Dragonwatch: A Fablehaven Adventure

Speaking of this book, and all of Brandon Mull's books, I told a friend how amazing it was that someone writing for a middle-grade audience could still capture and entertain adult readers. Having just finished the audio version of this title, she agreed with me completely. A follow-up to the wonderful world of Fablehaven, Mull has gifted us with an engrossing story which promises to be every bit as wonderful, humorous, and nail-biting as its predecessor. Dragonwatch pulls us right into the action, back with the Sorensons, at the preserve, with Kendra and Seth ready to continue their training in a world of magic. The end of their last adventure still fresh in their minds, and its political (in the world of magic) consequences beginning to come to light, means that Kendra and Seth have enough to worry about without adding the sizable problem of a dragon uprising. Kendra is still Kendra - responsible, cautious, kind, and following the rules. But she has also learned when to improvise and that, perhaps, it's better to sometimes ask forgiveness than permission. Seth is still Seth - taking risks, leaping before he looks, though his previous adventures have given him a little more insight into weighing what is truly important. Does gold matter more than family? Does his life matter more than the secrets his family has long protected? We return to familiar places, but with a new mission. Brandon Mull proves quickly, through his adept writing of teenage heroes, that the years between the last Fablehaven book and Dragonwatch have not dulled his talent or ability to put a fresh take on familiar characters and scenarios. I am incredibly pleased by this book and I am only upset we now go back to waiting a whole year between installments! My daughter is working her way through the Fablehaven series and has redoubled her time spent reading after watching me read Dragonwatch. It helped that she walked in on me exclaiming, out loud to the pages of the book, "Well, THAT can't be good!" When a book makes me react aloud, my family members take note of the title, because they know they will want to read it next. Mull does an excellent job of pulling us into the world of the magical preserves and it's always hard to emerge again. Don't forget to Drink the Milk as you head into this wonderful first book of a promising new series!

Ok, so where do I begin with this book? I read the original Fablehaven books as they came out and my 13-year-old self was devastated when the series ended about 7 years ago. Well, after very nearly an eternity and the last of my teenage years being drained away, this book was finally published. I reverted to that 13 year old girl and experienced that same thrill and excitement I did when I first read the original series. Despite being older than the target audience, this book does not fail to please. It's well paced, funny, action-packed, and nail biting. The entire experience is simply riveting. I love reading and have read a lot of books, but I have yet to experience a book that really gives me an actual thrill like these do. The characters are so realistic and relatable that I feel like its hard not to get pulled into the story. Kendra is a strong female character done in a way that doesn't make them emotionless or unlikable, which I've found to be a problem in YA as of late. Seth is a pretty typical 13 year old kid, his antics have not changed since the last books. Maybe pumped up a notch. Loved the book. I can see the set up for the rest of the series and I am liking what I see so far. If you have not read Fablehaven (the books previous to these), I absolutely, highly recommend them. Fun, action packed, and surprisingly deep for their target audience. As for Dragonwatch, I don't think I could have asked for more. This book is just about everything I dreamed of for 7 years. Lots of awesome dragons, cool new magical creatures, and the same old faces that I've grown to miss. 10/10.

Another Brandon Mull winner! If you enjoyed Fablehaven - or even just liked it a little - you're going to love Dragonwatch. We see Seth at his 13-year-old best mischievous self, And Kendra trying to mature into a responsible young woman while keeping an eye on her adventurous younger brother (who honestly must believe that he's ten-foot tall and bulletproof). We are introduced to Calvin, the Tiny Hero, and get to meet up again with Bracken, the superstar unicorn, and Kendra's "one and only". Old friends are not forgotten as new ones are introduced. Dilemmas and adventures abound. I love that the kids always realize that there are consequences to their decisions. And that their actions don't happen in a vacuum. Other people's interests and safety are always involved. Even Seth seems to take the responsibilities they are given a little more seriously. The adventure this time involves a draconic rebellion. The dragons are trying to break out of the sanctuaries that protect them and humankind from each other. And, of course, the Sorenson kids end up right in the middle of it, and largely on their own. But help comes from unexpected places. And Seth's final gambit will not disappoint. The story is wide open for the next book in the series. Come on, Mr. Mull! We're all waiting to wrap up the Five Kingdoms series, but please hurry along Dragonwatch Book 2, as well! And thanks for another great adventure!

I have been eagerly awaiting this book since I first heard about it. The original Fablehaven series is among my favorite books of all time, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this sequel series. And I was not at all disappointed. Kendra and Seth are the same great, if sometimes annoying (Seth) characters as they were previously. But now they face a new set of challenges. After defeating the demons in the Fablehaven series, Kendra and Seth now join the battle to stop the dragons from escaping their refuges. Together they have the power to resist dragon fear, this unfortunately makes them the best candidates to take over as the caretakers of Wyrmroost. But despite their experiences and the growth they've undergone, their still young and inexperienced, and they have to face off with the king of the dragons. With the help of Grandpa and Grandma Sorensen, Mendigo (repaired), as well as some new friends, Seth and Kendra have to stop the dragons from escaping into the world which they long to dominate. I really enjoyed reading this book as it's full of excitement, fabulous world-building, and interesting characters. Seth is still his impulsive, adventurous self and Kendra is still the law-abiding, helping person she has always been. The only thing that made me sad reading this is that I will have to wait a year to read the next book.

DRAGONWATCH was full of familiar characters for Fablehaven fans as well as some new ones, plus the danger and adventure you'd expect. An overall fun story for Middle Grade readers. I need to note that I have not read the Fablehaven series. My kids have and loved it. This is then my first foray into this mystical world of faries, witches, dragons, and many other creatures. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have any issues with keeping the characters straight or with understanding the story. I'm sure if you read the Fablehaven series that this new story would have been even easier to fall into, but it isn't necessary. You could pick it up here, like me. I thought the characters were quite realistic to their ages. In some ways you'd think that Seth would have developed a little more humility or reserve when dealing with others, but it seems he feels like he deserves more regard. It is so accurate to his age (I have a son the same age). I also thought the dynamics between Seth and Kendra were spot on. There were a bunch of other characters that also played roles here and there. The story had a little adventure, some humor, and a dire situation to keep the reader engaged. I was expecting a little more tension or development when things were more intense, but otherwise the story was steady. In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a fun beginning to this break-off series that set up the coming conflict. I'm looking forward to finding out what these two siblings will face next. Content: Clean Source: Received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.

I bought the kindle edition of this book and read it straight through! Although I'm now leaving my teenage years behind, along with the majority of YA fiction, I don't think Brandon Mull's magical worlds will ever truly exit my life. One day I hope to share these marvelous stories with my children... So what can be said about Dragonwatch? If you loved Fablehaven and want to see how the story continues, then you should definitely pick up a copy of this book! In an author's note at the end, Mull states how this is the first of 5 books in this sequel series and how he hopes to write one book each year. I could not be more elated! I have seldom found book characters that are more relatable and at the same time greatly inspirational. Brandon Mull continues to envelop readers in an increasingly wondrous magical world with many of the same beloved characters continuing to develop while new believable, admirable, and lovable characters are introduced - both human and otherwise. I could not recommend Brandon Mull's books more highly - mostly because I cannot write quite as eloquently as he can. Pick up these books! Give them as gifts to your children or to your friends! Several years ago my family listened to the first Fablehaven book on audiotape during a road trip. From that experience I discovered one of my all time favorite authors and series while simultaneously creating fond memories with my family as we continued to read the new Fablehaven books as they came out and as we actually read Candy Shop War together out loud. Please, I beg you, don't deprive yourself of the remarkable adventures that await you! It is books like these that give me hope that television won't completely steal away the hearts of today's youth. It is books like these that should give J. K. Rowling a run for her money!

Brandon Mull has been a favorite author since I first picked up Fablehaven to read to one of my children. His newest book, the first of a sequel series to Fablehaven, does not disappoint! It was enjoyable to revisit the Fablehaven and Wyrmroost and old and new characters. They only part I found a little tedious was Kendra's speculating about her future with a certain possible love interest, but other than that, I thought it was very enjoyable. I love his characters and imagined worlds and am looking forward to the future books as Kendra and Seth and their friends and family face another threat to humanity. What I most appreciate about this book and all of Brandon Mull's work - he's creates stories/worlds/characters that are as fun for adults to explore as they are for kids. They are entirely appropriate for kids, but I enjoy reading them as much as they do. My 11 year old daughter and I read this aloud together so we wouldn't have to decide who got to read it first. My sons, who are both teenagers, are looking forward to reading it next.

Brandon Mull provides an excellent new journey for Kendra and Seth in Dragonwatch. The story is exciting and I look forward to whats to come in the next four books. There are a few plot holes, one regarding certain aspects of the "Five Major Crowns". In Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary, Agad mentions that Celebrant is widely considered the King of Dragons. With the introduction of the other crowns and how the Dragon King title moves from one to the next, Celebrant is undeniably the Dragon King based on the information in Dragonwatch. This is minor though. The only thing that bothered me was that some of the statements made by characters in the book are exactly the same as statements the same character made in the original Fablehaven series. Several of Bracken's quotes in the new book are word for word copies of his quotes from Keys to the Demon Prison. I understand this is extreme nitpicking. Great story, worth the read, highly recommend it. NOTE: I highly recommend reading the whole Fablehaven series first.