Jared,
I’ve begun fervently reading the last book in the series because I’ve got 3 days before the eBook is due. I just need to stay focused……Oh, look. Books.
Title: Secret of the Dragon Sanctuary
Series: Fablehaven; Book 4
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Fairies, Demons, Dragons
Synopsis: Kendra and Seth returned home at last. The threat against them is still real and their friends are watching them closely. But the unthinkable happens. Kendra dies. (Mwhahahahahah!)
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Early teens and up can easily handle this book. I advise moderate caution with younger readers as there are some darker themes.
This book was brutal compared to the previous books. Things get real, fast. In general I would consider this one of the weakest books in the series. Of all the books this one felt like there were elements or events that didn’t seem to serve a purpose. Almost to fanfiction levels. The plot also felt a bit rushed and then add to that an anticlimactic ending.
Even as the weakest book in the series, it was still pretty good. It’s the penultimate book, so this is where loose-ends are tied and everything needed in the final book is put in place.
Seth is finally an equal character in this book. He’s matured greatly since the young boy who couldn’t be trusted to follow simple instructions. Balancing risk and reward he’s coming into his own. Rules still mean nothing to him, but the consequences of his actions are now very real to him.
Kendra plateaus for the most part. For being such a dominate character in the series she’s remarkably static. Who she was at the beginning is largely she is at the end, but with powers and a greater knowledge of what she’s capable of. But that’s pretty much it. Also her relationship issues are starting to become annoying, I expect that will only increase in the next book.
In summary, the series slumps but makes up for it with intense action, dire circumstances, and narrow escapes…….maybe a deus ex machina moment or two.
Robert
<< Review of Grip of the Shadow Plague; Book 3
Review of Key to the Demon Prison; Book 5 >>
Reading Over The Shoulder 
Nice review. Can you read these books as standalone novels or do you have to read them all in order? I only ask I have the ARC of the newest one but don’t want to read it if I won’t understand the series/happenings. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m kind of jealous of you right now. The arc you have is probably for Dragonwatch. It’s the first book in a sequel series so I’d expect spoilers of the original series but a good, non-confusing, start. The author certainly has the skills for that. So you should be fine starting there.
LikeLike