Grip of the Shadow Plague

First off ... anyone else think that the centaur on the cover of Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull bears a striking resemblance to the author himself? And does it mean anything if it is? Does Mr. Mull identify with the intelligent and wise creatures who are so indifferent to the fate of mortal men? If you could grace the cover of your book as one of the characters ... who would you choose? Just thoughts ...

So I finished this, the 3rd book in the Fablehaven series, in the wee hours of yesterday morning before I got ready for work. I could not put it down. The first two books resided almost entirely on the preserve of Fablehaven with just a little hint of Kendra and Seth at home and at school. The third book takes us on two trips within the States - one to Atlanta, Georgia and the other to Lost Mesa, Arizona. There are concerns both at home, Fablehaven, and abroad, other secret preserves. There is a shadow plague gripping Fablehaven and the Society of the Evening Star are on the move!

Once again, Seth is going where he is not supposed to go, doing what he is not supposed to do - selling batteries to satyrs in exchange for someone else's gold. The child does not learn. While on an excursion with the satrys to retrieve some gold, Seth is introduced to the Seven Kingdoms of the nipsies. Nipsies are like Brownies only even smaller. Like the brownies, they are naturally good-natured creatures. But Seth and the the satyrs discover that some of the kingdoms have become "dark" and are going to war against the regular nipsies. Seth knows he needs to inform his grandparents of the situation, but then they will know that he has not been following the rules.

Kendra, the quiet one, who would prefer to stay home and read the journals of a former Fablehaven guardian than go out adventuring, gets invited to attend a gathering of the Knights of the Dawn. She has been invited to join the group as well. The invitation comes from the Captain him/herself. No one knows who the Captain is. It could be the Sphinx. The Fablehaven group is uncertain as to his intent. Is the Sphinx a traitor or has he been unjustly accused? Kendra agrees to go and her grandfather agrees for her to go as long as she is guarded by Tanu, Coulter and Warren, Dale's restored brother. At the gathering, Kendra is given her first assignment which will take her to another secret preserve - The Lost Mesa. Kendra recognizes their need of her and accepts the mission. Her guardians agree to take her despite the fact that her grandfather will likely kill them for exposing her to danger.

What is at the Lost Mesa? Another of five important, magical artifacts. In the second book, Kendra and Warren were able to retrieve one of these magical artifacts that looked like a teapot, but poured out a healing energy. It had been hidden safely on the grounds of Fablehaven. Another artifact is hidden somewhere on Lost Mesa and is extremely well guarded against discovery. What is the importance of the five artifacts? If the 5 artifacts can be retrieved by the Society of the Evening Star, they will use them to open up Zzyzx. Zzyzx is the demon prison where thousands of the most powerful demons from every age have been locked up. The Knights of the Dawn are rushing to acquire these five artifacts first to prevent this. Unfortunately, not everyone knows where all of the secret preserves are. And even if you know some of them, you don't necessarily know where the artifact is hidden. If you are able to find it, you will have to risk your life to acquire it. And even then, its magical charge may be depleted. Kendra has the power to recharge it and so she is as valuable to both parties as the artifacts themselves.

While Kendra is out saving the world, Seth is at Fablehaven trying to save the preserve from the dark presence that is changing the good creatures into creatures of darkness. If a "dark" creature bites you and you are a magical creature of light, you turn to darkness as well. If a "dark" creature bites you and you are a human, you turn into a shadow. Well, that's what Seth says anyway because he can still see Coulter. Coulter was attacked by dark creatures and can no longer come out in the daytime. The sun burns him. He is invisible to everyone else at Fablehaven. Seth seems to have acquired some powers as well. He can see his friends when they've been turned into shadows and he cannot be controlled by magical fear. Way to go Seth.

I am anxiously waiting to get a hold of book 4!