Brandon Mull is an American author recognized for his popular children's fantasy series, including Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, The Candy Shop War, the Beyonders trilogy, and the Five Kingdoms series. He also initiated the Spirit Animals series. Mull's writing is influenced by literary giants such as J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and J. K. Rowling. He currently resides in Alpine, Utah, and is a graduate of Brigham Young University, where he was involved in sketch comedy. His childhood was marked by a vivid imagination, often leading him to create stories internally. Before achieving literary success, Mull held a variety of jobs and experienced an early publishing setback. His first novel did not find success and remained unpublished, which eventually led him to work in marketing for a film company. His breakthrough came after the film company was acquired by a publishing house, allowing him to publish his first novel, Fablehaven.

Born on November 8, 1974, Brandon Mull developed a strong imagination from a young age, often spending time alone creating and acting out stories. This imaginative inclination, while sometimes distracting in school, was also encouraged by some educators. His literary inspirations include prominent fantasy authors J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and J. K. Rowling, whose works likely shaped his approach to world-building and narrative in his own fantasy creations. Mull's educational background includes attending schools in California before graduating from Brigham Young University in Utah. During his time at BYU, he participated in sketch comedy with the group Divine Comedy and also completed a two-year religious mission in Chile for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mull's professional path before becoming a full-time author was diverse, encompassing roles such as a comedian, filing clerk, patio installer, movie promoter, copywriter, and even a chicken stacker. His initial attempt at publishing a novel proved unsuccessful, leading him to a career detour in marketing for the film industry. It was through this connection that Mull eventually found his way back to publishing, with his first novel, Fablehaven, being published after the film company he worked for was acquired by a publishing house. Fablehaven, which introduces siblings Seth and Kendra Sorenson discovering their grandparents' role in managing a sanctuary for mythical creatures, became the foundation for a popular series. This success paved the way for other well-known series such as Dragonwatch, The Candy Shop War, the Beyonders trilogy, and the Five Kingdoms series, as well as his involvement in the Spirit Animals series.

Brandon Mull's body of work primarily explores themes of magic, adventure, and the struggle between good and evil within fantastical realms. Series like Fablehaven and Dragonwatch delve into hidden worlds where mythical creatures reside, often requiring young protagonists to protect these magical preserves from external threats or internal conflicts, such as dragons seeking freedom from their sanctuaries. The Beyonders series features a teenage boy summoned to save a doomed realm, while the Five Kingdoms series involves a young protagonist navigating a world of enslaved children and distinct magical systems. The Candy Shop War introduces elements of magical confections and arcades, hinting at a blend of the mundane and the extraordinary. Mull's narratives often center on young characters confronting significant challenges, developing courage, and learning to work together to overcome adversity.