Book Review: "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mul

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When siblings Seth and Kendra are sent to spend the summer with their grandparents, they don't know what to expect. They barely even know them. It seems there is a secret, including the mystery of where there grandmother is. Told not to go into the woods, Seth can't help but disobey. Eventually the two discover the truth: the woods hold the reserve for magical creatures.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Kendra is more cautious, studious and patient then her little brother. She doesn't desire adventure, more aware of the dangers that come along with it.

Seth is adventurous, eager and a little reckless. He tends to brush off warnings from adults, thinking they are overprotective. He isn't afraid to get dirty and likes animals, taking a liking to the chicken in their room.

Grandpa Sorenson is rather secretive about the grounds, as well as the whereabouts of his wife. He is blunt, strict and used to being obeyed.

Lena cooks and takes care of the house from Grandpa Sorenson. She is a great cook and helps take care of the house. She also takes care of the garden.

Muriel is the old woman who lives in the woods. She is crafty and willing to do anything to get free from her chains.

PACING-SPOILERS

The pacing is decent. We start right off on the way to Fablehaven. And from the first chapter, there are only four chapters until we discover the secret in Chapter five. There a few hints here and there to keep you guessing, like the weird behavior of the bees, the keys that Grandpa gives Kendra, and the fact that grandma is missing and the reason given sounds flimsy. Not to mention the odd behavior of Lena.

There is really no reason to draw this part of the book out, just by the title of the series you know it's a fantasy book. Mul doesn't make that mistake. Although it is not until chapter eleven that the main problem and the rest of the plot is revealed which is halfway through a nineteen chapter book.

CREATURES OF FABLEHAVEN

One of the best aspects of the books are the creatures that reside in Fablehaven. From the naiads, the satyrs, trolls, and the golem, Hugo. We only get glimpses of many of them, making us want to learn more. And surely there are many more creatures we have not yet seen. I really liked Hugo, who seemed almost like a cute, huge pet. And the limberjack was quite creepy.

MYSTERIES OF FABLEHAVEN

There are mysteries presented throughout the plot. Such as Pattern Burgess, Warren, and the fate of Lena. All of these created interest for me to want to learn more. It was shown in a way that made you understand why this was a series. Unlike some series', that present everything new in each book. Reading the first, it was obvious that there was more to learn.

THE PROBLEM OF SETH-SPOILERS

When Seth offends the fairies by kidnapping one, you can forgive him because of his ignorance. But the result is nightmarish, one that would freak out any adult, let alone a child. I thought it was strange that no punishment is ever mentioned from what should be a serious incident. It destroyed any levity to the situation.

By the time Midsummer Eve rolled around, and after being warned about the danger and the possibility of death, Seth is just as dumb as before the fairy incident. And because of him, everyone is put at risk. His family is possibly dead, or soon will be.

If that wasn't enough, when he finally admits it is all his fault, both Kendra and grandma do their best to make him feel better, and say it's not. Or give him platitudes about learning from his mistake. He almost killed everyone. He didn't flunk a test.

SETH'S REDEMPTION

There is scene later where Seth puts his own life at risk, rather then let his grandma do it. But we are never sure about his motivation. It seems obvious it would be redeeming himself for his past sins. But this is never even mentioned, and is left to readers' imagination. This was a big mistake.

Seth desperately needed redemption. And the reader needed to witness his inner struggle, so we could celebrate with him. Instead we are kept in the dark and his character feels stunted.

MIDSUMMER EVE

I already pointed out the problem with Seth. But he was supposed to have been deceived, instead of just being reckless. But the event that occurs is so obvious a trap, that even Kendra points it out. The deception should have been somewhat convincing to make the reader think twice.

Perhaps something having to do with their parents returning. Maybe being set up with texts on their phones or something. (If the creatures could manipulate machines, that would be a twist.) It should have been an understandable mistake.

Instead a baby magically appears on the roof of the house and Seth stupidly believes it is real. It was just lazy writing, like in a horror movie, where the only way to move the story alone is to have the brain-dead protagonists rush headlong into danger while the audience screams at them to go back, simultaneously laughing at their stupidity.

EVERYTHING'S RELATIVE

Lena gives the kids a speech about how the creatures in Fablehaven are neither good or bad. Seeing how they have such a long life span in comparison to humans, that may be understandable. Like how humans would treat flies. But when he get introduced to a creature called Bahamut, suddenly the idea of the creatures being beyond good and evil seems ridiculous.

Also, the kids are also told that the creatures live by a set of rules, a pact, placed upon them by Fablehaven: they can't hurt you unless you hurt them first. But there is no mention of how they treat each other. That could be an indicator of if they are moral or immoral.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

In the end, it's really Kendra's book. As she is the one who has to save everyone. I felt in many ways she was the opposite of Seth. She was cautious but curious, and her reaction to loss and danger was way more realistic than his. When she is the only one left, she actually breaks down and starts crying, feeling completely overwhelmed. It's what any of us would do. And I couldn't help but feel bonded to her in that scene.

There is a good mix of action and mystery. And the problem to the solution was hinted at much earlier in the book, but it's not obvious. After all, Kendra has no guarantee that what she does will work. These scenes were by far my favorite part in the book. When the limberjack came after her, the scenes reeked of desperation and fear. There was a sense of urgency that had not existed until then.

CONCLUSION

Mul creates an original world with unique creatures. The pacing is good and the problems keep coming to help the story move along. But too often the story moves along because of something stupid that Seth did. And his refusal to learn, or face any real consequences bugged me. Still, there are enough mysteries planted in this story that makes me want to read another. And Kendra's adventures to save her family was suspenseful and exciting. I give “Fablehaven” three stars.

Book Review: "Dragon Rider" by Cornelia Funke

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Humans threaten the existence of the dragons, Firedrake goes off to find the hiding place of the dragons: "the Rim of Heaven". Along with him comes the brownie Sorrel, and the human boy, Ben. They gain new friends and allies, but have to contend with Nettlebrand, the golden one whose one desire is to kill all dragons.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Firedrake is the youngest of his clan of dragons. He alone decides to go off and find the rim of heaven. He seems less biased against humans than the other dragons, as he quickly goes to Ben's aide. He is rather brave and stubborn.

Ben is a young boy who lives on the streets. He is rather guarded about this aspect of his life. He is adventurous, eagerly wanting to go alone with Firedrake and Sorrel. He quickly wants to help his new friends, distracting some workers from where the dragon is hidden.

Sorrel is the brownie that comes along with Firedrake. She is grumbly and sarcastic, always complaining but willing to do anything to help, none the less. Often times her sarcastic lines provide humor in the story.

Twigleg is the homunculus who is sent to spy on Ben and his friends. Having been constantly abused by his master, Twigleg is unused to being treated so kindly by Ben. He quickly develops a softness for Ben, even though he tries not to.

Nettlebrand is the villain of the story. He is not an actual dragon, but instead a golden machine. He was created with the intent purpose of tracking down and killing the dragons. He is foreshadowed at the “golden one”. He can travel and communicate throw bodies of water.

Professor Bloomberg has an interest and knowledge of mystical creatures and because of that he is not taken seriously by his peers. He is willing to put himself in danger for his new friends and eager to learn about the dragons.

PACING

The pacing is decent. From the first two chapters, we learn of the threat and Firedrake goes off to the city and by chapter four we have met Ben. And by seven, Ben is leaving with them and they have acquired a map, really getting the adventure started.

EVERYONE HAS A ROLE- SPOILERS

An aspect I liked was how most every characters had a key role in the story. Right off the bat, Ben saves Firedrake, distracting some men so Sorrel can go warn him. It also turns out that only a human can ask a djinn a question, which means Ben is the only option.

Twigleg manages to free a caged Sorrel by picking her lock and sends Nettlebrand on a wild goose chase.

Greenbloom saves Firedrake from a basilisk with his knowledge and using a mirror.

Lola the rat uses her plane to reveal if Nettlebrand is in hiding, waiting for them.

You would think being a dragon, Firedrake would be overpowering, but even he has to be saved a time or two.

Even a seemingly unimportant dwarf plays a crucial part.

A WONDERFUL WORLD

One of my favorite aspects of the book is the variety of magical beings we get to meet. From elves and basilisks to sandmen and dwarves. We even see a Roc. And all of them have unique attributes, like the dwarves being helpless if you steal their hats and the elves running off if you insult them...alphabetically. This kind of originality sets Funke apart from many other writers.

DRAGONS AND THE MOON

It's set up in the story that dragon's get their strength from the moon. This later plays an important role in the story. Not only does this help us end the story and fix the problem, but it also reveals the folly of the missing dragons.

ROTTEN HUMANS

It is presented in the first chapter that humans are a threat to magical creatures and are despised. This could have easily been sprinkled throughout the whole book and preached. I have read quite a few books where the reader is lectured about how evil humans are and that they destroy the planet. It get's obnoxious, especially since the magical races can often live in ways humans cannot or have technology we have not yet attained. But luckily, it isn't overblown. So we get the idea, and move on. Although it would have been nice for Ben to stand up for humanity, and maybe have them admit that they might have been wrong about some of the humans.

FIREDRAKE

One thing I wasn't sure about, was Firedrake's personality. He is the youngest of his pack, but he doesn't seem naive or ignorant. He isn't biased against Ben, but never explains why nor points out to Sorrel why she is wrong about humans. Basically all of the dragons despise them. So why such a large shift from Firedrake? He didn't seem to disagree with his family at the beginning of the book. I wish he had been skeptical of Ben, and then surprised at his behavior. But there isn't much of an expression of doubt or shock. I felt like throughout most of the book, his personality was expressed by the affection of him nuzzling Sorrel and Ben. It's all over the book.

And we never discuss why he alone must go on this quest. There is no anger or argument in the beginning, it just seems the Firedrake doesn't put much thought into this quest. Only Sorrel comprehends the danger, which is fine. But the motivation is never really clear. Has he thought of this before? Is he restless? Does he get along with his pack? I just felt he was lacking.

BEN'S PAST

One critique I have is Ben's past...it's never expanded on. Multiple times in the book, by different characters, he is asked about his family. He says he never had one. So was he an orphan? What happened to his parents? Did he have a foster family or live in an orphanage. How did he end up on the streets? How long had he been there? I just wanted a shred of a story. But I never got it. I felt I could have felt closer to his character if I learned more about him.

PROPHECY OF THE DRAGON RIDER

It turns out there is an old prophecy of a dragon rider who once lived, and will come back as a boy. It turns out that boy might be Ben. I thought the history was kind of interesting, but another part of me feels like the whole “chosen one” and “prophecy” has been done to death. But it doesn't take up a huge part of the story and Ben does not dwell on it too much.

A NEW FAMILY - SPOILERS

Professor Greenbloom eventually asks Ben if he want's to be apart of the family, with his daughter Guinevere, and his wife, Vita. I thought this was sweet, as Ben couldn't live with the dragons. But I felt I would have understood Ben's desire for a family more if I had known more of his hardships of living in the streets and how long he had been doing so.

CLIMAX

The end of the story is not a knock-down, drag out fight. Instead it involves information we gained early, combined with new information. We learn about Nettlebrand's weakness and scheme to exploit it. I liked this because felt that everything came together decently in the end.

CONCLUSION

Funke creates an original world with magical creatures that have unique attributes found nowhere else. The large variety of creatures met really makes the story stand out. Sorrel and Twigleg have strong personalities, but Ben and Firedrake are lacking slightly. Ben because of his lack of a history, and Firedrake because of a lack of personality and motivation. I give “Dragon Rider” three and a half stars.

Book Review: "Journey to the River Sea" by Eva Ibbotson

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

After her parents died, Maia spent all year long at a boarding school in England. But when some relatives are found and willing to take her in, she must travel all the way to Brazil to live with them. Eventually she learns about a boy in hiding named Finn, and another who is a young actor named Clovis. The three work together to keep Finn from the “crows": men sent to find him and drag him home.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Maia, is a young girl who loves animals, reading, and exploring. Even with her parents' death, she is very positive and thankful for everything. She could have easily been given a victim complex, but instead she is kind, caring and gracious. She tries to get the twins to like her, and when that fails, she rarely expresses hatred, not even in her thoughts. Not that she is a saint. She very much wishes to leave.

Finn is the young boy that ran away from his home in England when his father died. His whole family is nothing like him, rather uptight. He is much more like his father, adventurous and curious.

Clovis is a young actor who has no parents. Instead he lives with a group of actors who owe a large amount of money and treat him rather badly. He is rather timid and gets his feelings hurt easily. He ends up looking up to Maia.

Miss Minton is the governess assigned to travel with Maia. She is rather blunt, but not intentionally rude. She just always says what she is thinking. She and Maia share a love of books and eventually become very close.

The twins are obnoxious and bratty, but in a believable way. They are selfish and rude, being rather spoiled by their parents. Instead of screaming, hitting, and basically behaving like monsters, they simply manage to say cruel things with little effort. Anytime Maia disagrees with them or shares an opinion contrary to them they act as though she is immoral.

CARTOONY?

The story could easily have come off as cartoony. After all, the home that Finn comes from sounds like Cinderella's. And the twins themselves resemble the evil stepsisters, being not too bright, completely selfish and not exactly attractive. But the story is grounded by Maia, Finn and Minty, who never overreact, or claim to be victims. Instead, they take things in stride. Because of that, the twins and their mother come off as comical characters that we don't take too seriously. But since they are not the main danger, (that's the crows) it doesn't hurt the story.

IBBOTSON'S CHARM

Ibbotson has a rare gift: she is actually funny. She doesn't try to make everything a joke, or overload her story with sarcasm, as so many do. That completely exhausts me, and eventually I don't even care about the story. Instead, she uses her characters, and her own clever musings to make the reader smile and laugh.

STRUCUTURE-SPOILERS

One might expect the climax to lead to Finn being free from the crows, and Clovis being given a new home. But instead this happens only slightly more than halfway through. Eventually Maia ends up with Finn and Minty, and they leave together with Finn's relatives. I wouldn't necessarily call this a bad thing, though.

THE PERFECT TRIBE

I understand how living in society may sometimes be hard...if this book takes place in history. But the story never lets you now exactly what time period this is. There is no mention of cell phones, computers, or other modern conveniences. They take a train and a ship, but there is no mention of planes. And when Maia wants to learn about the amazon, she reads books, while a modern girl would use the internet.

Living in the wilderness with the tribes is portrayed like paradise. I think it could be fun, for a few days, but eventually Maia might miss bug spray, or sun tan lotion, or fans. Or running water. Maybe not having to kill her own food. It would have been more realistic to portray the characters as missing some modern conveniences or having some disgust at an aspect of tribe life, as anyone raised in the west would. At least some adjustments being made.

CONCLUSION

Ibbotson creates an original story with the charm and innocence reminiscent of Frances Hodgeson Burnett “The Little Princess”. All the characters are distinct and likable. The villains are not dark, but still come off as real, selfish narcissists. I give “Journey to the River Sea” four stars.

Book Review: "The Crimson Thread" by Suzanne Weyn

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Bridget, an Irish immigrant, comes to America with her family, she is determined to help make end's meat. But she learns that there is a bias against Irish people. But soon Bridget O'malley is Bertie Miller and she has a new job, after being fired from her last. She is a seamstress for the wealthy Wellington family. But when she is promoted to help create new dresses, she finds she cannot do it without the help of a new friend. And then there is the charming Son of the Wellingtons, James, to complicate things.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Margaret “Bertie” Miller is the main character. She is a recent immigrant from Ireland come to America with her family. Since Bertie lost her mother, she often takes on the role of the mother, looking after her baby sister Eileen, and her younger brother.

Ray Stalls is the mysterious young man who always seems to show up when Bertie needs him. He is a tailor, and like Bertie, he will do anything to succeed in America.

James Wellington is the young son of J.P. Wellington. He is handsome and charming, but doesn't seem to be able to live up to his father's expectations.

Paddy aka “Rick Miller” is Bertie's father. He is good spirited, and grateful to have made it to America. He loves his children but can get into trouble because of his impetuous nature. Also, he gets Bertie into trouble too, by bragging about her. But in the end, he pushes her to be her best.

PACING

We start right off in America, and we meet Ray by the second chapter. We have some troubles with the police, and by chapter five Bertie gets her job with the Wellingtons. I understand the chapters before this were too establish the troubles that Irish immigrants had to go through. But perhaps it would have been better to spread this throughout the book, instead of at the beginning. Then maybe Bertie could have met James sooner and had a deeper relationship.

JAMES WELLINGTON-SPOILERS

The romance between James and Bertie is one of my main criticisms. She has only a few interactions with James before he proposes to her. I just found it rather unbelievable that this would happen, let alone that Bertie would be so naive as to jump at the chance. Things felt too rushed.

I wish they had inserted James into the story more, making him seem rather deceptive, but with a few cracks that the reader could spot. Yes, we note how he doesn't do good in school and we see him drunk. But these scenes of moral failings are just as short and shallow as the ones where he flirts with her. I would have preferred acts of great kindness and more than just little flirtations. There would have had to be a deception in order to be tricked. How many girls have been fooled into believing a man was kind and caring only to realize he was hiding behind a mask? But James has no mask. Bertie is just too dumb to see the truth.

RAY & BERTIE

Unlike James, Ray and Bertie have plenty of conversations where we get the feeling of romantic tension between them. It's quite obvious that Ray is fond of her, so when Bertie expresses surprise to her friend, I was actually annoyed. He flirted with her often, and yet she had no clue why he was helping her out? She just looked dumb. And she seems set on James for no other reason in that he is charming and cute. It's just too shallow for the reader to understand Bertie's confusion. Ray has gone out of his way, even saving her little sisters life by paying for a doctor. But James is cute and rich so...he would make a better husband?

RUMPILSTILTSKIN

I was curious how the fable of “Rumpelstiltskin” would be adapted into a modern story. After all, the story didn't seem to make much sense to modern audiences. Why did he constantly ask for the first born child of his victims? Although Ray Stalls is a tailor, and a skilled one who Bertie turns to in times of need, the “first born child” reference is just thrown in as offhandedly. Ray Jokes he wants her first born child. I suppose it would be near impossible to make this modern. But I would have liked to try, like, perhaps he constantly teased her about this, and in the end, demanded it, saying she simply had to marry him, or something. Nothing too serious.

BERTIE- SPOILERS

Bertie is likable enough. She loves her family and will do anything to provide for them. And it's clear that she loves America and the promises it makes. In a scene where her and Ray talk about their new country, she passionately defends it, endearing her to the reader. But the main problem comes with her naivete. Not just with Ray and James (noted above) but the climax (noted below). And by the time we get to Bertie forgiving James after he goes on a drunken rant about how he never loved her and she forgives him the next day, I gave up. Yes, she realizes how wrong she is soon after, but by then I was just waiting around, knowing what would happen.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

When Bertie ends up back at the factory that the Wellingtons' own, there is a strike that the cops bust. People go crazy and stampede off, and Bertie gets separated from her sister and jailed. The idea of Eileen going missing wasn't a bad one. After all, Ray was at the strike and it would make sense to reunite them. But Bertie assuming that Ray has come to collect on the “first born child” (even though she is her sister, and not her daughter) was rather awkward. I was rather in disbelief that she would think this, and that Ray would think it was his job to take Eileen.

CONCLUSION

Bertie, Ray, and Paddy are all charming characters that I wish I could have learned more about, as Bertie is really the only character we get much information on. And the relationship between Ray and Bertie is sweet and charming. But the shallowness of James and his romance with Bertie hurts the story, as well as the awkward climax. And the naivete of Bertie is too much. I give “The Crimson Thread” three stars.