Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5) by Brandon Mull

Title: Keys To The Demon Prison

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: Final Book in the Fablehaven series

Published: March 2010

Publisher: Shadow Moutain

Pages: 593

ISBN: 9781606412381

Source: Library Book

Description: 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. Facing the potential of a world-ending calamity, all friends of light must unite in a final effort to thwart the Sphinx s designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts. To this end, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn will venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven to strange and exotic magical preserves across the globe, where the end of every quest becomes the beginning of another. In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

At the end of book 4, I had my serious doubts at how the author was going to wrap up such a series in only one more book.  He proved me wrong, but I worry it was at the expensive of the story a little.  Don't get me wrong, it's still wonderful.  There's just so much that happens in such a short amount of time.  And for some reason all of it happens with such ease.  The previous 4 book felt like there was more of a battle to get what they were after.  Seth alone has 6 different adventures (and not all of them include Kendra).  I did love watching him mature in this book.  He learned that not all wrong decisions are done for the wrong reasons.  I think he learned what true courage was.  I also love the involvement of the Satyrs.  They were fantastic, providing just enough comic relief throughout the story!  Kendra seems to have fulfilled the big sister role.  She doesn't seem to play much of a part in the bigger picture until the very end when she single-handedly swoops in and saves the day (without even really meaning too).  I really liked how the author threw in a love interest.  It was so appropriate and very tastefully done.  Overall, I thought it was a fantastic ending to the series.  I just think the author could have easily gotten one more book out of the series by drawing out some of the tasks a little.  I will be looking forward to see what Brandon Mull comes up with next!

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven, #4) by Brandon Mull

Title: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Author: Brandon Mull
Published: March 2009
Pages: 535
ISBN: 9781606410424
Source: Library book

Description: 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.

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

I gave it 4 stars but I'm tempted to give it more... it's only real draw back is that it's long.  Which doesn't have to be a bad thing, it just doesn't have the race until the end, need to read it feel.  But, besides that, I love this series.  What I do find odd is that I love the mythical creatures in this series more than I love the characters.  The characters are well executed though, and have plenty of appeal.  But, for some reason, I just love the fantasy.  The author has created this tightly woven world of mythical races.  Everything has an explanation that fits in with each race.  And, while those little details may seem like they dont' matter, it's what makes the story real.  The author has created a completely functioning different world within our own.  And, just when it seems like we've reached an ending point of new characters, the author adds a new one.  It's never overwhelming though.  I always want more.   I have really enjoyed watching Seth and Kendra evolve with the powers they have been granted by very different races withing their grandparents preserve.  And it will be interesting to see how they work together to use them.   I can't wait to read the next (and what I think will be the last) in this series!

Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3) by Brandon Mull

Title: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Author: Brandon Mull
Published: April 2008
Pages: 487
ISBN: 9781590388983
Source: Library

Description: Kendra and Seth along with Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson discover that someone or something has released a plague that is turning the light creatures of Fablehaven into creatures of darkness. And for the first time, Kendra and Warren must visit another magical preserve called Lost Mesa in Arizona and try to recovery another hidden artifact. Can the plague be stopped? Can the artifact be found? And most importantly, is the Sphinx a traitor?

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

While reading this, it does not feel like a 500 page books.  I breezed right though this anxious to get to the bottom of what was going on.  I've loved the characters since book 1, but in this book, I was surprised to see how much they grew.  Seth may have finally learned a few lessons and proved he belongs to the Fablehaven world.  Kendra continues to surprise me.  She takes everything into stride so well.  I wonder if there will be a time that she might falter a bit though.  It might make her seem more human.  I love how we get a better glimpse of the characters the inhabit this "preserve."  It makes me think we might never even tip the iceberg on all the creatures the exist in this world.  I like that!  I can not wait to get to the next one!

Teaser Tuesday!

 Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read


• Open to a random page


• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page


• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)


• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:
"Even among caretakers and Knights of the Dawn, dragons remain the stuff of legend.  I've never seen a live one.  Almost none of us have.  But Chuck Rose lived among them for months at a time, studying their habits.  He even photographed one."
"How'd he die?"
Warren sighed.  "A dragon ate him"

~Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Ok, I know that was more than two sentences.  But, I just had to include the entire dialogue.  I just thought it was great!

*Don't forget to enter my giveaway for Truly, Madly by Heather Webber!

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven, #2) by Brandon Mull

I Give This Book 4 Stars!

Description: 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. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists- a potion master, a magical relics collector, and a mystical creature trapper- to help protect the property from the Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal a hidden artifact of great power. Time is running out. The Evening Star is storming the gates. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possibly the world. Will Kendra learn to use her fairy gifts in time? Will Seth stay out of trouble? Can they overcome paralyzing fear?

I was a little worried I wasn't going to enjoy this as much as the first (my curse of not liking book 2 in a series).   It starts out slow, but then I just wanted to the kids to get back to Fablehaven!  Then things really start to pick up and your immersed in the magical world again.  I was hoping for more creatures, explanations, and just more on the preserve itself with the first book.  I got it this time around.   I loved the story line with the demon and Seth.  The entire chapters with them retrieving the artifact from the inverted tower were great!  I kept picturing the scenes and how they would look in movie form.  While I still think it's not as great as Harry Potter, I think the series is a great filler for those looking for something magical now that the Harry Potter series is finished!