Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

This novel is the first in a series, and I gave it a rating of five out of five. Seth and Kendra are sent to spend time with their mysterious grandparents at Fablehaven. The kids are unaware that Fablehaven is the home to hundreds of different types of mythical creatures. Seth discovers this soon enough, since he's curious and adventurous (disobedient?) Due to a mystical code of conduct, the creatures cannot perform any magic or harm the humans unless something is done to them first, even if the event is accidental. The main conflict is that Grandma and Grandpa disappear, and the kids must enlist the help of some mythical creatures. In addition, an all-powerful creature that has been imprisoned for hundreds of years is trying to escape. A subplot is that the Society for the Evening Star is destroying havens for mythical creatures all around the world. Fablehaven also holds one of five secret relics that are the keys to some magic power.

This book is a classic fantasy. There is a great deal of interaction with the mystical creatures with some being good and some being bad. I found myself wondering what the kids would find next every time they ventured into the forest. I figured Seth would learn something after disobeying his grandfather a couple of times, but he never did. The author did a nice job of building up the suspense to the climax, and easily left the door open for the sequel, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star.