Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Title: Fablehaven
Author: Brandon Mull
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming. (King County Library System)
Opinions: Fablehaven is a fascinating, imaginative world that Brandon Mull has created to entertain young and not-so-young alike. Kendra (13 years old) and Seth's (11 years old) parents take them to spend some time with their grandparents while they go on an extended vacation. Having rarely seen their grandparents, and never having visited their home before, things are slightly tense when they first arrive to Fablehaven. Fablehaven is a preserve that their grandfather manages, but they do not realize what kind of preserve it actually is.

Kendra and Seth soon learn that there are some strange things happening. When they first arrive their grandmother is nowhere to be found, there's no radio, no television and a whole lot of rules that they must obey. When some of those rules are broken and people on the reserve are taken away from them one-by-one, Kendra and Seth learn that Fablehaven is a refuge for magical creatures, including satyrs, nymphs, trolls, fairies, imps, witches and much, much more. Kendra and Seth must work with some of these creatures and against others to save their grandparents and to make decisions that will change their lives forever.

The characters are fantastic - Kendra the rule abiding, intelligent, kind, older sibling who is trying to do the best for everyone and to watch over her rule-breaking, adventure-loving brother, Seth. Lena - the mysterious and beautiful cook, Warren - the cool and quite butler. Muriel - the old hag living in the forest. A mysterious chicken, and many, many more impressive characters (including a pair of satyrs that will do anything for batteries). I love the imagery, the tension, the plot detail, and the imagination of this story. Overall this is a must read for anyone and everyone who loves a good read.