Reviews

Le sanctuaire secret by Brandon Mull

bpirkle's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

shayliebird's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

pandacat42's review against another edition

4.0

Overall an excellent read, though a little slow-going at first. I finally got into it around page fifty. At the end while Kendra was making up her mind about what to do there were a lot of flashback examples of her careful nature. To me the flashbacks at the end slowed down the action just a little.

I love Lena's backstory. Very interested to see if anything happens with her in the future.

I enjoyed the characterization when not in the form of an info-dump. I found myself really caring for the characters. Characterization and relationships are what I enjoy reading about the most.

moussi's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

lizandlibrary's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

exlibris007's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

crystal_reading's review against another edition

2.0

This really reminded me of the Spiderwick Chronicles for some reason. I think it seemed that the story was more about the kinds of creatures than really about personalities and plot. The characters were mostly annoying to me rather than interesting. I know many of my students love this series, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

miedzyslowamii's review against another edition

4.0

Świetna książka. Kocham wykreowany w niej świat oraz bohaterów, chociaż Seth dość mocno mnie irytował. Wkręciłam się w tą historię tak, że czasem ciężko było mi ją odłożyć. Myślę, że mimo, że czuć, że jest przeznaczona dla młodszych to spodoba się każdemu.

alliereneau's review against another edition

3.0

Ok book. Didn't really hold my interest all that well. Lots of fairies and "make believe" characters. Not that that's bad, just couldn't really love the book. I think it might be because I have a ton of other books to read right now so I kind of rushed through it. I will check out the 2nd one to see if it holds my interest longer.

graff_fuller's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This is my second time trying to finish this story. The first time was during our Bedtime Bookworm Discord Book Club...a few years ago. At that time, the story just wasn't what I wanted to read. I rarely read Middle Grade, since I am NOT the intended audience (being 57 years old), but this time...I flew through it. 

The story was the same (obviously), but I was different. I was able to get past my frustrations (and I did have a lot of frustrations), but was able to see the story as it was intened...to teach children good responses to the difficulties that they will come into their lives.

The main character is a fourteen year old girl named Kendra. She is plagued with her eleven year old brother...who's a rule breaker...while she herself is a rule believer.

These two kids are thrust onto their reclusive grandparents...while their parents go on vacation.

Neither of the them want to be there (with their grandparents), because they've never bonded with their father's parents...who rarely visit...and when they do...it is usually individually and for very short periods of time.

Also, their grandparents live in the wilderness of Connecticut...away from everyone/everything (so it seems).

When they arrive...what they see is not exactly what it appears.

The adventure that the two of them go on...while at Fablehaven will forever change them, and one more than the other.

One, Seth...Kendra's brother is a pain in the ass. He NEVER follows the rules...almost always gets caught...and plays the victum. 

I would NEVER have allowed that in our house, but it seems Seth is a lot like our own son. Oops. So...there was pain in reading this story.

Now, Kendra on the other hand...reminds me of our youngest daughter...and she's the joy of my life. So, when Seth does/did things against Kendra and whatever was going on...I had emotional responses negative against Seth and positive towards Kendra.

I actually am thinking of continuing with this series...for the ending really gripped me.

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