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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
almost 5 stars, the past few books in this series haven't been very good, but this finale is much better. enjoyed the musings on the nature of forgiveness where thematic things in the rest of these books have been somewhat lacking (given some slack, it is for children). really picked up towards the end and wrapped things up well (bracken and kendra's kiss was very satisfying)
I love this and the fablehaven series so much! I was in tears reading the authors note at the end. These books are as dear to me as Harry Potter and will be read over and over. Absolutely fantastic!
This was such a good book! I laughed, I cried, I was surprised… it was such a fun read! Loved Seth’s journey!
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So incredibly good! Adventure, suspense (sometimes too much), and events that will make you cheer out loud.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a beautiful way to end a beautiful world
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One half of this book is just keys of tge demon prison again, the other half is best described as child abuse. Seth is just torn apart in this book. To see someone usually so chipper and immature be so somber and resigned to his fate is disturbing. Might as well call this kid frodo and Sam cause by the end he's practically crawling on his hands and feet. Then there's a massive lore dump at the end, but the book earned it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An epic novel in its own right, the fifth book of the Dragonwatch series is a bittersweet ending, evoking a similar (almost spiritual) feeling to Narnia's The Last Battle. Overall, the Dragonwatch series is a little bit heavier and dare I say more nuanced than the original Fablehaven series, with higher stakes and therefore a more potent resolution. If this is the end of Kendra and Seth's adventures, I am thoroughly satisfied ... but if not, it won't be difficult to rekindle my appetite for the characters and world that have become a familiar and ingrained part of myself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence
3.5 stars.
I felt a bit sad/bereft realizing this was the last in the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch books. I was a bit late to the game, only discovering Fablehaven in 2015--but it meant I could easily binge the entire series before moving on to Dragonwatch.
This was a pretty decent finale ,and by and large wrapped up storylines and character arcs well. I'll agree with another reviewer that one arc in particular was entirely rushed (which was unfortunate; with the book clocking in at 600+ pages, there was really no reason this couldn't have been fleshed out more). The book also heavily emphasized one character in particular--which is all well and good, except for when it's not, lol. Meant this character got exponentially more attention compared to the others--unfortunate in a series finale.
I was also a bit surprised that as much of Mull's Mormon faith came into it--again, especially compared with the other books in both Fablehaven and Dragonwatch. I didn't pick up on it at all in the other books, then this one was just _bam_! Everywhere one turns. Surprising in light of the other books. (But, I'm mainly grateful that while I'm not Mormon myself, I can generally trust it makes for a clean book romantically.)
I felt a bit sad/bereft realizing this was the last in the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch books. I was a bit late to the game, only discovering Fablehaven in 2015--but it meant I could easily binge the entire series before moving on to Dragonwatch.
This was a pretty decent finale ,and by and large wrapped up storylines and character arcs well. I'll agree with another reviewer that one arc in particular was entirely rushed (which was unfortunate; with the book clocking in at 600+ pages, there was really no reason this couldn't have been fleshed out more). The book also heavily emphasized one character in particular--which is all well and good, except for when it's not, lol. Meant this character got exponentially more attention compared to the others--unfortunate in a series finale.
I was also a bit surprised that as much of Mull's Mormon faith came into it--again, especially compared with the other books in both Fablehaven and Dragonwatch. I didn't pick up on it at all in the other books, then this one was just _bam_! Everywhere one turns. Surprising in light of the other books. (But, I'm mainly grateful that while I'm not Mormon myself, I can generally trust it makes for a clean book romantically.)
If there were ever to be another series set in this universe at a later date, I want Kendra and Seth to be in the background as these, like, legendary presences. I mean, the siblings, together, slew the two greatest threats to the planet and are connected directly to the source of all life. They should, 100%, go on to live relatively normal lives while the rest of the world whispers in awe.
Anywho. Moving on.
Seth's redemption arc was great - he'd been sort of unwittingly bound to darkness in the beginning, had really struggled with it over the Dragonwatch books, and watching him go from the cocky kid who mucked around to a mature, capable hero was great. Kendra didn't get as much of an arc (why is her only power generating light? Couldn't she also get something cooler?? Seth got LOCK PICKING.) which was too bad.
I wish Bracken had gotten a bit more time to shine. He was just kinda. There. In the background. Didn't really do much. If the guy knew how to sword fight, couldn't we at least see him picking up a sword and going at a dragon? Or maybe a chapter showing how he and his sister escaped Ronodin? Let the guy do something!
This book, ultimately, really felt like Seth's book. Which is great! I am so happy with how things worked out. While I may wish things with Kendra and Bracken were explored a little bit more, I'm still satisfied with how it all turned out.
Over all, this series really wrapped up some of the things I wanted more of from the Fablehaven series (the Singing Sisters favour always left me wondering), and this was an amazing ending to it. It had so much to love and enjoy, and I am so, so glad to have been along this journey.
Anywho. Moving on.
Seth's redemption arc was great - he'd been sort of unwittingly bound to darkness in the beginning, had really struggled with it over the Dragonwatch books, and watching him go from the cocky kid who mucked around to a mature, capable hero was great. Kendra didn't get as much of an arc (why is her only power generating light? Couldn't she also get something cooler?? Seth got LOCK PICKING.) which was too bad.
I wish Bracken had gotten a bit more time to shine. He was just kinda. There. In the background. Didn't really do much. If the guy knew how to sword fight, couldn't we at least see him picking up a sword and going at a dragon? Or maybe a chapter showing how he and his sister escaped Ronodin? Let the guy do something!
This book, ultimately, really felt like Seth's book. Which is great! I am so happy with how things worked out. While I may wish things with Kendra and Bracken were explored a little bit more, I'm still satisfied with how it all turned out.
Over all, this series really wrapped up some of the things I wanted more of from the Fablehaven series (the Singing Sisters favour always left me wondering), and this was an amazing ending to it. It had so much to love and enjoy, and I am so, so glad to have been along this journey.