Fablehaven
Encyclopedia
Fablehaven is The New York Times
best-selling children's literature
fantasy
series written by Brandon Mull
. The book series, which includes Fablehaven
, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
, Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
, Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
, and Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
, is published by Shadow Mountain in hardcover and Simon & Schuster
in paperback.
, Stan Sorenson, describes it as "a refuge
for mystical creatures". Those who live in this large sanctuary
, mortal and magical, must abide by a treaty
of rules. The most common rules are focused upon "the law of the harvest" or "the law of retribution" meaning, you reap what you sow. It is described in the book as, "mischief for mischief, trouble for trouble, magic for magic." If this law in the treaty is broken, you lose the magical protection it provides, allowing for retaliation, which is essentially what drives the plot through the first book. There also exist magical borders that keep most mystical creatures within the preserve, but out of certain domains. The caretaker's house and grounds are within one of these protective boundaries. However, some of these borders dissolve on certain nights, allowing frightening creatures to roam free on the grounds, one of which - Midsummer Eve - occurs in the first book.
Magical Items: Many Magical Items are used in the series, most of which are introduced in the second book. They range from the simple but interesting, such as a silver ball with a distractor spell on it, to the amazingly powerful, such as the 5 magical artifacts hidden on the 5 secret preserves, which if used together would unlock the demon prison.
Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken -- Seth is a bit too curious and reckless for his own good -- powerful forces of evil are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most.
In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn. The Sphinx has always given sound advice-but is he a traitor? Inside the Quiet Box, Vanessa might have information that could lead to a cure-but can she be trusted?
Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another hidden artifact. Will the Society of the Evening Star recover it first? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven?
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?
as Maddox Fisk & Rebecca Luker
as Muriel Taggert.
Act ll
Obert Skye
, the author of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo
- "Imagination runs wild in Fablehaven. It is a lucky book that can hold this kind of story."
The New York Times
- "Mull's story offers unexpected twists and entertainingly scary creatures."
Columbia Daily Tribune
- "This story is so compelling and so well written you’ll find its magic working on you as well, completely taking over your ability to put the book down, even for a moment. Mull has an extraordinary writing ability."
Orson Scott Card
- "At first glance, Fablehaven looks like a book for kids; but, like Harry Potter, Fablehaven can be read aloud in a family with as much pleasure for grownups as for children. And solitary adults who pick it up for their own enjoyment will be well rewarded. Do yourself a favor, and don't miss the first novel by a writer who is clearly going to be a major figure in popular fantasy."
Christopher Paolini
, author of Eragon
said, "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."
BookReview.com - "Where have all the fairies gone? To Fablehaven of course! A preserve for magical creatures awaits your visit in Brandon Mull’s fantastical, wonderful book, “Fablehaven.” Look out J.K. Rowling; the fantasy genre has an outstanding new author to embrace!"
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
best-selling children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
series written by Brandon Mull
Brandon Mull
Brandon Mull is an American writer who is best known as the author of the Fablehaven fantasy series, which is a New York Times' bestseller. Mull has also written The Candy Shop War...
. The book series, which includes Fablehaven
Fablehaven (book)
Fablehaven is a fantasy book written by Brandon Mull. The book was released on July 30, 2006. It is the first book in the Fablehaven series.-Plot summary :...
, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star is a fantasy novel written by Brandon Mull. The book was released on May 31, 2007. It is the second book in the Fablehaven series. Its sequel is Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague.-Plot introduction :...
, Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague is the third novel in the Fablehaven fantasy series written by Brandon Mull. The book was released on April 21, 2008.- Plot summary :...
, Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary is the fourth novel in the The New York Times bestselling Fablehaven series.-Plot introduction:...
, and Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison is the fifth and final installment in The New York Times bestselling Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull.-Plot:...
, is published by Shadow Mountain in hardcover and Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster, Inc., a division of CBS Corporation, is a publisher founded in New York City in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. It is one of the four largest English-language publishers, alongside Random House, Penguin and HarperCollins...
in paperback.
Premise
Fablehaven is a secret nature preserve protecting beings of myth and legend from the outside world. The current caretakerProperty caretaker
A Property caretaker is a person, group or organization that cares for real estate for trade or financial compensation, and sometimes as a barter for rent-free living accommodations...
, Stan Sorenson, describes it as "a refuge
Wildlife refuge
A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, may be a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides protection for species from hunting, predation or competition, or it may refer to a protected area, a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected...
for mystical creatures". Those who live in this large sanctuary
Animal sanctuary
An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until his or her natural death...
, mortal and magical, must abide by a treaty
Treaty
A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...
of rules. The most common rules are focused upon "the law of the harvest" or "the law of retribution" meaning, you reap what you sow. It is described in the book as, "mischief for mischief, trouble for trouble, magic for magic." If this law in the treaty is broken, you lose the magical protection it provides, allowing for retaliation, which is essentially what drives the plot through the first book. There also exist magical borders that keep most mystical creatures within the preserve, but out of certain domains. The caretaker's house and grounds are within one of these protective boundaries. However, some of these borders dissolve on certain nights, allowing frightening creatures to roam free on the grounds, one of which - Midsummer Eve - occurs in the first book.
Plot
The series begins as 13-year-old Kendra and 11-year-old Seth Sorenson are traveling to their Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson's house while their parents are away on a 17-day Scandinavian cruise. When they get there, they also meet Dale, a relative, and Lena, the housekeeper. Grandma Sorenson is "mysteriously" missing. Grandpa Sorenson does not tell Kendra and Seth about Fablehaven being a secret preserve for magical creatures at first, but instead sets up a rather complex puzzle involving six keys and a locked journal for Kendra to solve. Once Kendra unlocks the mostly blank journal, she discovers the words "drink the milk". She and Seth drink the magical milk which opens their eyes to see a whole new, mystical world full of the magical beings of Fablehaven such as defeating an evil witch and a powerful demon, defending the preserve from an evil society, stopping a plague that changes creatures of light into creatures of darkness, and ultimately, protecting the world from a hoard of imprisoned demons. Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn must race the Society of the Evening Star to secret preserves across the globe to grab the Keys to the great demon prison, Zzyzx, and prevent the Society of the evening star from achieving its goal. On their journeys, Kendra and Seth are betrayed time and again, so much that they are wary of every stranger and worry about each other's loyalty.Motifs
Magical Creatures: Fablehaven is home to a wide variety of magical creatures. Both creatures of light, such as fairies, nymphs, satyrs and centaurs, and dark or inherently evil beings, such as trolls, goblins, ogres, imps, and a few demons live on the preserve. A magical treaty protects all creatures, including humans outside creatures' domains, so long as the laws of the treaty are kept, the humans and magical beings are safe. Grandpa Sorensen explains to Kendra and Seth that some creatures are helpful, like Hugo the golem, and some are mischievous, but playful, like the satyrs. But he warns them that none of them are good in the way we think of good, and many of them are dangerous and will kill them if they could.Magical Items: Many Magical Items are used in the series, most of which are introduced in the second book. They range from the simple but interesting, such as a silver ball with a distractor spell on it, to the amazingly powerful, such as the 5 magical artifacts hidden on the 5 secret preserves, which if used together would unlock the demon prison.
Books
| # | Title | Released |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fablehaven Fablehaven (book) Fablehaven is a fantasy book written by Brandon Mull. The book was released on July 30, 2006. It is the first book in the Fablehaven series.-Plot summary :... |
July 30, 2006 |
| 2 | Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star is a fantasy novel written by Brandon Mull. The book was released on May 31, 2007. It is the second book in the Fablehaven series. Its sequel is Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague.-Plot introduction :... |
May 31, 2007 |
| 3 | Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague is the third novel in the Fablehaven fantasy series written by Brandon Mull. The book was released on April 21, 2008.- Plot summary :... |
April 21, 2008 |
| 4 | Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary is the fourth novel in the The New York Times bestselling Fablehaven series.-Plot introduction:... |
March 24, 2009 |
| 5 | Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison is the fifth and final installment in The New York Times bestselling Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull.-Plot:... |
March 23, 2010 |
Fablehaven
The story begins with Kendra and Seth going to visit their grandparents in Connecticut while their parents take a 17 day cruise without them. At first the siblings entertain themselves with an attic full of interesting books and toys, and a pond-like swimming pool surrounded by hummingbirds, brightly colored-butterflies and exotic dragonflies. But soon their attentions wander to the forbidden forest that surrounds their grandparent's house. When Kendra discovers a book entitled Journal of Secrets and follows the directions to "Drink the milk" a whole new hidden and amazing world is revealed to the siblings at Fablehaven. Kendra and Seth find out quickly how dangerous this new magical environment is when rules are broken, thrusting them into the middle of a fight for the sake of the world.Book Cover
For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite.Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken -- Seth is a bit too curious and reckless for his own good -- powerful forces of evil are unleashed, and Kendra and her brother face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world, Kendra and Seth must find the courage to do what they fear most.
Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
The second book returns us to the Sorenson siblings the following year, where a strange new student has infiltrated the school in disguise, causing mischief and Kendra is the only one who can see the charade. The Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to overthrow magical preserves and use them for their own intents and purposes, is on the move and is determined to infiltrate Fablehaven. New characters are introduced who mentor Kendra and Seth with their knowledge of magical potions, animals, and items. In addition, these three specialists have a more perilous assignment—find an artifact of great power hidden on the grounds. When the Evening Star pervades the gates of Fablehaven, it is assumed that someone inside the preserve is a mole and a traitor. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possibly the world.Book Cover
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?Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
The third book starts where the second book ended, during the same summer of their second year at Fablehaven. Seth discovers that someone, or something, has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness. For the first time, some of the main characters visit another magical preserve, as another hidden artifact must be recovered from Lost Mesa in Arizona. New friends are introduced and new magical creatures of light and darkness are confronted, and hard sacrifices made.Book Cover
Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven. Someone or something has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness. Seth discovers the problem in its infancy, but as the infectious disease spreads, it becomes clear that the preserve cannot hold out for long.In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn. The Sphinx has always given sound advice-but is he a traitor? Inside the Quiet Box, Vanessa might have information that could lead to a cure-but can she be trusted?
Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another hidden artifact. Will the Society of the Evening Star recover it first? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven?
Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Things are heating up between the Knights of the Dawn and the Society of the Evening Star, who turn to kidnapping Kendra in an attempt to discover secrets. The race to obtain the 5 magical artifacts continues, and leads the Knights, and the Sorensons, to a deadly dragon Sanctuary called Wyrmroost. They face bigger challenges than they've ever faced before, including negotiating with a wizard, an enormous evil dragon, and the biggest giant in the world.Book Cover
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?
Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
The final book in the series has the Sorenson siblings traveling to different preserves around the earth in the attempt to secure the remaining magical artifacts before the Society gets them. A powerful new ally joins the fight, but deadly new enemies also add to the escalation. The conflict separates Kendra and Seth who take on different missions, each extremely dangerous and exciting. They finally reunite just before the Knight's confrontation at Zzyzx, and the opening of the demon prison. An unexpected event operated by the Fairy Queen was their only hope to save the world.Book Cover
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.Stage musical
The book series will become a hit musical. The cast will includes Jhoanna Flores as Kendra Sorenson, Ozone Park native Ryan Rodriguez as Bracken, Brad GarrettBrad Garrett
Bradley "Brad" Garrett is an American actor, voice actor, stand-up comedian, and professional poker player. Throughout he has appeared in numerous television and film roles....
as Maddox Fisk & Rebecca Luker
Rebecca Luker
Rebecca Luker is an American musical theatre actress and soprano who has appeared in several prominent Broadway productions.-Life and career:...
as Muriel Taggert.
Musical Numbers
Act l- "Welcome To Fablehaven" - Kendra and Company
- "Second Banana" - Bracken, Mara, Olloch, Rosa
- "No One's Time" - Seth
- "That Is A Clan" - Maddox, Muriel, Shiara and Company
- "Beacon of Positivly" - Bracken, Kendra and Navarog
- "Which Way Is The Party?" - Company
- "Here We Are" - Rosa
- "Pay Attention" - Muriel and Townspeople
- "Temper, Temper" - Maddox, Shiara and Company
- "Hail Holy Queen" - Bracken, Kendra, Navarog, Seth and Company
- "I Will Follow Him" - Company
Act ll
- "Oh Happy Day" - Shiara and Company
- "Love And War" - Bracken, Kendra and Navarog
- "Having A Feast" - Seth
- "Good Day" - Mara, Olloch, Rosa and Townspeople
- "Peace of Death" - Muriel and Company
- "Don't Let Her Die" - Kendra
- "Not So Sure About That" - Bracken, Kendra, Navarog and Company
- "Go Through The Dark Forest" - Maddox
- "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" - Mara and Rosa
- "Salve Regina" - Olloch, Shiara and Citizens
- "Getting Married" - Bracken, Kendra, Navarog and Company
- "Joyful Joyful" - The Company
Reception
The series has enjoyed positive reviews by critics. With the release of the third book, the series was awarded a spot on the New York Times top ten best selling children's series list. With the release of the fifth book, the series reached as high as 4th on the list.Obert Skye
Obert Skye
Obert Skye is the author of the Leven Thumps series and the Pillage Trilogy.- Bibliography :* Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo...
, the author of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo
Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo
Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo is a fantasy novel by Obert Skye that traces the journeys of Leven, a seemingly ordinary boy from Burnt Culvert, Oklahoma, and Winter Frore, a neglected girl, as they seek to find their way to the magical dream land of Foo.- Plot :The book begins by telling what...
- "Imagination runs wild in Fablehaven. It is a lucky book that can hold this kind of story."
The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- "Mull's story offers unexpected twists and entertainingly scary creatures."
Columbia Daily Tribune
Columbia Daily Tribune
The Columbia Daily Tribune, commonly referred to as the "Columbia Tribune" or the "Tribune," is one of two daily newspapers in Columbia, Missouri. It is also the only daily newspaper in Columbia, Missouri that has circulation verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, and has been a member of...
- "This story is so compelling and so well written you’ll find its magic working on you as well, completely taking over your ability to put the book down, even for a moment. Mull has an extraordinary writing ability."
Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card is an American author, critic, public speaker, essayist, columnist, and political activist. He writes in several genres, but is primarily known for his science fiction. His novel Ender's Game and its sequel Speaker for the Dead both won Hugo and Nebula Awards, making Card the...
- "At first glance, Fablehaven looks like a book for kids; but, like Harry Potter, Fablehaven can be read aloud in a family with as much pleasure for grownups as for children. And solitary adults who pick it up for their own enjoyment will be well rewarded. Do yourself a favor, and don't miss the first novel by a writer who is clearly going to be a major figure in popular fantasy."
Christopher Paolini
Christopher Paolini
Christopher Paolini is an American author. He is best known as the author of the Inheritance Cycle, which consists of the books Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance...
, author of Eragon
Eragon
Eragon is the first book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, who began writing at the age of 15. After writing the first draft for a year, he spent a second year rewriting it and fleshing out the story and characters. Paolini's parents saw the final manuscript and decided to...
said, "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."
BookReview.com - "Where have all the fairies gone? To Fablehaven of course! A preserve for magical creatures awaits your visit in Brandon Mull’s fantastical, wonderful book, “Fablehaven.” Look out J.K. Rowling; the fantasy genre has an outstanding new author to embrace!"
See also
- Brandon MullBrandon MullBrandon Mull is an American writer who is best known as the author of the Fablehaven fantasy series, which is a New York Times' bestseller. Mull has also written The Candy Shop War...
(author) - List of Fablehaven's magical creatures
- List of Fablehaven characters
- List of Magical Items in Fablehaven
- Wikipedia: WikiProject Fablehaven