Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull

There are many people, and magical creatures in the book Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull, and none are powerless.  They are all powerful in some way, and with power comes weakness, which they also possess.  Some of this power and weakness given to both mortals and the magical creatures is from a treaty.  Kendra and Seth discover this when they visit their grandfather who they don't know is the caretaker of a magical preserve. called Fablehaven.  It is home to some of the most dangerous creatures on Earth, and when their grandparents are abducted, they must navigate through this dangerous place in order to save their family.

Though they do not have strong magic, the caretaker and his family do hold power in many ways. Due to the treaty, their living place is protected.  Their grandfather says that "This house and the yard around it is the most protected location in Fablehaven."  This keeps them safe from the many evil creatures that have a strong wish to harm them.  Having a barrier that keeps them safe, a wall that separates them from the others in Fablehaven gives them tremendous power.  The treaty states that

"The fundamental premises of the law are mischief for mischief, magic for magic, violence for violence.  They will not initiate trouble unless you break the rules.  You have to open the door."  This is power for the caretaker and his family because they can not be hurt unless they hurt others.  They must be cautious, for the rule could work against them, but for the most part, it provides them with an immense amount of safety, compared to what they could have had.

In addition to the caretaker and his family, the magical beings in Fablehaven have some of the strongest power in the world, magically.  They have strong powers that they can use to trick and/or hurt mortals drastically.  At one point of the book, magical creatures trick the children into letting them into the house, which they destroy.  Kendra says to Seth, "You didn't do it.  They tricked you.  I would have opened the window if you hadn't."  This portrays just how easily the creatures are able to veil their murderous selves, in order to hurt mortals.  They are exceptional at deceiving others, which gives them an abundance of power over those that do not have the chance to change themselves to keep safe and in charge.  Another thing that gives the magical creatures power is their alliance with the Society of the Evening Star.

The Society of the Evening Star has power because they are a concealed group working to have preserves fall and dangerous immortals released, and the magical creatures they are working to release are working with them.  In a letter it says, "As always, secrecy and misdirection remain top priorities."  This shows how much power you can have if you are hidden.  You have power because when people don't know who or where you are, you can not be targeted.

In Fablehaven, one person's strength is another's weakness.  Everyone has a weapon, but every weapon can be used against them, making each person's enemy more dangerous.  Power is the secret to survive.