Review -Warren the 13th and the Thirteen-Year Curse (Warren the 13th, Book 3) by Tania del Rio, Will Staehle (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books
Release Date: March 24, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1683690907
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in the Warren the 13th series
Source: Copy from Publisher
Rating: 4/5 stars

“ In this final story of Warren’s thrilling adventures, the young manager is adjusting to the demands of running a floating hotel and is planning his thirteenth birthday party. But then disaster strikes! The Warren Hotel is shipwrecked on a strange island, and Sketchy is kidnapped!

Warren and his crew of friends set off on a daring rescue mission across the high seas, where they meet a delightful new cast of characters that includes wizened pirates, a sea witch, and a talking clam. As Warren pursues his many-tentacled friend’s kidnappers, he will learn the truth of Sketchy’s mysterious origins—as well as one final secret of his beloved Warren Hotel.”

Series Info/Source: This is the third (and final) book in the Warren the 13th series. I got a copy of this book from the publisher to review.

Story (4/5): With the Warren Hotel now transformed into a ship, Warren has increasing concerns (as he turns 13 years old) that the 13 year curse will cause some sort of calamity to happen. When the Warren Hotel ends up shipwrecked and Sketchy is kidnapped, Warren thinks the curse has finally been activated. Warren embarks on an adventure to save his eight-armed friend. I enjoyed this, the story is simple but cute and fun. There is some adventure here which I enjoyed and a lot about friendship as well.

Characters (4/5): I continued to enjoy this cast of characters; they are well done and humorous. They continue to lack depth, but work well for a story aimed at the middle grade audience.

Setting (4/5): I still really enjoy the Warren Hotel as a setting and love the adventures it ends up on.

Writing/Drawing Style (5/5): As with previous books, what really sets this book apart from others are the amazing drawings and the way the book is put together. The writing is also easy to read and follow but it’s really the puzzles and pictures that make this book stand out.

Summary (4/5): Overall this was another well done book in the Warren the 13th series. This series is definitely aimed at the middle grade age group. As an older reader I did enjoy how nicely the book was put together and how much the drawings added to the story. However, I wasn’t all that engaged in the story and found both the characters and story to be a bit simple. This is one I think middle grade aged or younger readers will enjoy more than adults. The whole thing is very well done and I would definitely recommend.