Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven)

Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven)

OVER 3.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD IN SERIES! Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved New York Times bestselling series about two siblings who inherit a hidden sanctuary for magical creatures. In the second installment of this worldwide phenomenon, Fablehaven comes under attack by a mysterious threat that looms far outside its walls. The most dangerous evil has infinite subtlety and patience. Beware: It is rising. At the end of the school year, Kendra and her brother, Seth, find themselves racing back to Fablehaven, a refuge for mythical and magical creatures. Grandpa Sorenson, the caretaker, invites three specialists—a potion master, a magical relics collector, and a mystical creature trapper—to help protect the property from the Society of the Evening Star, an ancient organization determined to steal a hidden artifact of great power. Will Kendra learn to use her fairy gifts in time? Will Seth stay out of trouble for long enough to defeat the threat? Time is running out, and Evening Star is storming the gates. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the downfall of other preserves—and possibly the world. Don’t forget to drink the milk. And definitely don’t miss any of Brandon Mull’s BEST-SELLING SERIES: FABLEHAVEN BOOKS 1-5• DRAGONWATCH Books 1-5 • GUARDIANS (Coming in 2026!) Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fablehaven and many other series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys pacing, popping bubble wrap, and squeezing stress toys. He lives in Utah with his wife Erlyn, their eleven kids, and three mischievous cats. Chapter One The New ­Student Crowding into homeroom with the other eighth graders, Kendra found her way to her desk. In a moment the bell would ring, signaling the start of the last week of school. One final week and she would leave middle school behind forever and start anew as a high school freshman, mingling with kids from two other junior ­highs. A year ago that had sounded like a more exciting prospect than it did now. Kendra had been stuck in a nerd rut since around fourth grade, and a fresh start in high school might have meant an opportunity to shed the quiet, studious image. But this had been a renaissance year. Amazing how swiftly a little confidence and a more ­out­going attitude could elevate your social status. Kendra no longer felt as desperate for a new ­beginning. Alyssa Carter sat down in the desk next to her. “I heard we get yearbooks today,” she said. She had short blonde hair and a slender build. Kendra had met Alyssa after making the soccer team back in ­September. “Great, I looked hypnotized in my picture,” Kendra ­groaned. “Yours was adorable. Remember mine? My braces look the size of train tracks.” “Whatever. You could hardly even notice them.” The bell rang. Most of the kids were in their seats. Mrs. Price entered the room accompanied by a student unlike any regular kid Kendra had ever seen. The boy had a bald, scabrous scalp and a face like a chapped welt. His eyes were puckered slits, his nose a bizarre cavity, his mouth lipless and crusty. He scratched his arm, crooked fingers lumpy with bulging ­warts. The hideous boy was otherwise nicely dressed in a black and red ­button-­down shirt, jeans, and stylish tennis shoes. He stood in front of the class beside Mrs. Price while she introduced ­him. “I’d like you all to meet Casey Hancock. His family just moved here from California. It can’t be easy starting at a new school so late in the year, so please give him a warm welcome.” “Just call me Case,” the boy rasped. He spoke like he was ­strangling. “Would you look at that,” Alyssa ­murmured. “No kidding,” Kendra whispered back. The poor kid barely looked human. Mrs. Price directed him to a desk near the front of the room. Creamy pus leaked from multiple sores on the back of his scabby ­head. “I think I’m in love,” Alyssa ­said. “Don’t be mean,” Kendra ­muttered. “What? I’m serious. Don’t you think he’s a hottie?” Alyssa was acting so sincere that Kendra found herself repressing a smile. “That’s just cruel.” “Are you blind? He’s amazing!” Alyssa sounded genuinely offended that Kendra didn’t ­agree. “If you say so,” Kendra placated. “Just not my type.” Alyssa shook her head as if Kendra had super-weird taste. “You must be the pickiest girl on the planet.” Morning announcements were droning over the loudspeaker. Case was talking with Jonathon White. Jonathon smiled and laughed. That was ­strange—­Jonathon was a jerk, not the sort of kid to befriend a monster. Kendra noticed Jenna Chamberlain and Karen Sommers sharing looks and whispers as if they too found Case attractive. Like Alyssa, they didn’t seem to be joking. Scanning the room, Kendra didn’t see a single student who seemed repulsed by his ­appearance. What was going on? Nobody who looked this weird could come into a class without raising any ­eyebrows. And suddenly the truth was ­apparent. Casey Hancock looked inhumanly hideous because he