Fablehaven

SPOILER ALERT - if you haven't finished reading, don't read this review. ;-)

Like Amanda, I also enjoyed Fablehaven more than Leven Thumps (and I liked Leven Thumps). I took Fablehaven on the plane during a flight to Alaska, during which I had every intention of napping. However, no nap was to be had because I had to discover more of Fablehaven.

What a great idea to have fairies and such appear as other creatures - butterflies, etc. - to the "naked" eye. I enjoyed the writing style and how the author kept the plot moving along. Now, although I knew something was up with the missing Grandma, I had no idea she would be a chicken. I enjoy this quality in a book where I can't figure out everything that happens before it does happen.

Amanda made reference to the church elements - I found several. First of all, is the word "covenant" used in everyday terminology? The context in which the word was used rang a little false with me. I forgot to mark the pages where "covenant" was used. But wait, there's more.
"Most religions are based on truths, but they are also polluted by the philosophies and imaginations of men." pg. 114
"We have not yet slept, and so the veil has not yet covered our eyes." pg. 333
Now, whether or not I would have noticed these as much if I hadn't known the author was LDS, we'll never know.

I'll make one reference to Seth - Amanda pretty much summed it up though with "Who else wanted to rip off Seth's head?" There's a statement from Dale on page 152, ironically made TO Seth, but as we know, it had no effect:
"Smart people learn from their mistakes. But the real sharp ones learn from the mistakes of others."

I anxiously await Fablehaven's sequel - although, with the simple words of a co-worker "so, do you think Dumbledore is really dead?," I was reminded how much I want the 7th Harry Potter to come out.

Fablehaven

Ok Ok Ok Katie--thanks for sending the last email, it had been so long since I posted I forgot how to even get to the website:( Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I have no excuse except for procrastination. I have to say that I loved most of the books we read last year, for those I didn't love I at least learned something from the reading. Now, to get to the good stuff, Fablehaven....

I love Fablehaven. I was hooked from the 2nd page and I would deliberately miss work in the morning (ok, that's not hard to do) so that I could read just a few more pages! I can't wait for the sequels and I think it could easily be made into a movie (hey if Eragon could be made into that travesty of a movie, so could Fablehaven, but I want it to be good!).

Who else wanted to rip off Seth's head? He was so annoying! I felt bad for Kendra especially on the night of the party when he opened the window! I have to say that this part in particular was scary for me. I had to turn on another light in my room:) I'm not sure I could have read this book as a kid, even the picture of the old witch on the cover of the book is freaky.

The imagery and detail in the writing is great. I could feel myself in Fablehaven. While I had trouble getting hooked to Leven Thumps because of the writing style (although I will never look at a toothpick the same way), I had no such problem with Fablehaven. Part of my main hangup with Leven Thumps was the writing, I would notice the mistakes or awkwardness of the writing instead of the actual story.

Katie and I were talking last week about how certain church elements pop up in the story. I know that she is going to write more on this subject, I just want to mention that I noticed it too, did anyone else? It stands to reason that this is possible because the author is LDS. Did anyone else notice the author's bio on the back cover? It is cute.

I have looked several times on Barne's and Nobles website for the release date of the sequel to Fablehaven, no release date yet. Although, I did see on Brandon Mull's website that it is supposed to come out in 2007. Here's hoping!