The Candy Shop War

Title: The Candy Shop War

Author: Brandon Mull

Pages: 8 discs?

Genre: Children's Fiction

Grade: B+

Synopsis: A new Candy Shop opens on Main Street and Nate, Summer, Trevor and Pigeon are especially excited after they meet the sweet shop owner, Mrs. White, who recruits them to help her out with a few things.  As payment the children are given candies that allow them to do all sorts of things, such as defy gravity, change their appearance or become unbreakable.

My Review: Ada and I listened to this book on our short, ill-fated visit to Las Vegas (where we watched the Utes get creamed by Oregon in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament).  It was perfect for such a trip and Ada just loved it.  I think that she ended up listening to most of the book a couple more times before I had to return the discs to the library.  I like Brandon Mull's Fablehaven Series better than this book, but it was still an enjoyable read.

Fablehaven Series

Title: Fablehaven Series

Author: Brandon Mull

Books: 5

Genre: Fantasy

Grade: A-

Synopsis: Read my synopses of all 5 books here.

My Review: I just finished reading this series to Ada last night, and she just loved it.  Kate would show some interest off and on, but generally did not listen to me read. I think the books were just a bit above her level.  This is one of those series that we were both sad to be done with.  Luckily for us both, I'm going to start reading Harry Potter to the girls next. Hopefully Kate will find them enjoyable.

Keys to the Demon Prison

Title: Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison

Author: Brandon Mull

Pages: 593

Genre: Fantasy

Grade: A-

Synopsis: This is the fifth and final book of the Fablehaven series. The Sphinx is on the verge of obtaining all five of the magical artifacts necessary to open the demon prison Zzyzx, which houses most of the most dangerous servants of darkness and evil, including the demon king Gorgrog. It is once again up to Kendra, Seth and the Knights of the Dawn to unite all creatures of light in order to defeat those who want the demon prison opened.

My Review: I'll be honest, I really like the Fablehaven series. It was a little juvenile, but I thought the series was well-written and unique. Although this book was almost 600 pages, I felt that the author was rushing through much of the story in order to squeeze everything that he wanted into the single book.

Fablehaven - Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Title: Fablehaven - Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Author: Brandon Mull

Pages: 528

Genre: Fantasy

Grade: A

Synopsis: Two of the hidden artifacts have been found and the Society of the Evening Star is hot on the track of another. Right off the bat, Kendra is kidnapped and locked away and the Knights of the Dawn are on a frantic search to locate her. The Knights of the Dawn decide that they must attempt to get to the key of another artifact before the Society of the Evening Star does. The only problem with this plan is that they must enter a dragon sanctuary named Wyrmroost that as far as anybody knows no human has entered since Patton.

My Review: Much like the Harry Potter series, with each succeeding book these books seem to be getting better and better. Once I was into this book it was one that I couldn't put down and although I had to be to work early the next morning, I stayed up late to finish because I couldn't go to bed without finishing it. The worst part about reading this book right now is that I've got to wait so long for the next (and probably last) one to come out (which people are assuming will be in February or March 2010).

Fablehaven - Grip of the Shadow Plague

Title: Fablehaven - Grip of the Shadow Plague

Author: Brandon Mull

Pages: 496

Genre: Fantasy

Grade: A

Synopsis: This book picks up right where the last book left off. Kendra and Seth are still at Fablehaven and they are suspicious of the Sphinx’s loyalties. Kendra is recruited to be a Knight and heads off on a secret mission to retrieve one of the remaining artifacts. She continues to discover more and more about her special condition. Seth is stuck at home, but notices that many of the creatures at Fablehaven that are good are turning evil and finds that he has a few special abilities of his own as well.

My Review: These books almost seem to be getting better and better. They are full of unexpected twists, new characters and interesting creatures. I am finding Seth to be less annoying in this book than others, but his courage is still admirable. Very exciting and intriguing book and very hard to put down.

From the Book: "(p. 367) Hooves clomping over the whitewashed planks, Doren sprinted along the boardwalk after Rondus, a portly satyr with butterscotch fur and horns that curved away from each other. Puffing hard, Rondus cut through a gazebo and started down the stairs to the field. Only a few steps behind, Doren went airborne and slammed into the heavyset satyr. Together they pitched violently forward into the grass, staining their skin green."

Fablehaven - Rise of the Evening Star

Title: Fablehaven - Rise of the Evening Star

Author: Brandon Mull

Pages: 431

Genre: Fantasy

Grade: A-

Synopsis: Kendra and Seth can't wait for the end of the school year so that they can return to visit their grandparents at Fablehaven. A few days before the school year ends, a scabby kobold appears in her class. The kobold appears normal to everybody except Kendra. With the aid of a kobold exterminator they get rid of him and are then swiftly evacuated to Fablehaven for their own safety. Once there, they find out that the Society of the Evening Star (which opposes preserves such as Fablehaven) has gotten stronger and may have even breached Fablehaven itself.

My Review: My goal is to read 4 books between each book of a single author that I read (does that even make sense?). With these Fablehaven books I just couldn't stop myself. In fact, Alison probably resents the books as well because I read most of the book yesterday evening. I wasn't going to go to bed until I finished it. Now onto the book, this book is once again like Harry Potter with adventures and fights against magical creatures. Of course, the kids are always more clever and tougher than the adults. There are unexpected twists and surprises, giving a very enjoyable book.

From the Book: "(p. 228) This surpassed the fear of death. Death would be a mercy if it would make the feeling stop, the uncontrollable panic mingling with the mind-scrambling certainty of something sinister approaching, something with no need to hurry, something that would not be so kind as to let him die. The fear was palpable, suffocating, irresistible."

Fablehaven

Title: Fablehaven

Author: Brandon Mull

Pages: 351

Genre: Fantasy

Grade: A-

Synopsis: Kendra and her brother Seth are forced to stay with grandparents that they barely know while their parents go on an extended cruise. When the children first arrive, their grandpa gives them very strict rules about where they can go on the property and around the house. The children quickly find out that there is something different about this place and that danger may lurk in the dense forest surrounding the yard. They find out that grandpa is actually a caretaker of Fablehaven, a special preserve for magical creatures. Due to Seth's inability to follow the rules, Kendra and Seth end up in a very dangerous situation and have to make decisions of life or death.

My Review: This was quite an enjoyable read. It reminded me a lot of the Harry Potter books because it is set in modern day with magical creatures that are hidden from view and perception of regular people. The books are not nearly as complex but they are still able to command your attention and excitement.

From the Book: "(p. 79) "Agreements. Specifically, a treaty ratified by all the orders of whimsical like forms who dwell here that affords a measure of security for mortal caretakers. In a world where mortal man has become the dominant force, most creatures of enchantment have fled to refuges like this one.""