Fablehaven Complete Set (Boxed Set): Fablehaven; Rise of the Evening Star; Grip of the Shadow Plague; Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary; Keys to the Demon Prison Paperback – Illustrated, October 4, 2011

Fable haven is written for young teenagers but that doesn't mean that older readers cannot also enjoy this. This series is brilliantly written. The character development was what got me as I find characterisation and their growth very important. The characters have their flaws to make them believable but like any good fantasy series, the flaws don't serve to dominate the character. What is important is how these characters are different from their peers--therefore making them the recipients of a great adventure.This book is low fantasy with a magical world existing within our own. I find some low fantasy difficult to believe because of how the magic is so ethereally written that in contrast to the solidness of our real world it doesn't take solid shape (and this reflects how the author's imagination can have difficulty taking flight from the solidity of the real world). However, the world of Fablehaven is so well crafted, while reading it, it was as if I was not looking at a page of words but at a screen showing me everything.Furthermore, every character in the story has some importance and that's why a series has come into play. It needed the length for plot and character interaction. Adults in the story actually behaved like proper grown-ups. And that is one of the reasons why I enjoy reading young adult fantasy--the main characters are usually young people and interact with those older than themselves who truly behave like how adults in the real world would behave.A truly good book for everyone. The influences of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (which are also books this writer has admired and influenced his life) are here but this book is not a spin off of either. But it stays true to the adventure fantasy genre in the best way.

This is a great series of books for both young and old alike. The books have just the right mix of ingredients to grab you, hold on and keep you coming back for more. There is great characterization, excellent story line, intrigue and deception and just the right amount of humor for a series of this type. You will find yourself quickly identifying with the characters, at times wanting to ring Seth's neck and at others wanting to say lighten up a bit Gramps. I think to rationalize a comparison to other books I would have to say that Fablehaven would fall into the company of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. That is not to say that Fablehaven in any way mimics these other fine works. Quite the contrary, Fablehaven stands completely on it's own merit. This is merely to provide a genre relationship. By the time I finished reading the complete Fablehaven series, I was seriously wanting more. I know that Mr. Mull has stated that this is the end of the Fablehaven books, and I can appreciate and respect his reasons for this decision, but I still wish that there were more coming. I would highly recommend the Fablehaven series to anyone who is a fan of this genre, I do not believe that you will be disappointed. Mr. Mull, I salute you on this fine series and thank you for providing me with hours of great reading entertainment.P.S. I am now reading the Beyonders series and am finding it equally enjoyable,Grblfrtz

Got this for my nephew who is turning 13. He loves this series and was excited to be able to receive all the books.

I wouldn't compare this to Harry Potter, which is filled with angst. It is more like Narnia, which is lighter in tone, while still teaching important life lessons in a non-didactic, entertaining way. It is filled with realistic child characters, figures from mythology, and battles between good and evil. Our heroes are teenager Kendra who is a gentle goodie-two-shoes type, and her younger brother Seth who is brave and mischievous. Their bickering is very realistic (although a little more funny and clever than I remember being) and entertaining. I thought the author was good at creating situations that were genuinely difficult and which required love, discernment, courage and a growing maturity. I could never guess what was coming next, and though the books are very suspenseful, the author did a great job of interweaving action with quieter moments of wisdom and strategy. The creatures and the world he creates are very compelling and intricate. I grew very fond of them.I read all five books through in a row, and though it's been a few days since I put them down, I still think about the characters, the world they lived in (which was beautiful), and the dilemmas they faced. Very good, full of wisdom, fun and action. Children (both boys and girls) and adults alike will love this story.Each of the five books was equally good. A excellent series in the young adult fantasy genre.

I am an old 72 year old man going on 12. In the past year I felt I needed to read all the popular books our children and grandchildren liked. So, I read The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings series, and all of the Harry Potter books. Then I read Fablehaven: The Complete Series. They are all wonderful. However, I have to say Fablehaven was my favorite. It is a great series for both young readers and adults. The writing is excellent, creating word pictures that stimulate your mind; and you become close to the characters who are all well developed. The plot of every book is a fun adventure ride. I loved Fablehaven and know you will too. I highly recommend it. I like it so much I am now looking for more books written by Brandon Mull.