There are many famous fantasy writers- Rick Riordan, Veronica Roth, J.K. Rowling- but today, the author of the Fablehaven series, Brandon Mull, is the subject of today’s book review. Fablehaven is about two siblings, Kendra and Seth Sorenson, who realize that the world is full of magical creatures, the typical beginning of a fantasy book. In the first book, Kendra Sorenson is 13 years old and very down-to-earth, although she can be sarcastic when she wants to. Her brother, however, is a different story. Seth Sorenson is 11 years old in the first book and acts “very immature” says Kendra. The siblings spend an unforgettable summer at their grandparents-on-their-father’s-side’s Conneticut mansion. However, Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson aren’t exactly the most welcoming of grandparents, especially since Grandma Sorenson has disappeared. While the siblings’ parents are out on a cruise, Seth and Kendra are alone in the mansion most of the time, which calls for some exploring.

The siblings find that their Grandparents’ property is called Fablehaven, and is full of magical creatures like fairies. However, Fablehaven isn’t just fairies and gentle creatures. A witch named Muriel Taggert haunts the forest on the edge of the grounds. She lives in a shack in the middle of the forest. Seth and Kendra find that the witch is determined to raise the demon Bahumat and is evil to the core. She is bound by a magical rope that requires a mortal to breathe on it. And she can do magic- powerful, evil magic. Quite scary. But other than that, she looks like a really filthy old lady.

The first book is, in my opinion, a delightful read. Kendra and Seth seem to be relateable kids that just so happened to figure out that the world isn’t quite what it seems. However, they seem like extremely stereotyped kids. Kendra likes unicorns and fairies, blah blah blah, and Seth is the opposite. Overall, I would rate this book an 8/10.