Friday the 13th Is Your Lucky Day; or a Review of Warren the 13th: The All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio & Will Staehle

It's Friday the 13th, but you're in luck! Not only have I befriended all the black cats for you but I'm here to introduce you to your new best friend: Warren the 13th, the coolest, quirkiest boy I know.

Warren's a smart, curious, hardworking boy who lives in his family's hotel. Sure he loves his home and his attic room, but being 13th does carry a downside. It's true--for example, he's an orphan, and his guardians are his lazy uncle and his evil aunt. Plus, no matter how diligently Warren tends to the hotel, he hasn't seen a guest in years.

Everything, however, is about to change. Warren the 13th: The All Seeing Eye, written by Tania del Rio and illustrated by WIll Staehle (Quirk Books, 2015), is all about the hunt for a treasure that Warren's aunt believes is hidden in the hotel. Warren, isn't quite as excited about this as you might think: He has a feeling the All-Seeing Eye might be as full of dark magic as his aunt is.

What is the eye? What will happen if it's found? Can Warren figure out the clues before his aunt does? Who is friend and who is foe?

Besides being a fun, slightly spooky (in a good way), action-packed story about a clever, unique boy, Warren the 13th: The All-Seeing Eye is a delight just to look at. The red and black color scheme threads its way throughout the book, and the fun fonts, creepy drawings, and mysterious clues kept me turning the pages. The collage I put together (originally created for Litsy) gives you an idea of the graphic design. Del Rio and Staehle have created a winning combination of art and story.

More luck is coming your way because Quirk Books, Del Rio, and Staehle are celebrating this year's first Friday the 13th (as in today) with Warren and his friends. First is a super new illustration that doesn't appear in The All-Seeing Eye, but it does appear on the cover of a brand-new short story and activity book that you can download at Scribd: "Warren the 13th and the Unlucky Day." The adventure takes place on Friday, January 13, and the puzzles tie back to the Warren's world. There's even a cookie recipe with Warren-inspired decorations.

I love this drawing of Warren hanging from the clock. Is he trying to hold time back or is hoping to speed ahead to Saturday? And is that a lightening bolt? I guess I'll have to read the story to find out what's going on.

Need even more good luck? The second Warren book--Warren the 13th: The Whispering Woods-- is scheduled to be released in the spring. Hey, isn't that about 13 weeks away? I can't wait to see what Warren and his friends will get into next. You can bet I'll be solving the new puzzles right along with the gang as they head off on their next adventure.

Young and old(ish) alike will be charmed by Warren the 13th, the puzzles, the stories, and the illustrations. The mysteries are perfect for the whole family. Remember: You don't have to be a kid to fall under Warren's spell.

To learn more about The All-Seeing Eye, check out Warren's official website. To discover what The Whispering Woods is all about, visit the Quirk Books website. Don't forget to read the special Friday the 13th story. And, finally, check out the Warren the 13th book trailer. Way too much fun.

Stay safe this Friday 13th!