If you didn’t already know this, Fablehaven was a childhood favourite of mine. I read it too many times, and it honestly meant the world to me! Kenda and Seth remind me of my relationship with my brother. It will always be one of those series with a special place in my heart. It was the perfect time for a reread. I was a little grumpy and read a few too many three-star books in a row. I needed something I knew I’d love.

This series makes me laugh. Seth is hilarious. Kendra reminds me of me! I love how she approaches situations with that half-logical, half-distraught thought process. I didn’t realise how little we get to know the rest of the cast though. The grandparents and Lena aren’t really in this story as much as I remembered, so I look forward to seeing more of them later in the series.

Fablehaven, in general, is such an incredibly vivid setting. I had forgotten how well Mull writes world-building; his lore and backstories are so complex and twisty. I wish we got more of the world in this first book!

Overall? I think this book is the weakest of the series. We only get a brief glimpse of Fablehaven itself, and the ‘villain’ isn’t a focus. Readers new to the series might be frustrated by how introductory it seemed, but I promise it gets incredible in the second book. You’ll be hooked.

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