Fablehaven
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| Fablehaven | |
| Author | Brandon Mull |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Shadow Mountain |
| Publication date | July 30, 2006- Unknown 2010 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Fablehaven is a New York Times best-selling children's literature fantasy series being written by Brandon Mull.[1] The Fablehaven books are published by Shadow Mountain in hardcover and Simon and Schuster in paperback.
Contents |
[edit] Premise
Fablehaven is a secret nature preserve protecting the beings of myth and legend from the outside world. The current caretaker, 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" and "the law of retribution." If the law of retribution is broken, it allows for retaliation, which is essentially what drives the plot through the first book. There also exist magical borders that keep most magical creatures out of certain domains. The caretaker's house and grounds are withing one of these protective boundries. 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.
[edit] Plot
The series begins as 13-year-old Kendra, and 11-year-old Seth are 'forced' to travel to their Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson's house while their parents are away on a 17 day cruise. When they get there, they also meet Dale, a worker on the preserve, and Lena, the housekeeper. Grandma Sorenson is mysteriously missing. Their Grandpa tells them that Grandma is gone because she is visiting their dying Aunt Edna. Grandpa doesn't tell them about Fablehaven being a secret preserve for magical creatures at first, but rather sets up a complex puzzle involving 6 keys and a locked journal for Kendra and Seth to solve. Kendra figures it out, and receives instructions to "drink the milk." She and Seth drink the magical milk which opens their eyes to see a whole new, magical world full of the magical beings of Fablehaven. Now Kendra and Seth must face challenges such as defeating an evil witch and a powerful demon, defending the preserve from an evil society, and stopping a plague that changes creatures of light into creatures of darkness.
[edit] 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, and and imps, (and a few demons) live on the preserve. They are protected by spells and a magical treaty within the borders of the preserve. Grandpa Sorensen explains to Kendra and Seth that some creatures are helpful, most are not, some are mischievous, but playful, but warns them that many of them are dangerous and will kill them if they can.
- 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.
[edit] Books
[edit] Fablehaven
The story begins with Kendra, age thirteen, and Seth, age eleven, going to visit their grandparents in Connecticut for a seventeen-day visit while their parents take a Scandinavian cruise. An attic full of interesting books and toys, a tree house with a special view and puzzle, and a magical pond-like swimming pool surrounded by brightly colored- butterflies and exotic dragonflies entertains the children at first. But soon their attentions wander to the forbidden forest that surrounds their grandparent's house.
When Kendra discovers a book entitled Journal of Secrets that tells her to "Drink the milk" a whole new amazing world is revealed hidden at 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.
[edit] Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
IAt the end of the school year, Kendra and her brother, Seth, find themselves racing back to Fablehaven—a refuge for mythical and magical creatures in Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star.
The Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to overthrow magical preserves and use them for their own intents and purposes, is determined to infiltrate Fablehaven. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists to help protect the property: a potion master, a magical relics collector, and a mystical creature trapper. 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’s 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. With good intent, Kendra and Seth become both a help and hindrance to their grandfather’s cry to protect Fablehaven.
[edit] Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven. Kendra and Seth discover that someone, or something, has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness. For the first time, Kendra and Warren must visit another magical preserve. Another hidden artifact must be recovered from Lost Mesa in Arizona. Can the plague be stopped? Can the artifact be found? Is the Sphinx a traitor? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven?
[edit] Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary
Little of this book is known except that it is the fourth Fablehaven Book, and that the title isn't set in stone. Brandon Mull is writing the book during his Summer break from touring.
Fablehaven.com is announcing it will be completed and available in April, 2009.
[edit] Media
A film titled Fablehaven is planned to be released, but it isn't known when it will be. Many fans have posted videos about Fablehaven on YouTube. For more information on Fablehabven Media go to the Fablehaven (Film) page.
[edit] See also
- Brandon Mull (author)
- List of Fablehaven animals
- List of Fablehaven characters
- List of Magical Items in Fablehaven
