Are you looking for a fantastic fantasy?   "Fablehaven" , by Brandon Mull, has become my favorite book of the year and that's saying a lot since I review many books over the course of 12 months.   I'll even go so far as to say that it's up there with some of my all time favorites!   It's every bit a "page turner" as the Harry Potter books!   It doesn't have the length, detail or sophistication of J.K. Rowling's writings, but when a story is so exciting that you will stay up way into the night to finish it, who caress to compare?   All I know is the following:   this book has all of the elements to grab you at the start and keep you completely engrossed and engaged until the very end!

Thirteen year old Kendra, and her younger brother, Seth, have just begun a 2 and ½ week stay at the grandparents they have never really known.   Since their parents are going on a cruise, the children have to spend part of their summer in a giant old house with a grandpa who doesn't seem to want them there.   As soon as the parents leave, the siblings follow their grandpa up the stairs to where they'd sleep - in the attic.   However, they are pleasantly surprised when, instead of a dark, dusty and gloomy room, they find an airy, bright room with two beds, bookshelves full of books, toys and a chicken in a cage!   (By the way, the chicken turns out to be very special, but you'll have to read the book to find why).  

Grandpa soon sets down the rules of the house.   They are never to go beyond the yard and into the woods.   They are never to set foot into the barn.   If they break either of these rules, they will spend the rest of their stay in the attic.   Grandpa tells them that the tick season is at its highest so please stay close to the house.   And the barn has many tools and rusted equipment that could be dangerous, so they are to stay away from that area as well.

But, 11 year old Seth has different ideas.   His curious and adventurous spirit begins to set him on a path of disobedience.   He soon discovers something else in the woods - and it's not ticks!   He races back to tell Kendra about his discoveries and she becomes very upset that he's already broken his grandfather's strict rules.   Seth and Kendra are about to discover many very unusual things on their grandpa's property.   Kendra has noticed a large amount of insects fluttering above a tray of milk.   Could these butterflies like to drink milk?   It appears that they also like hovering over her hand mirror.   What unusual little bugs.   When both she and her brother are compelled to drink some of this milk, it enables them to see what these winged creatures really are.   They discover that drinking this magical liquid also opens their eyes to seeing what lies deep inside the woods!

This story is so compelling and so well written you'll find its magic working on you as well, completely taking over your ability to put the book down, even for a moment.   Mr. Mull has an extraordinary writing ability.   His beautiful descriptions, along with an intellectually challenging vocabulary, clearly enable you to behold all that is taking place in front of the children.   "The sunlight came and went, depending on the shifting clouds.   A soft breeze ruffled the foliage.   The woods smelled mulchy.   Scrambling over a damp, rotting log, Kendra shrieked when she saw a glistening white frog."

This ingenious book is Mr. Mull's first novel.   The novel is full of tense and gripping action.   Fortunately, the author has written some very funny and light exchanges between Seth and his sister, which helps lighten the story.   There are also some wonderful full page illustrations, by Brandon Dorman.    The most disappointing part of this story was that it was coming to an end.   But, when I turned that last page over, I found this exciting information:   "The adventure continues in book two...coming in 2007." And check out the 3 small words of advice located on the back page of the book.   This book is perfect for ages 11 through adult!