What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that aside from some fantasy violence, one of the two main characters repeatedly and stupidly disobeys adults, putting himself and others in serious danger, and seems to learn nothing from the experiences.

Families who read this book could discuss the idea of a hidden world in our own backyards. Why is this idea so popular right now? Is it possible? Have you ever seen anything you couldn't explain? Also, why do some authors use foolish, disobedient kids to drive the plot? Can you think of any other ways to get the action moving in this story?

Common Sense Media Review
An old subgenre of fantasy is getting a second life these days: call it the "Hidden World in the Backyard" genre (see Related Books below for other examples). Usually the backyard in question belongs either to a rundown home the hero has just moved to, or to a mysterious relative's home where the hero goes to stay. In either case the newly arrived protagonist(s) discover that there are fairytale creatures hidden on the grounds, and magical adventures ensue.

First-time author Brandon Mull's variation has moments of real excitement and suspense, and a few original touches -- Fablehaven is a sort of endangered species preserve, one of many around the world, controlled by complicated magical covenants, and under siege by a PETA-like organization that wants to unleash the creatures, good and bad, no matter the consequences.

But unfortunately, Mull resorts repeatedly to some of the hoariest, and most didactic and annoying, tricks in the writer's bag to get the plot moving. His primary action-inducer is having Seth stupidly and repeatedly disobey his grandfather, while obedient Kendra warns him not to, with predictably terrifying and life-threatening results -- from which he seems to learn nothing. Worse yet is the stereotyping of the two children. Seth is a boys-will-be-boys type who is not only disobedient and mischievous, but also rather blockheaded, while Kendra is good and virtuous and clever, which is, of course, what enables her to save the day after Seth has messed everything up.

Let's hope that in the next volume (of the proposed five-book series) Mull has gotten the stupid-kid tricks out of his system, and can focus on developing the really clever aspects of his premise.