13 Curses

School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—Harrison returns to the world of fairies in this follow-up to 13 Treasures (Little, Brown, 2010). Two separate story lines about Rowan and Tanya, who can see fairies, run parallel and then intersect in the final pages during the search for the 13 charms from the bracelet introduced in the first novel. Unlike that book, this story seems way too long and complex for most kids, and then accelerates to an almost frantic pace when fairies challenge Rowan to find the 13 charms in order to save her brother, who was taken from her by the fairies. Tanya, the protagonist in the first book, becomes her ally. The search, which should have been difficult, seems almost ridiculously easy, and readers are left wondering about what the first three fourths were really all about. It is also never clear what the title means. Although this is an interesting and fresh look at the world of fairies, 13 Curses is too bogged down with depressing detail, giving way to a quick, unsatisfying conclusion.—Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

Booklist

[An] engaging fantasy series

VOYA - K. Czarnecki

If a young person tells you they can see fairies, the worst thing you can do is pretend they are not being serious. The next worse thing you can do is not protect yourself against the fairies (hint: wearing something red can help). This second book in a trilogy—following 13 Treasures—focuses on Rowan, who goes by "Red." She seeks to find her brother, James, who was stolen by fairies. The story alternates between the present and a year ago, when Rowan lost both of her parents in a car accident in which she was also involved. Young readers will need an appreciation of the dark side of the fantasy genre, as the author takes off the kid gloves when tackling this magical realm where fairies can be as bad as they come. For example, there is the unforgettable Hedgewitch, who holds Red hostage and plans to use her as a disguise. Another captive explains this process by telling her, "You'll begin to have visions of things you haven't seen or done and memories that aren't yours but hers." Toward the latter part of the book, Red is given the challenge of connecting charms to a bracelet in order to have James returned. The charms represent the thirteen treasures and take on powers of their own for those that possess them. Young readers will continue to be intrigued by this page-turner and will look forward to the final book in the series. Reviewer: K. Czarnecki

School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—Harrison returns to the world of fairies in this follow-up to 13 Treasures (Little, Brown, 2010). Two separate story lines about Rowan and Tanya, who can see fairies, run parallel and then intersect in the final pages during the search for the 13 charms from the bracelet introduced in the first novel. Unlike that book, this story seems way too long and complex for most kids, and then accelerates to an almost frantic pace when fairies challenge Rowan to find the 13 charms in order to save her brother, who was taken from her by the fairies. Tanya, the protagonist in the first book, becomes her ally. The search, which should have been difficult, seems almost ridiculously easy, and readers are left wondering about what the first three fourths were really all about. It is also never clear what the title means. Although this is an interesting and fresh look at the world of fairies, 13 Curses is too bogged down with depressing detail, giving way to a quick, unsatisfying conclusion.—Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

Kirkus Reviews

In an absorbing sequel to The 13 Treasures (2010), Red pursues her stolen baby brother through the parallel world of fairies, negotiating a landscape of deliciously sinister and dreadful magical creatures, finally discovering her own heartrending secret.

Harrison's satisfyingly hefty and page-turning adventure focuses on Rowan, the girl who willingly replaced Tanya as captive of the fairy realm. Rowan's quest to find and return her brother James to real England is finally aided by the residents of Elvesden Manor through a series of problem-solving challenges and a search for the 13 magical charms from an old bracelet. The sure-handed storytelling creates a completely credible setting—by turns violent and tender, sinister and poignant—in which those who can see fairies are most at risk of harm from the magical beings. The permeable border between the magical and the ordinary is described with matter-of-fact authority; the convincing result is a fully realized world where humans and fairies occupy a similar landscape to very different ends. Contrasts between human emotion and commitment and the cold, often cruel magic and mischief of the fairy realm create terrific tension and afford opportunities for heroism for the young protagonists.

While the threads of Red's story come neatly together at the end, there's still plenty left for a sequel. (Fantasy. 10-14)