Champion of the Titan Games by Brandon Mull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Brandon Mull is the author I read no matter what. As soon as his next book is announced, it goes on my wish list. And then, I eagerly count down the days until I can have the book in my hands to devour in usually a day or two. The Dragonwatch series is no exception. I’ve been excited about each one of these returns to the world of Fablehaven, and I will definitely be anticipating the next installment. However, I must say, this latest book in the series, Champion of the Titan Games, felt more like the first half of a final book than a book all on its own. Granted, there is no way to read this series and enjoy it without having read the previous entries, but this one felt as though it was a lot of set up for the final book.
Kendra and Seth are still scouring the magical world, trying desperately to find something that will allow them to secure it from the dragons who are so eager to devour it. From page one, the heroes are off on a quest that will leave them in the worst places, facing their worst fears, and wondering if there is ever going to be a sunrise on the hope they need.
All the typical Brandon Mull action is here, as well as many surprises, which I will definitely not spoil here. Mull’s always at his best when characters are deciphering the history of Fablehaven, and there are plenty of scenes for readers to gobble up backstory and information that will certainly spur the conflict on into book five.
While Kendra doesn’t get as much “screentime” in this book, there is plenty for her to do. However, Seth is the one who is on a journey here, and I must say, the path he is walking leads to some great questions and no easy answers. As far as character goes, Seth gets the most time out of all the characters to develop further into one of the most complicated heroes in recent fantasy fiction.
My one gripe, if I have to have one, surrounds a somewhat awkward situation in the book about slavery. In light of the conversations taking place in the United States of America regarding racism, this aspect of slavery was never really explored well, and by the way things turn out, it almost leaves the reader in a somewhat awkward space, trying to figure out the ramifications of what has been presented and what has not been presented in the story world. Frankly, there is simply so much going on between multiple threads of the plot that this particular thread feels a little thin. Parents should definitely plan to have a conversation with their kids about slavery afterwards.
All said, Champion of the Titan Games took the story of Dragonwatch to some unexpected places, but by now, I should have expected Brandon Mull to leave me gasping by the last pages. If you want to read this series, I definitely recommend going back and starting with the first book in the first series if you have not read them yet.