The Thirteenth Child
#1 NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Drawing on the Grimm Brothers’ dark fairytale “Godfather Death,” this sweeping novel from the author of House of Salt and Sorrows is a fantastical saga of actions and consequences.
The stunning “Hazel” special edition first printing features exclusive printed endpapers and a beautiful gold-and-red foil-stamped case.
“A dark, delicious treat from start to finish.”—Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns
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.
The stunning “Hazel” special edition first printing features exclusive printed endpapers and a beautiful gold-and-red foil-stamped case.
“A dark, delicious treat from start to finish.”—Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns
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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Community Reviews
This was a comfort read for me.
Erin A. Craig's book apparently bring me a very specific feeling, a sort of endearing fondness (is that phrasing correct? i'm not sure sorry) that I really enjoy coming back to.
As I've now read the two Sisters of the Salt book from this author, this one didn't disappoint in that regard.
There certainly is some faults to be found in this book, I see how it could be a less enjoyable read for others, but I simply don't mind. For example, the overall plot was a bit ambitious and was told within a specific structure that could be frustrating, but that i found fit well within the main character's story and the time we got with her, and its message and themes.
This book reminded me of The Raven's Trade duology by Marianne Gordon, although it's told through an adult story and main character, and more ambitious as it is a duology.
I feel it's easier for me to tell you about The Thirteenth Child via a comparison to this duology, and it's also what i want to do because i love it so much lmao, but i swear it makes sense! so here we go.
The comparison starts with a similar set up: with main characters being healers forced to choose who to save, who to let die, who to kill with their specific capacities. And then what kind of life they want from themselves, and how to get there with their life getting out of their control because of these very capacities and how others want to use them (both the MCs and their gifts).
This book is less ambitious, yes, but only in that the world building and cast of characters are limited due to less time to spend there with them which makes perfect sense. So i guess my conclusion is that I think this book did what it set out to do, and was definitely a very enjoyable reading experience as I love Erin A. Craig's writing :)
And.....
If you've read this one, or even just the synopsis, but would like a more extensive world and further (much further) exploration of those themes, I highly recommend reading The Raven's Trade duology, the first book being The Guilded Crown. Also there's queer characters, and a doomed sapphic romance sooo what's not to love?? (Yes i want more people to read these books please read them thank uuuuu)
Erin A. Craig's book apparently bring me a very specific feeling, a sort of endearing fondness (is that phrasing correct? i'm not sure sorry) that I really enjoy coming back to.
As I've now read the two Sisters of the Salt book from this author, this one didn't disappoint in that regard.
There certainly is some faults to be found in this book, I see how it could be a less enjoyable read for others, but I simply don't mind. For example, the overall plot was a bit ambitious and was told within a specific structure that could be frustrating, but that i found fit well within the main character's story and the time we got with her, and its message and themes.
This book reminded me of The Raven's Trade duology by Marianne Gordon, although it's told through an adult story and main character, and more ambitious as it is a duology.
I feel it's easier for me to tell you about The Thirteenth Child via a comparison to this duology, and it's also what i want to do because i love it so much lmao, but i swear it makes sense! so here we go.
The comparison starts with a similar set up: with main characters being healers forced to choose who to save, who to let die, who to kill with their specific capacities. And then what kind of life they want from themselves, and how to get there with their life getting out of their control because of these very capacities and how others want to use them (both the MCs and their gifts).
This book is less ambitious, yes, but only in that the world building and cast of characters are limited due to less time to spend there with them which makes perfect sense. So i guess my conclusion is that I think this book did what it set out to do, and was definitely a very enjoyable reading experience as I love Erin A. Craig's writing :)
And.....
If you've read this one, or even just the synopsis, but would like a more extensive world and further (much further) exploration of those themes, I highly recommend reading The Raven's Trade duology, the first book being The Guilded Crown. Also there's queer characters, and a doomed sapphic romance sooo what's not to love?? (Yes i want more people to read these books please read them thank uuuuu)
This might be one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. I’m crying over that ending. I thought someone accidentally spoiled it for me when I first started reading it. That it wasn’t going to be a happy ending. Yet, it was a very happy ending. The writing was gorgeous and, dare I say, perfect. I am someone who wants to be an author one day. All I can do is hope to have something as beautiful and moving as this. The characters were fun and don’t even get me started on how much I LOVED Merrick. Finally there’s a take on Death with him being a big sweetheart and not some brute or whatever. All he ever wanted was the best for Hazel. I like to think that her children see him from time to time and are considered his grandchildren. Maybe he watches out for them even if it’s from afar. I highly recommend this book to everyone. This was beautiful. 🖤
I’ve no idea why this book rating is sitting at a high 7 - this was suuuuuch a good book i was almost in tears at the end! The beginning was a bit slow but i’m so happy i stuck with it. I will agree with another review here that the ending could have been prolonged and included more of Merrick but honestly the writing and storytelling was beautiful and for once, i’m not upset with how a book ended! Thank you Erin, I’m definitely going to be searching for more of your books!
This story was interesting and unique. I felt the ending was rushed and we definitely could have used more of Merrick in the last parts of the book.
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