Fablehaven (Brandon Mull): A Book Summary

1)   Give a brief summary (about a paragraph) of the book.

Hundreds of years ago, when all the mythical creatures of the world were being pushed out of view and driven to the corners of the earth, Fablehaven was born.  It is now a hidden sanctuary located in Connecticut and a safe haven for all of these creatures, some of which are enchanting, though many of which are extremely dangerous. Fablehaven ensures that they do not become extinct.  It is one of the last refuges of magic still standing today.  But, when siblings Kendra and Seth are shipped off to their grandparents’ house, which is surrounded by immensely gated woods, they have no idea that their grandfather is the present caretaker of Fablehaven.  Inside the dense forests and mystical lands, there are very old laws in effect to ensure a level of peace and order amongst malicious witches, vain fairies, mischievous naiads, roguish satyrs, horrid imps, hungry ogresses, avaricious trolls, lethal demons, and deadly goblins.  When these covenants are violated, a hidden evil is let loose, and Kendra must meet it head-on.  In order to save Fablehaven, humanity, and all that she holds dear, Kendra must find the strength to brave the ominous tasks ahead.

2)   Describe the setting (time and place) of the book. 

Fablehaven takes place in current day Connecticut on a magical preserve for mystical creatures to keep them from extinction.  Surrounding this sanctuary are dense forests and foliage.  There are a few warning signs outside of the big wrought-iron gate that stands in front of the property.  “The farther they progressed, the less conventional the signs became.  Private Property and No Trespassing gave way to Beware of .12 Gauge and Trespassers Will Be Persecuted.”  Right before you enter through the gate, one last sign awaits you.  “Near the fence stood a final sign: Certain Death Awaits.”  On the edge of this preserve stands Kendra and Seth’s grandparents’ house.  “The house was big, but not enormous, with lots of gables and even a turret.  After the wrought-iron gate, Kendra had expected a castle or a mansion.  Constructed of dark wood and stone, the house looked old but in good repair.”  This house is on the edge of the vast reserve, a good distance from the heart of the woods, helping to keep the inhabitants safe from the darkest of the creatures that roam there.

3)   What did you find most interesting about the book?  Why?

The aspect of Fablehaven that I found most interesting was Midsummer Eve.  Midsummer Eve is a night on the preserve where all the creatures are able to run amuck.  “On the festival nights, nightmares take shape and prowl the yard.  Ancient entities of supreme evil patrol the darkness in search of prey.”  Normally, there are laws that prevent the more vicious creatures from leaving the forests and entering into the yard.  Only the fairies are allowed to be in the yard.  But on Midsummer Eve, all the creatures on the preserve are beyond restriction.  As soon as the sun sets, the night belongs to the ferocious horrors that occupy the deepest areas of Fablehaven.  “A long, mournful howl underscored his statement.  The disturbing call was answered by a stronger howl, closer, that ended with a cackle… An eruption of high-pitched laughter blared up from the yard.”  The only boundary they are not allowed to disregard within Fablehaven is entering the house.  They can only enter if someone on the inside lets them in.  Therefore, on the night of Midsummer Eve, everyone must be inside the house before sundown and in his or her bed to ensure ultimate protection.  I found Midsummer Eve interesting because it is one of the main parts in the novel that gives you real insight to how dangerous the preserve actually is.  Before this point in the novel, there are warnings about many creatures of darkness, small references, but not until this night does the horror actually sink in.  Midsummer Eve finally puts a face to all the fears, to the most terrifying nightmares.

4)   Who was the most interesting character in the book?  Why?

The most interesting character in Fablehaven is Muriel Taggert.  Muriel Taggert is a witch that lives in a shack in the forest.  She used to be the beautiful wife of one of the past caretakers, but she meddled around in evils that were too sinister and deep.  “The shack is her prison.  She personifies the reason why exploring the woods is unwise.  Her husband was a caretaker here more than 160 years ago.  She was an intelligent, lovely woman.  But she became a frequent visitor to some of the darker portions of the forest, where she consorted with unsavory beings.  They tortured her.  Before long, she became enamored with the power of witchcraft, and they acquired considerable influence over her.  She became unstable.  Her husband tried to help her, but she was already too demented… Her husband called in assistance and had her imprisoned.”  She is held captive by a thick rope with knots in it that surrounds a tree stump in the middle of the shack.  The only way she can be freed is if all the knots are loosed.  Originally, there were thirteen knots. But over the years, caretakers have come to her for help, and in order for her help they must blow on one of the knots to loose it.  Now, there are only two knots left in the rope.  Muriel is an interesting character because she is the prime example of what happens when you start to become familiar to evil.  She epitomizes the consequences and effects that evil can have on a person.  There is even a connection to Scripture.  It is almost the same situation as the Devil.  Lucifer had been an angel of God, but when he rebelled he became an ugly demon cast into Hell.  She had been beautiful and good, but when she started familiarizing herself with darkness, she became a witch.  “Beside the stump, dressed in crude rags, sat a wiry old woman gnawing at a knot in a bristly rope.  Shriveled with age, she clutched the rope in bony hands with knobby knuckles.  Her long, white hair was matted and had a sickly yellowish tint.  One of her filmy eyes was terribly bloodshot.  She was missing teeth, and there was blood on the knot she was chewing, apparently from her gums.  Her pale arms, bare almost to the shoulder, were thin and wrinkled, with faint blue veins and a few purple scabs.”

5)   What was the main conflict in the story?  Identify the type and give some details.

The main conflict in the story is man vs. nature (Kendra vs. Fablehaven).  This is an external conflict as well.  When all hell breaks loose once the covenants are violated, Kendra is up against some of the deadliest creatures on the preserve.  She is also dealing with a deadly demon named Bahumat that will cast the world into darkness if he is released.  He is bound the same way as Muriel, except with hundreds upon hundreds of more knots.  (Ironically, he is imprisoned in an alcove within an abandoned church on the preserve.)  Muriel has been freed, for Grandpa Sorenson and Grandma Sorenson had to loose her last two knots for her help, and they had no choice.  Muriel is now working on freeing Bahumat by blowing on the knots and using each knot for an evil purpose, such as building an army of imps. She has to face the dark forests and evil beasts in order to save the sanctuary, her family, and the rest of the world.

 6)   What was the resolution of the conflict?  How did the solution develop?

The problem was escalating out of control.  Lena (a helper on the preserve) and Grandpa Sorenson had been captured on Midsummer Eve, for Seth had opened a window out of curiosity and let the creatures inside.  When Kendra, Grandma Sorenson, and Seth try to go free them, they are captured as well.  All are helpless now except for Kendra.  She then runs through the forest to the naiad pond.  In the middle of the pond, there is an island that is a shrine to the all-powerful Fairy Queen.  The last person that set foot on that island to request her help was turned into dandelion seeds.  Kendra, though, believes her request is desperate enough for the Fairy Queen’s help that she will be listened to.  The way to the island will be treacherous, for the naiads will try to pull her out of her boat and under the water to drown her.  However, she managed to make it.  And her assumptions about her request were correct.  When she reached the island, the Fairy Queen gave her instructions to make an elixir, and told her the ingredients she would need.  Once she had made it, she gave it to the fairies, making them human sized.  She took this army of fairies to the church, where Muriel had succeeded in freeing Bahumat.  The fairies then proceeded to weave a golden rope around Muriel and Bahumat.  They threw them back into the alcove where the demon was previously imprisoned.  The fairies then freed Kendra’s family and furiously knotted a new rope in front of the alcove opening. Kendra has succeeded in saving her family and Fablehaven.

7)   What did you learn from this book?

I learned about the aspects of courage and strength from this book.  The main character is not ready for what is happening, and yet she still manages to work her way through it.  She gives every ounce of muscle and fight in her body to save Fablehaven and the people that she loves; she never gave up.  She also risked her own life just to save all of the others.  That is something that takes real valor.  I learned that even if the circumstance is intimidating, we need to meet it head on and try our best to make our way through it. 

8)   Would you read another book by this author?  Why?  Would you recommend this book to others?  Who and Why?

I would definitely read another book by this author.  I really enjoyed how he was able to describe the scenes and characters in perfect detail.  He made me feel as if I was right there alongside the characters.  I could not put the book down and I was enthralled from beginning to end with his writing style.  He always kept the story suspenseful and enticing, making you want to find out what would happen next.  I would recommend this book to other teens because the main character is a teenager herself.  I think it would be easy for people of this age group to relate and connect to the story.  Teenagers would grow more attached to this main character and the story would hold their interest.