DNF at 73%
This far into the books I still didn't care about the characters. They felt flat and uninteresting and the lack of plot was just becoming frustrating.
This needed tighter editing as it feels the story had some potential but wasn't executed well.

This is the second book I’ve read by Erin A Craig and I’m glad to say this didn’t disappoint!

I would recommend this one if you enjoy fairytale retellings with a gothic and darker vibe, Craig’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric and you can’t help but fully immerse yourself in her worlds.

My only complaint is that this one was a little bit long but overall an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher One World/Rock the Boat for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: child abuse, death, medical trauma, blood, injury, war, violence, plague, corpses

Hazel is born as the thirteenth child to a family who doesn’t want her- and so at birth, she is offered to one of the gods, the Dreaded End (or as he prefers, Merrick). However, Hazel is forced to wait twelve years before her godfather comes for her, raised by terrible parents and forced to live in a shed. When Merrick does come, he whisks her away to another world where he tells her what her gift from him will be: to become the greatest healer ever seen. Left again to study anatomy and the art of magic, Hazel soon learns every possible cure for an ailment simply by touching them. Soon enough word spreads of the great healer and she is forced to reckon with the other side of her gift, that sometimes she can’t save everyone. When Merrick claims a soul, he doesn’t kill them- he needs Hazel to do that for him, no matter the effect on her. Hazel is brought to the royal court to heal the sick King, where she is faced with Leopold, a prince who disdains everyone and everything. Merrick wants the King’s soul and so he is destined to die, but this time Hazel finds herself struggling. She has to choose between her role as Death’s goddaughter and the possibility of causing a war that could span entire countries and lead to destruction.

This is a beautiful and lyrical story combining dark themes and the realistic side of healing with an enchanting world of gods, romance and inner value. Forced to balance her humanity and desire to help with the needs of her godly father figure, Hazel is a brilliant main character- she’s conflicted, deeply kind and patient but also still caught up in the terrible things she went through as a child. Her growth is one of the most satisfying parts of this book for me, to see her go from a frightened and unloved little girl to a deeply skilled and genuine woman who tries her best in everything. Her relationship with Merrick was so important, I loved how Death is written here (he’s both incredibly loveable with his obsession with giving Hazel overly sweet birthday cakes and terrifying when you remember who he is) and this affects Hazel. There is one particular moment of tragedy with her first love that really got to me, it was so well written. This book is a slow build, we follow Hazel through her life, and once she meets Leopold things become more romantic but also more tense than ever. Leopold is a fun character, he pretends to not care while he really does, which Hazel recognises. As she is forced to choose between having a life and doing her job as Merrick’s “assistant” by killing the King, we see the conflict at the heart of Hazel- she’s a healer but she also has to kill to satisfy her godfather, and I found the way it’s handled was powerfully written. The gods are some of the highlights of this book and I hope this isn't the last we see of this world.

❝ All gifts come with a price ❞

If there was any book written for the spooky season, it's this one. The Thirteenth Child is a dark fairytale fantasy that is so atmospheric and dark, but also cosy. I was hooked early on and devoured this book easily.

This was such a unique and beautifully written book. I really enjoyed following the main character Hazel and her growing up with death (Merrick) how she learns to heal others and falls in love. The romance between Hazel and Leo was everything, but I really need more of it, but you've got to live a slow burn. I also really enjoyed the magical elements sprinkled throughout.

The thirteenth child is a retelling of the brothers Grimm 'Godfather Death'

Thank you to netgalley for the early copy, and also thank you so much to @blackcrow_pr @penchant4words @rocktheboatnews for letting me be a part of this review tour.

have a couple of Erin A Craig’s books on my shelf but haven’t had a chance to read them yet. I have heard a lot of great things about her books so was excited to be invited to be part of the blog tour for her new book The Thirteenth Child. I know her previous books are inspired by fairytales and folklore, and this book is inspired by the Grimm Brothers fairytale Godfather Death, a story that is new to me.

The central character is Hazel, who is the thirteenth child of her parents, a rare occurrence seen as an auspicious event. In Hazel’s case her parents couldn’t afford another child so gave her away to the Dreaded End, the God of Death. Until he claims her Hazel is badly treated compared to her siblings and leads a solitary life. Merrick, the name she gives her Godfather, the Dreaded End, gives her a new life, clothes, food and the training to become a healer. Although not receiving much love at home, Hazel is a compassionate and caring healer, but her morals and conscience are tried when she had to help some die, taken by her Godfather. I really felt for her, her kind heart rules and she puts herself in a precarious postition by wanting to break the rules and save the King. The palace is a place she feels safe and part of a family with the two princesses and the prince Leopold; these people accept and befriend her. All the way through I really wanted her to find happiness and love, something I think she deserved.

The Thirteenth Child, like all fairytales has a timeless quality about it, a story that transcends time and place. There is a darkness to Grimm Fairytales and Erin. A. Craig keeps this quality in her retelling, with Death and the other Gods playing with human’s lives without much thought. The world building was fabulous, the darkness of The Between, a desolate place where the Dreaded End takes Hazel to live, the cave of candles that signify people’s life, and the temples of the gods. The descriptive prose brings this world to life vividly, the brightness of the flowers against the darkness of The Between, the taste of the fabulous birthday cakes, and the oppulance of the palace.

I reallly enjoyed The Thirteenth Child and soon became captivated by Hazel and her story. There was darkness and light, twists and turns, and a touch of romance that perfetly combined in this stunning book. Whilst this book transcends time I also think that it does the same for age, a book not just for Young Adult readers but for adult readers as well. After reading this I will definitely be putting her book the House of Salt and Sorrows, which is on my shelf, further up my TBR pile. A haunting, and breathtaking read that captivates and enthrals.

Thirteenth Child* by Erin A. Craig is a dark and atmospheric gothic fantasy that explores themes of family, fate, and the supernatural. The story follows Effie, a young woman born into a family of powerful magicians, who is burdened by the superstition surrounding her birth as the "thirteenth child." Effie is shunned and feared because it is believed that her existence will bring misfortune, and she must navigate a world filled with magical dangers, family secrets, and an ominous sense of destiny.

Craig's writing is immersive and evocative, with a strong sense of place and an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere. The novel combines elements of fantasy with a richly detailed historical setting, creating a world where magic feels both enchanting and dangerous. Effie is a compelling protagonist, and her journey toward self-acceptance and understanding her true power is both emotional and gripping.

While the pacing can be slow at times, the book’s haunting tone and the complexity of its characters make it a captivating read for fans of dark fantasy and gothic fiction.

I have just finished reading "The Thirteenth Child" as part of my NetGalley November Knockout Challenge. Since there is a number in the title, it was fitting for this challenge.

This book was a bit of a struggle for me; I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. I felt that Hazel was rather bland. Once the god comes to pick her up, he teaches Hazel about medicine and the merciful nature of death. When the king needs her skills as a doctor, she must travel to the castle to help save his life. However, Hazel struggles with whether his life is worth the future that may follow. She has to decide whose life is more valuable.

The Thirteenth Child is a fantasy story with a gothic feel. It includes some romance, but the main focus is on Hazel's growth and journey. I found the writing style difficult to connect with, even though I appreciated the moral dilemmas Hazel faced. The only redeeming quality for me was her relationship with her godfather, the Dreaded End. Their relationship was tumultuous, but I do believe he cared about her in his own way.

#BookReview #FantasyReads #GothicFiction #NetGalleyChallenge #CharacterDevelopment #MoralDilemmas #ReadingJourney #LiteraryAnalysis #BookLovers #FictionalWorlds

OMG I LOVED this one.

Like the best dark fairytale vibes 🖤

The twists in this were unreal.

Hazel is such a kind and courageous FMC. The way she navigates the various situations throughout are so captivating and I simply couldn't put this book down.

Hazel is the 13th child. Unwanted and 'given' at birth to the God of death and gifted with the power of healing.

But at a great cost.

Now she must navigate a ruthless court to save the life of the King.

This is the first book by this author and goodness it wont be the last! Need to back read her other books soon.

This book broke me again and again while I was reading it. Like in pieces broke me.

And you need to read this. Now!!!

Dark, twisted, full of cliffhangers and unexpected moments this book deserved all the stars for sure.

This will be a read this now recommendation from me for a LONG time to come!

A thirteenth child, Hazel, is chosen to be goddaughter to The Dreaded End, the death God and he gives her the gift of healing. This gift finds her at the court of the King who is very unwell. She also meets someone who wasn't that nice to her before, Prince Leopold.

This author smashes it again! You can expect:

A dark fantasy,
With high stakes,
Some horrible Gods,
Accompanied by sinister goings on,
And a sweet romance,
With a storyline that will hook you!

Some highlights for me were Merrick, Phemie, the deathshead and the way Hazel was so good for Leopold!

I'd say the last 20% were a maelstrom of emotions - I was reading and flapping over pages with big wide eyes, couldn't get enough!

That ending, although beautiful, nearly finished me off though!

The Thirteenth Child was a unique and interesting book to read. I was drawn to it as the original fairytale it is based on wasn't well-known to me and I'm loving dark retellings at the moment.

Craig has a simple and easy to read writing style. The plot was interesting and definitely kept me on my toes. I wasn't actually sure where the story would end up by the end! It did feel more cosy than dark which was surprising.

Not as gothic and dark as I had hoped. I was expecting to feel more suspense/tension whilst reading this based on the cover and blurb. However, I still very much enjoyed the story and would recommend this to many of my friends.

4.25 STARS. A beautiful tale that had everything I wanted from a tale about Death's Goddaughter. I loved the way that Erin A. Craig writes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc.

I had to dnf this book. The first 25% went quite quickly and I really tried to forget how young the main character was but nothing was adding up. I get how people can be older than there years but when she was 8 there was no way she was thinking certain things that were written and also something that her god father made her do I just don’t get.
It’s not a book for me

I wasn't sure about this to begin with. I love all of Erin's previous works, and this just didn't seem to be grasping me.
I am so glad I stuck with it. It was perfect. It didn't matter that I saw many of the plot points, they were so well done that it was still perfect. Craig has done it again. A rare five stars from me

A really strong start and I loved the fairytale aspect to it and the writing was beautiful and poetic. I loved the concept and the embellishments to the stories, thought why we get introduced to the dog who we never see again I'm not sure. But the pacing did struggle from then on in for me, not a lot seemed to happen in the middle that I really remember. It was a bit slow and mushy. I was less intrigued by the political stuff so that maybe didn't help. But I did like the fmc and felt she was strong and resilient and I was really rooting for her and her attitude towards things! It does also really nail that gothic spooky vibe that works well with the beautiful writing style leading to something quite good. And overall a really intriguing plot idea and execution, just needed a bit of fine-tuning in the middle. But otherwise enjoyable and I like the love interest and their developing relationship as the story moved on!

4.5/5 stars! I have loved everything I have read by Erin, so I was so excited to get the chance to read this book. Per usual, it is gothic goodness with unique takes that feel like a re-telling while still being completely individual. This book is the ultimate journey between life and death, one where there is no clear winner.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Headlines:
Being special
Everyone's expectations
A difficult role in life

This story was as charismatic as it was dark. It was impossible not to be seduced by the writing, the world and it's characters, especially Hazel. Hazel, born a thirteenth child, unwanted by her parents but wanted by a godly godfather. Merrick's long-awaited entrance into Hazel's life was not at all what I expected, he lacked nurture but there was a sense of growth in their relationship.

Hazel's younger childhood was difficult to swallow and the stealing of her later childhood to become a healer, seemed a better outcome than the before. This story had phases, and each phase of Hazel's life was totally absorbing. I loved her early time in the inbetween, her first healing village but the time in the palace was frought with difficult charcters, illness and decisions.

The idea of the deathshead was chilling and Hazel's role was even more sinister. The decisions she had to make led to quite a responsibility to carry. The latter part of this book was rather twisty and I enjoyed having the rug pulled out from my perceptions about the characters in the palace.

The eventual romance was believable and had me cheering for these two. The ending shredded my heart with emotion but it was also beautiful; I literally ended on tears.

The Thirteenth Child was a fantastic dark fantasy standalone. It was grim, chilling but with warm characterisation that saw this reader through the tough bits. I am blown away.

Thank you Rock The Boat for the review copy.

So when I picked this up thinking I was going to get the spooky, gothic, autumnal read of my dreams (which I did) I didn’t think I was also going to SOB for like 85% of the book😭😭😭😭

In this story we follow Hazel, the last daughter of many children in her family, the unwanted thirteenth. Before her birth, while her parents are planning how to get rid of her 3 gods come before them offering them an exchange, to the take the child and care for her in their stead. In the end, Hazel becomes the goddaughter to the ‘god of death’ and with this she’s unlocks powers within herself.

I LOVED Hazel and my heart just broke continuously for her, the relationship she had with her godfather also made me cry (I am quickly learning that I am clearly way too emotional for my own good) and the journey she goes through her life was so compelling and I was rooting for her from the start.

Honestly, can’t explain how much I enjoyed this book. I FLEW through it, was such a quick and engaging read and I can’t recommend it enough!

Thanks so much to blackcrow for the finished copy (and NetGalley for the ARC!) - this was a really special one!

I honestly don’t know where to start with reviewing The Thirteen Child by Erin A. Craig - everything about this book was exquisite. This book gets all the god damn stars and my broken heart.

Hazel has always known she was different from her siblings. A thirteenth child, she was promised at birth to Merrick, the god of death - in his care, Hazel learns how to become a healer, a healer who is destined for great things and an even greater life. But with her gift, there must come a curse. When Death claims a soul for himself, it is Hazel who must end their suffering and end their life.

News of Hazel’s greatness spreads through the kingdom and she suddenly finds herself summed to the resistance of the King himself- however the King is on the brink of death and Hazel must find a way to save him and save the kingdom from the war that threatens its gates.

I loved the portrayal of Death in this book - the godfather to Hazel - their relationship was such a joy to read and felt so authentic; how we change as people the older we get and all of our life experiences - sometimes we don’t intentionally mean to hurt the ones we love.

Relationships play a big part of this book and how much each of us can affect the people around us - fate and destiny entwined.

The imaginary of the candles, the deathhead, the palace, the people will forever live rent free in my mind - this book really is special.

Thank you to the publishers for the ARC and for featuring my account on your review tour. Finally, thank you Erin for writing this breathtaking book - and for making me cry so many tears.

What a phenomenal book! A retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Godfather Death it's gloriously gothic and crafted beautifully.
For a reasonably chunky book this read so quickly and that is down to the fact that it's written so well there was never a point where it dragged- the characters are beautifully developed and the ending broke me.

The Thirteenth Child was brilliant. The ending left me emotional.
This was the perfect autumn read. I loved following Hazel's journey from child unwanted by her parents to all that the Dreaded End (Death) envisioned for her.
I feel like I want more of this story, I wasn't ready for it to end. Hazel's relationship with her godfather (the Dreaded End) was tumultuous, but I do believe he cared about her in his own way - he just wasn't very good at showing it.
I 100% would love to explore the world Erin A.Craig has created in this amazing and wonderful book.