The winner of the autographed copy of Fablehaven by Brandon Mull is....
Susan
Congratulations Susan!!! Please email us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com with your address by April 10th and I will get the book sent out to you as soon as possible.
We'd like to thank all of those who entered this week's giveaway. We hope that everyone has taken an opportunity to get to know Brandon Mull's works better. Please continue to visit us here at Fabulous Reads for great reviews of fabulous books and for future announcements regarding book giveaways.
Keep on reading!!!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull
As we are celebrating the works of Brandon Mull this week I want to make sure that you are aware of one of his books that we previously blogged about called The Candy Shop War. To read our review of this book please click on its name in the last sentence and it will lead you directly to the review we did last year.
Brandon has also written a book for children called Pingo about a boy whose imaginary friends become his enemy when he decides he no longer needs them. Unfortunately, my local library does not have this book as of yet so I am unable to write a review of it at this time. However, I do recommend that you check it out and if you read it before me, then please provide us with your review of it by emailing us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com.
In the meantime, do not forget that today is the last day to enter for the Fablehaven giveaway. The giveaway will end at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow. We hope that everyone takes the opportunity to get to know the works of Brandon Mull better and then let us know what you think. We hope you have a wonderful weekend and a fabulous Easter.
Brandon has also written a book for children called Pingo about a boy whose imaginary friends become his enemy when he decides he no longer needs them. Unfortunately, my local library does not have this book as of yet so I am unable to write a review of it at this time. However, I do recommend that you check it out and if you read it before me, then please provide us with your review of it by emailing us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com.
In the meantime, do not forget that today is the last day to enter for the Fablehaven giveaway. The giveaway will end at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow. We hope that everyone takes the opportunity to get to know the works of Brandon Mull better and then let us know what you think. We hope you have a wonderful weekend and a fabulous Easter.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull
Our contest ends tommorrow!! Have you entered? You should! Go here for all the ways to enter.
Title: Keys to the Demon Prison
Author: Brandon Mull
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Mid Grade Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: Violence
Premise: Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison. To thwart the Sphinx's designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn must venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison. (King County Library System)
Opinions: WOW!! I can't even tell you how much WOW! This is a great ending to a great series. Very intense. I went back and remembered the previous books. Each book gets more intense. On a scale of 1-10 the level of intensity grows from a 4 to a 10 throughout the series. This book is the 10. I couldn't put it down. (Which drove my husband nuts.) I stayed up really late reading it, because I had to know what happened. It was unexpected and satisfying. I love how the characters develop in this last book. There is a lot of action and a lot of suprises. I don't want to give it away.......but WOW! The one thing I disliked was a cosmetic thing that I will warn you of. I was reading the last chapter and turned to the last page and the next page looked like another chapter. However, it wasn't. It was Brandon Mull talking about the end of the Fablehaven series. I was a little confused and it messed up the ending for me. So I went back and reread the last 30 pages or so and was much more satisfied with the ending. Overall, this is a Fabulous book and a Fabulous Series. I am looking forward to Brandon Mull's future work.
Title: Keys to the Demon PrisonAuthor: Brandon Mull
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Mid Grade Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: Violence
Premise: Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison. To thwart the Sphinx's designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn must venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison. (King County Library System)
Opinions: WOW!! I can't even tell you how much WOW! This is a great ending to a great series. Very intense. I went back and remembered the previous books. Each book gets more intense. On a scale of 1-10 the level of intensity grows from a 4 to a 10 throughout the series. This book is the 10. I couldn't put it down. (Which drove my husband nuts.) I stayed up really late reading it, because I had to know what happened. It was unexpected and satisfying. I love how the characters develop in this last book. There is a lot of action and a lot of suprises. I don't want to give it away.......but WOW! The one thing I disliked was a cosmetic thing that I will warn you of. I was reading the last chapter and turned to the last page and the next page looked like another chapter. However, it wasn't. It was Brandon Mull talking about the end of the Fablehaven series. I was a little confused and it messed up the ending for me. So I went back and reread the last 30 pages or so and was much more satisfied with the ending. Overall, this is a Fabulous book and a Fabulous Series. I am looking forward to Brandon Mull's future work.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull
Title: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Author: Brandon Mull
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: Some violence
Premise: The magical preserve Fablehaven provides refuge to numerous mystical species: centaurs, trolls, satyrs, ogres, fairies, minotaurs, brownies, imps, nymphs, and many others. But some beings are too large and powerful to be confined to regular enchanted refuges. These mightiest of creatures dwell inside the dragon sanctuaries. (King County Library)
Opinions: In this fourth installment of the Fablehaven series, Seth is becoming more and more of an intriguing character. He is still as impetuous and adventurous as ever, but due to an encounter with a creature from a previous book he learns that he has special abilities that allow him to learn things that none of his friends know. He tries to persuade them to let him help out in the search for the magical artifacts, but he is consistently turned down. So he takes matters in his own hands and ends up not only causing more trouble, but also coming up with the only solutions that work. I've come to enjoy his character more and more as he learns and grows.
Some intriguing events occur with Kendra that leave me wondering how Brandon Mull plans on resolving them in the last book (I wish I could tell you more, but I don't want to spoil it). Kendra does use her fairy-kind abilities to decipher messages left by Patton in his journal which will lead them to the Centaurs to find the key to a Dragon Sanctuary where one of the magic artifacts is hidden. The Sphinx is definitely not through with Kendra yet. She also must decide who to place her trust in.
This book is full of hard lessons, suspense, traps, betrayals, strength of character and friendship, good vs. evil, interesting plot twists, and most definitely dragons. This book is definitely a page turner and the best of the series so far. I'm eager to learn how this story will be resolved in book five.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull
Go here for all the ways to enter our FabulousGiveaway.
Title: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Author: Brandon Mull
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: none
Premise: Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven. Someone or something has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness. Seth discovers the problem in its infancy, but as the infectious disease spreads, it becomes clear that the preserve cannot hold out for long. In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn. The Sphinx has always given sound advice--but is he a traitor? Inside the quiet Box, Vanessa might have information that could lead to a cure--but can she be trusted? Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the Knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another hidden artifact. Will the Society of the Evening Star recover it first? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven? (King County Library System)
Opinions: This is one of my favorites of this series. We get to see Fablehaven in distress and we also get to see a new preserve. This is entreating in that you get to see how another preserve works and you get to encounter new creatures. Both Kendra and Seth are integral to the success of the community they have embraced. New characters are introduced that add another level to the story. I like that this book takes place both at Fablehaven and Lost Mesa because it widens the scope of the story. I think that it is important that the story that could affect the world broadens to include other parts of the world.
One of the things I like about this series is the fact that it is well balanced. There is light and dark, good and evil, action and reflection. I don't feel so overwhelmed by any one aspect that it ruins the book for me. (Too much darkness makes me depressed, and too much lightness makes for a fluffy book which I don't mind) Balance is something that I think Brandon Mull does gracefully and effortlessly in his books.
I hope you enjoy this FabulousRead.
Title: Grip of the Shadow PlagueAuthor: Brandon Mull
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: none
Premise: Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven. Someone or something has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness. Seth discovers the problem in its infancy, but as the infectious disease spreads, it becomes clear that the preserve cannot hold out for long. In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn. The Sphinx has always given sound advice--but is he a traitor? Inside the quiet Box, Vanessa might have information that could lead to a cure--but can she be trusted? Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the Knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another hidden artifact. Will the Society of the Evening Star recover it first? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven? (King County Library System)
Opinions: This is one of my favorites of this series. We get to see Fablehaven in distress and we also get to see a new preserve. This is entreating in that you get to see how another preserve works and you get to encounter new creatures. Both Kendra and Seth are integral to the success of the community they have embraced. New characters are introduced that add another level to the story. I like that this book takes place both at Fablehaven and Lost Mesa because it widens the scope of the story. I think that it is important that the story that could affect the world broadens to include other parts of the world.
One of the things I like about this series is the fact that it is well balanced. There is light and dark, good and evil, action and reflection. I don't feel so overwhelmed by any one aspect that it ruins the book for me. (Too much darkness makes me depressed, and too much lightness makes for a fluffy book which I don't mind) Balance is something that I think Brandon Mull does gracefully and effortlessly in his books.
I hope you enjoy this FabulousRead.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull
Don't forget to enter our giveaway for a SIGNED copy of Fablehaven, book 1. Go here for all the ways to enter.
Title: Rise of the Evening Star
Author: Fablehaven
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Mid Grade Fantasy
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: 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 where their grandfather is caretaker. The Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal a hidden artifact of great power, is storming the gates. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possily the world. Time is running out. (King County Library System)
Opinions: In book two of the Fablehaven series things get more interesting for Kendra and Seth. In book one, I liked Kendra a lot and Seth really bugged me. In book two, Seth started to grow on me. This book develops the characters from the first book and introduces several new and quirky characters. Vanessa-the expert on creatures, Tanu- the potions master, Coulter-the magical artifacts expert and the Sphinx-a mystery unto himself. As the Society of the Evening Star makes a play for one of the artifacts, Kendra and Seth must work together to help discover the mysteries of Fablehaven before the Society does.
I love this series. The characters seem very realistic and true. I often find myself sucked into the book and not be able to put it down. And PS my husband loves it too. He will stay up until 12 or 1 in the morning reading it because he just has to know what happens. I find myself invested in the characters and their problems and rooting for their triumph.
Title: Rise of the Evening StarAuthor: Fablehaven
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Mid Grade Fantasy
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: 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 where their grandfather is caretaker. The Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal a hidden artifact of great power, is storming the gates. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possily the world. Time is running out. (King County Library System)
Opinions: In book two of the Fablehaven series things get more interesting for Kendra and Seth. In book one, I liked Kendra a lot and Seth really bugged me. In book two, Seth started to grow on me. This book develops the characters from the first book and introduces several new and quirky characters. Vanessa-the expert on creatures, Tanu- the potions master, Coulter-the magical artifacts expert and the Sphinx-a mystery unto himself. As the Society of the Evening Star makes a play for one of the artifacts, Kendra and Seth must work together to help discover the mysteries of Fablehaven before the Society does.
I love this series. The characters seem very realistic and true. I often find myself sucked into the book and not be able to put it down. And PS my husband loves it too. He will stay up until 12 or 1 in the morning reading it because he just has to know what happens. I find myself invested in the characters and their problems and rooting for their triumph.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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.
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