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.