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.

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.