Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary [Hardcover]

Brandon Mull (Author), Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 2009 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Fablehaven (Book 4)

Two hidden artifacts have been found. Three more remain unrecovered. More preserves face destruction as the Society of the Evening Star relentlessly pursues new talismans. Reading in Patton's Journal of Secrets, Kendra learns the location of the key to a vault housing one of the artifacts. In order to retrieve it, the Knights of the Dawn must enter a death trap a dragon sanctuary called Wyrmroost. The mission cannot proceed without stealing a sacred object zealously guarded by the centaurs. Anybody seen Seth? The race is on to acquire all five of the artifact keys to the great demon prison. Will the Knights of the Dawn conquer Wyrmroost? Who can stop the Sphinx? Can Vanessa be trusted to help? What artifact will be found next? Find out in Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Brace yourself for a shocking secret. Two hidden artifacts have been found. Three more remain unrecovered. More preserves face destruction as the Society of the Evening Star relentlessly pursues new talismans. Reading in Patton's Journal of Secrets, Kendra learns the location of the key to a vault housing one of the artifacts. In order to retrieve it, the Knights of the Dawn must enter a death trap a dragon sanctuary called Wyrmroost. The mission cannot proceed without stealing a sacred object zealously guarded by the centaurs. Anybody seen Seth? The race is on to acquire all five of the artifact keys to the great demon prison. Will the Knights of the Dawn conquer Wyrmroost? Who can stop the Sphinx? Can Vanessa be trusted to help? What artifact will be found next? Find out in Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary.

---

Brandon Mull Interviews Raxtus the Dragon

Raxtus, a fairy dragon, is much smaller than the average winged reptiles that you may encounter in the Fablehaven series. He was raised by fairies, and can turn invisible at will. Find out how he wages war against the centaurs with the help of a young fairy named Kendra in Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary.

Brandon: Thanks for consenting to this interview.

Raxtus: I'm open to new experiences. Within reason.

Brandon: You are not a typical dragon.

Raxtus: Wow! So much for small talk. No, to my great shame, I was incubated and raised by fairies, so I sparkle and I'm much smaller than average. Also, my breath weapon is a joke. Among other things, it makes flowers bloom. Enough humiliation? I could go on.

Brandon: You feel like other dragons don't see you as an equal?

Raxtus: I get it. My humiliation remains incomplete. No, other dragons see me as ridiculous. My dad is a really big, important dragon, which heightens my disgrace, and also explains why I remain alive. Few dragons would willingly cross my dad.

Brandon: Unlike many dragons, you have befriended humans.

Raxtus: I enjoy humans. Since dragons rejected me, I get some of my vicarious thrills by spying on human culture. I love action movies.

Brandon: You can get into a theater?

Raxtus: In a pinch, yes. Often I'll just find a drive-in. They're a dying breed, but they're still around. Not the best sound, but I enjoy the open atmosphere. You want to talk movies? I could go for hours.

Brandon: Some other time. I understand that you aren't confined to a particular dragon sanctuary.

Raxtus: Correct. I enjoy Wyrmroost, and spend more time here than at any other sanctuaries, but I am free to roam the world, including many preserves that others cannot access.

Brandon: What is the purpose of these preserves?

Raxtus: Don't you know?

Brandon: I'm just trying to inform the uninitiated.

Raxtus: Gotcha. For centuries, the magical creatures around the world have been gathered to secret wildlife refuges. Some remain in the wild, but most have retired to these hidden preserves. Dragons and some of the more powerful creatures reside in special preserves called dragon sanctuaries. Is that enough?

Brandon: Perfect. You know Kendra Sorenson.

Raxtus: She's a credit to humankind. And fairykind. I'm a fan.

Brandon: And you've met Warren.

Raxtus: Don't remind me. I'm always finding new ways to embarrass myself. I've turned it into an art form.

Brandon: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Raxtus: Ten years is a blink for a dragon. We live a long time. It would be like me asking where you see yourself in ten hours.

Brandon: Asleep.

Raxtus: I get it. You want an answer. I've always wanted to write, or maybe paint, or I might finally enroll in grad school. I'm kidding. Told you I've studied humans! A real answer? I'll probably still be lurking around, hopefully inching toward seeming a tad more dragonly.

Brandon: What is your favorite food?

Raxtus: I love food! Don't get me started. So many flavors! It depends on my mood. Lately I've been into hippopotamus. It has to be fresh. Aurochs are good.

Brandon: Remind me what aurochs are?

Raxtus: Kind of like giant bulls. Really meaty.

Brandon: I think we'd get along. I'm into steak.

Raxtus: I take mine really rare. Like recently breathing.

Brandon: How do dragons view other magical creatures?

Raxtus: Most dragons are well aware that they're alpha predators, top of the food chain. The sharks of the sky. We're only threatened by other dragons, and perhaps the most powerful wizards. Many creatures become paralyzed in our presence, including humans. Dragons generally view other creatures as food. But dragons like to consider themselves intellectuals. If a creature can engage the intellect of a dragon, it might survive an encounter. The catch? It can be hard to hold a stimulating conversation when you're paralyzed.

Brandon: Some dragons have human avatars. They can take human shape.

Raxtus: Correct. Some dragons frown on the idea. Others find great amusement in the exercise. I have no human avatar. Which might be a good thing. If I did, I might rarely use my dragon form.

Brandon: You really like humans.

Raxtus: Shameful as it may sound, I do. Among dragons, I'm alone in that opinion.

Brandon: Do dragons particularly dislike humans?

Raxtus: Some do, mostly because wizards tend to use human form. Many dragons give humanoids little thought, considering them vermin if anything. A few dragons have kept human pets or servants, but not usually due to a love for humanity. A particular human might occasionally find favor with a particular dragon.

Brandon: But most dragons would just eat humans.

Raxtus: Absolutely.

Brandon: This has been enlightening. Any parting thoughts?

Raxtus: Stay away from dragons. I may seem friendly, but I'm an exception to the rule. Even I sometimes savor the smell of humans. I abstain from eating people for philosophical rather than gastronomical reasons.

Brandon: Thanks for talking with me.

Raxtus: Anytime.

---

Review

The Fablehaven books are so entertaining that I read the first three in a single sitting. They kept me turning the pages until 4:40 in the morning. Each book was better than the last! Brandon Mull is a talented new fantasy writer, and I can't wait to read more from him. The world he has created is deep, intriguing, magical, and full of surprising discoveries and unexpected dangers. I especially liked his two main characters, Kendra and Seth. They both act like real people, and unlike many fictional siblings, they help and support each other when they're in trouble. The Fablehaven series is one of the most enjoyable fantasies I've read in the past few years. I only wish I could have read it when I was ten or twelve. --Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon. The series is generating buzz as a contender in the fantasy-adventure genre to replace the Harry Potter franchise. --The Hollywood Reporter.

The series is generating buzz as a contender in the fantasy-adventure genre to replace the Harry Potter franchise. --The Hollywood Reporter

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Shadow Mountain (March 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606410423
• ISBN-13: 978-1606410424
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brandon Mull no longer lives on the side of a mountain above a prison. He now resides in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife and three children. Since the arrival of his new daughter, he is more the golem of the household than ever, following whatever orders trickle down the chain of command. Brandon is the author of the New York Times bestselling Fablehaven books and The Candy Shop War.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4th in the Fablehaven Series, March 18, 2009

By 

SciFiChick "The SciFiChick" (Fishers, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Hardcover)

Kendra and Seth are back at home, looking forward to winter break. While secretly reading Patton's journal, Kendra discovers clues to another hidden artifact. But the only key to the artifact is guarded within a deadly dragon sanctuary. But Kendra soon finds herself in more immediate danger. And Seth decides to embark on a dangerous mission of his own. The Knights of the Dawn must protect the artifacts from the power-hungry Sphinx, as he wants to use them to unlock the demon prison.

Kendra and Seth have grown a great deal over the course of the series. They started out as just two normal children thrust into unusual circumstances. But as they learn more about themselves and the world around them, both make admirable choices, growing in character and wisdom.

As so many people in their life have betrayed them, the children have become naturally less trusting. But even more allies turn out to be traitors. And as the Sphinx grows in power, circumstances become dire. But Kendra and Seth never give up hope.

This fourth installment is the most exciting yet. Danger and suspense are a constant. The Knights of the Dawn must use their brains as well as brawn to overcome the perils of the dragon sanctuary. Big surprises lead up to a climactic ending. But fans of the series will have to hold on for next year when the Fablehaven series concludes in the fifth and final book. This is an exciting series that fantasy fans of all ages should love. With a focus on family and fighting for the side of good, in my eyes, it makes Harry Potter pale in comparison.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Installment in the Series, March 29, 2009

By 

Garrett Winn "HeroJourneys.com" (Eagle Mountain, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Hardcover)

I had a hard time putting this book down. I read all 527 pages in about 8 hours. I forced myself to go to bed even though I was not done with the book, but I was getting really tired and couldn't keep my eyes open.

OK, so let's break it down:

Characters: There were a couple new characters and surprises on existing ones. I am totally liking Seth now that he is not quite so annoying and "stupid" (in that little brother way). And I loved it when Seth was taunting the poison dragon. Too funny! Brandon is great at making likable (as well as ones we love to hate) and well-rounded characters. He is also doing even better at giving each character a unique voice.

Setting: The dragon sanctuary was cool and Brandon did a good job in narrating their passage through mazes and traps.

Conflict: The action was even more intense and scattered throughout the book on this one, which I feel was a great improvement over the previous books.

Plot: I like how Brandon makes each book feel complete, and yet we know there is more to come. In fact, one more book in the series, to be precise. Interesting twist near the end too.

Text: Brandon is becoming a great writer. I anxiously await the final book in the series.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST IN SERIES SO FAR, April 5, 2009

By 

DJMEC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Hardcover)

******NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW*********

Ok, first off what is it with people that feel they have to ruin the book by putting spoilers in their reviews?!? I purposely waited until I finished reading the book before I checked out the reviews because I KNEW people would try to ruin it for me. I was glad I waited. Anyways...

The 4th installment of the Fablehaven series is hands down my favorite book of the series so far. I bought it the day it came out and just finished it today. I took a while because I didn't want it to end. I could have read it in a day or two if I wanted to finish it that fast. But I'm glad I savored it. The thing I like about Brandon Mulls writing is that there is never a dull chapter. Most books at least start off slow but Mull gets you interested right away. Dare I say he is even more talented that J.K. Rowling?? I still have never read the 4th Harry Potter book because it just was WAY too slow for me in the beginning. I have never had that problem with any of the Fablehaven books.

I STRONGLY recommend this series to anyone looking for a fantastic fantasy adventure series. READ IT! You will not regret it. :)