Keys to the Demon Prison

by Brandon Mull

{ 2010 | Shadow Mountain | 544 pgs }

The final book in the Fablehaven series, this came out just before the Romgi’s birthday and was one of his presents from me. We’ve both really enjoyed the series and I know the Romgi was glad when finals were over and he had free time to relax and finally read.

Apparently my memory isn’t as good as the Romgi’s – or else we can blame the fact that I’d read almost 70 books since finishing the fourth Fablehaven book – but I honestly had no idea what was important to know before starting the final book. Luckily, the Romgi had just finished it and gave me a quick refresher. And the author did a good job of helping readers remember the important story lines.

I absolutely loved Keys to the Demon Prison. It was a fun, captivating, visual book that I almost wanted to take my time reading because I didn’t want it to end. Of course, with all the action, I wanted to read quickly…either way, I really enjoyed it. I still recommend the entire series. It’s written for a younger audience than the Harry Potter books, and, if it’s possible, feels more “magic-y” to me. But that’s just my opinion. If you want to get a feel for the author without reading the whole series, try The Candy Shop War, which is incredibly fun as well.

I mean it! Go read something!

Sherlock Holmes

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

{ The G Washington Edition | 1932 | Doubleday | 190 pgs }

Our ward recently had a brunch & swap, which they apparently do every spring. On Friday evening everyone brings their unwanted items (donations, if you will), and the next morning, pastries and fruits are served, and you get to take whatever items you want. Since I was part of the setting-up committee, I got to have first pick. And I found this nice old hardcover Sherlock Holmes book. You can see another copy of the same edition here. I was able to find out that it contains most, but not all, of the stories published in The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes.

Believe it or not, this was the first Sherlock Holmes book – or even story – I’d ever read. Isn’t that crazy? I found it extremely enjoyable, although I confess that it seemed, to me, like a very grown-up version of the Encyclopedia Brown stories. (I hope I don’t end up in literary hell for saying that.) I’m not sure that I’d be up for a Sherlock Holmes novel, as I thought the short story was the perfect medium for these mysteries.

I did guess the answer to one mystery (“The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier”), but probably only because it was the most obvious. Most of the others had such far-fetched endings that I suppose only a real detective could ever solve them!