Customer Reviews

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star is Book 2 in the wonderfully magical Fablehaven series. I loved it! Even better than the first one in my opinion. For those who haven't read the first one, Fablehaven is the name of a refuge for mythical and magical creatures. It is one of five such preserves in the world. Fablehaven is owned by the grandparents of Seth and Kendra, our two main characters. Common characters in the books are fairies, brownies, naiads, trolls, imps, golems, and satyrs. Great fun!

This second book in the series poses a threat to Fablehaven. Each of the five magical preserves in the world holds a unique artifact with a magical power. The location of the artifact is kept secret even from caretakers of the preserve. If all 5 artifacts were found and united, they could be combined to unlock a prison that holds demons, devils, and monsters that are unimaginable and could quite literally bring about the end of the world. The Society of the Evening Star is after these artifacts.

Trouble is breaking loose when a strange new student arrives at Seth and Kendra's school. To keep them safe, Seth and Kendra's grandparents decided to have them spend the summer at Fablehaven and tell their parents that they could use the help around the house as an excuse. After all, there's a giant frog trying to eat Seth...how would you explain that one to mom?! When Seth and Kendra arrive after facing some strange circumstances, they find that help has been called in to Fablehaven. Three new faces are there: A potions master, a relics collector, and a magical critter collector. It soon becomes obvious that there's a traitor among the crowd. But who could it be? And how much damage could they cause?

This volume has ten times the magic and adventure of the first one. It was so much fun and I caught myself holding my breath at times. Seth gets himself into trouble as usual and Kendra has acquired some pretty cool abilities. There's tons of new creatures introduced in this book and it all climaxes into an amazing scene of magic and puzzelry! And the ending just leaves you dying for more. And it's coming in 2008.

Mull's writing is wonderful. Perfect for kids and yet perfectly enjoyable for adults as well. I didn't want this one to end at all. One of my favorite reads of the year so far. He also announces at the end of the book that he has another new non-Fablehaven book coming out in the Fall called The Candy Shop War. Looking forward to that one as well.

Brandon Mull is a promising author and I'm really looking forward to what this guy does with his career. This series will be the perfect one to get into with Harry Potter ending in July.

When the world needs protection, and magical beings are at risk, the power of youth is called into action. In Brandon Mull's newest book "Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star," readers will be swept up in the fantastical realm of the unusual and unexpected.

Kendra is fourteen years old and her brother Seth is twelve. Their youth and energy will see them through some amazing adventures as the school year ends and summer begins. The magic won't wait for the two to enter their grandparents' home in Fablehaven, a refuge for magical creatures. Something lurks the school halls, and someone tricks Seth into letting loose a goblin. A phone call from Grandpa Sorenson warns of danger and explains the need for the siblings to help protect the sanctuary. An ancient artifact is hidden somewhere on Fablehaven and with the help of some of their grandparents' companions, Kendra and Seth have to find it before the Society of the Evening Star discovers it. The safety of the world depends on this quest, and the future of magical creatures everywhere hinges on the outcome.

Kendra finds that she has some amazing, fairy gifted, abilities, like seeing in the dark and understanding different languages. Seth finds that he is braver than he ever dreamed possible, but smart enough to know when a little fright and caution is a good thing. Together, the two will uncover mysteries, make their way through Brownie tunnels, and face terrors of high proportions. Will they figure out who has infiltrated Fablehaven? Can they get to the artifact before it is too late? Do you know who to trust?

Brandon Mull has done it again. His works are an absolute escape into fantasy but with a grounded foundation in reality that makes it all the easier to fall under his trance. This stand alone book, the second in the series, is much anticipated, but it will also leave readers frantic for more. The implications of future storylines are highly enticing and promise great enjoyment. Mull has a way of drawing in even the most reluctant of readers. His characters are teeming with strengths and abilities, weaknesses and faults. The imagination is set free, all the while inspiring readers to discover their own inner selves. With a social message or two, Brandon Mull has penned another masterpiece. In the traditions of Tolkien and Rowland, but with a wonderful style that is all his own, this author is one to watch and eagerly anticipate future works from.

I thought that the first book Fablehaven was imaginative and a great read, but little did I know that Brandon Mull would come up with an even better story for his follow up novel. Although it may seem to be a little long if you measure it from cover to cover, like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , you'll be so riveted to the pages that you won't even notice it.

Kendra and Seth return to Fablehaven after a foul monster infiltrates their school, leading to a series of events involving a frog, an ambush and a high speed car chase, but that's just where the real fun begins.

An ancient and extremely powerful group is trying to steal an artifact from the refuge, and the children's grandparents have called for some back-up. The problem is that all this protection doesn't seem to be working, and bit by bit, the bad guys are getting closer.

This book stands out for the exciting and colorful characters (on both sides) including the enigmatic (obviously) Sphinx who's always on the move (something like the Oracle from The Matrix movies); a potion master of Samoan ancestry who keeps lots of good stuff bottled up; a mystical creature trapper who has the strangest and most horrible roommates ever; a magical relics collector with lots of cool tricks up his sleeves, a gluttonous beast that will stop at nothing until he's eaten everything on his menu; plus fairies, imps, goblins, and an assortment of others, alive, undead, reanimated and even catatonic.

The last chapters will have you turning the pages as fast as you can, as the author brings you to the thrilling and chilling conclusion - or is it? You'll need to read the first book to get the background for this one, but both are highly recommended. This is a brilliant and magical series, and I can't wait for book three (2008).




Amanda Richards, August 7, 2007

I originally bought Fablehaven for my daughter. I read it first. And I liked it a lot. Its an easy read, but there are some vocabulary words here and there, as well as some easy words that people don't really use much any more.

The second book of Fablehaven is really quite good and its a wonderful followup to the first one.

Two of my favorite lessons from the book:
1) Kids can learn that confidence fixes a lot of problems. This manifests itself in many places in the book. And its true in real life, too.
2) The machinations of evil follow a pattern that holds a lesson. I don't want to give anything away, but its regarding other people's motivations and not to be too naive and trusting. This surfaces at least 3 times in the book and then its spelled out for you. Its a wonderful lesson for teens to use in real life, especially at the age my daughter is.

So, I'm very happy with this book on those levels. There are many other lessons, but you'll have to read the book to find them.

Otherwise, i can only tell you that its an interesting read, entertaining, holds together well. Nothing too scary, but scary enough to be cool and fun. On rare occasions people seem to speak in a bit of a stilted way when they are explaining things, and lack some character depth, but lets not be too picky.

The author does a wonderful job of tying in concepts and mysteries introduced in the first book, as well as laying the groundwork for new concepts and mysteries. For example, you find out how Grandma became transformed in book 1, yet he leaves it at that, leaving the concept to be more thoroughly plumbed in a future book. In short, the series has been thought out ahead of time, which is always a good sign.

These mildly complicated story patterns will be enjoyed by "young at heart" adults as well as children.

All in all, at $6.99 delivered (I'm with amazon prime) its a no-brainer "buy".

I think this series might be one of the literary worlds best kept secrets. I had never heard of it before Our school was lucky enough to schedule a visit with Brandon Mull. In preparation I bought the first Fablehaven book. I had no idea what I was missing. I was hooked after the first page and didn't want to put it down. I was ordering the 2nd book as soon as I was finished with the first. Now I am excitedly waiting for book 3.

While not quite as good as the first Fablehaven book this one is definitely in the same company. This has a great story, a great plot, fun and interesting characters and environments and enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. You will not be able to put this book down. You'll be up late at night reading this thing.

I also like how Brandon Mull has kids, Seth and Kendra, who are the main heroes in this book who do what they do (to be heroes) in a way that isn't so farfetched that you're shaking your head going.... that's not believable at all.

The ending of the book is totally wicked and will leave you begging for the next one. Hopefully,it will be here before we know it.

I think this series is more entertaining and better written by far then the Inkhart series, the Eragon series, Series of Unfortunate Events series, Bartemous series, etc. I think it even rivals the Harry Potter series.

This book is also very clean (although a little violent) and is very suitable for children and enjoyable for adults.

Yeah baby yeah..... oh yeah!

In this sequel to Fablehaven, Kendra and Seth are faced with more magical dilemmas. A goblin appears in Kendra's class, Seth gets bitten by some sort of demon, and they can't get a hold of their grandfather. Soon they are whisked back to Fablehaven - but are they any safer there? Not only do they have enemies wishing to penetrate the preserve, but soon they realize that there is an enemy from within, too.

I was not quite as enchanted by this book as I was by its precursor. I did like the imaginative creatures and situations introduced in it, as well as appearances by some familiar things from the first book. The characters did not seem as fleshed out as in the first, which was disappointing. However, it was still a fun, fresh adventure and I will definitely pick up the third book. A good read, but not great. If you liked the first, you will probably like this one as well.

Last year FABLEHAVEN book one was a Cybils nominated book. I loved the premise and totally got caught up in Brandon Mull's tale of two children who end up at their grandparent's refuge for mythical and magical creatures. I was very excited book two was nominated this year.

In RISE OF THE EVENING STAR, Kendra and her brother, Seth, find themselves back at FABLEHAVEN. Their grandfather invites three caretakers to help protect the property from the Society of The Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal an artifact of great power. Time is running out. In the meantime, the children find that someone has betrayed them. It's up to both Kendra and Seth to help Fablehaven before it's destroyed.

I admit, I was a tad bit disappointed in this tale. Sure, the beginning was fast-paced but later the story seemed to drag. The children do team together to help save the refuge but the dialogue seemed forced. I would have liked if the author had shown more of Kendra's fairy gifts. I hope the next book picks up the pace. But still if you are looking for a fantasy for tweens that isn't graphic, I'd recommend this series.

I'd rate this book three and a half stars as it's not as entertaining as book one but still kept my interest.

Like so many of the other reviews Brandon Mull second book is even better than his 5 star first book. It's a shame we can't give more stars. This book is for more than just children's book, its a great read for any age. Truely imagitive and fun for the whole family, what a world to live in.

Brandon Mull uses his vast imagination to create a wonderful story for children. Parents and grandparents cannot put this book down until they have finished the story. As for the children, I have not seen them so excited about a book in a long time. It is pure delight when we sit around the table and talk about the characters and the story. I have purchased 4 copies for 4 grandchildren. May Brandon Mull write forever!
S. Strickland, Enfield, CT