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)

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!

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.

Top 10 this year

The whole series is magical and easy to find yourself immersed in
The voice actor is amazing! more credits audibledealscom Wish the would make a tv show with these.
I prefer it at 1.4 speed overall great book loved it

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.

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.

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.

MOST ANNOYING NARRATOR I'VE EVER HEARD !

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

NEVER ANOTHER BOOK BY THIS NARRATOR

What didn’t you like about E. B. Stevens’s performance?

WHERE TO BEGIN - NARRATOR USES DIFFERENT DEGREES OF RASPINESS FOR THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS. THAT'S IT - A ONE TRICK PONY. AND THE OVER ENTHUSIASTIC RASPY DELIVERY OF CHARACTER 'SETH' WHERE EVERY (AND I MEAN EVERY) WORD HE UTTERED SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS AMPED UP ON SOMETHING ACTUALLY MADE WISH HE'D JUST DIE SOMEHOW SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO HIM ANYMORE.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

IN THE END I JUST GOT MORE AND MORE UPSET AND GAVE UP. THE NARRATION JUST WAS TOO ANNOYING AND MADE ME TOO ANGRY TO LISTEN.
I'VE BEEN AN AUDIBLE MEMBER SINCE 2006 AND HAVE LISTENED TO 100'S OF BOOKS AND HAVE NEVER HATED ONE AS MUCH AS THIS ONE.

Good story line - narrated for 5 year olds

I love "good for grown-ups too" kids fantasy. This could have been one of them except for the narration. It's very rare for me not to finish a book, however, after four attempts to get comfortable with the juvenile cadence and voice inflections, I threw in the towel at chapter 4. Too bad. The premise is interesting.

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.

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!👍🏻👏🏻🍍

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.

I'm not finishing this one...

Don't get me wrong, the story and writing have been very good so far. Every other character who aren't the main two kids have been brilliant. And tell you what, the little musical interludes in the audio book are just so so magical.
But I'm really not a fan of the narrator and the kids are just infuriating, particularly Seth. Every time he breaks the rules or does something stupid he seems surprised when there are horrible horrible consequences. Then his remorse lasts all of 5 minutes before he does something else stupid to prove what a smart big brave boy he is. The other characters may occasionally call him out on it but the kid does NOT learn his lesson. I'm seeing no hope or promise of any character development.
I'm hoping half the problem is the narrator to be honest. I'm not a fan of his line delivery, it seems to make everything Seth says sound insincere. It just doesn't make me feel I'm listening to real people and sounds like he's assigned a specific, grating tone of voice to each character that sees no interesting inflections no matter the situation. The fact that they don't seem to change the narrator for any of the books makes me certain I'll not be finishing them.
I'll get a copy from the library and see if I get along with that instead.
Lots of people seem to adore this book so I don't think I'll be much help recommending you buy it or not. I could be cheating you out of a future favourite. But it won't be a book I'll ever buy for friends or family.

Yeah boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

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