Fablehaven, Book 1

By: Brandon Mull

Narrated by: E. B. Stevens

For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.

©2006 Brandon Mull (P)2006 Shadow Mountain

Critic reviews

"The dialogue snaps and sizzles... Like Harry Potter, Fablehaven can be read aloud in a family with as much pleasure for grownups as for children... Do yourself a favor, and don't miss the first novel by a writer who is clearly going to be a major figure in popular fantasy." (Orson Scott Card, New York Times Bestselling Author)

"Imagination runs wild in Fablehaven. It is a lucky book that can hold this kind of story." (Obert Skye, Author of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo)

Great story! Mediocre juvenile performance.

If you could sum up Fablehaven, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Great Magical story.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

It was performed like he was reading to kindergardeners. Over dramatic and too high pitched at times. I also did not like the music in the background when the reading started of a new chapter. Sometimes the music did not even fit the title of the chapter or the situation at hand.

5 listens and counting

My daughter has listened to the entire series five times and just started it over again. She listens to it whenever she's doing chores, or just before bed. She's a sixth grader and thinks this is about the best series she's read...maybe even as good as Harry Potter (her words).

I too listened to the books and found them entertaining. The story if full enough to keep an adult engaged, but is clearly aimed at the younger audience. My sixth grader is probably the perfect audience.

The story has an interesting plot, where everyday kids find themselves caught up in a place where magic is real. The kids act as kids would, they are amazed, tempted to check out things better left alone, and more cleaver than the adults give them credit for.

If you're looking for something for your kids to enjoy...jump on this. If you are an adult that enjoys lighter fantasy, you will like it as well. Great for a family car trip! The kids will love it, and the adults will be entertained.

great story

I love this and all the books in this series. my only complaint is that the performance of the story in this recording is super annoying.

Great narrating.

The narrator for this book is amazing. He is so great with the characters voices.

Horrendous Narrator

What made the experience of listening to Fablehaven, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

The story is good and entertaining, but E.B. Stevens sounds like he is reading a children's picture book! When he described the "asphyxiation" of the grandparents, he sounds like it's a happy joyous experience! It's terrible. Every time he says, "Said Seth", it sounds like "Said Said". I was incredibly disappointed that the whole series is narrated by him.

What did you like best about this story?

The story of Fablehaven is great for kids look for a series to sink into after Harry Potter.

Would you be willing to try another one of E. B. Stevens’s performances?

No. I wish the rest of the series wasn't read by him.

Narrerator was terrible

I think I liked the book and story but it was hard to tell because the narration was so bad. It sounded like he was reading to a kindergarten class with his sing-songy pronunciation breathy voices. Every sentence sounded like it was written with an exclamation point at the end! I might read the other books in the series but I definitely won’t be listening to them.

Story was good narrator horrible

Could not stand the reader narrating this book. Didn't make it past chapter two before shutting it off and just reading it. Worst reader ever

Good story, strange narration.

If you could sum up Fablehaven, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Magical. intriguing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Leena.She was worldly, intelligent, tolorant and content with her life.

Would you be willing to try another one of E. B. Stevens’s performances?

Not on purpose.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The secret of the secret garden

Any additional comments?

His character voice changes are great, but he place his inflections on the wrong words in the sentence- it's annoying and a bit unnerving.

one of my favorite young reader stories.

A story I will return to repeatedly. Wore out the binding on my hard copy. Every class I teach gets to hear segmentss of the story as part of my writing curriculum.

This book is so good

The book was so good if they made a detailed movie it would be best move ever