Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague

Title: Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Juvenile Fantasy
Got it from: Library
Why I read it: third in a series
Grade: B

Summary:
Strange things are afoot at Fablehaven.  Someone or something has released a plague that transforms beings of light into creatures of darkness.  Seth discovers the problem in its infancy, but as the infectious disease spreads, it becomes clear that the preserve cannot hold for long.  In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn.  Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the Knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another artifact.


My review:
I was a little bit disappointed with this book.  I thought the first half was quite slow.  There was too much figuring things out and looking for things, and not a whole lot of action.  The thing that works for me with the Fablehaven books is that there is a lot of magic, creativity, and imagination.  Without that, the books fail.  I felt the first half was lacking in that aspect.  I just didn't feel motivated to pick up the book, so what should have been a quick read took me a long time to read.

The second half picked up quite nicely, though.  The magic that I loved from the other books was there.  It was action packed, and kept me turning the pages.  Maybe the first half needed tighter editing, or maybe I am just spoiled and demand action every second.  :)  I'm not sure.  I would recommend this book to those who have been reading the series, but honestly, if this had been the first book of the series, I may have given up without getting to the good second half, and wouldn't have continued the series.