Between, writing, editing, and proofing I spend a lot of time looking at words on a daily basis, so reading for fun is often a struggle anymore. If a book doesn’t grab me from the onset, we’re talking the first five pages—I’m sorry—I just don’t have the patience for it to finally get good. Sadly, I could probably swim in the amount of books that I’ve started in the last year and didn’t finish. So, when my husband told me Brandon Mull had added onto his Fablehaven series, I actually feared picking up the available books. I loved the Fablehaven series, and didn’t want those memories tainted by the critical eye that I’ve developed over the last five years. But my husband wouldn’t let it go, so after months of bugging I gave in and cracked that first book open.

Wow. What an excellent read. Brandon Mull continues to do a great job of blending old characters into new situations. He packs tons of action into his novel, which would keep any mid-grade age boy on the edge of their seat. But even inside that action he adds perfect touches of description that help a reader imagine for themselves the world in which this story takes place. I’m so grateful that book one Dragon Watch and book two Wrath of the Dragon King didn’t disappoint. A story so engaging they’re a fast read. It’s definitely a worthy sequel to the original Fablehaven series. But if you haven’t read the Fablehaven series you’ll want the start there first to understand the plot tie-ins from previous adventures. No boring backstory in these books, he just forges ahead, so you’ll want to prepare yourself.