Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson

We don't see Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson together much—at first Grandma's in chicken-form, and then Grandpa gets captured by the powers of darkness—but individually, they act as mentors to Seth and Kendra. Grandpa explains the rules of magic to the kids, giving them advice like, "If you do not bother the creatures, they will not bother you" (5.150)—Grandpa is big about rules, which obviously doesn't go over well with Seth.

Grandma's guidance is a little more practical and hands-on, in part because she steps into the picture during a crisis. Her aim is to keep the kids safe while neutralizing Muriel, explaining: "If we allow her enough time to release Bahumat, we will all need saving" (15.98). Grandma lets the kids in on her plan, giving them instructions to get out if the plan goes poorly—and Kendra takes her advice, showing that Grandma's mentoring hasn't gone to waste.

Lena

Kendra looks up to Lena, and in turn Lena clues her into the world of magical creatures. Kendra learns from Lena about the origin of the boathouse (which becomes important when Kendra needs to save the preserve by getting to the island), and Kendra also gets a sense of Fablehaven's history. Lena tells Kendra:

"There are quiet corners of the world where our kind continue to thrive in the wild. And yet the day will inevitably come when the only space remaining to us will be these sanctuaries, a precious gift from enlightened mortals." (7.117)

That little nugget of info seems to stick with Kendra and reinforce her sense of respect for the preserve and its citizens.