Book Review (Arc) ~ Warren the 13th and The All Seeing Eye

Warren the 13th and The All Seeing Eye

by Tania del Rio
Illustrated by Will Staehle
published by Quirk Books
expected release date: November 24, 2015
genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mystery,

**received from publisher/netgalley in exchange for honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Meet Warren the 13th, a cursed 12-year-old Victorian bellhop who’s terribly unlucky . . . yet perpetually optimistic, hard-working, and curious. Orphan Warren’s pride and joy is his family’s hotel, but he’s been miserable ever since his evil Aunt Anaconda took over the management. Anaconda believes a mysterious treasure known as the All-Seeing Eye is hidden somewhere on the grounds, and she’ll do anything to find it. If Warren wants to preserve his family’s legacy, he’ll need to find the treasure first—if the hotel’s many strange and wacky guests don’t beat him to it! This middle-grade adventure features gorgeous two-color illustrations on every page and a lavish two-column Victorian design that will pull young readers into a spooky and delightful mystery.

My Thoughts: I wanted to read this for two reasons. The first cover (here) caught my attention when I was scrolling through netgalley. The final cover and illustrations the author posted made me want it even more. The second reason is my son. He is not a fan of fiction books, reads mostly non-fiction, and I am always looking for stuff for him to read that will make his teachers happy. This is one I will be getting for him when it comes out.
Warren comes from a long line of Warrens, all eventually become owners/managers of the hotel. Unfortunately, our Warren receives the hotel before he is old enough to run it, leaving him and it in the care of his aunt and uncle. The uncle is lazy and spends all his time eating and sleeping and the aunt is evil, always coming up with new ways to torture/discipline Warren.
Anaconda fills the classic villain role well. She is evil, greedy, and will do anything to get what she wants. Power, power and more power. With the help of her sisters (and several others) they manage to tear apart the hotel looking for the Eye, all under the nose of the oblivious uncle.
There were many twists and turn along with all of Warrens ups and downs throughout the book. Warren, while not your typical leading character, is still great and you cannot help but root for him. There are many surprises and great side characters, meaning there is something for everyone.
As I said, I'll definitely be getting this for my son and personally, I'm most looking forward to seeing the final illustrations.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ 13 Treasures

13 Treasures (Thirteen Treasures #1)
by Michelle Harrison
published by Little, Brown books for young readers
genre: Middle Grade

Summary (Goodreads): Tanya is no ordinary girl. She can see fairies. But not the fairies we imagine. Evil fairies who cast spells on her, rousing her from her sleep and propelling her out of bed. At wit's end with her daughter's inexplicable behavior, Tanya's mother sends her away to live with her grandmother at Elvesden Manor, a secluded countryside mansion on the outskirts of a peculiar Essex town.

There is plenty to explore, as long as Tanya stays away from Hangman's Wood- a vast stretch of forest, full of catacombs and notorious for people losing their lives. Fifty years ago a girl vanished in the woods, a girl Tanya's grandmother will not speak of. As Tanya learns more about this girl, she finds herself dangerously close to vanishing into the fairy realm forever.

My Thoughts: There was plenty to enjoy in this story.  From the fairies (all kinds) to characters that could stand up on their own against whatever was going on. Some were more memorable than others. My favorite in this story was Red (main character from book 2) she seemed to be everything Tanya wanted to be. While Tanya was on her way, she wasn't quite there yet. Tanya's defining moment, for me, was when she took the time to bury the fairy that was killed on her gramdmother's windshield. Even with all the mischief and trouble the fairie's had done to  and caused her, she still felt it was important enough to do.
This story delves into the dark side of fairy tales. From changelings, blood pacts gone wrong, to the Seelie and Unseelie we get a glimpse  of it all. The sacrifices made not only by Tanya's grandmother but also by Red to protect Tanya made the story what it is.
Overall, the only thing missing for me was the 13 treasures. While we find out what they are and what they are for, I kept waiting for them to play a part in the story. The story stood on its own and was an enjoyable read but based on the title I kept waiting for more.

Rating: 4