Fablehaven: Chapters 6–9

by Brandon Mull
When Kendra and Seth visit their grandparents, they learn that their grandfather is the caretaker for Fablehaven, a sanctuary for magical creatures.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–9, Chapters 10–13, Chapters 14–15, Chapters 16–19
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. gilded
    having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
    The sun was peeking over the eastern horizon, streaming gilded highlights across the treetops.
  2. gunwale
    a plank or ridge at the top of the side of a boat
    He leaned too close to the gunwale, and a naiad caught hold of his sleeve as he conversed with his favorite.
  3. arcane
    requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
    “The Society of the Evening Star is an arcane organization that we all hoped had gone extinct decades ago,” Maddox explained.
  4. docile
    easily handled or managed
    “Keep her in a cage, or a sealed room, like this one, and her magic cannot be used to escape. While under confinement they become fairly docile and obedient.”
  5. aria
    an elaborate song for solo voice
    The wordless song had the power of an operatic aria mingled with the sweetness of a lullaby.
  6. grouse
    complain
    No grousing. I have negotiations to conduct with Maddox tonight.
  7. din
    a loud, harsh, or strident noise
    Beneath their covers in the dark attic the night before, Kendra and Seth had found sleeping impossible as they listened to howling laughter, shattering glass, twittering flutes, slamming doors, and the constant din of shouted conversations.
  8. reconnaissance
    the act of scouting, especially to gain information
    “Go back to bed,” she said each time they attempted a reconnaissance mission.
  9. revelry
    unrestrained merrymaking
    Now they were creeping down the stairs in hopes of glimpsing the aftermath of the night’s revelry.
  10. forte
    an asset of special worth or utility
    Invading privacy wasn’t really her forte.
  11. missive
    a written message addressed to a person or organization
    I trust this missive finds you in good health.
  12. awry
    turned or twisted to one side
    Lena appeared in the doorway, dressed in a bathrobe, hair awry.
  13. shamble
    walk by dragging one's feet
    He shambled off, scratching his thigh.
  14. satyr
    one of a class of woodland deities
    “Without your grandmother here to rein in the merriment, things got a little too festive. Didn’t help that they invited the satyrs.”
  15. speculative
    not based on fact or investigation
    “But these preserves have endured for centuries, some for millennia. Fablehaven is well protected, and your grandfather is no fool. You needn’t worry about speculative rumors. I’ll not say more on the subject. Cheese in your eggs?”
  16. incensed
    angered at something unjust or wrong
    The incensed fairy pounded her tiny fists noiselessly against the wall of the jar.
  17. inherent
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
    In the dark room, her inherent glimmer illuminated the entire drawer.
  18. mottled
    having spots or patches of color
    A round loaf of bread sat on the table, a mottled mixture of white, black, brown, and orange.
  19. flounder
    have difficulties; behave awkwardly
    Seth floundered at the center of an underwater pyrotechnics display.
  20. roiling
    (of a liquid) agitated vigorously; in a state of turbulence
    The roiling mass of fairies converged on Seth again, hauling him to the bottom of the pool amid eerie bursts of light.
  21. stipple
    produce a mottled effect
    Most of his hair had fallen out, revealing a lumpy scalp stippled with moles.
  22. misshapen
    so badly formed or distorted as to be ugly
    A misshapen hump swelled high above his shoulders.
  23. wallow
    devote oneself entirely to something
    They become spiteful and jealous, wallowing in wretchedness.
  24. haggard
    showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
    The crazed cackle suited her haggard appearance much better than her speaking voice did.
  25. stalwart
    possessing or displaying courage
    “Did our stalwart adventurer have a mishap? Did his clever tongue finally betray him?”
  26. insolent
    marked by casual disrespect
    “I knew he was insolent, but never suspected such cruelty! Lock him in a shed, I say. For the sake of the fairies. Lock him up tight.”
  27. incantation
    a ritual reciting of words believed to have a magical effect
    She mumbled an unintelligible incantation.
  28. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    Her high, trilling voice gave life to a wistful melody.
  29. fervent
    characterized by intense emotion
    Several fairies darted over from the garden, hovering around her in a loose semicircle, interrupting the warbling tune with fervent chirping.
  30. facile
    performing adroitly and without effort
    I would not last a minute on the trapeze or the tightrope. Once I played on them with facile agility.
  31. glib
    marked by lack of intellectual depth
    I am impressed by how glibly most mortals confront the debilitation of the body. Patton. Your grandparents. Many others. They just accept it.
  32. riotous
    characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
    The night before is a holiday of riotous abandon for the whimsical creatures of Fablehaven.
  33. swath
    a path or strip (also figurative)
    The hulking figure slashed down wide swaths of alfalfa at a relentless pace, both scythes hissing and chiming without pause.
  34. semblance
    the outward or apparent appearance or form of something
    “Granted the semblance of life by a powerful enchanter. Hugo was donated to the preserve a couple hundred years ago.”
  35. insidious
    working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
    “Some of the most insidious tricks employed tonight will involve artifice and illusion. Without the milk you could be even more susceptible. It would only broaden their ability to mask their true appearance.”
  36. artifice
    the use of deception or trickery
    “Some of the most insidious tricks employed tonight will involve artifice and illusion. Without the milk you could be even more susceptible. It would only broaden their ability to mask their true appearance.”
  37. simian
    relating to or resembling an ape or a monkey
    A bulky creature with a simian build was marching toward the greenhouse pulling a rickshaw-type contraption the size of a wagon.
  38. golem
    an artificial human that is given life by supernatural means
    “What is he?” Kendra asked Lena.
    “A golem,” she replied. “Animated matter granted rudimentary intelligence. He does most of the heavy labor around here.”
  39. rudimentary
    being in the earliest stages of development
    “What is he?” Kendra asked Lena.
    “A golem,” she replied. “Animated matter granted rudimentary intelligence. He does most of the heavy labor around here.”
  40. inert
    slow and apathetic
    The inert golem sprang to life.
Created on Sun Nov 25 19:41:02 EST 2018 (updated Thu Nov 29 14:52:49 EST 2018)

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