At the end of the second book in the Warren the 13th series, the Warren Hotel had transformed into a giant ship and set sail for the open seas! When Warren the 13th and the 13-Year Curse opens, Warren is adjusting to the demands of running a floating hotel and is planning his 13th birthday party when disaster strikes the hotel is shipwrecked on a strange island. To make matters worse, his octopus-like friend Sketchy is kidnapped by a traveling circus! Warren and his friends must solve a series of riddles to find the next location of the circus and rescue their friend before it s too late. Along the way, they meet a delightful new cast of characters, including elderly pirates, a sea witch, a talking clam, and a giant sea monster. As Warren pursues Sketchy s kidnappers, he will learn the truth of his friend s mysterious origins as well as one final secret of the Warren Hotel.
Series Overview: This middle grade series follows the adventures of Warren the 13th, the twelve-year-old heir to the ancient Warren Hotel and its many secrets. As Warren struggles to keep the hotel running, he fends off pirates, witches, and snakes, solves riddles, and breaks spells, all with the help of his friends. Each book features an oversized hardcover format, gorgeous two-color illustrations on every page, and a lavish two-column turn-of-the-century design. We guarantee you ve never seen anything quite like it!
Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse is the third book in a middle grade series written by Tania del Rio. Due out 24th March 2020 from Quirk Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
These books are delightfully strange, humorous, well written, whimsically odd, and generally good (if occasionally dark) fun. This installment sees the inhabitants of Hotel Warren stranded on an uncharted tropical island and having adventures with pirates. The stories work well as standalone stories and it's not necessary to have read the previous books for continuity. The story will require a healthy suspension of disbelief and sense of fun however. The plot is non-stop, rollicking, and it's what I would definitely call a ripping yarn (with pirates, magic, and a sentient multi-eyed octopus sidekick thing called Sketchy).
The content is age appropriate and although it's aimed at a middle grade readership, it would make a fun bedtime read for younger kids. The art, by creator Will Staehle, is quirky and Edward Gorey-esque and moves the plot along as well as adding a load of personality to the narrative.
Highly recommended to all-ages and fans of middle grade fantasy (Spiderwick, Fablehaven, Mister Max, etc).
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
