What is an Honorable Mention?
Honorable mentions are blog posts about individual books, or series, that I have already read, and recommend. Some I might have already reviewed, others I might not have. I make no guarantee that books recommended as Honorable Mentions will get reviews.
In these posts, I will describe the book or series, and tell you why I recommend it.
Shop links will be at the bottom of Honorable mention posts.
About Fablehaven
Fablehaven is a five book series for children, by Brandon Mull. The first couple books are relatively standard in size, but the last few get pretty thick. I think the last volume was over six hundred pages. It’s been a bit since I read it, so I’m guesstimating.
Fae, fantasy, and mythological creatures are all real, but secret. But, over the centuries, those creatures have all been gathered in reserves as the world developed into the modern era. This is both for their safety, and the safety of the people. One of these reserves is called Fablehaven.
The main characters, Seth and Kendra, are approximately ten and thirteen at the start of the series. Again, I’m guesstimating, because it’s been a while. They go visit their grandparents on vacation, and things aren’t entirely as they seem. Through various puzzles and milk drinking, they find out their grandparents’ property is the Fablehaven reserve.
This leads to many dangerous adventures and new friends. They travel to a few of the other reserves and meet many interesting people and fantastical creatures. Seth and Kendra both develop and discover special abilities while saving the world multiple times throughout the series.
Suggestions & Things to Know
I think, when it comes to trying this series, you should read at least the first two books before making any judgement. The first and second books focus significantly on plot building as it introduces you to the hidden world of Fablehaven. Honestly, the first two are the worst in the whole series. They aren’t bad, but the last three are significantly better. Definitely give the series some time to get going.
People die in this series. It’s uncommon in children’s books, but it happens in this series, so here is your warning on that.
There’s no real romance. Seth is basically too young to be interested in girls. Kendra has crushes, but nothing serious, as is appropriate for her age. I don’t think anyone can honestly label the series as a romance. It’s just not.
If you don’t like the trope of a character doing stupid things just to progress the story, there might be a problem. That is one of the downsides to the series. Seth seems to do stupid things just to do stupid things, or just because if no one does said stupid thing, the story won’t progress. That’s probably the biggest weakness in the plot. For example, the cover of Rise of the Evening Star. I will give you one guess what happens.
Why I Recommend
I personally love this series. It makes me feel things when I read it, and that’s usually a tell for a good book. If it can make you feel something, it’s usually good.
The characters are likeable, even the bad ones. My favorite book dragon ever, so far, is in this series.
I don’t give out perfect scores often, but when I read this series in 2020, it earned a 5/5 from me. Of course, it’s not perfect, but I enjoyed it that much.
Sequels
Fablehaven has a sequel series called Dragonwatch. I have yet to read it, but it takes place in the same world, and apparently uses some of the same characters. When I get around to reading this, I will reread Fablehaven first, so both series will be (re)read and reviewed eventually.
Companions
There are two companion books that go along with Fablehaven and Dragonwatch. I have not yet read these either, so I do not have an official reading order recommendation for where they should go. Based on research, though, I think The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven should be read after the Fablehaven series. And, I think, Legend of the Dragon Slayer: The Origin Story of Dragonwatch can be read before Dragonwatch, if you want.
Where Can I Buy It?
Here are some assorted links for where you might be able to find your own copies of Fablehaven and Dragonwatch, as well as the companion books.
Fablehaven Box Sets
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Fablehaven
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Rise of the Evening Star(Fablehaven 2)
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Grip of the Shadow Plague(Fablehaven 3)
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary(Fablehaven 4)
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Keys to the Demon Prison(Fablehaven 5)
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
The Legend of the Dragon Slayer: The Origin Story of Dragonwatch
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Dragonwatch Box Sets
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Dragonwatch: A Fablehaven Adventure
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Wrath of the Dragon King(Dragonwatch 2)
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Master of the Phantom Isle(Dragonwatch 3)
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks
Champion of the Titan Games(Dragonwatch 4)
Amazon Barnes&Noble ThriftBooks