fablehaven is a secret nature preserve protecting the beings of myth and legend from the outside world. The current caretaker, Stan Sorenson, describes it as "a refuge for mystical creatures". Those who live in this large sanctuary, mortal and magical, must abide by a treaty of rules. The most common rules are focused upon "the law of the harvest" or "the law of retribution" meaning, you reap what you sow. If the law of retribution is broken, it allows for retaliation, which is essentially what drives the plot through the first book. There also exist magical borders that keep most magical creatures out of certain domains. The caretaker's house and grounds are within one of these protective boundaries. However, some of these borders dissolve on certain nights, allowing frightening creatures to roam free on the grounds. One of which - Midsummer Eve - occurs in the first book.
Plot
The series begins as 13-year-old Kendra, and 11-year-old Seth Sorensen are 'forced' to travel to their Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson's house while their parents are away on a 17 day cruise. When they get there, they also meet Dale, a worker on the preserve, and Lena, the housekeeper. Grandma Sorenson is mysteriously missing. Grandpa doesn't tell them about Fablehaven being a secret preserve for magical creatures at first, but rather sets up a complex puzzle involving 6 keys and a locked journal for Kendra and Seth to solve. Kendra figures it out, and receives instructions to "drink the milk." She and Seth drink the magical milk which opens their eyes to see a whole new, mystical world full of the magical beings of Fablehaven. Now Kendra and Seth must face challenges such as defeating an evil witch and a powerful demon, defending the preserve from an evil society, and stopping a plague that changes creatures of light into creatures of darkness.
Motifs
- Magical Creatures
- Fablehaven is home to a wide variety of magical creatures. Both creatures of light, such as fairies, nymphs, satyrs and centaurs, and dark or inherently evil beings, such as trolls, goblins, ogres, and imps, (and a few demons) live on the preserve. They are protected by spells and a magical treaty within the borders of the preserve. Grandpa Sorensen explains to Kendra and Seth that some creatures are helpful, most are, some are mischievous, but playful, but warns them that many of them are dangerous and will kill them if they can.
- Magical Items
- Many Magical Items are used in the series, most of which are introduced in the second book. They range from the simple but interesting, such as a silver ball with a distractor spell on it, to the amazingly powerful, such as the 5 magical artifacts hidden on the 5 secret preserves.
Books
| # | Title | Released |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fablehaven | July 30, 2006 |
| 2 | Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star | May 31, 2007 |
| 3 | Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague | April 21, 2008 |
| 4 | Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary | March 24, 2009 |
| 5 | Fablehaven: Book 5 | TBA, 2010 |
Fablehaven
The story begins with Kendra, age thirteen, and Seth, age eleven, going to visit their grandparents in Connecticut for a seventeen-day visit while their parents take a Scandinavian cruise. An attic full of interesting books and toys, a tree house with a special view and puzzle, and a magical pond-like swimming pool surrounded by brightly colored-butterflies and exotic dragonflies entertains the children at first. But soon their attentions wander to the forbidden forest that surrounds their grandparent's house.
When Kendra discovers a book entitled Journal of Secrets that tells her to "Drink the milk" a whole new amazing world is revealed hidden at Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, jealous fairies and beautiful naiads. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.
Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
At the end of the school year, Kendra and her brother, Seth, find themselves racing back to Fablehaven—a refuge for mythical and magical creatures in Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star.
The Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to overthrow magical preserves and use them for their own intents and purposes, is determined to infiltrate Fablehaven. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists to help protect the property: a potion master, a magical relics collector, and a mystical creature trapper. In addition, these three specialists have a more perilous assignment—find an artifact of great power hidden on the grounds.
When the Evening Star pervades the gates of Fablehaven, it’s assumed that someone inside the preserve is a mole and a traitor. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possibly the world. With good intent, Kendra and Seth become both a help and hindrance to their grandfather’s cry to protect Fablehaven.
Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven. The book takes off right were the second book ended, during the same summer of their second year at Fablehaven. Kendra and Seth helped save Fablehaven from the Society of the Evening Star, but new troubles present themselves almost immediately. Kendra and Seth discover that someone, or something, has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness.
For the first time, Kendra and Warren must visit another magical preserve. Another hidden artifact must be recovered from Lost Mesa in Arizona. New friends are introduced and new magical creatures of light and darkness are confronted.
Can the plague be stopped? Can the artifact be found? Is the Sphinx a traitor? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven?
This book was released on April 21, 2008.
Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
This is the fourth Fablehaven Book, Brandon Mull wrote the book during his Summer (2008) break from touring. His blog announced on Oct. 5th that the writing is complete, and only edits and 'polishing' remains. The cover was released December 21, 2008.
This book is to be released in March.
Fablehaven: Book 5
The fifth book in the series is the last scheduled book.
Media
A film titled Fablehaven is currently in pre-production. On the author's own website he states, "Fablehaven has been optioned by Avi Arad, who has produced many extraordinary movies like Spiderman and X-Men. I have seen a solid draft of the screenplay and the project continues to move forward."
Reception
The series has mainly had positive reviews by critics. All three of the books released so far have 5 out of 5 stars on Barnes and Noble.com. Some even call the series the new Harry Potter. Obert Skye, the author of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo, says that "Imagination runs wild in Fablehaven. It is a lucky book that can hold this kind of story." The New York Times says, "Mull's story offers unexpected twists and entertainingly scary creatures."
See also
- Brandon Mull (author)
- List of Fablehaven animals
- List of Fablehaven characters
- List of Magical Items in Fablehaven
- Wikipedia: WikiProject Fablehaven