Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull (Fablehaven Book 5)

Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison. Facing the potential of a world-ending calamity, all friends of light must unite in a final effort to thwart the Sphinx's designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts. To this end, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn will venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven to strange and exotic magical preserves across the globe, where the end of every quest becomes the beginning of another. In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison.

As it says in the description, this is the final book in the series. Knowing that makes me a little sad, especially now that I have read it.

I love the characters in this series. Each book, I became more and more attached to them. I loved how they grew and developed as the story progressed and I loved the new characters that were added throughout the series. I think Brandon Mull is possibly a character genius.

That said, I am VERY  a little bugged with the ending. Is there anyone else who invested all that time into 2500+ pages NOT annoyed with how the series concluded?? It reminded me of the Twilight saga. All that bulidup in the first 3 books and 3/4 of Breaking Dawn and then... nothing. The book just ends. Like they got sick of writing about the same characters for years upon years. Well, guess what??? WE DIDN'T GET SICK OF READING ABOUT THEM SO GIVE US A DECENT ENDING!! (I love how the "problem" was solved though and the new arrangements they made. I thought that wrapped up nicely. I just didn't like how things were left open with some of the characters.)

I know that Brandon Mull's publisher is linked to Deseret Book and "clean" books are their "thing" which I love and hate at the same time. I mean, he couldn't even sneak in one little kiss in the last book? I really wanted to see where things go with Kendra and her new love interest, and knowing that this is the last book and that won't happen bums me out. :( At the end of the book, there was a page titled (something alond the lines of...) This is Really the End?!?!?! in which the author says he is for sure done with Fablehaven, but he may revisit some of the characters in other books. So, I want to offically put my vote in for Kendra and "Joe" (we're calling him "Joe" because I don't want to give anything away!).

If you haven't read this series, and even if you "aren't a fan" of fantasy, READ THESE! They are about humans whose lives cross with mythical creatures. I always said that I "wasn't a fan" of fantasy, but I absolutely loved this series. And, as I said before, it is ABSURDLY clean (wink,wink) so even younger readers could love them. Discover Fablehaven! You'll be so glad you did.