A review by spootilious
Return of the Dragon Slayers by Brandon Mull

adventurous dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

 

2.5/5 

I’m deeply saddened by the conclusion of one of my favorite Young Adult series, but I am always excited to read a new adventure in the Fablehaven world. 

I have to admit, I was fairly disappointed with Return of the Dragon Slayers. I enjoyed the book well enough, but it certainly lacked the hold the rest of the series seemed to have on me. It felt almost as if Mull needed a break from the series, so he crammed what needed to be two books into one. There was so much happening in so many different places that there wasn’t much flushing out. It almost read like a point-to-point iteration of events (i.e., the reader was told what was happening rather than feeling as if they were experiencing it). I felt that if Mull had stretched some of the events into a sixth book and gave us more detail and emotion that I would be more than happy with the ending of this series. 

As it stands, the ending also felt a bit too open ended for the final installment of Fablehaven/Dragonwatch. I would have loved to have seen an epilogue; perhaps a conclusion to Calvin’s story or the giants as well as our two main characters. 

Speaking of our two main characters; this book really allowed for Seth to shine. In fact, overall I felt Kendra had always been the star of the Fablehaven books and now in Dragonwatch, Seth takes center stage throughout the series which I appreciate. 

The character development throughout the book for both characters was noted and appreciated if not a bit abrupt. Kendra’s final scene left much to be desired, but I can’t fault Mull for that, he has made his name in YA Fantasy not Romance. 

Other than those things Return of the Dragon Slayers had all the greatness of every other Dragonwatch books: lovable characters, decent storylines, medium paced, wonderful settings. All in all not a bad book. 

To put it simply as possible: I just wanted MORE. More details, more feeling, more explanation, more everything.