Thank you to NetGalley and OneWorld Publications for approving me for this ARC. This is the second book of Erin A. Craig’s I’ve read. The first was Small Favours which I was a huge fan of. It was mysterious, eerie and unique, not my usual kind of read as I dislike horror but it wasn’t quite horror either. When I read the hypnosis of this, I knew I wanted to read it. I love a good fairytale retelling if done well so I had high hopes for this.

I loved this from the get go. Craig has a wonderful way with words and is a gifted storyteller. There are definitely fairytale elements but it is a darker kind of fairytale. Life is dark and bleak at times but there is an undercurrent of hope. The setting seems to be based on French villages and towns, not sure why, maybe due to the original fairytale, which I have yet to work out which it is based on.

This was an easy captivating read for me. I flew through the first 30% of the book. It did take a while to get to the main plot point in the sypnosis, about 40% of the way in, which is a long time. I didn’t mind as I liked learning about Hazel and her childhood but it is something to keep in mind. It never felt slow and was engaging the whole time.

I loved the world building. Craig always makes it almost realistic enough as if it is just a past time in history but with magical elements. This was the same as Small Favours. Hazel is a great character, well-written and with depth. She is a heroine that you strive to root for.

I did feel that the book did lose its momentum a bit when it reached the stages of Hazel being at the royal palace. I enjoyed the childhood part of the story more, probably because I really liked Merrick and found him an intriguing character but felt a bit shortchanged that he wasn’t in it that much. Her love story wasn’t insta-love which I appreciated and did build up over time into something believable. This part of the story also reminded me of Belladonna at times.

The ending was a bit rushed and ended quite abruptly and suddenly, it was the epilogue. There were parts of the story that could’ve been fleshed out more and others where I felt it lingered too long. Overall, it is a good book with beautiful writing. Craig is skilled at building the magic and mystery of her worlds, which is my favourite thing about her books. I preferred Small Favours and think that was a stronger.

I give this 4 stars.

This gothic fairy tale brings a young healer, the god-daughter of Death, into the Royal Court where finds herself faced with impossible choices and impossible feelings for the playboy prince. A rich story with bewitching characters, this one really took me by surprise - I wasn't prepared for the pull it would have on my heart or to be drawn so completely into Wren's world. I loved everything about it.

Okay, this book completely seduced and beguiled me. I could not put it down for the life of me.

To be honest, my entire review could be summed up by the sentence above. I adored this book. I went into not really knowing what to expect; I almost went into it blind. Which, is kind of a good thing as I didn't really have any expectations. But even if I had, they would have been completely blown out of the water. Because this book was pure gold.

Between this, Kingdom of the Wicked and Belladonna, I have come to the realisation that I really enjoy fantasy books with the personification of death/Hades-like figure. It's not necessarily something I would have thought I'd like. However, this book is unique and stands on it's own compared to the other two as Death is more of a father figure, than love interest. And I really enjoyed that alternative.

The plot follows Hazel, the thirteenth child of a "foolish hunter", who in desperation, is claimed by the god of death. It doesn't end there for Hazel, for she has, unknown to her, powers which will affect the path she's on. Chuck in a hunky prince, other gods and a kingdom of the precipice of ruin and you have a roaring good time!

I really enjoyed Hazel as the main character. She's been through a lot but has managed to stay resilient and almost, hopeful for her future. She hasn't rolled over and given up. She's incredibly likeable and endearing; my heart bled for her on almost every page. I just wanted her to have a happy life and a chance. I also really enjoyed the prince and our love interest, Leo. He reminds me a bit of Cardan; he's a playboy prince who, while has known heartbreak and hardship, has hidden any pain away from prying eyes. He also has a good amount of character development, my only qualm was that this was near the end. Leo and Hazel had really great chemistry and I loved that they had history and almost a lore.

This book had enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages as fast as you can! It's not a straightforward tale and will absolutely keep you guessing.

I really enjoyed this one, and would definitely recommend! I read the entire book in one day!

totally different fantasy book than I’ve ever read before, definitely would have shed a tear at the end if I hadn’t have been on a crowded plane 🥲

I loved every single moment of this book, it’s an absolutely beautiful read, the writing, the world building and characters, everything was just so perfect. The story is just so engrossing, I love any stories where Death is a character, whether it be Hades, the four horsemen, old Father Time , ever since I was little and first got introduced to Terry Pratchett by my brother and I loved Death the most. I am drawn in by the idea of the personification of Death and so I was desperate to read this and I was so captivated by Hazels journey, her growth and the dilemma she faces. This is an exceptional piece of writing and I can’t recommend this enough

I always love a Gothic story and I was really interested in this one from Erin Craig. I read her previous book, House of Salt and Sorrow, and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this.
I loved how the story was set up and we got to see Hazel grow up with Merrick and him teaching her how to heal others. It was nice to see those softer moments between them.
I also loved the relationship between Hazel and Leopold. I would have liked a little more of it, and perhaps earlier in the book too, but it was lovely nonetheless.

Erin A. Craig knows how to write dark gothic novels. The worldbuilding is so well detailed and atmospheric. The story is dark and gritty with many sad hard moments for the main character.

The story follows Hazel, a thirteenth child to a poor family who don't really want her but she is chosen by the death god who becomes her godfather, takes her away at 12 years old where she starts to learn to become a healer. While she studies Merrick gifts her with the ability to see exactly what a person needs to become well again and if she sees a skull instead of a cure they cannot be saved and Hazel must be the one to end their suffering. Its not an easy task and its one that Hazel really struggles with.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Merrick and Hazel. A god and a human and how they see things so very different but still have a family love for one another. Merrick comes across as a scary death god but I liked that we see softer moments from him when ever he was with Hazel.

The pacing is a little slower in the beginning as we see Hazels early life than I expected but I think it suited the story and really gives the reader a feel for Hazel's loneliness. I do wish there had been a little more time building up the romance between Hazel and Leopold, but I did really enjoy the moments they were together.

Overall I enjoyed this one, if you like your YA on the darker side this should be on your radar.

My many thanks to Rock the Boat and Black Crow PR for gifting me an e-arc and early finished copy of this.

I really really enjoyed this book, thank you to black crow pr for providing me with this netgalley arc.
I loved the gothic vibes, the mix of science with witchy fantasy, the cosy cottage vibes it was perfect. The romance too, although very late into it was perfectly placed and it gave the ending such a special feel. I actually quite rather emotional at the end. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants gothic, fantasy vibes books.

the thirteenth child is a dark, twisted and compelling story following hazel, the goddaughter of death who is a healer

this felt reminiscent of a fairytale, and seeing hazel grow into a woman who understands the reality of the world she lives in was so beautiful, she feels so real and fleshed out and was so lovely to read about it. the world is dark and almost spooky, making for an atmospheric read that would be perfect for autumn!

if you’re looking for a book with death, magic, secrets, a healer and a sweet romantic subplot, this is for you!!

Erin A. Craig writes the most delicious gothic novels. I’m always left in awe of her world-building and characters, so it goes without saying how excited I was about The Thirteenth Child.

The book follows the story of Hazel, the unwanted thirteenth child of a very poor family. The only thing going right for Hazel is that she was chosen at birth by the death god, Merrick. When she turns twelve years old, her godfather finally returns and whisks her away from her awful family to the Between, where she begins her studies to become a doctor. Hazel is gifted with a healing power; she can see exactly what a person needs to be brought back to health, and she uses this ability to help many people.

However, there are those who cannot be saved—the ones too sick who risk spreading plagues or those who will go on to hurt others. It is Hazel’s duty to end their lives. This is not an easy job, and Hazel is haunted by the ghosts of those she kills.

The beginning is extremely slow; the story only truly starts around the 40% mark when Hazel is visited by palace soldiers. The King is ill, and Hazel is the only one who can help him. She travels to the capital and immerses herself in the royal family and its machinations.

The Thirteenth Child was a different story than what I was expecting, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. The second part of the book is really fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Thirteenth Child is a captivating tale where mortals bow to the whims of Gods, the destitute to the will of Kings, and all to the inevitability of Death. The female main character serves as a conduit, prompting readers to ponder the value of one life over another in a narrative that intertwines the grim with the enchanting. Undoubtedly, The Thirteenth Child garners the esteem of its readers.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh I LOVED this. Darkly atmospheric, with gothic vibes throughout, this was a gorgeous standalone about life and love and death and grief. Hazel was chosen by Death himself to achieve incredible things, to heal the sick and cure the ailing. It takes her on a journey of heartache, self-discovery and life lessons as she navigates her healing gifts - as well as tackling being the goddaughter of the Dreaded End. The prose was wonderful, the story gentle as it pulls you along. Hazel was a great FMC, determined and free-spirited, but at times desperate to please everyone around her at great detriment to herself. I loved reading about her life and will now definitely read more from the author.

Well that was brilliant, I had no idea where the plot would take me and I was absolutely worried 512 pages would contain too much filler and not enough plot. I was so wrong and I’m pleasantly surprised by this story.

This book took me on a journey through Hazel, our FMC’s life. We see her grow, make tough decisions, hurt, worry, love and so much more. It was beautifully done, and it was unique.

I really enjoyed the god of death’s depiction, this may be the first time I’ve read of him as such a fatherly figure, a real steward and companion on the journey that is life rather than a solemn face at the end.

This book was absolutely worth all the pages, it emotionally moved me and kept me thoroughly engaged.

This is an incredible book, I absolutely loved the concept, the characters, everything! The authors storytelling skills clearly shine brightly in this enchanting tale, where magic and mystery intertwine with themes of family and destiny. From the very first page, you are transported to a world brimming with intricate details and vivid imagery that bring the story to life.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the depth of the characters and the complexity of their relationships. Each character feels real and relatable, which really draws you to their struggles and triumphs. Hazel is my favourite, despite everything she goes through, she remains strong and always puts others before her. The way the author develops the familial bonds - proving blood doesn’t always run thicker than water - and dynamics throughout the story adds layers of emotion and intrigue.

The writing style is nothing short of captivating. The way Erin crafts her story creates a sense of wonder and suspense that kept me eagerly turning the pages, I was completely hooked on the story and couldn’t wait to see what would happen. The world building is rich and detailed, painting a vivid picture of a fantastical realm that feels magical.

In conclusion, The Thirteenth Child is a must read for anyone who appreciates a blend of fantasy, adventure, and a touch of the supernatural. It’s incredible, I felt like I was there, feeling everything with Hazel and witnessing everything she did. An absolute incredible book through and through.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in advance and for free, in exchange for an honest review from me.

I liked this book, but I feel like I have reservations on a couple points.
The idea is really good, and I loved learning about the backstory of Hazel, and how she became Merrick's goddaughter. I really liked the characters, the description of the places Hazel went to. The decriptions of her power/gifts/magic were really good, and the idea of it was really interesting and not something I'd seen before.
The plot was good, and I understand how everything fit together. However, I have a little issue with the ending. I can't explain it without revealing anything from the plot, but I didn't quite understand how some characters can have their powers given and then taken back and then given back again but not completely? Something didn't click as I read through the last quarter of the book and it made the ending hit less hard than it should have.
Overall it was a good book, well written, it gripped my attention and walked me through the story. Apart from what's explained above (which might very well be a me thing) I really liked the book.

3.75/5 stars, rounded up

This was such a creative and intriguing reimagining of the Grimm Brothers “Godfather Death”.

As the thirteenth child in an already poor and destitute family, Hazel was not welcomed into the world with love or kindness. To avoid having another mouth to feed, her parents promised her to the god The Dreaded End prior to her birth. But he did not claim her straight away and she spent her childhood suffering at the hands of her neglectful and abusive parents.

Finally, on her 13th birthday The Dreaded End arrives to take her away and bestows upon her a gift - the ability to become a powerful healer. She spends the next few years living in seclusion, learning everything she can about anatomy, herbology and medicine and soon develops a reputation for being an incredible healer. However, all gifts come with a price.

Word of her skills begins to spread and on her 18th birthday she is called to the palace to save the King from a mysterious disease. Her morals, emotions and healing skills are really put to the test but she must also navigate royal politics and scheming gods, who shouldn’t be meddling in the lives of mortals.

This is one of those stories that will stay with me for a while. It was incredibly well written and engaging. The concepts of right and wrong, destiny vs choice was very thought provoking. I especially enjoyed the magic system and thought the method of depicting how lives are measured was very creative and very easy to comprehend. The characters were well fleshed out and the pacing kept my attention throughout the book, so much so that I read this much faster than I expected!

This was my first time reading this authors work and I will definitely be exploring more of her works!

I adored this!! I went into this not really realising it was ‘retelling’ based on Grimm Brothers ‘Godfather Death’ which I know nothing about so can’t attest to its accuracy / portrayal.

What I can tell you is that I absolutely loved Erin’s version regardless. It’s a dark fairytale that follows Hazel, born into her family as the thirteenth child where’s claimed by the Dreaded End. We read as her story unfolds until her godfather comes to collect her and change her world forever.

‘Because no matter how big and overwhelming the present felt, no matter how my heart ached or rallied or sank again, no matter how I tried to wish myself out of the moment I was in, I knew that’s all it was.
A moment.’

Erin’s writing is beautiful, poetic and wonderfully descriptive, transporting you into this magically dark world that feels incredibly dark and rich. Having no prior knowledge of this old fairytale allowed for a delectable read that just had me wanting more and more, and the plot !!!!

I’m not a crier but this book had me on the edge at the end. Erin has herself a new repeat customer as I had her to my ‘auto buy’ list.

Thank you to Netgalley, Erin and the Blackcrow PR team for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 • 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗔. 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴
★★★★★

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁
- YA fantasy
- Fairytale retelling
- Healer MC
- Godfather is a literal God
- Political court intrigue
- Standalone

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
The Thirteenth Child is a fairytale retelling of Grimms ‘Godfather Death’ which is a fairytale I have previously enjoyed.

This author never misses. I adored the dark and gothic nature of House of Salt and Sorrow which is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, and this did not disappoint in delivering an eerie atmosphere, tension that a reader could cut with a knife, and a main character that may have the favour of a god, but can easily capture the heart of a reader.

Mesmerizingly written, The Thirteenth Child is a story where mortals are at the mercy of Gods, the poor are at the mercy of Kings, and everybody is at the mercy of Death. Hazel acts as a catalyst to readers weighing one life against another in a composition that is morbid and magical. The Thirteenth Child surely reaps the rewards of readers’ admiration and tears.

Oh Erin A Craig... you've done it again!

I was expecting you to leave us with another shocking ending *cough cough* House of Roots & Ruin... but no, you've left me in an emotional mess.

This was such a lovely and thought-provoking story about life, what makes life so special? Can one person's life be more valuable than someone else's? Is the value of life measured in it's length or in it's special moments?

At times when reading this, some thoughts did honestly cross my mind like maybe this is too slow, too long, or too predictable for me but... now I see, that's the point? It isn't one thing that makes life (the story) special (a plot twist) but the ENTIRE thing - Erin, I adore you!

No one does pacing and atmosphere quite like Erin A Craig too, every single time I read her books I'm instantly wrapped up and immersed into her magical worlds that she's created whilst following along with her developed and distinct characters. Which brings me to Hazel, she was such a sweet soul to follow and lead this story. I'm glad we got to see her from such a young age as it showed her understanding grow about the world around her, plus she makes mistakes (as any young child would) and we witness her learn from them.

If you love a beautifully written, slow fairy-tale stories with atmospheric descriptions, then this is for you!

-Sarah

*Thank you SO much to @netgalley + @blackcrow_pr for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review, and of course, @penchant4words for yet another wonderful story!

The Thirteenth Child was a dark and gritty tale about a young girl promised from birth to a God, filled with complicated family dynamics, fickle God's and romance, it's an easy story to get swept away by. Unfortunately the pacing, and my lack of love for the romance let it down a little.

Hazel is an easy character to empathise with. Born as the thirteenth child to a family who could barely afford the twelve before her, she was promised to a God, the Dreaded End, who swore to give her a long, fulfilling life. When he plucks her from her family he sets out his plans for her, plans that include her becoming the greatest healer ever seen, one who King's will request by name. But what Hazel actually gets is a life of solitude, a life knowing that anyone she loves will be dust before she dies herself. And the gift itself comes with a hefty price, Hazel may well be able to deduce the cure needed with a single touch, but she can also sense when death has claimed the patient, and she herself is tasked with ending their suffering. It's a lonely life, fulfilling in a way, but not the one Hazel would have envisioned for herself, and as much as she might love Merrick, she also resents him for this gift, this life, she did not ask for.

Craig keeps our cast tight knit, something that plays into Hazel's feelings of solitude. For her first 12 years she is an outsider in her own family, then when Merrick, The Dreaded End, finally does come for her, he abandons her in a house for years by herself, and then her time at the Palace, but being the King's favoured healer is another kind of solitude all together, alongside the precarious edge she finds herself on with the Kings fickle nature. Each character she interacts with has their part to play in the telling of the story, some more important than others, but the two Hazel spend the most time with are Merrick and Leopold. Merrick, the Dreaded End, a God who in no way knows how to raise, nor look after a child. He wanted Hazel for her potential as a thirteenth child, thinking his gift something glorious when all it does is weigh Hazel down. And Leopold, the Crown Prince. He starts off as your stereotypical spoiled royal, no interest in anything outside of his own palace, but the more time he spends with Hazel, the more she makes him question what kind of ruler he wants to be.

The magic system was certainly complex and Craig doesn't skimp on giving us information on that, and the world building. In Hazel's world, God's are prayed to, even going as far to show favour to certain people, bestowing them with gifts, which is exactly what happens to Hazel herself. Craig effortlessly builds her world, introducing us to the multiple God's who call it home, some of which have a rather large part to play in the story, and I did really enjoy the deep dive we get into it. She also allows us plenty of time to understand Hazel's magic. We spend the first 40% or so of the book with Hazel waiting for Merrick to come and get her, and then her learning to use her gift when he does. And while I enjoyed the deep dive and ability to spend so much time with Hazel seemingly alone, this just seemed a little too long for me. Her magic was fairly simple and, despite me understanding that Craig wanted us to grasp the time that went into Hazel learning all the healing techniques etc, I think it could easily have been cut in half and this would have allowed us more time with Hazel and Leopold.

Because of the above the romance felt a little rushed for me, I just don't feel like they had enough page time together for me to really feel it, especially since Hazel went into the Palace hating him after an event from their childhood. It was sweet, but a little too fast for me, so I didn't really feel that invested. The relationship I felt that Craig did portray well was Hazel and Merrick. I enjoyed just how eternal Merrick came across, how the years he left Hazel alone were nothing but a blip to him, but felt like a lifetime to Hazel. He adds this almost sinister nature to the story because, as much as he claims to love her, he never really tries to get to know her, and even shows his anger whenever Hazel tries to question him. It's a tricky relationship, with Hazel testing the boundaries, seeing how far she can push them, and Merrick disappearing from her life when she pushes too hard.

All in all I did enjoy this one, and I think people who enjoy YA on the darker side will gobble it up. Craig's writing style is delicious and adds to the atmosphere of the story, I just felt the pacing was a little off, and the romance that took up the majority of the second half never really worked for me.