SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Tanya has the curse of the second sight, she can see faeries, and they are always causing trouble for her. When her mom can't take it anymore, she sends Tanya to live with her grandmother Florence. But Tanya finds more than just faeries. Hangman's wood behind her Grandmother's house carries a deadly secret: it has a history of people going missing. Although Tanya tries to stay out of trouble, eventually her and her friend, Fabian, decide to investigate themselves.
OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS
Tanya has a strained relationship with her mom. She is determined to stay mad and is rather stubborn. She doesn't wish to be friends with Fabian at first and tries to avoid him, as well as his father, Warwick. Because of her abuse at the hands of faeries, she doesn't trust easily.
Fabian is outgoing, and interested in everything in nature. He seems to go out of his way to annoy his father, calling him by his first name. But Warwick is rather harsh on his son and calls out his faults whenever possible. During her name at the house, Tanya and Fabian eventually become friends, even confiding in each other.
Florence is Tanya's grandmother. She isn't very friendly, and through most of Tanya's life, she hasn't seen her. This is made clear why, later in the story.
Red teaches Tanya a lot about faeries and about those who have the second sight. Tanya discovers her on accident and fears her at first. The two eventually develop a trust.
Morwenna Bloom is the young girl who went missing in Hangman's wood. She was the first to go missing, although many followed.
PACING
The pacing of the story is decent. We learn in chapter one about the faeries who torment Tanya, as well as her relationship with her mother. By the second chapter, we are already at Grandmother Florence's house. By chapter six, we enter the Hangman's Wood. The most dramatic events happen here, and it's where the climax takes place as well.
OUR VILLAIN
Throughout most of the story, the faeries are the villains, or at least the trouble makers. The mystery of what lies in the forest isn't revealed until the climax, and we see who the true villain is. I think this was done well. It's obvious that the villain must be someone we already know of, because revealing a new character so late in the story wouldn't work. But enough new information is revealed about this villain that the reader gets to step back, and say, “Oh, that's why,” even if they guessed right at who the villain would turn out to be.
MYSTERY
The story is much more like a mystery than an action/adventure novel that fantasy novels often tend to be. Although there is danger, it doesn't come all at once, and sometimes the trouble isn't life threatening, but still quite troublesome for Tanya. Harrison does a good job presenting hints throughout the story, not just about Grandmother Florence, but Morwenna Bloom, and Fabian's Grandfather, Amos. So in the end it comes together well.
THEME
If I had to pick a theme of the book, I would say it was about desiring a sense of belonging. Tanya doesn't feel that she is wanted by her grandmother (with good reason) nor by her mother, who she cannot confide in about her faerie problems. Fabian has a struggling relationship with his father as well. By the end of the story we have not only solved a mystery, but helped a family heal.
EXPLICIT CONTENT-SPOILERS
It's implied that Amos, Fabian's Grandmother, physically abuses Fabian. Also, Tanya and Fabian doubt his innocence regarding the disappearance of a girl, and although it's not spoken, it seems implied that he may have raped her. There is on instance of swearing.
CONCLUSION
Harrison creates an original, and well paced story as well as a likable and sympathetic heroine in Tanya. She desires to be loved and accepted and fears most being rejected. I give “13 Treasures” four stars.
What do you think? Have you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on anything? Please let me know!
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