For discussion of the fantasy works of up and coming author, Brandon Mull and of other works of popular fantasy. Lovers of young adult fantasy such as Harry Potter, A Gateway To Foo, Fablehaven, Pendragon, Eragon, Tithe, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Luthiel's Song, and Inkspell are all welcome!

Fablehaven
For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.


About the author:

Brandon Mull has worked as a comedian, a filing clerk, a patio installer, a movie promoter, a copywriter, and briefly as a chicken stacker. For a couple of years, he lived in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile, where he learned Spanish and juggling. He currently lives on the side of a mountain above a prison with his wife and two children. Fablehaven is Brandon's debut novel.


A review of Fablehaven by Orson Scott Card --

Stories in which magic and fairy realms intersect with the real world are devilishly hard to write. J. K. Rowling handles it by barely touching on the real world at all. In Fablehaven, Brandon Mull keeps the two worlds fully balanced, crossing over the boundary as simply and easily as drinking a glass of milk.

For a month in the summer, Kendra and Seth are staying with grandparents they barely know. Grandfather has strict rules don't go in the woods, don't go in the barn and naturally Seth sets out to break the rules as quickly as possible. Not such a good idea, for it seems the grandparents are maintaining a preserve for mythical creatures, some evil, some merely amoral, but all of them powerful and potentially deadly.

Mull's characters are real -- Kendra and Seth interact like real siblings and their acts of heroism and foolishness are always kept in proportion. They are also quite likable and entertaining -- the dialogue snaps and sizzles. No less real, and no less entertaining, are the creatures we meet from fairy realms, a perfectly charming witch with vile intentions and a reformed naiad whose hobby is cooking perfect meals.

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.

Orson Scott Card

Author of Ender's Game


Fablehaven is on sale now at bn.com, and will be in major retailers everywhere starting in July