Fablehaven, Book 1

By: Brandon Mull

Narrated by: E. B. Stevens

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

Fablehaven deserves a better narrator!

What did you like best about Fablehaven, Book 1? What did you like least?

I love Brandon Mull. His books are great for kids and adults. I was thrilled when the Fablehaven series was added to audible. My consumption of books is primarily through audiobooks these days. Only my love of this series got me through the terrible narration. Not every book can be narrated by Jim Dale, but this series deserves better!

What did you like best about this story?

I like the juxtaposition of drama and comedy. Seth and the satyrs are my favorites!

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

No.

Was Fablehaven, Book 1 worth the listening time?

Barely. I am so glad that I was not introduced to this series via this audio recording!

Awful narration

This story might be good, but it's hard to tell because of the horrendous narration. I'm going to try reading the second book rather than listening to it.

Liked it.

Positives-I think the story is fun and would feel comfortable recommending it to anyone.
Negatives-the narration had WAY too much inflection throughout (nearly every word at times) and made it hard to listen to.

Narrator ruined it

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Anyone who likes this narrator

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator should have read the book before reading it to others. Worst performance ever heard on audible and I've heard a few. I couldn't take the story in because he made it unrealistic for me.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Angry. Narrator made Seth actions with the fairy sem like he was enjoying it instead of feeling remorse. I know it's a kids book but the emotions were all the same when they should be scared or somber they were happy and excited.

Any additional comments?

I would have loved to finish this book and even keep buying the series but the narrator ruined it for me not even half way through. I think I will buy the actual books and read them because it seems like a good series. Narrator definitely needs to work on range of emotions because he portrayed Seth as a very annoying trouble maker instead of a curious young boy. I asked my niece to listen and she didn't like narrator either.

Couldn't Get Passed The Narrator!

Would you try another book from Brandon Mull and/or E. B. Stevens?

I'm not sure because I couldn't actually listen to the whole book. If EB Stevens is narrating, Absolutely Not!!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I felt like a kindergartner, sitting on a rug, while the librarian read s-l-o-w-l-y and clearly to me. It dragged on and on and on. I'm not sure that would have been the case if the story had just been read at a normal pace.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably

Any additional comments?

I wanted to hear this book because it was one of my daughters favorites. Even she couldn't stand to listen to it as it was read. Don't they do screenings of a chapter or two before they release an entire audio book? I don't seem to be the only one with this opinion, and I will ALWAYS read the reviews before I buy a book in the future!

Narration is AWFUL!!!!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

If everything is (vocally) in italics, bold, caps, and underlined, nothing will stand out. Every sentence is uttered with breathless surprise and awe by this reader, and it's excrutiating to listen to. I abandoned the audio book in chapter 3 and just read the book. So horribly bad.

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

Absolutely not. I will be checking every audio book I buy in the future to ensure it's NOT E. B. Stevens.

Was Fablehaven, Book 1 worth the listening time?

The story, yes.

Wonderful book, horrible audio book

I downloaded the audio book because my kids and I loved the book, but the narrator is horrible. He sounds like he's trying to read to a preschool class. Not enjoyable to listen to at all.

Interesting story but worst narration.

Would you try another book from Brandon Mull and/or E. B. Stevens?

Quite liked the story but couldnt get past chapter 7 as the narrator made the story grindingly boring and tedious

How did the narrator detract from the book?

As said above I think this would be a great series except for the narration. It was so bad that I have returned the book to Audible.

Great story, would have preferre a different read.

Would you listen to Fablehaven, Book 1 again? Why?

Love the story. Read all the books several times in print. Love being to listen to them on the go.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Yes. Me, and my older kids were turned off by the reader. Felt like an adult talking to a two year old.

Frustrating

I found this book hard going and highly infuriating to read. There were times when I had to close my eyes or yell at the stupidity of the story. The growth in the characters just never seemed to happen whilst very close to what real life would really be I found that it detracted a little from the story. There was a severe case of overly explaining the feelings and why they happened to come about, some of which could have been done with a simple sentence.

Despite all of that I found the concept an interesting one with some amazing attention to detail when it came to the behaviours of many of the mythical creatures including being sure to state that their idea of 'good' and 'evil' really doesn't correspond to our life. This I found amazing and a great addition as it is true. I will continue to give the series a go as it is an interesting idea and I would like to see where it goes but at the same time am prepared for some rage inducing situations.

excellent

one the most amazing pieces of literature where the protagonists are kids.best part the story Definitely Viola.

INCREDIBLE

I loved this book it's so gripping and amazing it's got creatures from things like Harry Potter but the happiness from Fantastic Beasts! I'd recommend it to anyone who likes Harry Potter or Spiderwick and fascinating plots that never get boring!👍🏻👏🏻🍍

Yeah boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Loved it and I also like it a lot it is the best bro yeah