Book Review ~ 13 Curses

13 Curses (Thirteen Treasures #2)
by Michelle Harrison
published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
genre: MG/YA fantasy

Summary (full @Goodreads): The 13 Treasures have become the 13 Curses. When fairies stole her brother, Red vowed to get him back. Now trapped in the fairy realm, she begs to be seen before the fairy court where she strikes a bargain: Her brother in exchange for all thirteen charms from Tanya's bracelet....Can Red, Tanya, and Fabian find all thirteen charms? And if they do, will the fairies keep their promise?

My Thoughts: This story had everything I was waiting for in the first book. More about the fairies, more about the 13 treasures and more Red.
There were times when I thought Red was a little too full of herself but overall I was glad she was the main character in this book. Tanya, Fabian and even Warwick are also important in this.
I liked how the fairies were represented. With the Seelie being "good" and the Unseelie being the uncaring "bad" court. The casting out of the charms and having Red find them before she can get her brother out was an interesting task and I wasn't sure how they were going to go about it.
As I stated, I didn't like Red at times. Especially when she was dealing with Nell, I thought it was just too much. Fabian also had moments in this book that I just wanted to sit him down and tell him to stop acting like a brat. On the flip side, I enjoyed both Tanya and Warwick more in this story. Finding out more of Warwick's back story added to his character.
The biggest complaint was the epilogue. It wasn't needed and had me rolling my eyes while I read it. With everything that came out and was accomplished in this book I'm interested in seeing what the third book is about.

Rating: 4

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews to share your weekly book haul. It can be what you bought, received, borrowed, or were gifted. For more info you can go here.

Bought
Night Seeker (Indigo Court #3) by Yasmine Galenorn

Library
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire and Ice #1) by George R R Martin
Hunt the Moon (Cassandra Palmer #5) by Karen Chance
13 Curses (Thirteen Treasures #2) by Michelle Harrison

Currently Reading
A Game of Thrones ~ This is a long book
Hunt the Moon ~ I'm finding myself falling out of love with this series. Having trouble with this book.

This Week (some highlights)
NBUs...What Other ~ The Hobbit
Book Review ~ 13 Treasures

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

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews to share your weekly book haul. It can be what you bought, received, borrowed, or were gifted. For more info you can go here.
*All links go to Goodreads

Review
The End of Sunshine Street by Johanna C Hunt (received from author)

Won
The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze (won from Amanda @Letters Inside Out, Thank You!)

Library
A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
13 Treasures (Thirteen #1)by Michelle Harrison