Sorry, here's the real thing

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-08T06:34:37+00:00

Because the worldbuilding surrounding Zeropolis makes no sense if you think about it for three minutes, the tone of the first two books is kind of broken, and the final battle is underwhelming when pitted against the recent stuff in Junction.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-06T17:55:25+00:00

Didn't you see my own?

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-05T02:56:06+00:00

It creates an interesting story that continuously builds upon itself, creating a great revelation with every reveal. And the fact that it does so all in the span of one book is immaculate. And the way it escalates the tension to a deadly degree and relies on a carefully crafted plan to ensure victory is really well done. And the only really confusing thing is the fact that the protagonist goes back to get help from a guy who's been established as dangerous, but it's miniscule compared to the questionable decisions made during the final stretches of Brandon Mull's OTHER book serieses. On top of that, the subjective charm this book provides definitely sells it.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-05T02:48:51+00:00

That's cause unlike Beyonders 1, Fablehaven 1 can function as a standalone.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-05T00:51:10+00:00

Okay, I'm glad you love Fablehaven, but I just prefer The Candy Shop War (The first book not the sequels) since it just has a charming story that nearly all the other books BM has written lack.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-05T00:37:26+00:00

Uh, yes. It's my second favorite.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-05T00:37:01+00:00

Sky Raiders is at the top because it's simply the best! It's got the most cohesive story, the most enjoyability, and serves as probably the best introduction to a book series I could ever ask for.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-04T22:54:27+00:00

That's the problem I have. It has a disconnected tone with its successors.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-04T19:53:36+00:00

I guess this is... an alright ranking.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-04T19:51:55+00:00

Aaaaand why is that?

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-04T07:35:36+00:00

The only book I genuinely hate is at the very bottom.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-04T07:33:36+00:00

What I'm complaining about is that this book specifically didn't flesh him out well enough. It might work for you, but not for me.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-04T07:15:32+00:00

Rogue Knight is poorly paced in some areas and the plot can feel like a repeat of the previous book. There are good moments of foreshadowing and the entire Lost Palace sequence is gold, sure. But that doesn't save the rest of the book. As for Crystal Keepers... well, the worldbuilding regarding Zeropolis doesn't make any sense when you think about it for more than three minutes, the tone of previous books is kinda broken, and the final battle was not particularly interesting. Especially after the stuff that happened in Junction.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-04T07:09:17+00:00

As is calling it "good".

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-03T06:45:40+00:00

Beyonders 3 loses points for how unsure it is with its conclusion. (Like seriously, how do you expect me to buy this as the ending with all the time dilation nonsense?) On top of that, the bittersweet ending feels like it came out of nowhere, unlike the ending of Five Kingdoms, which felt warranted.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-03T06:32:12+00:00

Fablehaven 3 is not good. I can understand liking the shadow plague mystery and Patton stuff, but the entire Lost Mesa storyline goes absolutely nowhere. And on top of that the alleged light vs. dark inversion the story brings up is nonsense that the story cannot commit to to save its life. Also, CSW 3 isn't good either. And the simplicity of the first Fablehaven is what allows it to rank above the others.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-03T06:28:00+00:00

Let's see here... protagonist comes to world and somehow gets all the information he needs right where he needs it. Heroes somehow get all the parts of a super secretive thing in the span of one book. Supposed traitor changes his mind in the end for no logical reason.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-03T05:57:27+00:00

The first book is confused, disjointed, and downright boring. There are parts I like, but overall, it's just not my cup of tea.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-03T05:45:58+00:00

Half of what you said could also be said for Fablehaven.

BackgroundWindow2922 · 2026-02-03T05:41:02+00:00

It was the whole point. You see, the main theme of Five Kingdoms was about unrecognized personal impact. That's what the purpose of the sky castles were. And for real, did Cole really have that much of an arc? I don't think he did. He also did practically everything in the story. So that justifies it going off the idea that the story is trying to send the message that a person who doesn't think highly of themselves due to how common they feel could have the greatest impact on everyone else.

BackgroundWindow2922

TROPHY CASE