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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This book. Just read it. It's amazing and it kept my attention and I couldn't put it down.
Reading this book felt like reading Harry Potter. It's mainly written for younger readers, but is also very interesting for older ones as well. It's just that well written and adventurous. Just read it.
Reading this book felt like reading Harry Potter. It's mainly written for younger readers, but is also very interesting for older ones as well. It's just that well written and adventurous. Just read it.
The final 100 pages of this was really good, but it did take a while for me to get into. 3 stars is a GOOD rating, but this didn't blow me away. I don't think it helps that I'm looking back retrospectively for a book written in 2009 - a lot of the explanations of faeries and the seelie/unseelie courts would've been so 'new' and interesting back then, but by now it has been done many times so it wasn't told in some ground-breaking way. Does that make any sense?
It's fantasy + horror lol. It made me kinda scared when I read about the 14 yr old girl. And the best part is when Tanya was kept repeating after Warwick bc fairies put the curse on her. It cracked me up so bad lol
Totally in love with the books of Michelle Harrison, and narrator Nicky Diss, so it was a easy pick for my next audiobook (serie) to start in this next read.
This is a beautiful, not commonly written, yet dark story. It’s special that the fairies are not cute with glitters. The atmosphere in the entire story is dark and gothic, but pleasantly and creates well rounded characters.
This is a beautiful, not commonly written, yet dark story. It’s special that the fairies are not cute with glitters. The atmosphere in the entire story is dark and gothic, but pleasantly and creates well rounded characters.
I'm beginning to think that middle-grade literature is the way to go now! :) The Thirteen Treasures is the story of young Tanya visiting her grandmother's house. When she finds an old photograph, she is pulled into an unsolved mystery. Fifty years ago a girl vanished in the woods nearby - a girl Tanya's grandmother will not speak of. Together with the caretaker's grandson, Fabian, they decide to find the truth. But Tanya has her own secret: the ability to see fairies and soon, they are facing terrible danger. Will they be able to unravel the mystery? Will history repeat itself?
I absolutely adore this story. At first, I was skeptical because I've been reading quite a few fairies books these days and all of them seem to be leveraging on the fact that their fairies are the traditional sort, like Puck, but they always come off short. Not The Thirteen Treasures. In here, the fairies are mean, cruel and they come after Tanya relentlessly.
But to her credit, Tanya is an extremely likeable character. Unable to tell the truth to her mother, she is forced to keep her abilities a secret and with it, the existence of fairies. Yet, she has an appetite for adventure and that's where the story really flourishes. I felt like I was in the adventure the whole time too. One needs to be careful of meddling humans, cruel fairies, rhyming goblins and even a kidnapper or two in The Thirteen Treasures.
There were certain plot developments that I didn't expect and I liked them all, because it made the story that much more interesting. The novel doesn't exactly end on a cliffhanger but it does leave a major, major hole where a sequel is definitely needed. I'm sure readers of both middle grade and YA age will enjoy the The Thirteen Treasures and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel. :)
I absolutely adore this story. At first, I was skeptical because I've been reading quite a few fairies books these days and all of them seem to be leveraging on the fact that their fairies are the traditional sort, like Puck, but they always come off short. Not The Thirteen Treasures. In here, the fairies are mean, cruel and they come after Tanya relentlessly.
But to her credit, Tanya is an extremely likeable character. Unable to tell the truth to her mother, she is forced to keep her abilities a secret and with it, the existence of fairies. Yet, she has an appetite for adventure and that's where the story really flourishes. I felt like I was in the adventure the whole time too. One needs to be careful of meddling humans, cruel fairies, rhyming goblins and even a kidnapper or two in The Thirteen Treasures.
There were certain plot developments that I didn't expect and I liked them all, because it made the story that much more interesting. The novel doesn't exactly end on a cliffhanger but it does leave a major, major hole where a sequel is definitely needed. I'm sure readers of both middle grade and YA age will enjoy the The Thirteen Treasures and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel. :)
When I picked this book up I was in the mood for something atmospheric, immersive and maybe slightly creepy, and The Thirteen Treasures ticked every one of those boxes. Similarly to the Pinch of Magic series by the same author, this is a children's fantasy novel which verges on horror and is utterly gripping.
I don't love this as much as I do the Pinch of Magic series, but that really has more to do with my personal preferences than the book itself (I'm honestly not fond of stories with fairies). I wanted to try more of Harrison's work though and I'm glad I did because I had a good time with it despite the fairies, the writing was as good as ever. I definitely plan to read the rest of the series when I can get hold of them. Highly recommended, especially if you like creepy fairies.
I don't love this as much as I do the Pinch of Magic series, but that really has more to do with my personal preferences than the book itself (I'm honestly not fond of stories with fairies). I wanted to try more of Harrison's work though and I'm glad I did because I had a good time with it despite the fairies, the writing was as good as ever. I definitely plan to read the rest of the series when I can get hold of them. Highly recommended, especially if you like creepy fairies.
Stilistisch möchte ich einen mördermäßigen Grammatikfehler zu Beginn des Buches erwähnen (der Dativ ist dem Genitiv sein Tod!!) und einen seltsamen Ausdruck zum Ende hin.
Inhaltlich hingegen hat mir das Buch sehr gefallen, es liest sich leicht und schnell weg und ich war sehr gespannt, auf das Geheimnis des verschwundenen Mädchens und was Tanyas Großmutter und der alten Haushälter Amos mit der Sache zu tun haben. In welchem Maße sind die Elfen daran beteiligt. Sind sie es überhaupt? Was mich verwirrt, aber andererseits begeistert hat, ist, dass die Autorin keine verkappte Liebesgeschichte eingebunden hat. Tanya und Fabian konnten sich am Anfang wohl ausstehen, waren aber trotzdem eher froh, wenn der andere Abstand hielt. Im Laufe des Buches hat sich eine Freundschaft entwickelt, eine Liebesbeziehung ist nicht ausgeschlossen. Es gibt ja schon drei weitere Teile und ich würde mich freuen, wenn ich die auch noch in die Finger bekäme.
Inhaltlich hingegen hat mir das Buch sehr gefallen, es liest sich leicht und schnell weg und ich war sehr gespannt, auf das Geheimnis des verschwundenen Mädchens und was Tanyas Großmutter und der alten Haushälter Amos mit der Sache zu tun haben. In welchem Maße sind die Elfen daran beteiligt. Sind sie es überhaupt? Was mich verwirrt, aber andererseits begeistert hat, ist, dass die Autorin keine verkappte Liebesgeschichte eingebunden hat. Tanya und Fabian konnten sich am Anfang wohl ausstehen, waren aber trotzdem eher froh, wenn der andere Abstand hielt. Im Laufe des Buches hat sich eine Freundschaft entwickelt, eine Liebesbeziehung ist nicht ausgeschlossen. Es gibt ja schon drei weitere Teile und ich würde mich freuen, wenn ich die auch noch in die Finger bekäme.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The best book I've read in my entire life! This one got me into reading.
This is a wonderful book! I liked and enjoyed it so very much!
The premise isn't something terribly original! It's about a girl that can see the fairies roaming the world all around us. It's been done many times before but this is the only one I actually liked.
Harrison based her fairy realm on research she's done and it shows. She is incorporating the Seelie and Unseelie Court mythology, as well as ways to protect yourself against evil fairies that are rooted in folklore. Her fairies are distinct personalities just like the characters. They are described beautifully, they are attributed unique gifts and habits and they can be really nasty and scary.
In most off the books about fairies, they author (1) goes for the shock factor by sexing them up, like in [b:Wicked Lovely|305234|Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)|Melissa Marr|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327814035s/305234.jpg|296240], (2) comes up with something ridiculous and unbelievable as in [b: Darkfever |112750|Darkfever (Fever, #1)|Karen Marie Moning|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392579949s/112750.jpg|108558] or (3) claims they are dangerous, evil and nasty but it's usually just talk; and then there's always the Disney version.
In this book Harrison chooses to stay traditional with their appearance, she keeps them detached from the human world, but still interacting with it, and when they decide to turn nasty they really do mean business. Those forest scenes were schilling.
I loved the characters as well. I liked the friendship between Fabian and Tanya. I liked that they were two independent personalities, that didn't necessarily get along, but since they were brought together by circumstances they decided to try and work out their differences in order to achieve a mutual goal, and through this ordeal a beautiful friendship was build.
Fabian was geeky and quirky, he was smart and bullheaded. He was very much what you'd expect a 12 or 13 year old boy to be and he was intriguing, mysterious and enraging at times.
Tanya was amazing! She was kind, patient and understating to the adults, than never believed her and insisting on punishing her, and to the faeries for they weren't all out to torment her. She was brave, compassionate, unbiased and just. She loved puzzles and she was a great friend! She was also naive and uncertain, she was getting mad at people and even threw the occasional tantrum but firstly she was entitled to one and secondly it only made her character more realistic and that's what I adored about Tanya. The whole plot of the book wouldn't exist if Tanya wasn't in possession of a unique ability but, and this is a big but, she is not the typical special snowflake that everyone treats as if she is the beginning and end of everything. Tanya is presented as a normal 12 year old girl that is sent to the grandmother as a punishment for being difficult that just so happens to be able to see faeries.
The plot was quite predictable but I din't mind one bit because I loved watching it unfold.
I'm not a fun of third person omniscient, I'd much prefer the third person limited point of view, and Harrison needs to work on how to handle dramatic plot deliveries as well as drooping clues inconspicuously throughout the book, but overall I enjoyed her writing.
I though the adults' book time was suspiciously little. Tanya was sent to her grandmother as a punishment but there were no chores, no lecturing, no nothing. She was felt to her own devices and allowed to roam freely which, given the circumstances, didn't make much sense.
I recommencement this book to people that like mysteries, dark and scary faerie tales, interesting characters, and don't necessarily require romance.
The premise isn't something terribly original! It's about a girl that can see the fairies roaming the world all around us. It's been done many times before but this is the only one I actually liked.
Harrison based her fairy realm on research she's done and it shows. She is incorporating the Seelie and Unseelie Court mythology, as well as ways to protect yourself against evil fairies that are rooted in folklore. Her fairies are distinct personalities just like the characters. They are described beautifully, they are attributed unique gifts and habits and they can be really nasty and scary.
In most off the books about fairies, they author (1) goes for the shock factor by sexing them up, like in [b:Wicked Lovely|305234|Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, #1)|Melissa Marr|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327814035s/305234.jpg|296240], (2) comes up with something ridiculous and unbelievable as in [b: Darkfever |112750|Darkfever (Fever, #1)|Karen Marie Moning|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392579949s/112750.jpg|108558] or (3) claims they are dangerous, evil and nasty but it's usually just talk; and then there's always the Disney version.
In this book Harrison chooses to stay traditional with their appearance, she keeps them detached from the human world, but still interacting with it, and when they decide to turn nasty they really do mean business. Those forest scenes were schilling.
I loved the characters as well. I liked the friendship between Fabian and Tanya. I liked that they were two independent personalities, that didn't necessarily get along, but since they were brought together by circumstances they decided to try and work out their differences in order to achieve a mutual goal, and through this ordeal a beautiful friendship was build.
Fabian was geeky and quirky, he was smart and bullheaded. He was very much what you'd expect a 12 or 13 year old boy to be and he was intriguing, mysterious and enraging at times.
Tanya was amazing! She was kind, patient and understating to the adults, than never believed her and insisting on punishing her, and to the faeries for they weren't all out to torment her. She was brave, compassionate, unbiased and just. She loved puzzles and she was a great friend! She was also naive and uncertain, she was getting mad at people and even threw the occasional tantrum but firstly she was entitled to one and secondly it only made her character more realistic and that's what I adored about Tanya. The whole plot of the book wouldn't exist if Tanya wasn't in possession of a unique ability but, and this is a big but, she is not the typical special snowflake that everyone treats as if she is the beginning and end of everything. Tanya is presented as a normal 12 year old girl that is sent to the grandmother as a punishment for being difficult that just so happens to be able to see faeries.
The plot was quite predictable but I din't mind one bit because I loved watching it unfold.
I'm not a fun of third person omniscient, I'd much prefer the third person limited point of view, and Harrison needs to work on how to handle dramatic plot deliveries as well as drooping clues inconspicuously throughout the book, but overall I enjoyed her writing.
I though the adults' book time was suspiciously little. Tanya was sent to her grandmother as a punishment but there were no chores, no lecturing, no nothing. She was felt to her own devices and allowed to roam freely which, given the circumstances, didn't make much sense.
I recommencement this book to people that like mysteries, dark and scary faerie tales, interesting characters, and don't necessarily require romance.
Picked this as an audiobook from the library for our family to listen to in the car on vacation (and we finished it up in bedtime installments after vacation), and am glad we did! As a fan of old fae lore in which faeries are not pleasant little beings on the whole, but rather are dangerous and might steal people away, I enjoyed the atmospheric creepiness of this story. It holds true to those traditions, while retaining the magical appeal of tiptoeing around a grimy old house in the forest, or in the forest itself in the dead of night, and discovering the most bizarre of secrets. Our whole family liked it. Also, I extend compliments to the audio narrator, Nicola Barber, who did a fabulous job.