Wow… I’m speechless.

This book was so beautifully written all I did was read it everywhere I went and into the long hours of the night just so I could know what happens next.

I haven’t read a book this good since The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. The writing and the flow of Hazels story was so beautiful and amazing to read. I have never heard of the author prior to reading this and now I will read all their other work all because of the writing.

I’m still shocked at how good it was and will probably think about it for ages to come. The best character driven fantasy book I have ever read to this day!

This book was fantastic. The writing was so engrossing and beautiful, the world had such depth. I loved the characters and their relationships. The magic and the gods were written so well, it was rich and gothic and quite beautifully sad. Hazel is the goddaughter of the Dreaded End, bound to him and his path for her future as a healer. She is summoned to court to aid the King in his illness, but all is not as it seems. As she tried to uncover what is behind the illness and the King's decisions, she builds relationships with those around her, including Prince Leopold. I found this book to be so beautiful and emotional. Highly recommend.

A hauntingly dark fairy tale full of complicated families, dysfunctional deities, and impossible bargains. Romantically written, steeped in rich descriptions with a fragile girl at the centre of it.

Hazel is the thirteenth child, unwanted, unloved, and forgotten. She is claimed at birth by the Dreaded End, her deathly godfather.
On her birthday, Hazel is whisked away by her godfather to start a new lone life as a healer, holding peoples’ lives in her hands.

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 was all it was. A moment.
One tiny moment in a life destined to have far too many.

You may have to suspend belief as at 13 years old, Hazel becomes a genius at healing. She knows everything, reads numerous books that are unfathomable, and is then trusted with patients, a stranger with no acclaim to credentials.

However, Craig’s writing allows you to make this allowance. It is a world where gods exist, deities show favour, magical diseases plague the country.

Craig’s writing is luscious. Her cast is kept small and this intimacy suits her story and how everything unfolds. Even brought to court, Hazel feels sequestered, solitary, alone.
She just wants someone to look after her. To think of her first. To know her interests, ambitions, and worth coming from a family with too many mouths to feed and too few hugs.

“Birthdays are important times, don't you think?" he went on, musing.
"I've never thought so."
Leopold made a face. "They are, and anyone who says otherwise had something terribly traumatizing happen to them as a child."
He wasn't wrong.

Have cake ready because the descriptions of cakes, breakfasts, and tea are dreamily delectable.

I just wanted more about the puppy. If you have a dog called Cosmos, I expect to have a lot more appearances!

If you enjoyed this or want something similar, I would recommend The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or, better yet, Peaches and Honey!

Thank you to Rock the Boat for sending me the physical arc in exchange for a review!

The Thirteenth Child is a mesmerizing YA fantasy that grips your heart. This atmospheric tale is both enchanting and profound. The story beautifully explores the weight of choices and the impact of seemingly small moments in life. Hazel’s quest and growth are compelling, with every page offering a blend of magic, emotion, and deep reflection. A truly captivating read that balances fantasy with heartfelt moments and profound insights.

The Thirteenth Child grabbed my attention and refused to let go, even when I physically had to put it down, my mind wandered back.

It's an atmospheric tale which follows Hazel, Death's granddaughter from her youth then she questions why her grandfather hasn't claimed her, through her life training as a healer at his urging to the push and pull of her questioning every decision she makes. This tale explores how every choice affects not just the immediate, but can also impact the lives of those around you. How sometimes the best moments in life are the little ones, the small moments of shared laughter and joy.

There is so much I want to say but I can't risk spoiling such a tale. Light a candle, grab a hot drink and fall into a world of gods, betrayal, love and more.

Outstanding! I absolutely LOVED this book! Every character was well rounded and written perfectly, I really loved Hazel and Merrick in particular, their dynamic together was sweet and that ending had me in tears!!

I loved the candles as lives imagery, each of the gods and the little twists and turns within the story. Erin A. Craig can do no wrong! Perfect!

First of all, the ending made me cry like a baby. I can't stop thinking about it and I love Hazel.
It was so well written and just so good! The way the scenery was described meant I could picture everything and I really enjoyed that. The characters were all well rounded and had their own personalities outside of the drama or relationships, which I think can be hard to do sometimes.
Merrick was giving 'looks like could kill you, is a cinnamon roll' vibes (well, in Hazel's case anyway). I loved their dynamic and their final interaction was so beautiful.
Overall, an amazing read and I highly recommend!

Hazel Trépas has always known she was different from her siblings. As the thirteenth child, she was promised to Merrick, the god of death, at birth.

When Merrick finally arrives, Hazel is taught the art—and magic—of healing. Her extraordinary gift for knowing the cure for every ailment quickly spreads throughout the kingdom. But all gifts come with a price. When Death claims a soul, it is Hazel who must end their suffering... permanently.

Destiny soon brings her to the royal court, where she meets Leopold, an infuriatingly alluring prince with a disdain for everything and everyone. Here, Hazel faces her biggest dilemma yet: to carry out her duties or follow the urges of her own heart. Can she defy Death himself to save someone marked to die?

This is a story of gods, love, and choosing between what is destined and what is right. I fell in love with every page of this beautifully crafted book, finding it impossible to put down. Erin Craig doesn't shy away from the heavy parts of the story but instead dives straight in. There aren't enough words to express how much I truly loved Hazel and her endless compassion and honesty. So light a candle, bring the tissues (perhaps the salt, too), and let this story haunt you well into the late hours.