YA for the Wise

I think the idea for this first book in the series is very clever: Brother and sister go to Grandparents' estate to find out that they are the caretakers at a preserve for mythical creatures. Magic and danger ensue-- much of it tied to whether the kids obey instructions or not. The struggle to protect family, Fablehaven and perhaps even the world begins.

There are, however, a few precautions I want to make to the Bible-believing reader in the References to and General Attitude Toward God section, so I rate this book with Use Discernment.

Ages 9-12

351 pages

Library of Congress summary: When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming.

THEMES: Magic; Grandparents; Brothers and sisters; obedience

FOUL LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences!!

SOFT LANGUAGE (heard on cable TV): ZERO occurrences!!

SEXUAL CONTENT: ZERO occurrences!!

BLASPHEMIES: ZERO occurrences!!

DRUG USE: ZERO occurrences!!

REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD: I think young readers can be protected if they know what issues in their book are Biblically wrong, and situations such as these can be a good tool to strengthening their faith if they see the correction in a Biblical light.

For instance, the preserve is said to be "consecrated ground" but God doesn't seem to be especially welcome there so how could it be consecrated ground? "Then [God] said to [Moses], 'Do not come near here; remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.'" (Exodus 3:5)

And there is a shrine to honor the Fairy Queen and that "similar shrines abound on [the] property, and all can be dangerous" (pg. 78). If you take into consideration the danger of kindling God's wrath against those do no homage to the Son (Psalm 2:12), but allow pagan shrines to abound, then yes, I agree, their presence would be very dangerous.

There is a witch on the preserve who is unsavory and not depicted with any glamour when she is bound, but, though still evil, she appears very attractive when she is set free. The Bible tells us something similar: "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

One of the main characters, Kendra, says a silent prayer when they are facing danger, (pg. 286)but the prayer is pointless if it is not directed to the One True God, from the mouth of one who is His own.

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

The biggest concern I have is when the housekeeper states on page 114: "No mythology or religion that I know of holds all the answers. Most religions are based on truths , but they are also polluted by the philosophies and imaginations of men." That is true of all but one. The one, true Christianity that God has revealed to those who are His through His unchanging, abiding Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

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