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Master of the Phantom Isle

(Dragonwatch #3)

Brandon Mull (Goodreads Author)

4.48 · Rating details · 1,260 ratings · 193 reviews

Cursed by the Key of Forgetting, Seth has lost all memory of his past—his relationships, his experiences, and who he really is. For now he will align with his new mentor, Ronodin, the dark unicorn, who takes him to the Phantom Isle, the secret gateway to the Under Realm. Though Seth is not formally a prisoner, Ronodin wants to use him and his shadow charmer powers for his ...more

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Published October 1st 2019 by Shadow Mountain

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Dec 12, 2019 Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller rated it it was ok · review of another edition

… I think I’m becoming disenchanted with this series.

Something has changed. I can’t put my finger on precisely what that is (or can I?) but the exciting, evoking sense of wonder this author dazzled me with in his first five books has diminished.

I have a few theories.

1. Plot. Or rather, a lack thereof. It seems to me like there isn’t enough meaningful forward-progression of story to sustain the page count so far. It’s an endless stream of practically identical encounters and hollow “choose your ...more

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Sep 14, 2019 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Yeah, that's fine. Just leave me without any resolution. That's great. I'm fine. At least this wasn't as bad as Wrath of the Dragon King with regard to the ending but still not cool. In this book, we saw the return of some old characters from Fablehaven. Some made me smile at the old memories and some made me scream in frustration. After book 2 I became a little concerned that this series would decline but I feel like this book totally redeemed the series. I'm actually really happy with the way ...more

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Mar 17, 2019 Biz added it · review of another edition

well that was certainly A Book! Review and rating to come! I have several thoughts

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Apr 15, 2019 A.M.G. ☮Hippie/Fantasia☮ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: All Fablehaven and Dragonwatch fans (obviously)

Shelves: favourites-series, i-want-to-live-this-book

Pre-Read

I do not question. I. Just. WANT!

Post-Read

Rating: 5 / 5

Now, just to be clear, this is still a five stars read; however, I would be hard-pressed to say that I loved it as much as I've loved...well, pretty much every other book in this and the Fablehaven series. PLEASE hear me out!

Okay, so, first for the plot. We start off almost immediately where we left off in Wrath of the Dragon King, with Seth newly kidnapped by Ronodin following the loss of his memories at the end of the second book. ...more

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Oct 03, 2019 Aimee (Getting Your Read On) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, part-of-a-series, ya, adventure, physical-book-for-review

Dragonwatch, Master of the Phantom Isle doesn’t miss a beat, picking up right where the last book left off. The dragons are still at it, seeking domination, and it’s hard to imagine a greater threat. Though in this adventure a greater threat does reveals itself. Can Kendra stand against this dark threat without the help of Seth?

For Seth, life is hard when dealing with memory loss and the choices one makes under those circumstances gets to the heart of the character. It is fun exploring Seth’s ...more

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Nov 03, 2019 Mindy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Master of the Phantom Isles is another wild ride by one of my favorite authors. With the turn of every page, I was waiting to see what could possibly happen next! I was always at the edge of my seat in anticipation. Those pesky dragons, wow! And poor Seth. Beloved characters in peril, new and old characters causing trouble, reliable characters with their usual fun and witty comic relief. This book was awesome, and I haven't missed a book from this author.

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Oct 10, 2019 Jessica Miller rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

I love all of Brandon Mull’s books but this story just seemed... extra funny and even more adventurous than usual. Seth has no memory of his identity and is with Ronodin in the Phantom Isle. Kendra and her friends travel from Wyrmroost to the Crescent Lagoon, both for protection and to help the fallen sanctuary of Crescent Lagoon. We’re introduced to new characters, like a giant, a new wizard, selkie, and mer folk. This book is an all-around good time. The characters are brave and interesting ...more

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Jul 12, 2019 Laura rated it it was amazing

I won the book lottery and was able to get my hands on an advanced reader's copy of this book almost 4 months before its' release. My favorite book of Mull's so far-yet the one that caused the most heartache for the characters I have come to love.
For the first time we get to experience light vs dark and good vs evil without knowing which will triumph. Seth's sacrifice with the Key of Forgetting has started him on a new path-one with no memories of who he is. Trying to find his own way while ...more

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Mar 18, 2019 Deborah Clipp rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Haven’t read this yet but it’s easily one of most anticipated books of this year and HOLY SMOKES the description sounds freakin’ EPIC!!! I predict that this will be my favorite Fablehaven book yet.

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Nov 09, 2019 Tressa (Wishful Endings) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, middle-grade, fantasy-paranormal

4.5 Stars

MASTER OF THE PHANTOM ISLE is a book full of danger and adventure as these characters continue on their quest to keep dragons from destroying the world. Likable and familiar characters from the series as well as a few new characters join the story as the setting shifts from one dragon sanctuary to another. Multiple storylines and plenty of risks and action keep the story constantly moving, making for a non-stop read. Fans of the genre and of the series will find much to love!

This third ...more

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Oct 24, 2019 Harper Nicole rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Yep. I blew it. I dreamt up my own idea of this book, you know, in this year of waiting, *glares at Brandon*, and I was WAY off. Okay, maybe not WAY off. But way off. Who cares...

I'M IN LOVE! With two things. Bracken, and this book. I could, through Kendra, talk to Bracken all day. No joke. Yes, I'm gonna be that person that screams at the book, telling everyone to move on with their lives, and just to skip to the parts with Bracken in it. But, you know, Seth's story is interesting too, I ...more

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Oct 07, 2019 Michelle Kenneth - PerfectionistWannabe.com added it

This book took a little longer to get through. Usually, I can get through a YA book rather quickly, but this time, I couldn't. I mulled this over in my head and realized why. It's been 13 years since Fablehaven was released. If you were 7 years old when you started this series, you should be 20 years old by now and possibly in college. That means that you should be reading at a different level by now, eight books later.

I really appreciated that Mull took that route. With each book, he's taking This book took a little longer to get through. Usually, I can get through a YA book rather quickly, but this time, I couldn't. I mulled this over in my head and realized why. It's been 13 years since Fablehaven was released. If you were 7 years old when you started this series, you should be 20 years old by now and possibly in college. That means that you should be reading at a different level by now, eight books later.

I really appreciated that Mull took that route. With each book, he's taking us through the different levels of reading. From the easy reads for middle grade readers to what should now be college level readers. It's not like Harry Potter where all eight books read at exactly the same level. This series is a progression to helping young readers become better readers.

As for the story itself, I spent most of my time wrapping my head around a Seth who has no identity and is being manipulated by those who seek to use him for his dark gifts. He is so confused with who he is, who he should trust and what he should be doing with his life. It was rather sad to watch, but Ronodin (the dark unicorn) really makes you have sympathy for the Devil. Maybe not everything is clear cut when it comes to good and evil, light and dark.

Seeing Seth this way really made me sad, especially to watch as his friends and family watch him betray them and mistrust them. They are the ones who care about him and have his best interests at heart. He just doesn't know if they really do, because Ronodin is such a manipulator with words.

I also don't know what Ronodin's end game is yet. The way he tricked Seth into servitude made no sense. I can understand why he needs Seth (for his dark powers), but I don't understand why he needs him in the grand scheme of things. I'm sure we may be 2 books away from that revelation (if Mull stays true to keeping this series to 5 books like he has with his other series).

I really enjoyed journeying to another sanctuary in this book. This marks sanctuary #3 in the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch series. The next book will be a fourth sanctuary (and I can't wait to visit there). It's interesting to learn about the different mystical creatures around the world. It will be interesting to see what creatures he will introduce to us in book 4.

Oh, and Kendra. I love how he always makes her the kickass heroine.

I have to say that Mull always amazes me with the stories he creates. Such a wonderful, wonderful world he creates. ...more

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Oct 01, 2019 Bonnie rated it it was amazing

The hardest part about series as fantastic as this one, is you have to wait for the next installment. I have loved Seth and Kendra since the beginning of FABELHAVEN. DRAGONWATCH has continued the story so well. I was wrapped up in the story and couldn't put the book down. Ideas of how Seth would pull through swirled through my head. I couldn't figure out how Kendra was going find her brother. It felt like I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The sacrifices others made brought tears to ...more

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May 15, 2019 Sophie rated it it was amazing

I’m so happy with this book! The conclusion was satisfying but leaves you waiting for the next book!

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Oct 14, 2019 Nay Denise rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Received a copy for review from the publisher.

Definitely a great addition to the Dragonwatch series! I totally enjoyed revisiting this fantasy world with all it's new mythical creatures. Talking Octopus, somber wraiths, an evil unicorn and dragons. I'm here for it. The writing was just as action packed and intriguing as the other two books. I loved the writing of this book much more as well.

Seth and Kendra are still my favorite characters ever. I loved seeing their growth from books one to ...more

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Nov 12, 2019 Jane Potter rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fun-fantasy, great-book-series, middle-grade-fiction, arc, 2019

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. LOTS OF SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!!!

First thought: I need book 4 yesterday.

Everything about this book read as a small part of a larger story. We get some closure on a few things that happened in book 2. But mostly we are still in the middle of the fight.

Highlights:
*The evolution of Seth's character despite his lack of memories. He begins the story almost blinding listening to Ronodin and his questionable reasons for doing bad or spreading darkness. A low point is the release of the creatures in LOTS OF SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!!!

First thought: I need book 4 yesterday.

Everything about this book read as a small part of a larger story. We get some closure on a few things that happened in book 2. But mostly we are still in the middle of the fight.

Highlights:
*The evolution of Seth's character despite his lack of memories. He begins the story almost blinding listening to Ronodin and his questionable reasons for doing bad or spreading darkness. A low point is the release of the creatures in the Black Well at Wyrmroost. But slowly he begins to see that he wants to do good with his dark powers. And that he wants to understand his past regardless of the difficulties in that quest. I respect Seth at the end of the day although in the middle, I was not sure about him. Also I love Calvin's loyalty to Seth.
*Kendra and the Fairy Queen combine to shine light in impenetrable darkness. Loved the reunion between Kendra and Bracken as well.
*The journey to visit the merpeople (that potion was sweet!) and adventures with demons. It felt like the original Fablehaven stories in that quest (find the map, visit the merpeople, defeat the demon, go to the phantom isle)
*I appreciate that there are casualties in this book. Of course, they are sad. But somehow they make the story more realistic (yes, even with the magic) because both good and evil loss people on their sides of things in such a war.
*I love that we get to spend time with Warren and Vanessa in this book! Makes me want to reread fablehaven. Also intrigued to see The Sphinx back in the story with his own agenda as usual.
*Kendra is not perfect and can't do everything. Almost everything. But not quite all of it. I appreciate that.

What is going to happen in book 4? Where is Andromulus? Will Seth find that demon elf guy and get his memories back? What is Ronodin and the Sphinx next move? How will Kendra and Bracken help Seth?

Hoping for book 4 and 5 to be released in a set. Because wow, the action is crazy and I want to know how it ends!! ...more

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Oct 23, 2019 Cathy rated it it was amazing

Brandon Mull writes amazing books! I love the fact that those books are enjoyed at least as much by parents as by the kids who also love to read them. Let’s just say that we have two much fought over copies of this book at our house.

This one opens where Dragonwatch: Wrath of the Dragon King leaves off. You’re going to want to be sure that you’ve read at least the first two Dragonwatch books first, and most likely the Fablehaven series as well. Don’t worry, though. They are easily read and so ...more

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Aug 13, 2019 Eileen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: teen-young-adult, fantasy, middle-school, 2019-netgalley, 2019, adventure, childrens, netgalley-arc

A definite winner! When I began this series, I wasn't sure that I liked it as much as the original Fablehaven series, but I thought Brandon Mull did a great job with this book. It can't be easy writing a book from the point of view of someone who has lost his memory of who he is--his entire identity. And yet, as we progress, we know that Seth has still retained his true essence. It's interesting how he rediscovers that even while he struggles with his dark powers and what he has done or not ...more

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Oct 15, 2019 C.P. Cabaniss rated it really liked it

"She decided evil was most dangerous when operating with a smile."

This followup to the Fablehaven series has been just as good, if not better, than the originals. This third installment took me longer than expected to get through, but not because I didn't like it. It was emotionally hard hitting, after the events of the ending of Wrath of the Dragon King and that slowed me down.

There isn't a lot to say about this one without giving away spoilers for the previous books, but if you've read ...more

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Oct 01, 2019 buzy_reading rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy

The mission should these two young caretakers choose to accept it is for Kendra to save Seth and restore the sanctuary while Seth becomes indebted to the Underking. Kendra summons the help from magical creatures of the light while Seth draws help from the darkness.
The journey they began in Fablehaven helped establish skills and knowledge for new adventures in the dragon sanctuary.
Once again Kendra and Seth drew upon the magical creatures to aid in their adventures.
This is a character driven ...more

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Sep 22, 2019 Danielle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars

The fact that I was able to get an advanced copy of my most anticipated release of the year is still blowing my effing mind. I truly thought I was going to get rejected, yet here we are.

This, of course, was fantastic. I've read every single one of Brandon Mull's books and loved them all, so I never had any doubt in my mind that I would adore this, as well. It definitely did not pan out the way I expected it to, but that was a good thing. I definitely thought Seth was Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars

The fact that I was able to get an advanced copy of my most anticipated release of the year is still blowing my effing mind. I truly thought I was going to get rejected, yet here we are.

This, of course, was fantastic. I've read every single one of Brandon Mull's books and loved them all, so I never had any doubt in my mind that I would adore this, as well. It definitely did not pan out the way I expected it to, but that was a good thing. I definitely thought Seth was going to be a lot more far gone than he was, which was a relief. I loved seeing how his good heart conflicted with the lies Ronodin fed him.

I enjoyed Seth's parts in this one especially. It was interesting to see what was going on in the Under Realm with him, and how his actions unwittingly affected Kendra and the others. I was expecting Ronodin to be more outright evil, but I guess I should have known by now that that isn't the kind of villain Brandon Mull writes. (I think this is a good thing, but it was just different than what I expected).

While I liked the inclusion of Knox and Tess, they kind of confuse/frustrate me just a little. Not only was this the first book to shift away from Kendra and Seth's heads for only three (3) scenes, but I don't completely get Tess's purpose. Knox seems to be something of a replacement for Seth, which makes sense but also kind of sucks. Tess, though. She's fairystruck (why do we need another person with fairy powers????), and she's been kept out of the action the entire time. There must be some sort of plan for her in the next two books, otherwise why would Brandon Mull just leave her behind when they started moving around? It befuddles me.

The whole ending, while pretty satisfying and a good set up for the next book without another (cruel) cliffhanger, seemed a little lackluster. Both events that were/could be seen as the climax seemed to fall a bit short and I wasn't nervous or tense through either of the scenes. I suppose it's because this is the middle book in the series and there isn't as much a reason for a big epic battle when there's still so much to be done, but it felt a little odd to me.

Still, as you can see from my rating, I loved this so, so much. I already can't wait for book #4. ...more

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Oct 14, 2019 Cathy rated it it was amazing

"...evil was most dangerous when operating with a smile."

Book 3 of Dragonwatch, which means we're more than halfway through. This is simultaneously exciting and sad. I don't want it to end!

This was a really great installment. Book 2 ended on such a huge cliffhanger! I was excited to see how everything turned out, and I was not disappointed.

Mull has created such a beautiful and exciting world with Fablehaven and Dragonwatch, and I wish I could live in it forever! I really enjoyed seeing (briefly) ...more

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Nov 03, 2019 Aubrey rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 04, 2019 Michele Everett rated it liked it

I usually don't write reviews but I felt like I had to explain this rating. This genre is not my favorite. To be honest I mostly listened to this because of the talented reader. I was lost much of the time, but if you like this genre you will probably love this book.

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Jan 10, 2020 Tranylle rated it really liked it

Shelves: sf-fantasy

I think this was the best of the Dragonwatch books. Great story, fun new characters and settings, and a lot of growth and discovery.

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Jan 06, 2020 Dee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: middle-grade

My son LOVED this book. And as soon as his friend across the street found out he had an early copy of it, she devoured it too. Then they had a long chat about it. Great to see such enthusiasm and discussion.

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Nov 10, 2019 Tom added it

It's really obnoxious that the author and/or publisher wouldn't release the Kindle version of this until ~3 weeks after the hardcover. The annoyance from this somewhat overshadowed the merits of the book for me.

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Nov 17, 2019 Amelie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 05, 2019 Kash rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-audible

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. okay so, I've been having mixed feelings about the Dragonwatch series overall, because read the Fablehaven series more times than I can count, and the story is very dear to my heart - so OF COURSE I wanted to read Dragonwatch.

However, the first two books (both of which take place over the course of a week!??) i found quite disjointed and all over the place. Kendra and Seth both had some epic moments, but overall, everything felt quite rushed, there were so many new characters, and Kirby okay so, I've been having mixed feelings about the Dragonwatch series overall, because read the Fablehaven series more times than I can count, and the story is very dear to my heart - so OF COURSE I wanted to read Dragonwatch.

However, the first two books (both of which take place over the course of a week!??) i found quite disjointed and all over the place. Kendra and Seth both had some epic moments, but overall, everything felt quite rushed, there were so many new characters, and Kirby Heyborne replaced E.B Stevens as audible narrator, so there was a whole new set of voices to adjust to.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by Master of the Phantom Isle. Right from chapter 8 (I think) where Seth finishes eating bread and seafood and starts talking to the wraiths, up until the end, everything started to feel like old Fablehaven. Seth was back to being his rule-breaking self (despite this memory loss), Kendra was back to asking the Fairy Queen for help, and MOST IMPORTANTLY - VANESSA AND WARREN RETURNED. It seriously makes so much of a difference to have Warren especially, back with Kendra, because I have dearly missed seeing him constantly in a state of injury / recovery since book two ( i tease <3) , and Vanessa, Warren, and Tanu together feel like Kendra and Seth's O.G trio of slightly-older-but-still-cool magical adults who help them deal with the things they shouldn't have to be dealing with - you feel me?

but on another note, Vanessa is 100% hands down my favourite character in this series, which is why you'll have to forgive me but "would you still love me if I was ugly and over 20 feet tall / probably from a distance ;)" IS THE BEST LINE IN THIS BOOK. I'm so happy Vanessa and Warren are together after that whole beach showdown between Vanessa and Bracken in Fablehaven #5.

Some of my other favourite moments include:
- Seth trying to weasel information out of wraiths "Where would we be if we were on the surface / on the surface / no I know but like where in the WORLD would we be / the isle / okay but WHERE IS THE ISLE" lmao

- Seth's whole conversation with The Sage - the wood sprite sounded SO CUTE

- Seth making his own decisions and fulfilling his promises even after Ronodin and The Sphinx try to convince him otherwise (freeing that phantom, strengthening his shadow charming skills)

- THE UNICORN BATTLE BETWEEN BRACKEN AND RONODIN HOLY MOLY WAS THAT NOT THE COOLEST THING (We never did learn how and why Bracken's third horn stopped being used for the font of immortality, because the font is tied to the eternals, and the Sphinx is now an eternal so HOW IS HE ALIVE)

- KNOX SAVING THE DAY?!! I'll admit, I was not looking forward to seeing two newcomers having to learn all about the magical world but Knox and Tess are growing on me. Tess was adorable throughout this book "I wanna go swimming! / These waters are infested with sea serpents /...I don't wanna go swimming anymore" and Knox using the bag of gales and the unicorn horn to shred an evil octopus was pretty damn cool.

- Kendra being a boss-ass-bitch storming into the underworld and being like "I didn't come here to ask favours, I'm here to TELL you that I'm TAKING BACK what doesn't belong to you, whether you LIKE IT OR NOT" <3 <3 <3 she's come so far and every time she tells off another evil leader / destroys another evil malice, I am reminded of how girls are literally gonna change the world (Malala, Greta Thunberg, Little Miss Flint)

Some of the more disappointing moments however, were:
- Finding out that the Sphinx is EVIL AGAIN? :( I suppose I understand why he is - he is known for having shady morals / being a shifty character, but it's so frustrating to see all the work that went into the end of book five slowly being unravelled during Dragonwatch. I was like "we gotta deal with his meddling AGAIN!?"

(More to come x) ...more

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Sep 27, 2019 Sarah Wright rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of Fablehaven who have read the first two Dragonwatch books

4/5 stars — solidly entertaining and perfect for preteens

*contains spoilers for Fablehaven and the previous two Dragonwatch books!*

The third installment of the Dragonwatch series showcases everything Brandon Mull does best. From its silver-tongued antagonists to its clever plot, Master of the Phantom Isle is just what readers will expect from Seth and Kendra's latest adventure.

Characters: The Sorensen kids' paths diverge in this novel: Seth, missing his memories, is spirited away to the Phantom 4/5 stars — solidly entertaining and perfect for preteens

*contains spoilers for Fablehaven and the previous two Dragonwatch books!*

The third installment of the Dragonwatch series showcases everything Brandon Mull does best. From its silver-tongued antagonists to its clever plot, Master of the Phantom Isle is just what readers will expect from Seth and Kendra's latest adventure.

Characters: The Sorensen kids' paths diverge in this novel: Seth, missing his memories, is spirited away to the Phantom Isle by the fallen unicorn Ronodin; Kendra, meanwhile, has her hands full trying to contain the war with the dragons while seeking her missing brother. I like how the kids' characters continue to evolve as they age and gain more life experience. As in the book before this, Seth is becoming more circumspect while Kendra's confidence increases, which is fun to read. The only character-related thing I disliked was how some of the side characters introduced in Fablehaven (particularly the Sorensen grandparents) are starting to seem like an afterthought, but that might be inevitable as the cast continues to grow.

Plot: Seth's memory loss makes for quite a few nail-biting moments (and some cleverly written dialogue) and I particularly enjoyed Mull's handling of that concept. Kendra's side of things wasn't as interesting this time, in my opinion, but we still got to see new beings and parts of the magical world in her sections. Master of the Phantom Isle is the third book of the new quintet and it suffers from a bit of "middle book" syndrome, with only minor advancement to the series plot and a few slow sections. It's also on the longer side for a middle-grade novel, even one with YA-crossover appeal—the ebook was nearly 500 pages!

Portrayal of native islanders: I'm beginning to feel like a broken record in this regard, but I don't like the way Mull writes people of color. The new sanctuary we see in this book is called Crescent Lagoon, located somewhere in the Polynesian islands. The caretaker is described in very stereotypical "island native" clothing, and she and the other islanders are *super special native people* who basically worship a magic volcano. Oh, and a white guy (Warren) saves the sanctuary at one point. All that adds up to a bit of a problem in my eyes.

Overall, I enjoyed Master of the Phantom Isle; the takeaway here is that I'd love to see Mull demonstrate as much ability to evolve in the way he writes about minorities as in the way he learned to write an amnesiac character, something he mentioned as a challenge writing this book. The Dragonwatch series is an imaginative adventure for readers of any age (as long as they're able to handle fantasy violence and a few mild scares).

** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ** ...more

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About Brandon Mull

Brandon Mull

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Brandon Mull resides in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife and three children. He spent two years living in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile where he learned Spanish and juggling. He once won a pudding eating contest in the park behind his grandma’s house, earning a gold medal. Brandon is the author of the New York Times bestselling Fablehaven series and The Candy ...more