Scan barcode
bookish_whispers's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you so much Quirk Books for letting me get an early copy of Warren the 13th! I have adored this series since the first book came out five years ago. And, while I'm sad this will be the last adventure we get with the Warren and the inhabitants of the Warren Hotel. I'm glad to have been apart of the journey these last few years.
No better place to to start than with the cover. As always they picked the perfect to accent throughout the story, and since most of the story takes place on the high seas. So blue was the perfect color. The shark chasing Warren on the back cover is probably my favorite part of the cover.
Despite the three year gap between the second book and third, the story takes place not long after the first book ends. The Warren isn't so much lost at sea, as it hasn't seen land since the Malwoods. But that doesn't matter because it's Warren's Thirteenth birthday! Which means something is bound to go wrong. Because if Warren didn't have bad luck, he'd have no luck at all.
Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse keeps to the same formula as the rest of the series. Things always go from bad to worse, Warren uses his smarts to get out of trouble, and there are puzzles to be solved. Only this time their are pirates! Well, retired pirates!
Petula is still my favorite characters of all of those staying at the Warren Hotel. She always seems to have her head on straight, and is always ready to save the day. Without her I'm not completely Warren would have made it this far in his adventures. Sometimes he forgets how smart he is and needs Petula to remind him that he doesn't need tricks and magic to get through whatever obstacle is in his way. On that note, Mr. Vanderbelly is probably my least favorite of those staying at the Warren Hotel. While Uncle Rupert is completely useless and he knows it. Mr. Vanderbelly can't be bothered to help because he's taking notes. Just ugh...whatever. He kind of redeemed himself toward the end, but still not my favorite.
As for the story itself it was so much fun. We start with a shipwreck that leads to Sketchy being a worshiped to Sketchy being kidnapped. The story moves pretty fast with the usually puzzles and riddles to be solved. I really felt like the High Seas theme was met and then some. We got everything I could have wanted, and Bonny was a lovely addition. The Warren the 13th series is Middle Grade, and the puzzle fit in with that age range. Not easy, but not overly complicated. One of them almost had be scratching my head. Took my a little longer than it should have to see the pattern to the solve the puzzle.
There are ups and downs through the story, but never once does Warren give. And, it such a great story about a found family. They take care of each, protect each other, and do what it take to get back the member of their family that is kidnapped. It's everything I adore about this series, and a great way to end the series as well. Even though I'm sad that that series is coming to end after only three books.
These are books that are fun to read again and again. So, thanks again to Quirk Books for sending me a copy of Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse. It was a great way to end the series and I enjoyed every page!
You can this review and other bookish posts at my blog, Bookish Whispers!
No better place to to start than with the cover. As always they picked the perfect to accent throughout the story, and since most of the story takes place on the high seas. So blue was the perfect color. The shark chasing Warren on the back cover is probably my favorite part of the cover.
Despite the three year gap between the second book and third, the story takes place not long after the first book ends. The Warren isn't so much lost at sea, as it hasn't seen land since the Malwoods. But that doesn't matter because it's Warren's Thirteenth birthday! Which means something is bound to go wrong. Because if Warren didn't have bad luck, he'd have no luck at all.
Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse keeps to the same formula as the rest of the series. Things always go from bad to worse, Warren uses his smarts to get out of trouble, and there are puzzles to be solved. Only this time their are pirates! Well, retired pirates!
Petula is still my favorite characters of all of those staying at the Warren Hotel. She always seems to have her head on straight, and is always ready to save the day. Without her I'm not completely Warren would have made it this far in his adventures. Sometimes he forgets how smart he is and needs Petula to remind him that he doesn't need tricks and magic to get through whatever obstacle is in his way. On that note, Mr. Vanderbelly is probably my least favorite of those staying at the Warren Hotel. While Uncle Rupert is completely useless and he knows it. Mr. Vanderbelly can't be bothered to help because he's taking notes. Just ugh...whatever. He kind of redeemed himself toward the end, but still not my favorite.
As for the story itself it was so much fun. We start with a shipwreck that leads to Sketchy being a worshiped to Sketchy being kidnapped. The story moves pretty fast with the usually puzzles and riddles to be solved. I really felt like the High Seas theme was met and then some. We got everything I could have wanted, and Bonny was a lovely addition. The Warren the 13th series is Middle Grade, and the puzzle fit in with that age range. Not easy, but not overly complicated. One of them almost had be scratching my head. Took my a little longer than it should have to see the pattern to the solve the puzzle.
There are ups and downs through the story, but never once does Warren give. And, it such a great story about a found family. They take care of each, protect each other, and do what it take to get back the member of their family that is kidnapped. It's everything I adore about this series, and a great way to end the series as well. Even though I'm sad that that series is coming to end after only three books.
These are books that are fun to read again and again. So, thanks again to Quirk Books for sending me a copy of Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse. It was a great way to end the series and I enjoyed every page!
You can this review and other bookish posts at my blog, Bookish Whispers!
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
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
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
amandapgold's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
rhodesee's review against another edition
4.0
In the 3rd installment of the Warren the 13th series, Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse The Warren Hotel with it's cast of quirky inhabitants has left dry land to continue its adventures on the high seas. To pirate obsessed Warren its a dream come true but it wouldn't be a book about Warren and his friends without a few bumps along the way. A curse, a shipwreck and the kidnapping of Sketchy certainly fit the bill. Warren and his friends must once again, use their unique skillsets to get the hotel sea-worthy once again and find and rescue Sketchy. This series continues to be a joy to read. I really enjoyed learning Sketchy's story and the new characters that we got to meet along the way (pirates and sea witches and sea monsters, Oh my!). The illustrations are just as wonderful as ever. If you've read the first two books in the series I don't think you will be disappointed by this one!
kylielovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I think this was my favorite book in the series! I really loved the plot in this one. After finding out the hotel can turn into a ship, Warren and crew get shipwrecked on an island that ends up hosting a pirate retirement home. While there, Sketchy gets kidnapped and must be rescued.
The characters were great again, we have the addition of the retired pirates as well as 10 year old retirement home manager Bonny.
We basically go on this treasure hunt looking for Sketchy and it was just so much fun. I loved traveling around and seeing more of this world.
The illustrations in this book were great just like the other 2 with the only color being blue. The illustrations were one of my favorite parts of this series. Again, they really added a lot to the story and it was a fantastic way to break up the large pages and not feel like there was so much text on each page.
I loved this series and I'm so thankful for QuirkBooks for gifting me this series!
I think this was my favorite book in the series! I really loved the plot in this one. After finding out the hotel can turn into a ship, Warren and crew get shipwrecked on an island that ends up hosting a pirate retirement home. While there, Sketchy gets kidnapped and must be rescued.
The characters were great again, we have the addition of the retired pirates as well as 10 year old retirement home manager Bonny.
We basically go on this treasure hunt looking for Sketchy and it was just so much fun. I loved traveling around and seeing more of this world.
The illustrations in this book were great just like the other 2 with the only color being blue. The illustrations were one of my favorite parts of this series. Again, they really added a lot to the story and it was a fantastic way to break up the large pages and not feel like there was so much text on each page.
I loved this series and I'm so thankful for QuirkBooks for gifting me this series!
managedbybooks's review against another edition
3.0
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.
kmk182's review against another edition
4.0
Warren is such a great character. Truly fun for all ages. While the third and final book got a little dull in the middle for me; its still a series I hold in high regard.
I received an advanced copy of this book.
I received an advanced copy of this book.
lokireads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0