Scan barcode
phoenix__14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
kzahed's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Loved this one. The plot gets more elaborate and you can begin to appreciate the Easter eggs dropped by the author in the previous books. This is where you begin to see that this series is truly a fantasy masterpiece. The themes become slightly more adult (though still suitable for older children) and the beginning of romance even comes through!
mmihevc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
faeonyx's review against another edition
5.0
Unlike the second book, Grip of the Shadow Plague picks up right where the action left off. The children are still at their grandparents' preserve and things have only gone from bad to worse. Kendra had made the decision to tell her grandparents and their friends about the accusation leveled by Vanessa before she was placed in the Quiet Box and everyone is left with the fear of what could happen next. Things seems to come to something of a head when Kendra is called to a meeting of the Knights of the Dawn. With recent accusations against the Sphinx, and the theory that the Sphinx is the leader of the Knights, it is a tough decision to let Kendra go. Just as Kendra leaves Fablehaven, things there take a strange turn for the worse as well. Kendra is placed on assignment with the Knights and Seth is left at Fablehaven to deal with the magical plague with his grandparents.
The interesting move that this book makes is the fact that the children are finally being granted more responsibility. Kendra has the powers she received from being fairykind, but it is discovered that there is something not quite right about Seth anymore either. He can see the shadow that Coulter has become when no one else seems able to see him. There is no explanation for this in the beginning, but fortunately for all involved, the choices that the children made in the past books are starting to stack in their favor. Their abilities give them the opportunity to be included in more events around the preserve, showing that kids are sometimes underestimated and that they are a little smarter and wiser, and far more capable, than people tend to give them credit for.
This book also brings something of the relationship between Seth and Kendra into sharper focus. For the first time, Seth is tangibly jealous about Kendra's abilities and the freedom it affords her. She is in demand and Seth doesn't appear to have anything special going on until he is able to see the shadow of Coulter when the man arrives on their porch. However, Kendra is thrown into even worse danger because of her abilities, danger that none of the others (aside from Warren) can even truly guess at.
The same theme of not trusting everyone you come across is strongly represented in this book as well. Vanessa accuses the only ally everyone thought they could actually believe in of being the man behind the rise of the Society of the Evening Star. This forces all of the other characters to decide who they can actually trust and how they must change their alliances to be sure they can come out on top and stop the opening of the demon prison. It's a strong lesson, and a strong theme that is well represented in the text. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and that is the point that seems to rise above others in this book in particular.
There are still portions of the book, however, when past deeds are forgotten and the kids are treated like incapable children. It seems that no matter how many times they prove themselves or how much insight they are able to show, their grandparents especially are reluctant to treat them like the capable adults they are growing into. This is especially true for Seth as the good choice and actions he makes are typically forgotten about rather quickly, but his mistakes are brought up over and over again. This tends to get tedious throughout the story as, to the reader, it is pretty obvious that Seth has talents of his own that he can offer the preserve to aid in rescuing it. His grandfather, more often than not, patronizes him and spends more time trying to get him to shut up rather than actually listening to his ideas. Though Seth can be a bothersome character, he does contribute good information to conversations and decision making time and time again.
There are many new characters introduced in the book as well as new and interesting types of characters, which keeps the story fresh, but also serves to heighten the urgency. With more magical creatures getting involved in the situation, it becomes harder for others to ignore what might be going on. There are certain creatures that think certain occurrences are beneath them, but even now they are being forced to acknowledge that things are getting darker and they must all band together. The main characters are also learning the same lesson, finding that there are very few people they can trust and they must hold those that they can trust closer to them.
All in all, this is a good addition to the series. It heightens the action, explains unanswered questions, and leaves a few new questions for the reader to discover later on. The added characters range from endearing to obnoxious, but I found that all served to benefit the action and the story in positive ways, even if a particular character might not be the most likable.
The interesting move that this book makes is the fact that the children are finally being granted more responsibility. Kendra has the powers she received from being fairykind, but it is discovered that there is something not quite right about Seth anymore either. He can see the shadow that Coulter has become when no one else seems able to see him. There is no explanation for this in the beginning, but fortunately for all involved, the choices that the children made in the past books are starting to stack in their favor. Their abilities give them the opportunity to be included in more events around the preserve, showing that kids are sometimes underestimated and that they are a little smarter and wiser, and far more capable, than people tend to give them credit for.
This book also brings something of the relationship between Seth and Kendra into sharper focus. For the first time, Seth is tangibly jealous about Kendra's abilities and the freedom it affords her. She is in demand and Seth doesn't appear to have anything special going on until he is able to see the shadow of Coulter when the man arrives on their porch. However, Kendra is thrown into even worse danger because of her abilities, danger that none of the others (aside from Warren) can even truly guess at.
The same theme of not trusting everyone you come across is strongly represented in this book as well. Vanessa accuses the only ally everyone thought they could actually believe in of being the man behind the rise of the Society of the Evening Star. This forces all of the other characters to decide who they can actually trust and how they must change their alliances to be sure they can come out on top and stop the opening of the demon prison. It's a strong lesson, and a strong theme that is well represented in the text. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and that is the point that seems to rise above others in this book in particular.
There are still portions of the book, however, when past deeds are forgotten and the kids are treated like incapable children. It seems that no matter how many times they prove themselves or how much insight they are able to show, their grandparents especially are reluctant to treat them like the capable adults they are growing into. This is especially true for Seth as the good choice and actions he makes are typically forgotten about rather quickly, but his mistakes are brought up over and over again. This tends to get tedious throughout the story as, to the reader, it is pretty obvious that Seth has talents of his own that he can offer the preserve to aid in rescuing it. His grandfather, more often than not, patronizes him and spends more time trying to get him to shut up rather than actually listening to his ideas. Though Seth can be a bothersome character, he does contribute good information to conversations and decision making time and time again.
There are many new characters introduced in the book as well as new and interesting types of characters, which keeps the story fresh, but also serves to heighten the urgency. With more magical creatures getting involved in the situation, it becomes harder for others to ignore what might be going on. There are certain creatures that think certain occurrences are beneath them, but even now they are being forced to acknowledge that things are getting darker and they must all band together. The main characters are also learning the same lesson, finding that there are very few people they can trust and they must hold those that they can trust closer to them.
All in all, this is a good addition to the series. It heightens the action, explains unanswered questions, and leaves a few new questions for the reader to discover later on. The added characters range from endearing to obnoxious, but I found that all served to benefit the action and the story in positive ways, even if a particular character might not be the most likable.
stargirlmyaa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
katarina_nowicki's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readbylinds's review against another edition
4.0
Ups the stakes, expands the world. Now it’s time for DRAGONS!!!!
tabsp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75