Book Review: "Rise of the Evening Star" by Brandon Mul

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Seth and Kendra are put in danger, and have to return to Fablehaven for protection from the Society of the Evening Star. There they are taught by three new allies and learn that magical artifacts have been stolen from other reserves. And then there is the mystery of the Sphinx, an ageless being who helps protect the magical reservations all over the globe.

NEW CHARACTERS

Errol Fisk introduces himself in the beginning of the book, offering to help the kids with their kobold problem. He seems eccentric, but nice enough.

Coulter Dixon hunts for magical relics and is rather gruff. Also, he tells Kendra that he is old fashioned, and there are places he won't take woman, because he respects them.

Tanu creates magical potions and hunts for their ingredients. He introduces the kids to potions that can manipulate your emotions.

Vanessa finds and captures mystical animals from all around the world. They are different than magical beings, who have the intelligence of humans, like the satyrs, demons, and the fairies, ect.

Warren, is the younger brother of Dale. Who is currently catatonic, and turned albino from an unknown creature in Fablehaven.

The Sphinx is an ageless being currently in the form of a middle-aged black man. He immediately comes across as mentor full of wisdom, understanding that Seth and Kendra both need to be treated differently.

KENDRA

Kendra learns more about the after affects of the fairies who kissed her. Turns out she is more than just fairystruck, but fairykind. Her abilities are revealed throughout the book and eventually come in handy.

Although there is a time where she comes off as annoying, when she responds to Coulter's polices regarding the treatment of woman. She calls Seth brain dead and later says that Coulter is sexist, even though he clarifies that he doesn't treat girls different because he thinks they aren't as smart or capable as men. Simply that he thinks they deserve special treatment.

This is just a weird aspect of the story in general though. Perhaps this was meant for us to be suspicious of his morality. It didn't make me feel that way. He didn't come off as sexist at all. He seemed well intentioned, and Kendra's reaction to it was rather childish. If the point was for Kendra to learn to respect people she disagrees with, this would make sense. But we never get any scene that reveals this.

But this was a small scene, and is easily forgettable.

SETH & CONSEQUENCES

When Seth first realizes a mistake he made, and that Kendra was right, he does note that he hasn't changed or learned anything.

But then Kendra comes in and explains that Seth's actions are never Seth's fault because Errol fooled her too. She says he is just brave, again babying him like everyone did in the previous book. Peoples' lives are supposed to be at risk. But Seth never gets so much as a slap on the wrist.

Even after learning about consequences of something he did, there is still not so much as a reprimand. Grandma simply parrots what Kendra said earlier: it is not his fault, he was just being brave and trying to help.

But, on a positive note, he does put his life at risk for everyone. But I am not sure if it was because he was trying to prove himself or just sick that his sister has all of the abilities. He does snap at her, calling her the fairy princess and saying only she can do whatever she wants (in reference to her risking her life in the first book).

A BELIEVABLE DECEPTION

Seth and Kendra may both be deceived, and you might think after going through so much at Fablehaven, they would be more careful. But a certain character does come across as rather convincing, mentioning things that only an ally would know. So the deception is quite plausible (unlike in the last book, where it ruined a large portion of the plot).

PACING

The pacing is good, as we jump into the story pretty fast, with the introduction of a new kid at Seth and Kendra's school who causes trouble. And then we meet another character and get involved into a dangerous task. Not long after that we are headed back to Fablehaven but not without some fast paced trouble.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER-SPOILERS

Mul doesn't present any information that isn't useful to the plot later on. So it's important to be paying attention, or you might be surprised later on. The poison darts that Vanessa has from the salamanders are presented; Warren is shown in his catatonic state; Coulter shows the kids his invisibility glove and his cocoon device and Vanessa reveals a secret way of communication with Kendra. These are planted (as well as other scenes) and all pay off later.

Also, Mul reveals information about the last book. Like Grandma revealing how she was turned into a chicken, and the Sphinx revealing exactly why the faeries did what they did to Kendra.

FUTURE PLANS

Mul places things in the book that may be used later one, such as Hugo's growing intelligence (thanks to the faeries putting him back together) as well as mentioning the Knights of the Dawn, a group of people who fight to protect the sanctuaries. Again, he lets the reader know that this is series, planting seeds that won't be revealed until later.

CLIMAX

The climax of the story mostly involves Kendra and Warren. Seth isn't involved, similar to the last book, which surprised me. But to be fair, he actually accomplished something crucial to the climax, allowing Kendra to go to inverted tower with an ally.

CONCLUSION

Mul creates a faster paced story with the same original world. Every piece of information he presents is important and later put to good use. Kendra develops, learning about her abilities and the responsibilities that come with it. And after a time, Seth steps up to prove himself. Even the ending is juicy. I give "Rise of the Evening Star" four stars.