The Thirteenth Child
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
4.5
Erin A. Craig
Drawing on the Grimm Brothers’ dark fairytale, “Godfather Death,” this new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows is a sweeping, fantastical saga of actions and consequences.This is the story of Hazel, a young healer navigating a ruthless court to save the life of the king, grappling with a pantheon of gods with questionable agendas as she fights for agency and true love in her own life as the goddaughter of none other than Death himself.All gifts come with a price. Hazel Trépas has always known she wasn’t like the rest of her siblings. A thirteenth child, promised away to one of the gods, she spends her childhood waiting for her godfather—Merrick, the Dreaded End—to arrive.When he does, he lays out exactly how he’s planned Hazel’s future. She will become a great healer, known throughout the kingdom for her precision and skill. To aid her endeavors, Merrick blesses Hazel with a gift, the ability to instantly deduce the exact cure needed to treat the sick.But all gifts come with a price. Hazel can see when Death has claimed a patient—when all hope is gone—and is tasked to end their suffering, permanently. Haunted by the ghosts of those she’s killed, Hazel longs to run. But destiny brings her to the royal court, where she meets Leo, a rakish prince with a disdain for everything and everyone. And it’s where Hazel faces her biggest dilemma yet—to save the life of a king marked to die. Hazel knows what she is meant to do and knows what her heart is urging her toward, but what will happen if she goes against the will of Death?From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling readers have been waiting for— what does a life well-lived mean, and how do we justify the impossible choices we make for the ones we love? The Thirteenth Child is a must-read for fans of dark fairy tales, romantasy, and epic fantasy alike.
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More Details:
Author
Erin A. Craig
Pages
512
Publisher
Random House Children's Books
Published Date
2024-09-24
ISBN
059348259X 9780593482599
Community ReviewsSee all
"For 3 days, I only put this book down to eat. I even drifted off to sleep listening to it. Hazel's life and the relationships she formed are beautifully written. The visuals dance back and forth between be incredibly grotesque and glittering with beauty. "
Lize
"It's been a while since I've come across a true dark fairytale. And I mean true in the sense of a whimsically classic. You know a book where actual forethought is put into the world, and not every love interest is a dark, handsome shadow wielder.
Now that my rant is out of the way. There was so much emotion here. Merrick was one of my favorite characters and such a contradiction. An old as time God who loves a human child like his own. He has a terrible way of showing it, but that is to be expected of ancients. The familial relationship he shared with Hazel was sugary sweet. Merrick was all monster and death in appearance yet gazed upon Hazel with all the love and affection one could muster.
Hazels character growth was lovely. She did drive me crazy at times with her reasonings. Still, she wanted to do the right thing and live life, so you couldn't fault her for it. Leopold was interesting as well. You know I'm as sucker for the tortured past, but when he started trusting Hazel, he became such a gentleman. She inspired him to be more.The love story was a super slow burn, but oh so sweet.
The world building was rich and atmospheric. All of Erin's stories feel original and gritty even when it's a retelling. I can never guess what will happen next. This plot was a little too much sometimes. There were big-time jumps with problems resolving off screen. Still, I thought the ending was a great way to wrap up, but I couldn't get enough of Marrick. I think the ageless God's with their human companions made it difficult to decipher what is right and wrong. God's can be fickle, but some do what is best for the many, so who knows. "
Ashley
"Honestly an amazing book. I was a little disappointed at the end because I wanted to see what happened after Hazel gave herself up!! But still a terrific read, 10/10 would recommend. "
Sienna Bell
"This was a really cool read. The book is based on the "godfather death" by the grimm brothers which is cool i never knew that it was based on the grimm brothers tell. I really love the story i wouldn't really say the book is horror book but it gives off the horror vibes"
Kaitlin Lantz
