Fablehaven: Secrets to the Dragon Sanctuary

So I was home sick [AGAIN!!!!] yesterday so I decided to pick up the fourth book in the epic Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. The Sphinx has already discovered two of the artifacts needed to open the Demon Prison, on the trail of the fourth Kendra, Seth, and The Knights of the Dawn travel to the dangerous and mysterious Wyrmroost, a dragon sanctuary. Will the two siblings succeed or have they finally gotten in too deep?

This book was truly epic, Brandon Mull is such a good writer, in this book every goes up a level; it's more intense, they're is a lot more on the line and that brings a lot more suspense and fun to the novel. The characters have all matured and gotten smarter, except for maybe Seth, which is the fatal flaw in this book, he could still be adventurous without being so stupid and always running towards danger; but I guess if he didn't the plot wouldn't move along and it would get boring. Brandon Mull really has evolved since the first novel. The world choice has gotten a whole lot better and more descriptive.

Brandon Mull is a wizard with words, Fablehaven is the next big series. Don't hold your breath for the next Harry Potter novel [P.S. it won't happen], just pick up the Fablehaven!

5/5

Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague

I was home sick [again] today, so I decided to dive into the third installment of the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. In Grip of the Shadow Plague, odd things are happening at Fablehaven. Seth discovers that there is a epidemic that turns creatures of light into creatures of darkness. The Sphinx has always given out good advice- but is he a traitor? Meanwhile Kendra with "The Knights of the Dawn" travel to a distant preserve to find a secret object that is very powerful. But as the epidemic worsens, this question is asked: Has Fablehaven seen it's last light?

Like the first two books in the Fablehaven series this book is very intriguing with lots plot twists that you never see coming. I found it very interesting to see what the other magical preserves are like because it lets you explore the magical world of Fablehaven. Brandon Mull has definitely gotten better at writing then he was in the beginning of the series. The characters keep getting more and more developed as they face more dangerous issues, and in this one their once time friends are now there enemies and it's very how they react in fighting against those which they one were friends.

Combining perfect word choice, humor, and chapter after chapter of exiting events; Brandon Mull is the next big author for kid's fantasy, J.K. Rowling better watch her back.

5/5

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

Okay so today I was home sick so I decided to tackle the 2nd novel in the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull.

in "Rise of Evening Star" after some trouble in their own hometown, Kendra and her younger brother find themselves racing back to Fablehaven, a magical refuge for mythical creatures where their grandparents are the caretakers. But when the two arrive they find that something evil is afoot most likely caused by "The Society of The Evening Star" a group of people in the magical community who will stop at nothing to see the downfall of Fablehaven and all other magical preserves like it.

After reading the first one I was completely hooked. Brandon Mull really makes you want to root for the characters and care about their well being as every good book does. Unlike the first one, I think Mull develops the characters more and gives you more of an insight on their daily life, he especially does this with Kendra, who like I said in my review of the first book used to be really boring. Now she isn't so much. She worked harder to become more popular unlike that girl that "always sits alone at lunch" in the first book; Even though she is still a "goody two shoes" personality. I think he really explains more about Fablehaven and the world of mythical beasts which really fascinates as a reader. One thing I would like to ask of Brandon Mull is to write a prequel about how Fablehaven was founded. I think that would be really interesting and just plain "cool". Brandon Mull crafts the rare sequel that's better then the first. This book will sending you running as fast as your little [or big] legs will carry you to read the next one.

5/5

WAITING 2 READ- March 2011

Okay so this month I can't wait to read "The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood" by the MASTER of horror Darren Shan, one of my favorite authors. Ever since the first book in this series came out last October I have been waiting for SO LONG to read this book. And hopefully it won't disappoint. Anyway here is a summary:

The epic tale of the vampire Larten Crepsley continues. The question is -- how far can Larten go! alone? Free from their mentor Seba Nile, Larten Crepsley and Wester Flack join the Cubs -- wild young vampires with little respect for human life, and a taste for mindless enjoyment. For the Cubs, everything is easy. But nothing has ever been easy for Larten, and soon fate throws his life into another spin. With dark paths to travel, Larten finds himself far from the Vampire Mountain and its rules. A long way from home, sick and alone, he must decide what kind of vampire he will be. Whether he will stand firm, be true to his master and his principles -- or whether he will lose himself in blood!

Okay, so how awesome is that? Can't wait it comes out April 28.

Also coming out in April [that I am hyped up]:

The 39 Clues Book 11: Vesper Rising by Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis and Jude Watson: The final book in the 39 Clues series, can't wait. How can you go wrong with all these GREAT authors? Comes out April 5

Lucky Cap by Patrick Jennings: I will be doing a pre-review of this book because I'm friends with Patrick J.

The 39 Clues: The Emperor's Code

In the 8th book in the 39 Clues series, Gordon Korman retakes the helm [his first in the series was "One False Note"]. Amy and Dan are heading to China, on the trail of a clue. But when the two get separated each of them must chose to either- find each other, or hunt for the next clue. But when Dan gets taken captive by one of the biggest players in the race it looks grim for the two to find each other in a country of a billion people.

It has a good plot, correction it has a great plot. I think in this one it really lets you get inside the heads of the other Cahills not just Amy and Dan, and lets you see what they're thinking because sometimes it's not like the other clue hunters are these inhumane, power crazed lunatics. I really enjoyed Korman's writing style and I think he brought back something, I don't really know what, but something that was missing in some of the early novels [in the series]. Even though some people think that this is just a scam for kids to buy the cards, I still think the books are really pretty good. Korman crafts a fun adventure story that will get you hooked.

4/5

Nightjohn

In Gary Paulsen's short chapter book following Sarnie, a slave on a Southern Plantation who from the help of the mysterious "Nightjohn" learns to write a few letters, she starts to use them and since she was a slave she wasn't supposed to that gets Nightjohn in a lot of trouble. She thinks this her last time using letters. But Nightjohn helps her and changes her life and the lives of other slaves forever through the power of letters.

This book was more serious then I expected it to be, really it was quit violent and scary. I think this book really captures that time period and how it was like to be a slave. They write lots of books about adult slaves, but this book is one of the few about a child slave. I think the word choice was really good, though I thought it should have been longer because it's hard to really "get to know" the characters in a 90 page book. I also wanted to know more about the slave's daily life because it didn't explain their daily life too much. It's always easier to find good qualities in books then the bad but I think it way a pretty good book for 90 pages. A great book on the time period.

P.S.: If you want more info on her life read:

Sarnie: A Life Remembered, the sequel.

3/5

The 39 Clues: The Viper's Nest

In the 7th installment of the 39 Clues, this one is the second in the series written by Peter Lerangis [his first was "The Sword Thief"]; Amy and Dan have a lead with a new clue involving Shaka which takes them to South Africa. The two find a lead about Winston Churchill that will maybe give them a major league in the competition and the truth on their branch of Cahills.
This book was a fun adventure novel that really doesn't do anything but give you a good time, no thinking required. Though when you think about it [but you don't have to] it is pretty mind boggling. One of the flaws is that the two don't really share their feelings they just all like "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it", which gets REALLY BORING. But it is still a fun, enjoyable, and [on the most part] awesome. I really am fascinate with the [idea] of each book being written by a different author [although some authors have wrote two in the series], but the authors need to know that though they can each add their own writing style, they can't change the plot too much. All in all a fun read.

3.5/5