Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven) (Hardcover)

by Brandon Mull (Author), Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Fablehaven has been nominated for the Cybilis Award 2009. Now in the third year, the Cybils are an international series of book awards selected by a talented panel of children's and young adult book bloggers. The award seeks to find books that strike the balance between literary quality and kid appeal. Nominations were open to the public, and anyone could nominate a book published in the current year. --Cybilis.com

Review
"One of the most enjoyable fantasies I've read..."-- Christopher Paolini, author of the Eragon series --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Shadow Mountain (April 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590388984
• ISBN-13: 978-1590388983
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,116 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 4 in The Fablehaven Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 3rd in the Fablehaven series for young readers, April 18, 2008

By	SciFiChick "www.SciFiChick.com" (Fishers, IN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Picking up where the last novel left off, Kendra and Seth are still at Fablehaven with their grandparents. Suspicions have been cast on the Sphinx and his loyalties. Kendra has been recruited as a Knight, and the family agrees that she should infiltrate with hopes of claiming the next artifact before the Sphinx can get to it. And Fablehaven is under attack by a mysterious darkness that is spreading extremely fast. Can Seth and the rest of his family and friends discover the cause and stop it before all of Fablehaven is lost?

Each installment in the Fablehaven series has been more action-packed and exciting than the next. Grip of the Shadow Plague has a fast-paced plot where danger and intrigue run rampant. New and interesting characters appear. Dark secrets and betrayals are uncovered. And more mysteries unfold.

Kendra and Seth are ordinary children who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Fablehaven is full of mystery and wonder that comes alive. Kendra's humility and wisdom is admirable. And Seth's enthusiasm and bravery is inspirational. Fablehaven is easily on par with the Harry Potter series. And if you've been waiting for something to fill the HP loss, look no further.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Harry., May 6, 2008

By	Emily Taylor "1st Grade Teacher/Scouter Gal" (Northern Utah) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book once again proved why I fight with people that the Fablehaven series is indeed superior to Harry Potter. Thank-you, Brandon Mull, for what I think is the most delightful and most creative book so far (because I will most certainly allow him to write something even more exciting.)

What originally began as the sweetness of a little preserve known as Fablehaven has grown into an expanded world of fantasy and secret organizations. Another preserve, brightened with the beautiful desert atmosphere of the Southwest United States, is introduced with just as many wonders as dear Fablehaven. More characters are introduced, which does nothing but make the plot and relationships all the more complex and twisted--awesome. And the characters and places already familiar continue to develop.

And Mull writes it all in stride. True to young adult fantasy, his writing is fairly simple, but tight and descriptive just the same. He is in control of this world, while at the same time seeing in awe of just what he has created. The characters are not flashy stereotypes, but subtle, down-to-earth, and very much believable.

Amazing book and I cannot wait for the next.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What more could happen?, May 21, 2008

By	M. J. Keel (Somewhere in the Far East) - See all my reviews

The Sorenson kids are only a few weeks from heading home and starting school when a new threat to Fablehaven makes the likelihood of going home anytime soon unlikely. Creatures of light on the preserve begin to turn dark. Along with that Kendra's abilities imparted by the kisses of hundreds of fairies in book one seem to be evolving to such an extend that she could be a target of the Society of the Evening Star if she goes home. As if that is not enough, she is invited to become a Knight of the Dawn, an organization pledged to protect magical preserves. Traveling to meet them, then on a secret mission to another preserve, and the growing threat within Fablehaven fill this volume of the the Fablehaven series with some of the best writing, action, and story-telling of the series so far. Valuable lessons for kids and families are deftly woven into this volume, like the others, without being preachy. The action is even more intense so small kids will not be ready for this, but adolescents and teens will love this one, too. I can't wait to see what happens in volume 4! Brandon Mull is becoming a favorite at our house.