Warren the 13th and the Whispering Woods

February 1, 2017
The world's first ambulatory hotel comes a little too close to a powerful witch's demesne in this sequel to Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye (2015).A gooey accident involving a pineapple sarsaparilla and an important control panel sets off an escalating chain of calamities that leaves the Warren Hotel in the charge of "Worrin," a malign shape-shifter who has assumed the identity of its 12-year-old manager, Warren. Adding to the woes, the hotel's security head, lavishly tattooed witch hunter Beatrice, has fallen into the clutches of Calvina--a witch queen so evil that many of the pages on which she appears are printed white on black. In a double-columned narrative festooned throughout with macabre green-and-black illustrations that thicken the gothic air considerably (particularly as the real Warren, resourceful and intrepid though he may be, is depicted as an uncommonly uglfy lad with gray skin), dismal turns abound, but all are met with fortitude and ingenious stratagems. Weirdness abounds: an apelike but refined "sap-squatch" figures prominently; along with the rest of his motley staff, Warren is thrilled to discover that walking on giant legs isn't his beloved hotel's only means of getting around. A visiting journalist is the one dark-skinned character in an otherwise largely white human cast. Another entry in the "unfortunate events" genre, kitted out with atmospheric art, unusual book design, and a wonderfully homely protagonist. (Horror. 11-13)

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January 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-In this second installment in the series, the Warren Hotel is now a thriving, walking hotel that carries Warren the 13th and his guests to exciting destinations. However, Warren's hapless uncle Rupert causes the hotel to fall and stop functioning. The guests flee, Warren is replaced with an evil mimic, and Warren must travel into the dangerous Malwoods to rescue the hotel and his friends from evil witch Queen Calvina. The writing is clear and simple, and the plot moves briskly and efficiently. Industrious, kind, and ethical Warren is a sympathetic hero. His friends include Petula, a young witch hunter-in-training, and Sketchy, a genderless creature who always manages to come to the rescue. Fairy-tale tropes and a Victorian setting give the story a gothic feel, echoed by the numerous black-and-white illustrations, which resemble Victorian-era engravings. Almost all of the broad, square pages are illustrated, and there are detours into a variety of texts, including newspapers, a "Wanted" poster, and speech balloons. VERDICT This skillfully executed novel filled with magic and humor is a high-quality offering for reluctant readers and fans of Lemony Snicket.-Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

snicker9 - Warren the 13th is back! In this sequel that takes place shortly after the first book, Warren has only recently learned that hotel is a walking one! He along with his best friends Petula and Sketchy, along with a rag-tag group of adults have been cruising around the country, picking up well to-do guests along the way. Where his life previously was full of fear and disappointment, now Warren has a life filled with adventure and friendship. His biggest concern is the critics. Nonetheless, things seem to be going smoothly. That is until the Warren(the hotel's name) crashes to the ground, he loses all his guests, and then is kidnapped by a mimic. The mimic replicates Warrens image, and calls himself Worrin. Worrin soon takes over the hotel with the intent to sell it to the Witch Queen, Calvina, and Warren is forced to chase the Warren on foot. Unfortunately for Warren, he is smack dab in the middle of the Malwoods-which is filled to the brim with witches and many more startling creatures. Will Warren survive on his own? Will he save his hotel? Will his friends realize that Worrin is an impostor? This book is filled with danger, and twists in every chapter. Although since this is an AR book not all the pictures were inserted yet, the images that were included were wonderful and added to the story tremendously. I really liked how Tania del Rio continued Warren's story. I felt as if I was really entwined in the story, and just enough backstory was added so that it could be understand even without reading the first book. I recommend this book for elementary and middle grade aged kids. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received this book as part of the Advance Review Club.

January 1, 2017
Grades 3-6 Warren has really come into his own since he vanquished his malevolent aunt and became the manager of the Warren Hotel, the world's first traveling hotel. At the surprising conclusion of Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye (2015), the young hotelier discovered that his Victorian auberge was equipped with mechanical legs, a feature that has since made it a vacation destination. Meanwhile, deep in the Malwoods, the evil witch queen Calvina makes an important pronouncement: whoever brings her the Warren Hotel (it will make a lovely palace) and its guest Beatrice the Bold, the famous witch-catcher, will receive their heart's desire. After an accident at the edge of the Malwoods sends the hotel crashing to the ground, a series of dangerous events are set in motion. Del Rio delivers another rollicking adventure with this sequel, where witches, shape-shifters, quicksand, and Sap-squatches are among the many dangers confronting Warren and his companions. Staehle's abundant etchinglike illustrations play on the story's humor and drama, resulting in a mystery that is fresh and imaginative.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)