Return of the Dragon Slayers: A Fablehaven Adventure

Dragonwatch #5

by Brandon Mull

The epic finale of the New York Times bestselling sequel series to Fablehaven from author Brandon Mull.

The magical world teeters on the brink of collapse. The Dragon King, Celebrant, has united the dragons into a vengeful army, and only a final artifact stands in the way of them unleashing their fury against humankind. With established allegiances shifting under the strain, Seth and Kendra find themselves in desperate need of new allies.

Seth must face his most dangerous quest—the fulfillment of his pledge to the Singing Sisters. With only Calvin the Tiny Hero at his side, Seth needs to collect the pieces of the Ethergem, including the stones from the crowns of the Dragon King, the Giant Queen, and the Demon King.

Halfway across the world, Kendra finds herself torn between her duty to Dragonwatch and her desire to rescue Bracken. Can she challenge Ronodin’s control of the fairy realm without leaving the five legendary dragon slayers to be hunted by Celebrant and his sons?

Left behind at Titan Valley, Knox and Tess must survive the aftermath of the Giant Queen’s fall. Will the secret crown in Knox’s possession prove too much for him to handle?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Dragons, Audiobook, Young Adult, Adventure

640 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2021

About the author

BRANDON MULL is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife, Erlyn, their eleven children, and three mischievous cats. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.

Reviews

[Nikola · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Baśniobór” byłby niekompletny bez „Smoczej straży”. Uwielbiam te serie.

[Athena Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow. I don't even know what to say. I started Fablehaven when I was 11 and it's been a remarkable 11 years following Kendra and Seth's journey. It feels so surreal to finish the finale to their journey and I feel so empty knowing that another Dragonwatch book will not be coming around next year.

Brandon Mull created a stunning finale that keeps you on your toes. I spent the whole day at work just not doing work. I was reading this masterpiece instead. Not once did I feel bored. My heart was always racing and there were times where I actually screamed aloud.

As for the character endings, I was very satisfied with most of them. There was one exception but Kendra, Seth and the rest of the ensemble had fulfilling endings.

If Brandon Mull decides to write another book with Kendra and Seth, he will definitely be taking my money.

I don't know what else to do right now. What can I do now that I've finished Dragonwatch?

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not ready!

...............................................................

Any amount of time always feels brief at its end.

Knox, Tess, Newel, and Doren are all hiding with some of the remaining Giants. They find out that Titan Valley is quickly emptying since the Dragons attacked and the Titan games are no more. Seth and Calvin escape from the Dragon King's capture with some help from the Singing sisters but Seth also has to complete a mission or two for the Sisters which he had promised them a long ago. A promise is a promise as we all know.

Kendra has her own things to worry about as she is trying to round up all the legendary Dragon slayers since everyone thinks that if the Dragons aren't stopped, the whole human, as well as the magic world, could perish. They are also short on allies.

Would Seth and Kendra be able to complete their missions and stop the Dragons from taking over the world? Let's find out.

Spoilers ahead

Seth ends up finding two of the legendary swords but they do more harm than good to him. Now that Seth has his memories back, he obviously mourns the things he had done whilst he had lost his memories. He struggles with the darkness too but he also wants to do the right thing. He is determined to do everything he can to stop the Dragons. Of course, he is still accompanied by Calvin and he also wants to help Calvin break the nipsie curse. Seth goes on quite a journey to gather all the pieces of the Ethergem. I absolutely loved his story as it is no secret that I love Seth more than Kendra.

Kendra is trying to find the legendary Dragon slayers and she finds help in the unlikeliest of the allies, the demons. She is hesitant to recruit their help which is understandable as they fought the demons not too long ago and she doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes. She finds a companion - a satyr, Virgil, and, two flying horses to help her in her mission. She also meets another unicorn and unlocks some of her hidden powers. I really liked Kendra in this as she behaved quite maturely in this and she did things out of her comfort zone and she actually took action instead of having everything handed to her by others.

I love how far both Seth and Kendra have come in their respective journeys. I know the series only takes place over a few months' time but I loved seeing their characters develop so much. They have learned so much and have grown so much and for some reason, it makes me so proud of both of them. I also loved how their journeys help both of them find their locked powers too.

I didn't much like Knox's storyline as I felt he wasn't that big of a part in this series but ends up getting the Giant Queen's crown but I liked how it was handled later on. Tess was alright. Newel and Doren were barely there but as usual, they brought a smile to my face and I also teared up when things go south. Warren, Vanessa, and Tanu were practically not there. The same goes for Bracken, I don't know why Bracken is even in the series except that he is a unicorn and serves as a love interest for Kendra. But I like him all the same.

I also loved how some of the things happened with cleverness like tricking Ronodin. That was such a treat. I also loved the betrayal even though it is betrayal and I have to say that I had seen it coming. Also, could someone kill The Sphinx once and for all?

A lot of new characters are introduced and they all served some sort of purpose. Some served a bigger purpose than others but that's to be expected. I loved the globe-trotting journey to find the legendary Dragon slayers. We find more about Seth's magic, about Kendra's magic, about the magic as a whole, about the lost civilization, and many more things. I mean so many secrets and further mysteries are revealed about this world and I loved them all. Everything makes even more sense now and I didn't know that was possible. Brandon Mull's imagination knows no bounds. And his writing is engaging.

I love the world of Fablehaven and this was a much-awaited finale for me and Brandon Mull does not disappoint. It is a long book but I devoured it because once I started reading, I could not put it down. A lot happens and there was a lot to be covered, Brandon Mull does a great job of tying everything up nicely.

There were a few things that I didn't like or I think could have been handled differently. The biggest complaint I have is that this should have been done in two books because a few of the things did feel rushed. I also didn't like Bracken's ending. I also think that Brandon Mull should have included the parents and grandparents in the series. At least, we find out that the grandparents are alright. Other than that this is an exceptional read.

As this is the last book in the series and the Fablehaven world, as much as I wanted to read this, I also kind of dreaded it as I hate goodbyes. My heart is crying as I am writing this review. I hope Brandon Mull writes another book or ten in this world.

4.5 stars

[Jennifer O'Barr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers-There she Glows-And then there was One

After a long wait it finally arrived, the finale I have been so excited for. I have to admit to being one of the old timers reading this book, so yeah I’m a bit old for it, but I’ve loved Kendra and Seth’s story since the first pages of Fablehaven. I will also be the first to admit that I have loved Kendra’s story the most; as Seth made me want to lock him in the dungeon more often than not. I have never felt more judgment of a guardian’s leadership style then when reading about Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson letting Seth get away with pretty much anything; with just a slap on the wrist. But never fear, Brandon Mull did a wonderful job when completing the Fablehaven series. Having Seth learn some really hard lessons about actions having consequences even if they aren’t immediate.


Mr. Mull continued that trend through the first four books of his amazing follow up series -Dragonwatch. Seth and Kendra are having to learn and grow so much through the books. Seth getting a very unique opportunity for growth when he loses his memories, enabling him to figure out who he is at his very core. I was very excited, having grown to enjoy Seth’s character almost as much as Kendra’s this time around. I was anxious to see how Brandon Mull would have Seth grow further now that he has his memories back. I was also extremely hopeful that we would get to see Kendra (finally after 9 books) expand and grow her powers as we saw Seth do immediately after losing his memories ….What a joke.


Dragonwatch book 5 starts out strong with a smooth flow between most of the main characters stories, and about half way through the beginning of the book I was all ready to jump up and down with excitement. All I can say is I’m glad I held off. Once you reach about half way through the story you have reached the conclusion that Mr. Mull very obviously has a favorite character and he very obviously wanted to prove to everyone that he could wrap up all the loose ends of his story in one final book.

Shoving aside almost all other characters, and regulating Kendra’s expanding powers to her learning to glow on a level non magical people can see...Brandon Mull focuses all his efforts to wrap up his storylines on Seth. Killing Celebrant-Seth, finding the source-Seth, changing the tide of the dragon war-Seth, breaking the Nipsie curse-Seth (with a nod to Calvin). Kendra did nothing but shine in the dragons eyes, and break her ankle in a scene we weren’t apart of. Some of our other favorite Character’s, like Bracken, didn’t even show up until the end. Then after 2 lines were pushed to the background.


I can’t even think of the last time I was so disappointed in a book, diehard fans of Seth will love this book. Brandon Mull did a fantastic job with his story line, but he really dropped the ball and let us all down when it came to Kendra’s and anyone else’s. I try to think that Brandon Mull thought he was just being fair, Kendra Killed the Demon King so let’s give Seth his moment. I would be able to accept that, except that even though Kendra killed the Demon King in The Key’s to the Demon Prison, Seth got his moment to shine when he killed not only Graulus, but Nagi Luna as well. He also enabled his companions to not only claim the keys to the demon prison, but he was the one to get Vasilis the sword Kendra borrowed to kill the demon king.


If Mr. Mull hadn’t been so focused on tying up all his loose ends in one final book instead of breaking it into two, with the way this final story started, he would have had the opportunity to create a much more enjoyable story instead of a checklist of things that needed to be solved. Getting all the shards to the ethergem- easy we’ll just have the Sphinx come with the translocator....we’ll toss the fact that only three people can use the translocator out the window for our convenience. We can have Seth and his group go into the new demon prison. Not run into ANY problems there, and talk Orogoro into giving up the stone in his crown with no argument-Check. Resolving the Ronidin situation-simple we’ll just have him run off without a fight straight to, you guessed it, Seth and he’ll willingly let Seth take him wherever he wants to without an argument, no fight or fast talking-Check.

Finding the legendary Dragon Slayers- hmmm- if all of them get involved that’s going to be a lot of new characters. So instead we will have Kendra, with the Fairy King’s help, needlessly give Noble and Glory, the speechless luvians, voices creating two extra characters that he doesn’t do anything with. To try and appease those who will be upset about her not getting to do anything else with her powers besides shine (it didn’t work-we’re still upset). So instead of finding all the Dragon Slayers and having them be actual characters in the story, we’ll kill of the first one Kendra finds (Not at all a repetition of a previous story line of Kendra’s….) then we’ll have her actually find one of them-mainly as a plot device so Kendra can end up with the others in Selona. The other Dragon Slayer we’ll only give 2 lines and Konrad will be found by…you guessed it again…Seth.


That checks off finding the Dragon Slayers and getting them involved, now we’ve got killing Celebrant...wait for it…Seth can do it. With his mighty sword Vasilis, and his brand new updated powers (because we needed to spend time on that, it’s not like anyone else needed to develop their powers) we will try to show a mighty fight scene that boils down to Seth dodging two attack’s from Celebrant before he guts him…-Check I guess.


Now we are left with a few more plot holes, so what shall we do? Brandon Mull's answer is to send Kendra and Bracken, and of course his most favorite, Seth to Blackwell Keep where Kendra gets to rescue their Grandparents…No wait, all she gets to do is shine for just a minute. Then there’s Seth showing off his brand new powers! Offering the creatures from the Blackwell a chance for relief and peace, or an ultimatum of going back into the Blackwell before he clears them out with his sword…So glad Kendra and Bracken were there to help with that crazy situation…false.


We did finally on the last page of the book get the KISS we have been waiting for, longer than Kendra herself has, but what a disappointment of an ending. It was so sudden, Kendra and Bracken finally kiss, Kendra starts glowing because that’s all she’s good for per Brandon Mulls writing and then BAM end. Honestly when I finished I was so startled that was the end I flipped around through my pages a bit to confirm I wasn’t missing the last page. Unfortunately I wasn’t missing any pages it really does end that suddenly and all I was left with was a heaping load of disappointment and frustration.


All in all I would still recommend the Fablehaven book series to young readers, but I don’t know if I would encourage them to continue on to Dragonwatch. The first two books were slow and frustrating in large part; then books three and four reignited my excitement and love for Fablehaven only to be let down at the end.

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any amount of time always feels brief at its end.

Knox, Tess, Newel, and Doren are all hiding with some of the remaining Giants. They find out that Titan Valley is quickly emptying since the Dragons attacked and the Titan games are no more. Seth and Calvin escape from the Dragon King's capture with some help from the Singing sisters but Seth also has to complete a mission or two for the Sisters which he had promised them a long ago. A promise is a promise as we all know.

Kendra has her own things to worry about as she is trying to round up all the legendary Dragon slayers since everyone thinks that if the Dragons aren't stopped, the whole human, as well as the magic world, could perish. They are also short on allies.

Would Seth and Kendra be able to complete their missions and stop the Dragons from taking over the world? Let's find out.

Spoilers ahead

Seth ends up finding two of the legendary swords but they do more harm than good to him. Now that Seth has his memories back, he obviously mourns the things he had done whilst he had lost his memories. He struggles with the darkness too but he also wants to do the right thing. He is determined to do everything he can to stop the Dragons. Of course, he is still accompanied by Calvin and he also wants to help Calvin break the nipsie curse. Seth goes on quite a journey to gather all the pieces of the Ethergem. I absolutely loved his story as it is no secret that I love Seth more than Kendra.

Kendra is trying to find the legendary Dragon slayers and she finds help in the unlikeliest of the allies, the demons. She is hesitant to recruit their help which is understandable as they fought the demons not too long ago and she doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes. She finds a companion - a satyr, Virgil, and, two flying horses to help her in her mission. She also meets another unicorn and unlocks some of her hidden powers. I really liked Kendra in this as she behaved quite maturely in this and she did things out of her comfort zone and she actually took action instead of having everything handed to her by others.

I love how far both Seth and Kendra have come in their respective journeys. I know the series only takes place over a few months' time but I loved seeing their characters develop so much. They have learned so much and have grown so much and for some reason, it makes me so proud of both of them. I also loved how their journeys help both of them find their locked powers too.

I didn't much like Knox's storyline as I felt he wasn't that big of a part in this series but ends up getting the Giant Queen's crown but I liked how it was handled later on. Tess was alright. Newel and Doren were barely there but as usual, they brought a smile to my face and I also teared up when things go south. Warren, Vanessa, and Tanu were practically not there. The same goes for Bracken, I don't know why Bracken is even in the series except that he is a unicorn and serves as a love interest for Kendra. But I like him all the same.

I also loved how some of the things happened with cleverness like tricking Ronodin. That was such a treat. I also loved the betrayal even though it is betrayal and I have to say that I had seen it coming. Also, could someone kill The Sphinx once and for all?

A lot of new characters are introduced and they all served some sort of purpose. Some served a bigger purpose than others but that's to be expected. I loved the globe-trotting journey to find the legendary Dragon slayers. We find more about Seth's magic, about Kendra's magic, about the magic as a whole, about the lost civilization, and many more things. I mean so many secrets and further mysteries are revealed about this world and I loved them all. Everything makes even more sense now and I didn't know that was possible. Brandon Mull's imagination knows no bounds. And his writing is engaging.

I love the world of Fablehaven and this was a much-awaited finale for me and Brandon Mull does not disappoint. It is a long book but I devoured it because once I started reading, I could not put it down. A lot happens and there was a lot to be covered, Brandon Mull does a great job of tying everything up nicely.

There were a few things that I didn't like or I think could have been handled differently. The biggest complaint I have is that this should have been done in two books because a few of the things did feel rushed. I also didn't like Bracken's ending. I also think that Brandon Mull should have included the parents and grandparents in the series. At least, we find out that the grandparents are alright. Other than that this is an exceptional read.

As this is the last book in the series and the Fablehaven world, as much as I wanted to read this, I also kind of dreaded it as I hate goodbyes. My heart is crying as I am writing this review. I hope Brandon Mull writes another book or ten in this world.

4.5 stars

[mroz_onka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nie wierzę, że to już koniec
Może napiszę jakąś recenzję jak się pozbieram, albo nie

[Porter Wayman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Official rating, 2.5

Fablehaven, and in extension Dragonwatch, is a series that is close to my heart. It is better than Harry Potter, better than Percy Jackson, and was a staple of my childhood. I read Book 4# of Dragon Watch and was absolutely blown away. I still consider Champion of the Dragon Games the best book written by Brandon Mull, for how everything was set up so perfectly, and yet it was a satisfying story.

That build up came to nothing.

I was certain he could do an ending to be remembered, an ending just as good as Fablehaven or the Five Kingdoms. I wanted it to be that good, but it didn't end up being that.

Positives, Seth's Arc and the world building. In each installment, we get this hidden fantasy world that just gets bigger and bigger. In the last one, we had a Sanctuary where Dragons weren't free, but instead enslaved. I loved that, and in this book we get knowledge about this hidden kingdom, the source of magic. Seth's arc is great as well, he is dealing with the consequences of his actions to try and redeam himself, and it's heartbreaking.

Cons, pretty much everything else.
Does Knox even do anything during the final battle? It felt like he was supposed to do so much, along with Kendra, and yet ended up not even fighting a dragon. Nearly every side character is forgotten, all in the name of Seth. I wanted to get back to Eve, the Fair Folk girl that Seth had a crush on, but we don't even get that. I wanted to be with Vanessa, Andromadus, and so many others, but it didn't come. The only side character which I felt was justified was Raxtus, and that is it. All of it feels rushed and cut out. In my own writing, I originally had several side characters just killed in the final battle meaninglessly, but in edits I saw how bad that was and I basicly rewrote the end. The entire end. Yes, my writing is a whole lot longer, 50 pages is now 110, but it was worth it. Here, we have everything built up only for nothing.

The Dragon King, Ronodin, all the villains could have had satisfying endings, they were amazing villains! But they were just killed or sent off without another thought.

This book could have been split into two, or at least one massive, thousand page book. The editing feels off, the ending is crap, it felt like it needed to slow down to give us the room for everyone to have their ending. I'm sorry Mull, but this is just disapointing. I don't know what happened, if your publisher wanted to push for a fall release each year, but this book needed to be longer by a long shot. This is the first real negative experience I had with Mull, and I just hope he can recognize what he did wrong for the future.

[Hunter Stephens · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know if most of the book left a 'meh' taste in my mouth because its coming off the heels of the conclusion to what ended up being one of my favorite series I've read, or if I just grew out of it, but I wasn't super impressed by the book. I know it's YA, and I should set my expectations for that, but I had a few issues with it that I don't know if I can overlook. A part of that is the prose, short sentences, and lack of hard emotional impact for consequences of actions, but again - YA book.

One of the big problems I had was the pacing, and how the book felt like it was trying to do too much. This is a common problem I've seen in Fantasy, especially finales, where the author has 50 different threads to try and manage and tie up neatly, and somewhat fumbles it in the end. The whole book to me felt like a series of fetch quests. The Duo has to go track down ten different things and stop a war all in one book - And if that sounds like a lot, it's because it is.

Each 'retrieval' is two-three chapters max (not counting the intermediary information gathering visits) which means characters, settings, and threat are all introduced, rushed through, and discarded before moving on to the next one. One especially egregious example I recall happened in America where Kendra needs to find a dragon slayer known as a local folklore beast. It felt super disjointed and rushed through to me, and more like a checklist than a plot.

Besides the pacing, I really wish that things would have been more 'emotionally impactful' in the end. The stakes were 'High', but it felt like a charade. Consequences were minimal, and the actual final battle took all of a few chapters. I genuinely enjoyed the downturn of Seth in the last few books because it explored an interesting side of growth that I haven't seen much in this type of established character. Unfortunately, I feel like it didn't go far enough. Even through all the guilt, borderline suicidal thoughts, and despair he is burdened to carry, it doesn't have any sort of consequence in the end. All debts are paid and wounds are magically healed, and his 'darkness that lives inside' is suddenly now a light version of his dark power. Like, was he seriously just 'saved' by a magic baptism? I kinda hate that

Again, I understand it's YA, but a followthrough on the dark thoughts and burdens that everyone has (Young Adult or not) would have been a great use of his character arc. No magic healing to stave off the suicidal thoughts and depression but instead a look at how longterm abuse can affect a person. There are some tiny moments - one off sentences - that make it seem like things are going this way, and are going to be explored, before it's just right back to 'the fetch quest at hand'.

Pros:
- Decent finale, not so decent journey to get there
- The wrap up/authors note at the end about the two series was very touching. Especially since I've been reading these for over a decade.
Cons:
- Way too much going on. It likely could have been two books, or some events consolidated to keep the 5 and 5 structure of the two series in tact
- The prose was pretty terse and unbearable at some points (maybe growing out of the series, or coming off of a far more 'literary' book)
- Low consequences for all the events and supposed stakes of the story

[Mateusz · Rating 5 out of 5]

To była piękna podróż
Thank you Brand

[Haven B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great finale to the series and the best Dragonwatch book! Maybe even my favorite Brandon Mull book I've read so far. I really liked this one, the finale crescendo of the conflict between dragons and heroes.
I feel like most of the important plot threads were tied up and a satisfactory amount of questions were answered. Of course, back before 2021 when this was released, readers of the series up to this point questioned and scolded Mull that it was impossible for him to write an ending that answered everything and concluded it all well in just one more book. I think he proved them 99% wrong - Return of the Dragon Slayers, specifically its last few chapters, avoided falling into the ditch readers feared and which I have seen so many others do, that of cramming it all in last minute and having everything happen in the last chapters. The book spread it out well; Seth finishes his side quests throughout the book and resolves his duties and favors as they come. His character development has been one of the biggest and well written I have seen in a young adult Fantasy like this, and I think he's become my fav Fablehaven-world character. Especially in this last one, he really finds his "true potential" and has some epic moments and abilities (including picking up so awesome "McGuffins"), without spoiling anything specifically.
I like Kendra less so between the two main characters, which is funny considering it was the opposite back in the Fablehaven series when he was more of a rash brat, and I think this is a spot where Mull could have not left so many unanswered questions about her in the last book, like teasing what more her abilities could do and such. But nonetheless, while being a more static character imo, she does at least have a happily ever after, more so in this one particular way that very much differs from what we see with Seth.
I won't repeat in detail my grievances with Mull's way of sidelining great side characters or even mediocre ones like the parents who you start to wonder about and where they are, but whilst he brought some into the forefront more than ever before in this one what with the Endgame-type final battle with everyone, I still felt that he should just not bring so many players in and make us like them if he is going to stick them away somewhere off-page.
Like Wingfeather Saga, which like this also had the author say firmly this is the last of the main characters' story, I would love to see more of this world and its stories (although this had a much much less ambiguous sob ending than that lol). At least I'm satisfied with this ending and enjoyed the series greatly - but a fond farewell is still a farewell.
5/5 stars

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Seth has matured and has truly became his best self! I loved the ending, but wished there was more of a prologue a few years in the future... Maybe when Kendra graduates high school? It would have been nice to see how the consequences of the dragon war were starting to be resolved and the lives being rebuilt.

Overal,l I thoroughly loved growing with these series and would love to see more from the fablehaven universe!

[Lady Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 / 5

**Caution, definite spoilers ahead!**

I realize that I read this in a ridiculously short amount of time (one day), but when you've waited for so long to finally reach the end of the story that took 10 books to get through, the temptation to NOT put the book down at all costs is too great to resist!

Here it is, once and for all: the culmination, the finale, the absolute THE END of everything in the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch universe!

And for what it is...

It MOSTLY lived up to my expectations.

Ahem, let's start off with the less good stuff, since I always like to end on a high note and will therefore leave the best for last. Here's what I didn't much appreciate:

Not enough Bracken

*sighs* I guess, even though we got a badass unicorn battle after the angst of Book 3, maybe Bracken was ultimately just a love interest for Kendra from the beginning. I had SUCH high hopes for him at the beginning of Dragonwatch, hoping to have more of him like we did in Keys to the Demon Prison. Unfortunately though, Bracken only shows up in the last 100 pages of this 600 page book, and even then, he's not always at the heart of the action. Somehow, after escaping Ronodin in Book 3, he manages to get himself captured AGAIN like he did in Book 2, and so we don't get as much of a focus on him. Honestly, it felt a bit like even Kendra was more indifferent to him at this point, not as worried and just kind of accepting her time away from him. Again, even though she didn't dwell on it in Book 2, at least we saw that she was worried and thought about him from time to time. Now, she's just 100% mission focused. Aaaand, speaking of which...

Kendra's mission was a repeat of Keys to the Demon Prison pretty much, sans Bracken

Remember how they had to hunt down the Eternals in Book 5 of Fablehaven? Well, now Kendra has to track down the legendary Dragon Slayers, which give this book its title. I've read reviews on Goodreads that claim that the better and more accurate title would be "Fragments of the Ethergem", and...yeah, that's pretty much true, as the dragon slayers don't end up doing too much. They're great to have around as backup and all and they build on the lore that Mull set up throughout the Dragonwatch series, but at the end of the day, after the final battle, we're not even told what happens to them, and which reminds me...

The ending feels abrupt and incomplete

Ever seen a checklist FULL of important things, but only SOME of them are checked off?

Yeah, that's this ending pretty much.

Like...in the book trailer on YouTube (see link further down in my pre-read review, part 2 video link), Mull states in the video that there are a lot of characters in all, so he wants to make sure that he doesn't forget anyone or anything. That's well and good, but, ahem, here are a few questions that I have that were left unanswered:

1. How come we don't get to see Newel and Doren at the end of the story? Y'know, just to make sure they're okay?

2. How about a reunion scene between ALL of Seth, Kendra, Knox, and Tess's family? Just having them mentioned as all being back at Fablehaven isn't enough.

3. Dale? Eve and Seth ending up together? Hugo? Kendra's promise to Ronodin that she's still technically bound by? <--all trains of thought that were dropped somewhere

4. Also, lore-wise, how come the Translocator can now take as many people as it wants anywhere at any time? It's been some time since I read the original Fablehaven books where it was introduced, but I seem to remember that a pretty big plot point that only 3 people can use the Translocator at one time, with the middle section controlling where they go. It's probably a minor detail in this story, I know, since it would just hold up the action for Mull to keep writing about how people need to go back and forth (which kind of happens anyway), but keeping consistency with the lore WOULD be nice--I mean, at least give a reason if you're changing it, it would only take a quick second of a character explaining that, "Oh yeah, the Translocator has been magically adapted to teleport any number of people now." *coughs* Just saying.

Ahem, and FINALLY, last but certainly not least...

Ronodin's punishment wasn't enough

Um...like, can we even call it a punishment?

Actually, can we even call Ronodin's "role" in this story as much of a role at all?

Just to say, throughout this series and especially in Master of the Phantom Isle, Ronodin was played up a lot as a villain, and as the books progressed he just seemed to be getting worse and worse and more and more evil. He became very much an enigmatic agent of chaos, with no loyalties and no scruples. Just...UGH!

However, in this book, where it seems like he would be leading things and finally revealing his nefarious purposes, it just...seems like Mull dropped him, not really knowing what to do with him.

*nods*

Yup, that's it. Ronodin pretty much does N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

Well, apart from imprison Bracken. Again. And randomly propose marriage to Kendra because just...ugh.

But as the new Fairy King? Nope. Nada.

In fact, his "defeat" isn't really much of a defeat at all, since it seems like he would've brought about his own downfall anyway. Not much of a confrontation at the end, when Ronodin literally just abandons the crown randomly in a moment of panic.

It...didn't FEEL like Ronodin.

Also, what the heck was up with him riding a bike? Like...WTF? Evil vibes....???

____________________________________

Anyway, long rant aside, that was all the bad stuff, that ultimately had me bringing this one painful star down much as I absolutely love the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch universe overall! Now though, let's get to the good stuff:

All of Seth's journey, even though it's also kind of a repeat of his mission in Keys to the Demon Prison

It only makes sense that since the Fablehaven series had Kendra as the main protagonist and final hero, that Dragonwatch puts Seth more in the spotlight as well. His journey has, by far, been way more painful and less straightforward than Kendra's, so it was so immensely satisfying to watch him go through it and then get not only a badass fight scene and powers, but a resolution at the end that he really deserves.

Ever since the beginning of Champion of the Titan Games when Seth's on his own and away from Ronodin's clutches, I was 100% on board with his missions and often found his chapters the most compelling. At this point, Kendra just had so much support in the story whereas Seth only had himself to rely on (and Calvin, of course), and in Book 5 it's kind of the same thing.

Except that Seth has wings. Which is awesome.

Anyway, although his story in this is really a series of mini-quests that all lead up to a bigger quest at the end, I was excited and scared for him every step of the way and, midway through the book after he got stabbed with the Unforgiving Blade, I honestly wasn't sure if he'd make it until the end of the story or not. Like, even in the trailer (part 3, which I didn't link but which is on YouTube), Celebrant threatens that Mull "doesn't need both Kendra and Seth to survive to the end", and after the rough going that Seth had, I honestly thought it a possibility that Mull might sacrifice him in some dramatic and totally heroic way. I'm SOOOO glad that wasn't the case, but D-A-M-N! Seth was in some sadistic pain in this one, it really had me feeling sorry for him!

However, that just makes his resolution all the more heartwarming, and we also really get a sense by the end of the story that Seth's grown up. I mean, both Seth and Kendra have undoubtedly matured, but, if I had to pick, I'd say that Seth is more the protagonist of Dragonwatch than Kendra is, so his changes and transformations in the story therefore amount to more. I was so proud of him and really thought he deserved his ending!

More lore additions, descriptions, and all the actions

This really speaks for itself, no? We get a lot of new additions to the lore in the story and especially near the end with legendary stuff, and while I was wondering if this wasn't kind of ex-machina-ing the plot, I don't think it touched quite that territory, and so everything was super acceptable on that score.

Just think of it as pretty much the entire book when it comes down to it. (Sorry that I don't have as much to rant about here, but this review is already getting rather long and my weary eyes are done with reading for today, so I'd like to end this review swiftly now.)

______________________

That being said, it's official ranking time, first with JUST the Dragonwatch books, and then with ALL the Fablehaven universe books:

My ranking of the Dragonwatch books

1. Wrath of the Dragon King (Book 2)
2. Champion of the Titan Games (Book 4)
3. Dragonwatch (Book 1)
4. Return of the Dragon Slayers (Book 5)
5. Master of the Phantom Isle (Book 3)

And now, ahem,

My definitive ranking of ALL the books in the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch universe

1. Keys to the Demon Prison (FH Book 5)
2. Wrath of the Dragon King (DW Book 2)
3. Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (FH Book 4)
4. Grip of the Shadow Plague (FH Book 3)
5. Champion of the Titan Games (DW Book 4)
6. Dragonwatch (BW Book 1)
7. Fablehaven (FH Book 1)
8. Rise of the Evening Star (FH Book 2)
9. Return of the Dragon Slayers (DW Book 5)
10. Master of the Phantom Isle (DW Book 3)

So...yeah, ultimately this book, despite being the finale, is pretty much at the lower end of the list, but keep in mind that just means I liked it LESS than the other books, not necessarily that it's a bad book overall. I see the problems with it, but maybe once I re-read all 10 books in yet another reading marathon of the series in the future, I may change my opinion. Stay tuned for an eventual 2nd reading review if such is the case.

Ultimately though, just as a final note before I sign off, overall I'd definitely say to those looking to go into this series that Fablehaven is the superior series to Dragonwatch. Sure, it may not have...well, as many dragons, or as many cool powers for the characters or as much lore involved, but...it's more evenly balanced, and the ending feels more complete. As a series, Fablehaven also has more of a buildup and complete vision in mind, whereas Dragonwatch feels a little bit forced at times, with more filler (*cough*Book 3*cough*) and more incongruencies with the characters and what's happening in the worldview overall. I'm not saying it's an author that's lost his touch writing this series, but it IS an author who's gotten over this world and perhaps extended it for two long? Dragonwatch is one of those series that started out great but then...just didn't stick the landing.

You know, kind of like the Star Wars sequel trilogy of middle grade fantasy? Same as the The Heroes of Olympus series that didn't need to be tacked on to the Percy Jackson series.

In some ways, perhaps Mr. Mull outgrew his world, just like Mr. Riordan?

Pre-Read Review:

Okay, first off, the trailer for this book is hilarious:

Part 1: Ronodin meets with Celebrant and Muriel for a council meeting of "evil states the obvious"

Part 2: Where we see Mull's writing in progress, as encouraged by his publisher

Part 3: still waiting on this one.

[Roni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

I didn’t really liked the ending and how some things got resolved

full review to come

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Rozczarowało mnie to zakończenie. I bez względu na to, jak bardzo boli mnie, kiedy to mówię, to tak jest i nie mogę pozbyć się tego przykrego uczucia z piersi. Nie tego się spodziewałam po tym, jak długą drogę przeszliśmy i ile czasu przygotowaliśmy się na ostateczną bitwę. Tyle przeszkód, problemów, planów, żeby rozegrać to na ilu? Dwóch stronach? Na słuchawkach cała bitwa trwała chyba nie dłużej niż mgnienie oka. Po raz kolejny autorzy przedstawiają smoki jako istoty przerażające, zdolne pobić świat, które, gdy sytuacja tego wymaga, można pokonać w kilka minut. Nie, nie i jeszcze raz nie. Zero napięcia. Nie poczułam tego, nie przekonało mnie i jest mi zwyczajnie przykro, że to, co powinno być epickie, zostało tak brutalnie zepsute.

Poza tym - to była naprawdę dobra przygoda. Przydarzyło się tutaj mnóstwo świetnych rzeczy, chociaż ten wątek z zabójcami smoków nie do końca mnie kupił. Ogromnie podoba mi się rozwój Setha, który zdecydowanie był bohaterem tego tomu i jego mroczne moce, to coś, co śledziłam z większym zainteresowaniem, niż przygody jego siostry.

Fajnie też, że autor mimo wszystko pozamykał wątki i nie zostawił otwartych furtek. Zdecydowanie najbardziej podobało mi się, że w końcu przełamaliśmy klątwę nypsików - zaskoczenie totalne, a jaka satysfakcja, że mały ludek otrzymał wolność.

Gdy pojawiła się informacja o kontynuacji Baśnioboru prawie płakałam z radości, ale na dzień dzisiejszy nie wiem, czy chcę jeszcze więcej z tego świata, bo jednak w większej mierze ta seria okazała się fabularnie średnia, trochę przegadana i gorsza, niż oryginał. Będę wspominać z uśmiechem, ale nie wrócę.

[Kinga Marusak · Rating 5 out of 5]

ja po prostu niżej dać nie mogę.....🤝




fakt jest duża niekonsekwencja przy końcu i aż się prosi by kogoś ☠️💀👀, ale mam taki sentyment i takie uczucia do tej serii (a właściwie tych dwóch), że icant. Cudowna cudowna ostatnia część, liczę na jakieś dodatki bo nie jestem gotowa na koniec🥴 jak zawsze dobra akcja, bohaterowie i mnóstwo mnóstwo wydarzeń, Kendra i Paprot macie moje serce 🫀🫀

[Koko_przedstawia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Czemu to się kończy ja się pytam 🥲 Całą serią ( zarazem Baśniobor jak i Smoczą straż) rozśmieszała mnie jak i łamała serducho. Chodź wiedziałam jak się skończą to i tak miałam satysfakcję 😃 Końcówka tej książki była jak miód na moje serce 🥺 Mam nadzieję, że autor coś jeszcze kiedyś gdzieś dopiszę coś do historii Kendry i Setha oraz ich przyjaciół i rodziny

[Kamcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5
Ostatnia część 😓 szkoda mi że kończę przygodę z tymi bohaterami i tym światem. Ostatnia część była dosyć infaltynna i było dużo powtórzeń. Rozmowy Kendry jako nastolatki i Setha z demonami, jednorożcami i postaciami o ogromnej mocy były na poziomie rozmowy ze swoim znajomym co nie do konca mi się podobało. Ogólnie rzecz biorąc książka i cała seria była świetna i polecam każdemu.

[Sharanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally every year I would get excited in October for the next Dragonwatch book to be published, and it's hard to believe that next year there won't be another one :(

[Delanie Slattery · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!!!!!!😭!!😭!!!!!!!😍!!😭😭😭
'It had a happy ending' I say while sobbing to my sister.
Too many emotions and a lot of thoughts.
It was a roller coaster.

[Liam Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Spoilers for the Fablehaven and Dragonwatch series.

In 2006, Brandon Mull published his first novel — a fantasy book for middle schoolers entitled Fablehaven. Kendra and Seth, two gullible, ordinary siblings, discover that their grandfather is the caretaker of a nature preserve for magical creatures — fairies, satyrs, naiads, demons, witches, ogres — and at the heart of a conflict that threatens to destroy the world. Upon Fablehaven’s positive reception, Mull released a series of progressively thicker and eminently more sophisticated books over the next five years, taking us across the globe with a captivating cast of characters and an incredibly imaginative plot. The five-volume Fablehaven saga became one of the most influential literary works in my life. I can see the impact of reading Mull’s prose in my own writing, and I can credit Fablehaven, along with Harry Potter, with igniting my love for the fantasy genre.

The final Fablehaven novel was published in 2011, bringing to an end a magical, sweeping story that explored the dualities of good and evil, wisdom and immaturity, and liberty and power. Then, in 2017, Mull published Dragonwatch, the first installment of a proposed five-part sequel series to Fablehaven. I had my doubts about the announcement. I felt strongly that Kendra and Seth’s character arcs had been closed in the final Fablehaven novel and that to tack on any more development in another series would be artificial at best and ruinous at worst. My doubts weren’t exactly assuaged when the three subsequent Dragonwatch books were on the whole less exciting and less tightly plotted than the Fablehaven novels. Nevertheless, I bought Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers, the final Dragonwatch book and tenth novel overall set in the universe, in 2021 upon its publication. I’d heard really good things about this final installment, but I was still dubious as to whether or not it could properly close the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch saga.

My suspicions were misplaced. Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers is without a doubt the best book in the Dragonwatch series and possibly the most well-rounded, moving, enthralling novel Mull has ever written. The tome is an inspiring achievement of immense proportion. My 2020 prediction that it would be the longest book in Mull’s oeuvre came true (it’s 607 pages to Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison’s 604), but it reads so joyously and effortlessly, a paean to the universe and the characters, that it feels shorter than other books in the Dragonwatch series.

I’m writing this on the day I completed the novel (I read about 150 pages in 3 hours to get it done), and it’s currently difficult to process how I feel. With the inimitable benefit of retrospect, I agree with Brandon Mull’s sentiment, expressed in his author’s note at the back of Dragon Slayers, that “. . . Dragonwatch is the second half of a single sweeping story [that began with Fablehaven], and that without these five books, the adventures of Kendra and Seth would be incomplete” (610). Over the course of ten hulking novels (whose mean length is 477 pages), I have gasped at betrayals and plot twists, glued my eyes to the page to not miss a moment of action, reveled in Mull’s florid writing and the way he sets and describes scenes, and read and reread my favorite passages. I watched Kendra and Seth grow up. In looking back on it, I grew up with them.

Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers is Mull’s finest achievement when it comes to characterization and presentation of themes — especially when it comes to primary protagonist Seth. Dragonwatch has been Seth’s series from the beginning, and it is here (specifically in Chapter 44, near the climax) that his character arc is finally brought to a conclusive end. Over the course of ten books, Seth cycles from utter innocence, to utter darkness, to utter understanding and maturity. He began Fablehaven naive and with a cultured disregard for the rules. In fact, his unwise actions tended to initiate the series’ conflicts. Over the course of the next seven books, he learned to harness his independent streak to break the rules in ways that benefited his family and friends. In the third Dragonwatch novel, however, he was coerced by agents of evil to wreak unsuspecting havoc on the dragon sanctuary he was assigned to protect. In the fourth installment, he realized the magnitude of his transgressions. Thus, at the beginning of Dragon Slayers, he is in the midst of wrestling with his actions. “‘Wraiths are the friends I deserve,’ Seth muttered. ‘I’ve worked with darkness too much, for too long’” (18). In the next five hundred pages, we see him sink depressively further towards death and destruction, plunging away from his past of light and life. He mercilessly pursues a traumatizing and potentially deadly quest, all the while struggling to reconcile the good and evil that dwell simultaneously within him. (This in itself is a microcosm of Fablehaven and Dragonwatch, which at their hearts tell a story of conflict between social, political, and personal antitheses.) Just as he is about to succumb to the darkness, however, Seth makes a decision to turn back to the light. In Chapter 44, he is reminded by the original Dragon Slayer of the nature of forgiveness. “‘Nobody in need of forgiveness deserves it,’ Konrad said. ‘Not one person. We all make foolish mistakes that we cannot fix. Though we may not deserve forgiveness, we all have a right to it. Just for having the courage to live in this difficult world, where fallible people do imperfect things. The supply of forgiveness is unlimited’” (517).

It’s an omnipresent concept in the world of good versus evil stories — especially in the high quality ones, like Fablehaven and Dragonwatch, in which the lines between light and dark blur and meld imperfectly and symbols of light (shininess, health, cheer, immortality, perfection, hilarity, unicorns, and fairies) and darkness (shadow, death, emptiness, sin, longing, undeath, putrefaction, wraiths, and demons) litter the pages. Characters like Seth choose vitality, accept reconciliation, or denounce darkness all the time in stories. Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren, Anthony Lockwood, Katniss Everdeen, Frodo Baggins — the list goes on and on and on. The drama of having a protagonist falling nearly to the brink of evil before being reeled back again seems to forever intrigue authors. Choose the light. It is Brandon Mull’s last, universal message to us here. The final line of the book, in which Kendra at long last accepts the love of a close friend and as a result begins to literally glow, is proof of that: “Kendra leaned forward, shining brighter until she lit up the yard” (607; emphasis added). It must be noted that we can see the light in Kendra from the start of Fablehaven to the end of the saga's tenth novel. However, Seth must experience unfathomable tribulations on his quest in order to properly attain goodness. It is Seth’s journey to the light — and Seth’s choosing of the light — that makes Dragonwatch his series. That is the ultimate, emotional completion of the literary journey that began in 2006 with Fablehaven.

Brandon Mull, thank you. Thank you for Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers. Thank you for giving us Kendra and Seth and their grandparents. Thank you for giving us side characters who enliven the pages and antagonists whom we love to hate. Thank you for giving us Fablehaven and the other magical preserves, and thank you for describing them in such vivid detail. Thank you for giving us your epic and writing it with incredible clarity and enthusiasm. Thank you for making me a more eager reader and a better writer. Thank you for the gift of your imagination.

Thank you for everything.

[Brynne Wisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🐉/5🐉 A really good end to this series and a great overall ending to the fablehaven universe.

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking that something wasn’t wrapped up in this book. I can’t remember what is was but for middle of the night Brynne I’m going to drop it down half a star.

[Sanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved Fablehaven and I was really happy when I learned that my favourite series is going to continue. Dragonwatch was good, almost like Fablehaven and I was so excited when I finally got the last book, Return of the dragon slayers. Because the other four books were so good, I was sure that after reading the book, I would smile happily and be ready to say goodbye this series. After reading the book, I wasn't smiling. I was little disappointed. Book was good, I liked it, but the ending wasn't perfect. It was really frustrating because that book had really good potential become best Dragonwatch book and have the perfect ending that would satisfy the readers. But it felt like Brandon Mull didn't use its full potential and hurried to just to finish it. In my opinion there was five reason why the ending wasn't so good that it should have been.

(SPOILERS)

First and the most reason was because the hurry. Ending felt really hurried and hasty and it was really frustrating. It felt like you couldn't enjoy the last of the book, when everything happened so quickly and it felt that everything important were just hasty. If Mull had divided book with two or writed it like 200-300 more pages, maybe it would have been better and you would have get more detailed and satisfying ending.

The final battle wasn't so epic... The final battle between the thousands dragons and defenders could have been legendary, because it had all the elements that would have maked this series last battle cool and epic. But no... It was too short and maybe little too easy. In all the others books were so difficult to kill just one dragon and suddenly fair folks (and seth) can kill hundres of dragon. Battle should have been also more detailed and longer. You didn't get any information about the battle. I would like to know how Warren, Thrask, wizards and others fought the dragons but no. You only get Seth fighting and killing the dragons little while, killing the Celebrant and the battle is over. The dragon surrenders.. Thousands of dragons were no match to the fair folks... Really?!

I didn't mind that in the end Seth got little more of spotlight after the mistakes he made, but too much is too much. In the end it felt that Seth did all the work. He found Ethergem, found the Source, broke the curse, defeated Celebrant and basically ended the war himself. And in the meanwhile Kendra was practicing to be flashlight. It would have been so more satisfying if both of them would have been combining their power and together stopped the war, because both of them were main characters and deserved be in the spotlight in the last book. And it was so shame that Kendra never mastered hers power even thought it was told that she had many more abilities. It would have been so good if Kendra would have mastered hers powers and Seth and Kendra would have both challenged Celebrant together and defeated him.

I really liked Sphinx in Fabelhaven and powerful and invincible Celebrant and clever and manipulative Ronodin in Dragonwatch. They were good opponent and in the other four book they were always one step ahead. That why it was so disappointing that they were defeated so easily. Honestly, dragon king were killed in on page and Ronodin defeated maybe few more. It was so frustrating because they both deserved have final boss like battle. Not so quickly that you didn't even notice that Celebrant died. Battle against Celebrant could have been so epic and I would like to have read more when they would have conquered fairy realm back. So disappointing..

Last but not least, the book ended too quickly and it didn't tell readers anything about the future. I would liked to know what happened after war. What Kendra and Seth are going to do in the future? What about Tess and Knox? And what will happen Warren, Thrask, Vanessa, Eve and the other characters? Can Kendra ever master hers power? What about small wizard council, did they get caught? What about Isadore? Is she out there planning to get revenge for her dead brother? And what about Spinx and Ronodin? What is Sphinx going to do and can they ever trust him again? Will he be someday their ally or always the opponent? And Ronodin? He was thrown to the demon prison, but he is so clever so I don't think he will die so easily. Will he be free someday and do everything that Kendra and Bracken can't get happiness? So many questions and the last book never tells any of that. If the series really ends here, and so many questions remains unanswered, I will be very disappointed. Then I really won't be able to say goodbye to Kendra and Seth and their world. Thats why I really really hope that some day Brandon Mull will continue the series or at least will make one extra book that would tell everything that happened after war and would have satisfying ending when all your questions would have been answered.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was decent, about how all Brandon Mull books tend to read (except for that one exception, the first in this series).

The characters are loveable, and once the story gets going he does a nice job of keeping it going and moving forward. I find Seth to be far more interesting than Kendra, but the series is really hers to command. I find Bracken and Ronodin tedious, but I generally like the supporting characters. You end up with a generally fun read. Mull tries to cover all his bases and has the characters act in ways that you think you want them to act, until they do and it slows the story and makes no sense. It is like he is trying so hard to avoid plot holes, that he slows the plot down to meticulously fill in every hole and make sure you know it is full. Every spell is double questioned, every decision is triple discussed. Seth's story rises above this a little, but it is torturous for Kendra. Also, while avoiding plot-holes he definitely forgot to tie up loose ends.

My concerns here are a bit more abstract. First, where I've always thought a map would make these books better, this one really needs a look at a timeline. The immortal (for all intents and purposes) Dragon Slayers know the King of the Dragons (like, know his personality and such), even the one who has disappeared for apparently centuries knows this dragon. Are the dragons immortal too? If everyone is immortal (dragons, unicorns, fair folk, etc.) then why is it such a big deal that the Dragon Slayers are immortal? They are reborn, which is a wrinkle I guess, although we never see it and are completely uninformed of their rebirth (in fact, they completely disappear in the end, so I have no idea what is going on with them). I like that a character gave-up immortality as opposed to gaining immortality, I think that is a smarter direction for character growth; but the entire process is barely mentioned or discussed. Hardly character growth when it happens in the last three paragraphs for a character who has been absent this entire book (if not series).

The in-story world is constantly referencing stuff that seemed to happen hundreds (thousands) of years ago as if it were yesterday and everyone in the world is obviously aware of it.

To make matters worse, the meta story of the other books is hard to remember. This entire 5 book series happens over . . . 3 months (???), but they are released a year apart minimum. They aren't worth rereading, and the characters are CONSTANTLY talking about stuff that happened not only in this series, but in the previous series (Fablehaven). In fact, I would tell you not to read these unless you can read them all virtually one right after the other.

It's hard to remember all these names these characters keep dropping, and what role they play.

This book also takes some weird theological turns. There are some serious religious themes that begin cropping up at the end of this. Stuff about forgiveness, having eternal rest, fear of death . . . it was just a turn I wasn't ready for in this book about fairies fighting dragons. The book handles it okay, but it is just okay and is clearly lacking the saving Grace of Christ.

These are fun stories. If Mull decides to go back to this world I might tag along, but honestly it is too hard to remember all these details from ten books now. I would like to see how these teenagers are now going to go back to a normal life.

Is Kendra expected to finish high school?
Is Seth going to need that part-time job?

These kids have kind of risen above all of that . . . but where else can their lives go?

I think the story would have been better with sacrifice . . . All of the main characters survive this, in fact everyone with a name survives. The only bad news they have for their grandparents is someone who died two or three books ago. Everything is kind of cheapened by the fact that thousands are killed . . . but nobody we really cared about.

A fun read, but not without its flaws.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bardzo podobała mi się ostatnia część Smoczej Straży. Fajne było poszukiwania zabójców smoków i wizyty u demonów. Bohaterowie i fabuła bardzo mi się podobali. Super było poznać królestwo Selonny. Ostateczna bitwa pomiędzy smokami a smoczą strażą była bardzo emocjonująca. Zakończenie jest fajne i zadowalające. Serdecznie polecam wszystkim tę książkę.😃

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ta ocena jest zdecydowanie za niska

więc zaczynając, jakby czemu Wirgiliusz okazał się zdrajcą, tak go polubiłam i było mi tak smutno jak się o tym dowiedziałam

nie spodziewałam że paprot może zrezygnować z bycia jednorożcem dla kendry, nadal jest to dla mnie dziwne. i smutne jest to że gdy on umrze to jego rodzina nadal będzie żyć ale bez niego. i mam też wrażenie ze ogólnie za mało wątków było z kendra u paprotem

wiele byli chwil w których się popłakałam jakby czemu ta książka była taka smutna w niektórych momentach, no żałosne

ta seria jest tak totalnie świetna jakby nie da się tego przeczytać tylko raz i wiem że na pewno kiedyś do niej wrócę, ale tak okropnie nie chciałam jej kończyć i mi smutno że skończyłam.

[Karolina | bookyinstyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I koniec😥 to była świetna przygoda🥰

[Maciek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ostatnia scena - bleh
Wszystko inne - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
O I prawie zapomniałem - POLSKA GUROM!!! JESTEŚMY ŚWIETNI!!! (kto wie ten wie) 😏

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so excited for it! I’m sure it has to be good

[Fizban · Rating 2 out of 5]

*SPOILER ALERT* READ AT YOUR OWN RISK


Before I get into my many, many critiques for this book, let me say that I loved every book until this one. And that even though this book made me literally not want to ever touch the series ever again (Not in a good way), much of Return of the Dragon Slayers was very good. I felt that with a little more refinement, it could have been a truly epic conclusion to a grand and truly legendary series. Seth's adventures were the true highlight of the book. The rest, well, let's just say that to me it deserved better care than what was put into it.
In my opinion, it was a huge let down. I did not get the closure I desired from the supposed "final ending" of the Kendra and Seth adventures. The book seemed rushed, and to me clearly showed that Brandon Mull was just tired of writing the series. He left what felt like to me huge loose ends. I was hoping for a complete end to the story with at least the more important arcs of the story finished. The two main ones being Bracken and Kendra's relationship, and Kendra's abilities.
Bracken and Kendra's relationship to me was never fleshed out completely. I would have liked a epilogue that was something like 10 years into the future (Like Harry Potter) that told you whether or not their relationship worked out or not. It really let me down that Return of the Dragon Slayers ended pretty much exactly like Keys To The Demon Prison. With Kendra and Bracken just saying that they might date and to, "See what the future has in store." I really detest that the book ended without any real closure to their relationship, just them hinting at a future one.
The other main arc to me was Kendra's abilities. The way that Brandon Mull just leaves Kendra's powers almost untouched was the hugest disappointment for me. I had always hoped that the continuation of their adventures would let Kendra grow completely into all of her powers, but that never happened. We got one very short chapter about Kendra learning a tiny bit more about her abilities (Wow, she just became a flashlight. Amazing.) and then being told what she could eventually do. It made me so incensed that we get a tiny taste of what she could do, but the series ends with her abilities being mainly not touched upon. It amazed me that these two arcs that have been a huge deal across the entire series are just eventually left in the dust, never to be really completed. Some other complaints I had were that after the Fablehaven part of the series, Brandon Mull made the Sphinx into just a petty thief who mildly inconvenienced the main characters. It would have been better if he had just been completely omitted from the story.
Another thing that upset me was that Kendra was largely useless. Her hunt for the Dragon Slayers, (which you would think would be a big deal and make a huge difference in the struggle against the dragons seeing as the title is Return of the Dragon Slayers) was largely inconsequential to the final fight and the story in general. All you get from her chapters are a tiny bit of lore. If you also have read the Fablehaven part of the series and paid attention to the last book, you will probably have realized that the Eternal hunt and the Dragon Slayer hunt follow practically the same guidelines. They find a person that tells them where to find the person they are looking for, they are attacked by the opposition just as they are about to make a getaway, they fight, and lose valuable characters because of it, and then rinse and repeat. That was quite literally 3 quarters of Kendra's chapters in the book. If those chapters had been scrubbed clean from the book, it would have made almost no difference to the final product, Kendra's chapters would have been more interesting if she had been mastering her abilities. The only part of the story that mattered was Seth's questline. He practically carried every other character on his shoulders and almost single-handedly stopped the dragons. Everyone else was almost obsolete compared to him.
A much smaller problem I had was when Seth becomes a "Shadow Healer." I just laughed my head off at how ridiculous that title sounded. Like really, could they not have at least made his title sound more intimidating? I understand the point of being "purged of darkness" made Seth happier and was supposed to have a deeper meaning, but I would have liked a real sacrifice in the story. If Seth had died, wouldn't the story have had a deeper meaning and made the story feel more solid and real? I understand that the series is for a younger audience, but a lot of us who read the series when it first came out are older now, and to me Brandon Mull could have accounted for that and made the ending more mature and give it weight. I mean, he said that this was the last book he would be writing about these specific people, so couldn't the ending be grittier and have had a actual conclusion? Not just a normal fairytale ending like the first series.
Another little thing was when Bracken became mortal to start to date Kendra. It irritated me because to me it seemed that they ignored an even easier solution to the "immortality" schtick. The Alderfairy says that the Source makes anyone who ingests it immortal, so why didn't Kendra just decide to do that instead of Bracken giving up a huge part of his life and decided to die sooner? Kendra had already thought about becoming an Eternal, this was a very easy chance to take and then they could have protected the world and lived together for practically ever. I know that in Brandon Mulls world he clearly wants the reader to dislike the idea of living forever by providing the original Eternals, Demons , and Dragons as examples of the side effects of living a very long time. But it is pretty clearly shown that that only happens when people and the other magical creatures endure a huge amount of stress or turn evil. So seeing as that most likely wouldn't happen, to me it was a much clearer and more logical path for Kendra to become immortal instead of Bracken becoming mortal.
So overall, the series was a masterpiece. I loved everything about it, until the end. In summary, I believe that the core failure of the series was that it felt like Brandon Mull was fed up of making books for the same series for so long and he just wanted to be done with it. And it showed. To me, if he had simply enjoyed it till the very end, he would have not left such glaring holes in his story and he would have made the ending feel more gratifying and actually feel like the conclusion to a grand tale instead of just making it feel like the next installment into a series that was going to continue. Those were my main complaints about the book, and if there were other things, I just happened to forget about them in the moment. Excuse me for my rant, as I know that to many, many others this was a very good book and they had nothing to complain about, but I just felt like no one wanted to really dive into the nitty gritty and that everyone glossed over some of the poor writing simply because Brandon Mull is a beloved writer and they were just glad that they got more Fablehaven. That's it.

[Kacper Wąż · Rating 5 out of 5]

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