Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven Series #2) »

Brandon Mull published his first book Fablehaven in the summer of 2006. His publisher, Shadow Mountain, rejected a manuscript he submitted in 2005 that was geared towards adults. But the editors liked his writing style and asked him to try and create a story for a younger audience. He already had the idea for Fablehaven and wrote the book during the next five months on nights and weekends while still working his day job writing marketing copy for a movie company.

At the end of the school year, Kendra and her brother Seth find themselves racing back to Fablehaven, a refuge for mythical and magical creatures. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists -- a potion master, a magical relics collector, and a mystical creature trapper -- to help protect the property from the Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to infiltrate the preserve and steal a hidden artifact of great power. Time is running out. The Evening Star is storming the gates. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves and possibly the world. Will Kendra learn to use her fairy gifts in time? Will Seth stay out of trouble?

The New York Times - Julie Just

Mull's awkward writing sometimes underscores the overfamiliar plot mechanics of the two-children-save-the-world fantasy, but his story offers unexpected twists and entertainingly scary creatures.