Fans of Mull's popular Fablehaven books will be delighted with this rousing opener to a new sequel series, which builds upon familiar characters and plot points from the original fantasy series. When demons attacked Fablehaven in the Battle of Zzyzx, dragons from Wyrmroost came as allies on the condition that they would then control their own sanctuary, but now dragon king Celebrant is attacking Blackwell Keep, and the only thing that can stop the dragons this time is for young siblings Kendra and Seth to find one of the seven magical scepters and put a mighty spell in place. Can they do it before Celebrant finds a way to transform into a wizard and defeat them? Though the story is occasionally overtold, the excitement of the adventure will sweep up existing fans and undoubtedly create new ones. Try this with Chris d'Lacey's new Erth Dragons series, beginning with The Wearle (2016), or give to fans of Cressida Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon books. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Fablehaven was a best-selling series, and the publisher has major marketing plans for Mull's newest, including an author tour.

After narrowly averting a demon apocalypse in the previous series, Fablehaven sibs Seth and Kendra face a new threat to the world.No good deed goes unpunished, it seems, and so cautious Kendra and her irrepressibly reckless little brother find themselves challenged by wily, scenery-chewing Celebrant, king of the very dragons who were so instrumental in quelling the demons. The dragons are now hot to break out of their own long confinement, and a hidden talisman is all that can restore the mysteriously weakened magic barriers that have kept them in check. Time for quests and tests! "The unworthy will not survive. Death is likely. Off you go," a cheery guardian bids. With help from Calvin, a gigantic (i.e., thumb-sized) nipsie, and other motley allies, the young heroes survive hazards ranging from slavering dire bears to the clinically depressed Somber Knight to find the talisman and sneak it past a draconic blockade…only to learn that dragonkind is in general revolt and other sanctuaries have already fallen. In a broad hint of where Mull is going with this, Kendra gets an offer of help at the outset—from a demon. Stay tuned. If it feels formulaic, that's because it is, but formula has its place. Fans of the series will welcome a new story arc stocked with familiar characters, settings, and adventures. (Fantasy. 12-15)

Gr 3-6The dragons who were confined to sanctuaries in the celebrated "Fablehaven" series are now restless, and the safe havens feel more like prisons. Celebrant, the King of the Dragons, has pledged to free them and bring back the Age of Dragons. His attacks have caused Wyrmroost's defenses to weaken, as have all other hidden sanctuaries that protect the world from danger. The last remaining members of Dragonwatch call upon 13-year-old Seth and 15-year-old Kendra to guard the sanctuary of Wyrmroost, as it is believed that human caretakers can help strengthen the sanctuary's defenses. The teens face great opposition from their former allies, the dragons, and also from their subjects in Wyrmroost, who are skeptical that two youngsters can succeed where all others have failed, even though they are known to be dragon slayers. Calm, logical Kendra and reckless, wisecracking Seth must work and stay together to find a way to hold the dragons in check. Seth and Kendra have many exciting and dangerous confrontations with fantastic beasts, but they are resourceful and brave, and there is never a doubt that the heroes will triumph. The action moves slowly, especially in the beginning of the book, as much of the backstory is explained and characters reintroduced through dialogue. VERDICT Sure to please loyal "Fablehaven" readers and may be appreciated by fantasy and adventure lovers who have advanced beyond the "Magic Tree House" series.MaryAnn Karre, Binghamton, NY