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The Thirteenth Child - La tredicesima figlia (Fanucci Editore)
Hazel Trépas ha sempre saputo di essere diversa dai suoi fratelli. Tredicesima figlia, fin dall’infanzia è stata promessa a uno degli dèi della Merrick, la Temutissima Fine. Quando, dopo anni di silenzio, Merrick finalmente si presenta alla porta della fattoria di famiglia, il destino di Hazel si compie. Il dio le comunica che diventerà una grande guaritrice, dalle abilità straordinarie. Per aiutarla, Merrick le concede in dono la capacità di dedurre all’istante la cura necessaria per ogni malato. Ma c’è un problema. Oltre a un potere fuori dal comune, Hazel riceve anche una riesce a vedere quando ogni speranza è svanita e la Morte ha reclamato uno dei suoi pazienti. Perseguitata dai fantasmi di chi ha dovuto lasciare andare, Hazel non desidera altro che fuggire dalle sue responsabilità. Ma il destino la conduce alla corte reale di Châtellerault, dove le viene chiesto di curare il re Marnaigne, colpito da una piaga misteriosa. È lì che conosce Leopold, lo sprezzante principe ereditario che nasconde un cuore sorprendentemente gentile.
Alla corte, costretta a decidere se salvare o no un sovrano destinato a morire, Hazel affronterà la prova più difficile della sua vita. Cosa succede quando una mortale decide di sfidare la volontà della Morte?
The Thirteenth Child – La tredicesima figlia, una lettura imperdibile per i fan delle fiabe dark e del romanticismo, racconta come affrontiamo scelte impossibili per salvare coloro che amiamo.
Alla corte, costretta a decidere se salvare o no un sovrano destinato a morire, Hazel affronterà la prova più difficile della sua vita. Cosa succede quando una mortale decide di sfidare la volontà della Morte?
The Thirteenth Child – La tredicesima figlia, una lettura imperdibile per i fan delle fiabe dark e del romanticismo, racconta come affrontiamo scelte impossibili per salvare coloro che amiamo.
515 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2024
1628 people are currently reading
56399 people want to read
About the author
Erin A. Craig
10 books7,021 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig has always loved telling stories.
After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.
An avid reader, decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, brass figurines, and sparkly shoes, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.
To find out more about Erin and the worlds she creates, follow @penchant4words on Instagram and Threads.
She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.
After getting her B.F.A. from the University of Michigan, in Theatre Design and Production, she stage managed tragic operas with hunchbacks, séances, and murderous clowns, then decided she wanted to write books that were just as spooky.
An avid reader, decent quilter, rabid basketball fan, and collector of typewriters, brass figurines, and sparkly shoes, Erin makes her home in West Michigan with her husband and daughter.
To find out more about Erin and the worlds she creates, follow @penchant4words on Instagram and Threads.
She is represented by Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,026 reviews
November 29, 2025
I still sigh, dabbing my tears, even though it's been nearly an hour since I finished this book! I don't have enough words to express my adoration! It's like déjà vu—each time I read another Erin A. Craig book, my life just stops. I cancel everything to give my full attention to the book. If I can’t read to the end, my mind keeps wandering back, making it impossible to concentrate on meetings, writing, laundry, dinner, or even remembering where I am or what time zone I’m in.
She’s the queen of reimagining the Grimm Brothers’ dark stories, adding extra essence, sentimentality, vision, and well-developed characters. This time, she retold the Grimm Brothers’ dark and sinister fairytale “Godfather Death,” revolving around young healer Hazel Trepas. She is the 13th child of her family, left behind in poverty, neglect, and emotional abuse until her godfather, Dreaded End itself, Merrick, returns to reveal her unique gift—which comes with a high price. She’s born to be a powerful healer, but that doesn’t mean she can save every life, even those she loves.
At 18, she’s sent to the ruthless court to save King Marnaigne, who suffers from a mysterious disease related to gold liquid moving inside his body like a worm. The disease is contagious and has claimed the lives of others, including a priest and a maid who contacted the king. Hazel must use her powers to achieve an almost impossible healing mission while dealing with a pantheon of gods with secret agendas to shape royal politics. Along the way, she meets the rakish and sarcastic Prince Leopold again, who awakens different feelings inside her. Her godfather always told her to follow the rules and showed her a deathshed of candles, each representing a life and its determined longevity. If she interferes with fate to save a life that’s destined to end, it could affect other people’s fates like a domino effect and ruin their destinies.
But now there’s so much at stake. Without saving the king, she cannot leave, but this means disobeying her powerful godfather’s wishes. Can you defy Death without expecting consequences? Can Hazel take risks for the greater good, or will her actions bring more chaos to the royal family than she can imagine, earning the wrath of her ruthless godfather?
This dark but engaging and creative version of a fairytale is well-written with surprising twists and a game of gods with secret agendas, reminiscent of GOT-style schemes. The profound, dysfunctional, but unique relationship between Dreaded End and Hazel blossoms in each chapter. Dreaded End seems like a cruel, neglectful, dark father with compelling missions for Hazel, but he shows his affection in his own possible ways. Hazel knows how to be alone, having felt invisible in her crowded family that neglected her needs. Even though her Godfather provides a beautiful house with all her needs met, she still seeks love, affection, and a sense of belonging.
Because of her healing powers, Hazel lives a secluded life, feeling loneliness to her bones. But what if, in the most unexpected place, with the most unexpected person, she finds love destined to be doomed? Could she be brave enough to defy her Godfather’s wishes, choose herself first, challenge her own destiny, and rewrite her future?
I’m still absorbing the last whirlwind chapters of the book, which made me dizzy with twists and heart-stopping cliffhangers. The most epic part of the book is surely the epilogue, which warmed my heart and made me cry.
I know I’m rambling, so I’ll cut it short. I loved this beautifully written, powerful fairytale that tugged at my heartstrings, earning a well-deserved five stars. Thank you to Erin A. Craig, who never ceases to amaze and impress me with her powerful writing. Her versions of Grimm Brothers’ tales are even better than the originals.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for sharing this incredible fantasy book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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She’s the queen of reimagining the Grimm Brothers’ dark stories, adding extra essence, sentimentality, vision, and well-developed characters. This time, she retold the Grimm Brothers’ dark and sinister fairytale “Godfather Death,” revolving around young healer Hazel Trepas. She is the 13th child of her family, left behind in poverty, neglect, and emotional abuse until her godfather, Dreaded End itself, Merrick, returns to reveal her unique gift—which comes with a high price. She’s born to be a powerful healer, but that doesn’t mean she can save every life, even those she loves.
At 18, she’s sent to the ruthless court to save King Marnaigne, who suffers from a mysterious disease related to gold liquid moving inside his body like a worm. The disease is contagious and has claimed the lives of others, including a priest and a maid who contacted the king. Hazel must use her powers to achieve an almost impossible healing mission while dealing with a pantheon of gods with secret agendas to shape royal politics. Along the way, she meets the rakish and sarcastic Prince Leopold again, who awakens different feelings inside her. Her godfather always told her to follow the rules and showed her a deathshed of candles, each representing a life and its determined longevity. If she interferes with fate to save a life that’s destined to end, it could affect other people’s fates like a domino effect and ruin their destinies.
But now there’s so much at stake. Without saving the king, she cannot leave, but this means disobeying her powerful godfather’s wishes. Can you defy Death without expecting consequences? Can Hazel take risks for the greater good, or will her actions bring more chaos to the royal family than she can imagine, earning the wrath of her ruthless godfather?
This dark but engaging and creative version of a fairytale is well-written with surprising twists and a game of gods with secret agendas, reminiscent of GOT-style schemes. The profound, dysfunctional, but unique relationship between Dreaded End and Hazel blossoms in each chapter. Dreaded End seems like a cruel, neglectful, dark father with compelling missions for Hazel, but he shows his affection in his own possible ways. Hazel knows how to be alone, having felt invisible in her crowded family that neglected her needs. Even though her Godfather provides a beautiful house with all her needs met, she still seeks love, affection, and a sense of belonging.
Because of her healing powers, Hazel lives a secluded life, feeling loneliness to her bones. But what if, in the most unexpected place, with the most unexpected person, she finds love destined to be doomed? Could she be brave enough to defy her Godfather’s wishes, choose herself first, challenge her own destiny, and rewrite her future?
I’m still absorbing the last whirlwind chapters of the book, which made me dizzy with twists and heart-stopping cliffhangers. The most epic part of the book is surely the epilogue, which warmed my heart and made me cry.
I know I’m rambling, so I’ll cut it short. I loved this beautifully written, powerful fairytale that tugged at my heartstrings, earning a well-deserved five stars. Thank you to Erin A. Craig, who never ceases to amaze and impress me with her powerful writing. Her versions of Grimm Brothers’ tales are even better than the originals.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for sharing this incredible fantasy book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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October 31, 2024
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ A dark, gothic fairytale retelling of Grimm’s Godfather Death.
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 3.75 Stars Rounded Up ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ '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.' ˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The Thirteenth Child is a dark, gothic fantasy told in the traditional style of fairytales, following the protagonist from the cradle to the grave. Erin A. Craig's writing is immersive, richly atmospheric, and deliciously ensnares the senses with her descriptive imagery.
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.
But Hazel isn't just your average healer. She’s the thirteenth child in her family, which in her world means, surprise - she’s been promised away to a god since birth. Not just any god, though, Merrick, the grim reaper, god of death and he has some major plans for his favorite, lovely little godchild.
The goddaughter of death himself - this should be a right good time. No pressure at all.
I really enjoyed this story from cover to cover. This is now the 4th book I've read by Craig and she's captivated me with each book. Now, she graces my auto buy author list. If you like gothic romantasy without a heavy serving of spice - definitely check her out. This is another YA offering but it's much darker than I had anticipated - while staying within the lines of it's young adult tag.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Hazel was a great FMC that I cheered and rooted for from the beginning. 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. I found her incredibly likeable and endearing; my heart broke for her often. I just wanted her to have a happy life and a chance.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I also really enjoyed the prince and our love interest, Leo. Just my thoughts but he was a little reminiscent of Cardan; he's a playboy prince who, while has known heartbreak and hardship, has hidden any pain away from prying eyes. Don't take that and run though lol the story itself isn't anything like The Cruel Prince - but I did pick up on some vibes regarding dear Leo.
I did find myself having a bit of an issue towards the middle of the book - just a couple of pacing issues. I also did find it pretty long and my attention drifted a couple of times. That could totally just be a me thing as I've been struggling in general recently but it's the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The writing is freaking spectacular - which is something I've become accustomed to when it comes to an Erin A. Craig novel. Spoiled even.
Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a dark and gothic fairytale esc story.
╰⪼ 🕯️YA Fantasy
╰⪼ 🖤Dark Fairytale
╰⪼ 🕯️Magic
╰⪼ 🖤Morally Grey Characters
╰⪼ 🕯️Strong Fierce FMC
╰⪼ 🖤Gothic and Atmospheric
╰⪼ 🕯️ Single POV
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 3.75 Stars Rounded Up ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ '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.' ˚⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The Thirteenth Child is a dark, gothic fantasy told in the traditional style of fairytales, following the protagonist from the cradle to the grave. Erin A. Craig's writing is immersive, richly atmospheric, and deliciously ensnares the senses with her descriptive imagery.
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.
But Hazel isn't just your average healer. She’s the thirteenth child in her family, which in her world means, surprise - she’s been promised away to a god since birth. Not just any god, though, Merrick, the grim reaper, god of death and he has some major plans for his favorite, lovely little godchild.
The goddaughter of death himself - this should be a right good time. No pressure at all.
I really enjoyed this story from cover to cover. This is now the 4th book I've read by Craig and she's captivated me with each book. Now, she graces my auto buy author list. If you like gothic romantasy without a heavy serving of spice - definitely check her out. This is another YA offering but it's much darker than I had anticipated - while staying within the lines of it's young adult tag.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Hazel was a great FMC that I cheered and rooted for from the beginning. 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. I found her incredibly likeable and endearing; my heart broke for her often. I just wanted her to have a happy life and a chance.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I also really enjoyed the prince and our love interest, Leo. Just my thoughts but he was a little reminiscent of Cardan; he's a playboy prince who, while has known heartbreak and hardship, has hidden any pain away from prying eyes. Don't take that and run though lol the story itself isn't anything like The Cruel Prince - but I did pick up on some vibes regarding dear Leo.
I did find myself having a bit of an issue towards the middle of the book - just a couple of pacing issues. I also did find it pretty long and my attention drifted a couple of times. That could totally just be a me thing as I've been struggling in general recently but it's the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The writing is freaking spectacular - which is something I've become accustomed to when it comes to an Erin A. Craig novel. Spoiled even.
Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a dark and gothic fairytale esc story.
╰⪼ 🕯️YA Fantasy
╰⪼ 🖤Dark Fairytale
╰⪼ 🕯️Magic
╰⪼ 🖤Morally Grey Characters
╰⪼ 🕯️Strong Fierce FMC
╰⪼ 🖤Gothic and Atmospheric
╰⪼ 🕯️ Single POV
April 8, 2024
I’m so excited to welcome you to the kingdom of Martissienes!
October 3, 2024
So, for the first 100-150 pages or so, I thought that this book was going to be a 4 or 5 star book. I absolutely adored the main character Hazel, and I thought her upbringing and longing for her godfather was so sad. The setting was dark and moody and right up my alley for what I wanted my first read of October to be. I loved the gifts that she was given by the Gods, and I really liked how Hazel and her godfather just didn’t understand each other in the beginning because they obviously live such different lives.
I started to lose track once she was sent to the palace. I genuinely think that if Erin Craig would have kept this story more of a quiet, quant healer learns that she can’t think like a mortal in order to do what she needs to do, and she finds love that is worth losing everything, this would have been a banger. I would have been raving about this book for months.
Instead, we got that possible introduction for 185 pages. Then, all of a sudden Hazel (and us as readers) were being pulled away to the castle where we were bombarded with new characters, pretty much an entire new plot, and the same mistakes that Hazel was already making???
I think that was one of the things that confused me the most. That her godfather and her went through a really eye opening turn of events and I felt like Hazel finally understood what it takes to have these gifts, only for her to act like that never happened, and make very dumb decisions over and over again.
Then, for the rest of the book, I felt like I couldn’t keep up with what the main evil or problem of this book was supposed to be. Without going into too many spoilers, Erin would set up this large problem that needed to be solved, only for it to either be resolved behind the scenes, so we didn’t even see the resolution, or it was solved with a time jump. This happened to two of the pretty large plots.
Then, the “main villain” I pretty much spotted from the very beginning because Craig spoils it herself by having another character being suspicious from the start. Because of that, I knew exactly who was going to “betray” the royal kingdom, and it wasn’t a shock at all when it was finally revealed.
I then felt like all of the characters that Hazel met at the castle, I didn’t have any connection to whatsoever, because when Hazel first met them, besides the youngest princess, everyone was pretty mean or distrusting of her, and I guess Craig didn’t want to deal with that, so we just jumped 11 months (or something like that) and suddenly Hazel was friends with all of them.
Also I know the prince was supposed to be spoiled and mean but have a really soft spot underneath, but it was just giving washed up Carden (The Cruel Prince)/Kai (Powerless). If you’re going to have a mean prince, actually make him MEAN, not just rude and annoying, you know?
Ugh, I think I just wanted to love this book so much, especially since I adored those first 100 pages, and I was really let down by the rest of the book. I do hope that others are having a good time with it though!
I started to lose track once she was sent to the palace. I genuinely think that if Erin Craig would have kept this story more of a quiet, quant healer learns that she can’t think like a mortal in order to do what she needs to do, and she finds love that is worth losing everything, this would have been a banger. I would have been raving about this book for months.
Instead, we got that possible introduction for 185 pages. Then, all of a sudden Hazel (and us as readers) were being pulled away to the castle where we were bombarded with new characters, pretty much an entire new plot, and the same mistakes that Hazel was already making???
I think that was one of the things that confused me the most. That her godfather and her went through a really eye opening turn of events and I felt like Hazel finally understood what it takes to have these gifts, only for her to act like that never happened, and make very dumb decisions over and over again.
Then, for the rest of the book, I felt like I couldn’t keep up with what the main evil or problem of this book was supposed to be. Without going into too many spoilers, Erin would set up this large problem that needed to be solved, only for it to either be resolved behind the scenes, so we didn’t even see the resolution, or it was solved with a time jump. This happened to two of the pretty large plots.
Then, the “main villain” I pretty much spotted from the very beginning because Craig spoils it herself by having another character being suspicious from the start. Because of that, I knew exactly who was going to “betray” the royal kingdom, and it wasn’t a shock at all when it was finally revealed.
I then felt like all of the characters that Hazel met at the castle, I didn’t have any connection to whatsoever, because when Hazel first met them, besides the youngest princess, everyone was pretty mean or distrusting of her, and I guess Craig didn’t want to deal with that, so we just jumped 11 months (or something like that) and suddenly Hazel was friends with all of them.
Also I know the prince was supposed to be spoiled and mean but have a really soft spot underneath, but it was just giving washed up Carden (The Cruel Prince)/Kai (Powerless). If you’re going to have a mean prince, actually make him MEAN, not just rude and annoying, you know?
Ugh, I think I just wanted to love this book so much, especially since I adored those first 100 pages, and I was really let down by the rest of the book. I do hope that others are having a good time with it though!
September 29, 2024
Can't believe this is the same person who wrote A House of Salt and Sorrow.
ghostwriter or demonic possession are the only two explanations for this shit show.
Hazel is most probably the worst protagonist I've read in a long long time. She made around six million choices in the book and somehow ALL OF THEM WERE TERRIBLE.
She constantly complains about being bitter because her godfather (who gave her a life, a house, a library, food, EVERYTHING) missing her first few birthdays. Even though,
1: He is a literal god. He has a job.
2: He clearly shows enough remorse about it and tries his best to makeup for it in all the ways he can.
3: He filled her house with trees because she once said she likes trees when she was like 12.
4: He makes her cakes by his own hand every year.
She hates sweet foods (because she is a bitter bitch) but never tells Merrick that she hates it. She wants him to magically find it out I guess.
She also says she doesn't know what her godfather does when he goes away. Girl, he is the death god. He probably takes lives and does underworld thingy. Hazel over here is clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed, I'm afraid.
Her lack of braincells reminds me,
Merrick constantly tells her what would happen if she goes out of her way to save lives that are meant to die. But she still plays god thinking she knows better.
No matter how many times karma punches her in the faces she NEVER.EVER.LEARNS.HER.LESSONS.
The last time I read such a brat, ungrateful, selfish, idiotic bitch of a character was probably in Better Than The Movies. Even that was better than whatever the fuck this is.
Not to mention, this isn't even classic Erin. A. Craig styled book. Where was the spooky, terrifying, nightmarish plot twists I was promised?
frankly, this book gave ✨ nothing ✨
the only redeeming part of this book was Merrick. And he got like 30 seconds of screen time. what an absolute waste.
p.s: last but not the least, the love interest Leopold called Hazel a prostitute. And she did nothing.
ghostwriter or demonic possession are the only two explanations for this shit show.
Hazel is most probably the worst protagonist I've read in a long long time. She made around six million choices in the book and somehow ALL OF THEM WERE TERRIBLE.
She constantly complains about being bitter because her godfather (who gave her a life, a house, a library, food, EVERYTHING) missing her first few birthdays. Even though,
1: He is a literal god. He has a job.
2: He clearly shows enough remorse about it and tries his best to makeup for it in all the ways he can.
3: He filled her house with trees because she once said she likes trees when she was like 12.
4: He makes her cakes by his own hand every year.
She hates sweet foods (because she is a bitter bitch) but never tells Merrick that she hates it. She wants him to magically find it out I guess.
She also says she doesn't know what her godfather does when he goes away. Girl, he is the death god. He probably takes lives and does underworld thingy. Hazel over here is clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed, I'm afraid.
Her lack of braincells reminds me,
Merrick constantly tells her what would happen if she goes out of her way to save lives that are meant to die. But she still plays god thinking she knows better.
No matter how many times karma punches her in the faces she NEVER.EVER.LEARNS.HER.LESSONS.
The last time I read such a brat, ungrateful, selfish, idiotic bitch of a character was probably in Better Than The Movies. Even that was better than whatever the fuck this is.
Not to mention, this isn't even classic Erin. A. Craig styled book. Where was the spooky, terrifying, nightmarish plot twists I was promised?
frankly, this book gave ✨ nothing ✨
the only redeeming part of this book was Merrick. And he got like 30 seconds of screen time. what an absolute waste.
p.s: last but not the least, the love interest Leopold called Hazel a prostitute. And she did nothing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2025
4.00💫
This deserves more recognition!
Hazel is a healer, a thirteenth child, and the goddaughter of death himself. She's strong, independent, and knows what she wants. Helping those in need and haunted by the ghosts of those she had to kill, she's navigating her path through life.
Leopold is a playboy prince. He's spoilt, goofy and carefree. His development was beautiful. People compare him to Cardan? Well I haven't read the cruel prince but if it is true then get the idea.
Merrick, the dreaded end. He was my favorite part of this book. You wouldn't expect the god of death to be a caring godfather right? Well I certainly didn't but I was proven wrong. He's so caring, so protective, so loving, and so providing, only for Hazel tho. My biggest complaint with this book is that WHY COULDN'T I HAVE MORE OF HIM? WHYYYYY?
The writing is exceptionally beautiful. The story is captivating. I'm definitely going to read more from this author in the future.
Merrick you had no right making me cry like that. Can I get a book on him please?
｡:ﾟ﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏ﾟ:｡
↝Pre-read°｡.ﾟ.｡♡
I got this months ago and every single time I think of starting this I somehow end up not doing so *sigh*. Also this has really good reviews and I'm all in for some good gothic vibes🤞🏼
I couldn’t have a lifetime, but I could have this moment.
This deserves more recognition!
There is no shame in turning on those who turn from you.
Hazel is a healer, a thirteenth child, and the goddaughter of death himself. She's strong, independent, and knows what she wants. Helping those in need and haunted by the ghosts of those she had to kill, she's navigating her path through life.
"I want you on my arm tonight. I want you on my arm every night."
Leopold is a playboy prince. He's spoilt, goofy and carefree. His development was beautiful. People compare him to Cardan? Well I haven't read the cruel prince but if it is true then get the idea.
"I'm all by myself."
"You're with me."
Merrick, the dreaded end. He was my favorite part of this book. You wouldn't expect the god of death to be a caring godfather right? Well I certainly didn't but I was proven wrong. He's so caring, so protective, so loving, and so providing, only for Hazel tho. My biggest complaint with this book is that WHY COULDN'T I HAVE MORE OF HIM? WHYYYYY?
Just because you made him change does not mean he changed for you.
The writing is exceptionally beautiful. The story is captivating. I'm definitely going to read more from this author in the future.
“Oh, my brilliant, bright, darling little Hazel.”
“There’s not much candle left, is there?”
“No, and there’s so much I need to—”
“There’s nothing you need to do, nothing that needs to be said. I had the life I did not in spite of but because of you, because you thought me special enough to fight for, because you loved me.”
“Love,” he corrected. “Never past tense. Always present.”
Merrick you had no right making me cry like that. Can I get a book on him please?
A wish was nothing but a hopeful regret, and here, at the end of my life, I had none.
｡:ﾟ﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏ﾟ:｡
↝Pre-read°｡.ﾟ.｡♡
I got this months ago and every single time I think of starting this I somehow end up not doing so *sigh*. Also this has really good reviews and I'm all in for some good gothic vibes🤞🏼
December 19, 2024
3.5 stars.
I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions with this book. Initially, I was thrilled to dive in, but the first half was incredibly boring; it felt like nothing worthwhile was happening. The second half did draw me in, but that engagement was short-lived. The author attempted to take the story down too many convoluted paths, leading to an incoherent mess.
Hazel, the protagonist, consistently chooses the wrong options, and it seems like that is her only real talent. I was frequently shocked by her ability to always land on the worst decisions. I struggled to connect with her. Just when I started to like her, she'd do something that made me question why she seemed determined to make me dislike her. It’s unbelievable that she became a renowned healer.
Her relationship with death was unnecessarily complicated because she insisted on making it that way. Merrick, on the other hand, was my favorite character. While he wasn't perfect and made mistakes, Hazel's treatment of him was frustrating to the point of wanting to bang my head against a wall. He offered her numerous clues and support, yet she never comprehended their significance. Despite all he did for her, she was perpetually ungrateful and always wanted more.
At a certain point, I honestly just wanted Merrick to walk away from her. The romance initially had potential, but then Leo destroyed it with a thoughtless comparison to a prostitute in his father’s play. It wasn't the comparison itself that bothered me; it was the disrespectful tone he used. The first time he said it might have been excusable, given their lack of connection at the time. However, the second remark came a year apart when he claimed to be in love with her. Sure, he apologized, claiming he said it under peer pressure from his military buddies, but if a man disrespects his loved one in front of his friends, that’s a major red flag for me.
Hazel's response was infuriating; she just accepted his excuse. She did not even get angry—she displayed no backbone throughout the story, so I shouldn’t have expected her to grow one in that moment. Despite all of this, the story still had its charm. It was clear, though, that the author was unsure of the intended message, as it remained muddled until the end. The setting provided a calming backdrop, and while I may look back on the book with mixed feelings, it's undeniable that it had its merits.
I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions with this book. Initially, I was thrilled to dive in, but the first half was incredibly boring; it felt like nothing worthwhile was happening. The second half did draw me in, but that engagement was short-lived. The author attempted to take the story down too many convoluted paths, leading to an incoherent mess.
Hazel, the protagonist, consistently chooses the wrong options, and it seems like that is her only real talent. I was frequently shocked by her ability to always land on the worst decisions. I struggled to connect with her. Just when I started to like her, she'd do something that made me question why she seemed determined to make me dislike her. It’s unbelievable that she became a renowned healer.
Her relationship with death was unnecessarily complicated because she insisted on making it that way. Merrick, on the other hand, was my favorite character. While he wasn't perfect and made mistakes, Hazel's treatment of him was frustrating to the point of wanting to bang my head against a wall. He offered her numerous clues and support, yet she never comprehended their significance. Despite all he did for her, she was perpetually ungrateful and always wanted more.
At a certain point, I honestly just wanted Merrick to walk away from her. The romance initially had potential, but then Leo destroyed it with a thoughtless comparison to a prostitute in his father’s play. It wasn't the comparison itself that bothered me; it was the disrespectful tone he used. The first time he said it might have been excusable, given their lack of connection at the time. However, the second remark came a year apart when he claimed to be in love with her. Sure, he apologized, claiming he said it under peer pressure from his military buddies, but if a man disrespects his loved one in front of his friends, that’s a major red flag for me.
Hazel's response was infuriating; she just accepted his excuse. She did not even get angry—she displayed no backbone throughout the story, so I shouldn’t have expected her to grow one in that moment. Despite all of this, the story still had its charm. It was clear, though, that the author was unsure of the intended message, as it remained muddled until the end. The setting provided a calming backdrop, and while I may look back on the book with mixed feelings, it's undeniable that it had its merits.
August 24, 2024
The Thirteenth Child is a dark fantasy with elements of romance. The narrative is captivating and has a timeless quality, reminiscent of classic fairy tales, yet it still feels quite contemporary. Every time the page turned, I was genuinely on the tip of my seat with anticipation.
Every character in this novel was wonderful, but my favorite was Hazel. She is a strong, independent woman who aspires to be in charge of her life. It was simple to love her and be interested in following her journey because of how powerful each of her interactions with others was. I enjoyed Merrick and Hazel's connection because, although being a god, Merrick seemed extremely human at times.
I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the God of Death, and the other god figures were interesting to read about. I would have wanted to read even more about these characters because I loved their complexity!
Erin Craig writes in such a lovely, eerily atmospheric way that it nearly seems like a spooky song The world-building is deep and engaging, and the writing skillfully combines elements of a dark fairytale with rich details.
I will always and forever be a fan of this writer, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next. Anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings and all of its associated elements should read The Thirteenth Child!
Every character in this novel was wonderful, but my favorite was Hazel. She is a strong, independent woman who aspires to be in charge of her life. It was simple to love her and be interested in following her journey because of how powerful each of her interactions with others was. I enjoyed Merrick and Hazel's connection because, although being a god, Merrick seemed extremely human at times.
I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the God of Death, and the other god figures were interesting to read about. I would have wanted to read even more about these characters because I loved their complexity!
Erin Craig writes in such a lovely, eerily atmospheric way that it nearly seems like a spooky song The world-building is deep and engaging, and the writing skillfully combines elements of a dark fairytale with rich details.
I will always and forever be a fan of this writer, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next. Anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings and all of its associated elements should read The Thirteenth Child!
December 29, 2024
4⭐️
I...am not okay. This book warmed my heart, broke it, put it back together, and ran it over with a semi-truck. That is the most accurate way I could describe this experience.
Right from the very beginning, I loved Hazel. She was a child throughout this entire book, yet she always acted with poise and grace. The love that she had for others was so heartwarming despite her rough upbringing. I liked Death's character and how he treated Hazel as his own, as Hazel truly did deserve the world. 😭
The plot itself of this book was so well done and so well thought out. The premise of Gods raising mortals has always interested me, so to read about it in this was amazingly thought out! The magic system in this book was so easy to understand and follow I had an amazing time. I grew to love everyone and stay so invested in the story.
This book was nothing short of a good time. I loved the magic, the love, the found family, ugh I just loved everything about it. I knew I was going to love this book because Erin Craig wrote it and I have devoured every single one of her books. This is a one-off fantasy so if you're looking for something quick, yet heartbreaking and wholesome, this would be for you. 💛
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have super high expectations for this because I absolutely DEVOURED the House of Salt and Sorrows series by this author 👀👀
I...am not okay. This book warmed my heart, broke it, put it back together, and ran it over with a semi-truck. That is the most accurate way I could describe this experience.
Right from the very beginning, I loved Hazel. She was a child throughout this entire book, yet she always acted with poise and grace. The love that she had for others was so heartwarming despite her rough upbringing. I liked Death's character and how he treated Hazel as his own, as Hazel truly did deserve the world. 😭
The plot itself of this book was so well done and so well thought out. The premise of Gods raising mortals has always interested me, so to read about it in this was amazingly thought out! The magic system in this book was so easy to understand and follow I had an amazing time. I grew to love everyone and stay so invested in the story.
This book was nothing short of a good time. I loved the magic, the love, the found family, ugh I just loved everything about it. I knew I was going to love this book because Erin Craig wrote it and I have devoured every single one of her books. This is a one-off fantasy so if you're looking for something quick, yet heartbreaking and wholesome, this would be for you. 💛
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have super high expectations for this because I absolutely DEVOURED the House of Salt and Sorrows series by this author 👀👀
January 29, 2025
When Hazel is born as the thirteenth child of a poor family, her parents agree to give her to the Dreaded End—the god of death. On her thirteenth birthday, he whisks her away. You see, he has big plans for her. The Dreaded End blesses her with a powerful gift. She can touch a sick person and see the cause of their illness. Hazel becomes a celebrated healer, but is puzzled when she touches someone and sees only a vision of a skull. It’s then that she learns that her gift is a double-edged sword. That skull is the mark of death. And any time she sees it, she must kill that person…or many more lives could be at stake.
I can’t emphasize enough how much of an Erin A. Craig fan girl I am. House of Salt and Sorrow and Small Favors are two of my favourite books EVER…and I’m a lit fic girlie who doesn’t like many fantasy novels. The author’s books always have the feeling of surreal, dark fairytales, and this one was no exception. It felt as though this were a 200-page story, not a 500-page one, because the plot was so engrossing that I read it super quickly. There was also the sense of not knowing which characters we could trust, which is a hallmark of her books that I love.
That said, this book wasn’t perfect. There were some inconsistencies in the way Hazel used her powers that pulled me out of the story. Like, when she meets one character who is dying of a mysterious illness, she spends their first meeting interviewing him about it. Why would she not just immediately touch his face?? Some of the characters’ choices felt shoehorned in to further the plot.
Still, this book was a good time. While it didn’t quite resonate with me the way her other books have, I definitely think it’s worth reading.
I can’t emphasize enough how much of an Erin A. Craig fan girl I am. House of Salt and Sorrow and Small Favors are two of my favourite books EVER…and I’m a lit fic girlie who doesn’t like many fantasy novels. The author’s books always have the feeling of surreal, dark fairytales, and this one was no exception. It felt as though this were a 200-page story, not a 500-page one, because the plot was so engrossing that I read it super quickly. There was also the sense of not knowing which characters we could trust, which is a hallmark of her books that I love.
That said, this book wasn’t perfect. There were some inconsistencies in the way Hazel used her powers that pulled me out of the story. Like, when she meets one character who is dying of a mysterious illness, she spends their first meeting interviewing him about it. Why would she not just immediately touch his face?? Some of the characters’ choices felt shoehorned in to further the plot.
Still, this book was a good time. While it didn’t quite resonate with me the way her other books have, I definitely think it’s worth reading.
October 14, 2024
SO SO SAD BUT SO SO GOOD. 😭🥹
May 15, 2025
presence of nobility, that dreadful day when I’d met Prince Leopold. I had no desire to move anywhere near him.
This is the story of Hazel, a young healer navigating a ruthless court to save the life of the king, grappling with a pantheon of gods with questionable agendas as she fights for agency and true love in her own life as the goddaughter of none other than Death himself.
All gifts come with a price.
I loved this book. The grim fairytales vibes were spot on and the settings for it so intriguing I love gothic fantasy and some twist and turns had me shocked this is my first erin a craig book and I definitely am impressed her writing style is so gorgeous and beautiful and was so fast paced I read it so faster than I expected too and the cover wow so gorgeous it definitely captured the settings with that cover I love the atmosphere this was so much darker than I thought it be I loved the epilogue so much it's so bittersweet and sad and warmed my heart at the same time but as much as I liked this book I wished we got to see what happens to his sisters after and that time jump was frustrating but other then that i loved this book I am shocked too find out who the true villians in this book and I liked the worldbuilding i enjoyed the slowburn between hazel and leo i wished there was more romance moments in it I will definitely cheak out her a house of salt and sorrows books I admit I did have a feeling I know who the villian is and I was right about that still enjoyable regardless
Chareters
hazel
Hazel was such a great fmc sweet and fierce at the same time and I enjoyed getting her flashbacks her backstory was so sad and her parents was so awful she been through a lot but she managed to stay strong and become independent and resilient and she was so sweet and cared about people and I loved her relationship with her godfather even if he was toxic but he still cared for her even if he wasn’t always good at showing it I enjoyed her as an fmc so much I did hate her parents so much such selfish people they gave me so much anger issues because of how they treated hazel
leo
I enjoyed the mmc too he gave me some carden vibes probably because he was a spoiled playboy prince who hides his pain from others I did enjoy the slow burn in this book and I love how leo grow from being rude to actually caring for Hazel but I still wished we saw more of his sisters after the last chapter I do admit there was some moments I wanted to smack him because he was being stupid but I did love his development even if there was some moments I didn't love with him and made me shocked at some world he uttered but I did end up loving him
quotes
I couldn't have a lifetime, but I could have this moment.
I wondered if isolation could make someone go mad.
Leopold dared to look my way, meeting my eyes with a stare so blue my heart began to rekindle some of those ridiculous daydreams.
"For a girl who's so terribly smart and skilled, there's a surprising amount you don't know.
I was tired of living in the between—not just the Between itself, but the in-between I'd nestled myself into. Not quite in the past, but not wholly in the present. Unsure of how to move ahead, unwilling to let go.
A wish was nothing but a hopeful regret.
I couldn’t imagine a love like that, so pure and earnest and insistent on existing in a world where things that were pure and earnest were so often crushed. I wondered what it would be like to feel such a love so wholeheartedly.”
There was nothing the dying wanted more than more.
Mortals weren’t meant to see this much.”
Leopold dared to look my way, meeting my eyes with a stare so blue my heart began to rekindle some of those ridiculous daydreams. "
For a girl who's so terribly smart and skilled, there's a surprising amount you don't know. "
"I couldn't have a lifetime, but i could have this moment,"
I wondered what it would be like to feel such a love so wholeheartedly. "
I wondered if isolation could make someone go mad
I was tired of living in the between not just the Between itself the the in-between I'd nestled myself into not quite in the past but not wholly in the present unsure of how to move ahead unwilling to let go"
I couldn't imagine a love like that so pure and earnest and insistent on existing in a world where things that were pure and earnest were so often crushed"
"I was worried about you yes and no I don't know why I dont know why I notice the way you eat or the colours of the ribbons in your hair I don't know why my eyes search for you at every function wh my heart feels lighter once your found but they do and I do and hazel it was frightening to watch you faint this afternoon to see you so vulnerable and helpless especially when i know that you help everyone around you and so I wanted to be the one to help you and it felt good to do that"
Because no matter how big and overwhelming the present felt no matter how my heart ached or vallied or sank again no matter how I tried to wish myself out of the moment I was in I knew that it all it was a moment one tiny moment in a life destined to have far too many"
My siblings were never bothered when dinner was a portion short and I went without they didn't tighten ranks to make space for me in their beds it was all right if my hand me downs were too long too big and worn to the point of falling apart I wasn't supposed to have stayed with them for as long as I had so how could I possibly ask for anything more"
This is the story of Hazel, a young healer navigating a ruthless court to save the life of the king, grappling with a pantheon of gods with questionable agendas as she fights for agency and true love in her own life as the goddaughter of none other than Death himself.
All gifts come with a price.
I loved this book. The grim fairytales vibes were spot on and the settings for it so intriguing I love gothic fantasy and some twist and turns had me shocked this is my first erin a craig book and I definitely am impressed her writing style is so gorgeous and beautiful and was so fast paced I read it so faster than I expected too and the cover wow so gorgeous it definitely captured the settings with that cover I love the atmosphere this was so much darker than I thought it be I loved the epilogue so much it's so bittersweet and sad and warmed my heart at the same time but as much as I liked this book I wished we got to see what happens to his sisters after and that time jump was frustrating but other then that i loved this book I am shocked too find out who the true villians in this book and I liked the worldbuilding i enjoyed the slowburn between hazel and leo i wished there was more romance moments in it I will definitely cheak out her a house of salt and sorrows books I admit I did have a feeling I know who the villian is and I was right about that still enjoyable regardless
Chareters
hazel
Hazel was such a great fmc sweet and fierce at the same time and I enjoyed getting her flashbacks her backstory was so sad and her parents was so awful she been through a lot but she managed to stay strong and become independent and resilient and she was so sweet and cared about people and I loved her relationship with her godfather even if he was toxic but he still cared for her even if he wasn’t always good at showing it I enjoyed her as an fmc so much I did hate her parents so much such selfish people they gave me so much anger issues because of how they treated hazel
leo
I enjoyed the mmc too he gave me some carden vibes probably because he was a spoiled playboy prince who hides his pain from others I did enjoy the slow burn in this book and I love how leo grow from being rude to actually caring for Hazel but I still wished we saw more of his sisters after the last chapter I do admit there was some moments I wanted to smack him because he was being stupid but I did love his development even if there was some moments I didn't love with him and made me shocked at some world he uttered but I did end up loving him
quotes
I couldn't have a lifetime, but I could have this moment.
I wondered if isolation could make someone go mad.
Leopold dared to look my way, meeting my eyes with a stare so blue my heart began to rekindle some of those ridiculous daydreams.
"For a girl who's so terribly smart and skilled, there's a surprising amount you don't know.
I was tired of living in the between—not just the Between itself, but the in-between I'd nestled myself into. Not quite in the past, but not wholly in the present. Unsure of how to move ahead, unwilling to let go.
A wish was nothing but a hopeful regret.
I couldn’t imagine a love like that, so pure and earnest and insistent on existing in a world where things that were pure and earnest were so often crushed. I wondered what it would be like to feel such a love so wholeheartedly.”
There was nothing the dying wanted more than more.
Mortals weren’t meant to see this much.”
Leopold dared to look my way, meeting my eyes with a stare so blue my heart began to rekindle some of those ridiculous daydreams. "
For a girl who's so terribly smart and skilled, there's a surprising amount you don't know. "
"I couldn't have a lifetime, but i could have this moment,"
I wondered what it would be like to feel such a love so wholeheartedly. "
I wondered if isolation could make someone go mad
I was tired of living in the between not just the Between itself the the in-between I'd nestled myself into not quite in the past but not wholly in the present unsure of how to move ahead unwilling to let go"
I couldn't imagine a love like that so pure and earnest and insistent on existing in a world where things that were pure and earnest were so often crushed"
"I was worried about you yes and no I don't know why I dont know why I notice the way you eat or the colours of the ribbons in your hair I don't know why my eyes search for you at every function wh my heart feels lighter once your found but they do and I do and hazel it was frightening to watch you faint this afternoon to see you so vulnerable and helpless especially when i know that you help everyone around you and so I wanted to be the one to help you and it felt good to do that"
Because no matter how big and overwhelming the present felt no matter how my heart ached or vallied or sank again no matter how I tried to wish myself out of the moment I was in I knew that it all it was a moment one tiny moment in a life destined to have far too many"
My siblings were never bothered when dinner was a portion short and I went without they didn't tighten ranks to make space for me in their beds it was all right if my hand me downs were too long too big and worn to the point of falling apart I wasn't supposed to have stayed with them for as long as I had so how could I possibly ask for anything more"
December 12, 2024
Well I can't really say I'm disappointed because something told me that it probably wouldn't work for me. More of a Small Favors than a House of Roots & Ruin.
edit: Have to keep reminding myself not to lower this to 1 star because I really enjoyed the beginning so much... until it squandered its promise.
Fairytales:
The beginning was an absolute banger and I was entirely smitten. The writing style was fantastic and I loved the tale and how it was unfolding. And then when they started retelling the tale but adding missing details or context or embellishments? Adore that.
I also particularly like a lot of the details with her godfather and how he's portrayed.
This whole beginning section is what elevates the book an entire star, otherwise I'm not sure I'd have any nice things to say at all. (so sorry)
Pacing:
There's a definite lull that I started to record in my reading updates. I felt like I was in a holding pattern, waiting for an unknown thing to happen with no real promise of when it would occur (or even that it would for sure happen). There's a lot of brain mush when I try to think back on this part of the book because there just isn't much that transpires.
The Puppy:
Honestly devastated that she introduced me to a cute dog and even gave it a speckled face similar to the main character's freckles, only to leave the dog out of the rest of the book. wtf
Did the author forget he was introduced? He doesn't even make an appearance in the epilogue! Literally his appearances are so brief and then never mentioned again that I was starting to gaslight myself into believing he's killed off and I just blocked that scene from my memory.
WHERE WAS THE BOY?!
The Royals:
Probably my biggest disconnect with the story is when it changes locations and focus to the king and his court. As a baseline, I would likely put my interest in courts and their politics at least around -1, so it's always an uphill battle to claw back my attention. This... didn't.
I didn't care for any of their characters, even the main character was feeling overloaded by the number of balls, and any politics/machinations were obfuscated until the end reveal, so I couldn't even get invested in those.
The Romance:
And I fully don't understand the romance. It came out of nowhere and I still don't know why these people are attracted to each other nor do I believe in their relationship. Especially once they spend a long amount of time apart without sending letters or anything, it's hard to buy into that time apart somehow drawing them closer together. Or the fact that they profess their love before even knowing basic details and background about one another. It's just not my idea of romance, personally.
Side note with minor spoilers: I also hate the trope of a hella mediocre to downright shitty dude, but he randomly decides he loves her and therefore has to become a better man to prove himself worthy of her. Like... if she wasn't there, he'd just continue on being a lazy, shitty dude? She's personally responsible for him having a lick of empathy and an ounce of personal growth? Ew.
The Big Bad:
This was really obviously telegraphed really early on, and I never felt like a viable alternative or misdirect was provided. Maybe the reveal would be more shocking if you don't regularly guess whodunnit, or if you're in the target demographic and have a smaller pool of similar experiences to draw from. But personally I wanted to shake the main character a little because of how obvious the villain was being. Stop trusting them, you dummy!
Loose Ends:
There are a lot of loose ends that started bothering me the more I sat with this. Obviously we already discussed Cosmo (the dog) above, but in particular there's also her brother, her nieces, and any other living relatives. I know this book is already too long, but it sucks that there's no resolution or thought to those storylines, especially when I feel like the romance is so worthless and could be cut so those other storylines had room to breathe and reach their conclusions.
Not for Jeeps:
Overall:
Ultimately I think that this is suitable for teen audiences, though I wouldn't go out of my way to present it to them. A lot of the elements and plots and twists feel very familiar, but the magic system doesn't quite. (Though if I think too hard about it, it does have a little bit of a video game vibe to it, so I just might not have as much exposure to the franchises that would make it feel familiar. ymmv)
I will still shout my love of House of Roots and Ruin from the rooftops; but this one's just a full pass from me.
edit: Have to keep reminding myself not to lower this to 1 star because I really enjoyed the beginning so much... until it squandered its promise.
Fairytales:
The beginning was an absolute banger and I was entirely smitten. The writing style was fantastic and I loved the tale and how it was unfolding. And then when they started retelling the tale but adding missing details or context or embellishments? Adore that.
I also particularly like a lot of the details with her godfather and how he's portrayed.
This whole beginning section is what elevates the book an entire star, otherwise I'm not sure I'd have any nice things to say at all. (so sorry)
Pacing:
There's a definite lull that I started to record in my reading updates. I felt like I was in a holding pattern, waiting for an unknown thing to happen with no real promise of when it would occur (or even that it would for sure happen). There's a lot of brain mush when I try to think back on this part of the book because there just isn't much that transpires.
The Puppy:
Honestly devastated that she introduced me to a cute dog and even gave it a speckled face similar to the main character's freckles, only to leave the dog out of the rest of the book. wtf
Did the author forget he was introduced? He doesn't even make an appearance in the epilogue! Literally his appearances are so brief and then never mentioned again that I was starting to gaslight myself into believing he's killed off and I just blocked that scene from my memory.
WHERE WAS THE BOY?!
The Royals:
Probably my biggest disconnect with the story is when it changes locations and focus to the king and his court. As a baseline, I would likely put my interest in courts and their politics at least around -1, so it's always an uphill battle to claw back my attention. This... didn't.
I didn't care for any of their characters, even the main character was feeling overloaded by the number of balls, and any politics/machinations were obfuscated until the end reveal, so I couldn't even get invested in those.
The Romance:
And I fully don't understand the romance. It came out of nowhere and I still don't know why these people are attracted to each other nor do I believe in their relationship. Especially once they spend a long amount of time apart without sending letters or anything, it's hard to buy into that time apart somehow drawing them closer together. Or the fact that they profess their love before even knowing basic details and background about one another. It's just not my idea of romance, personally.
Side note with minor spoilers: I also hate the trope of a hella mediocre to downright shitty dude, but he randomly decides he loves her and therefore has to become a better man to prove himself worthy of her. Like... if she wasn't there, he'd just continue on being a lazy, shitty dude? She's personally responsible for him having a lick of empathy and an ounce of personal growth? Ew.
The Big Bad:
This was really obviously telegraphed really early on, and I never felt like a viable alternative or misdirect was provided. Maybe the reveal would be more shocking if you don't regularly guess whodunnit, or if you're in the target demographic and have a smaller pool of similar experiences to draw from. But personally I wanted to shake the main character a little because of how obvious the villain was being. Stop trusting them, you dummy!
Loose Ends:
There are a lot of loose ends that started bothering me the more I sat with this. Obviously we already discussed Cosmo (the dog) above, but in particular there's also her brother, her nieces, and any other living relatives. I know this book is already too long, but it sucks that there's no resolution or thought to those storylines, especially when I feel like the romance is so worthless and could be cut so those other storylines had room to breathe and reach their conclusions.
Not for Jeeps:
Overall:
Ultimately I think that this is suitable for teen audiences, though I wouldn't go out of my way to present it to them. A lot of the elements and plots and twists feel very familiar, but the magic system doesn't quite. (Though if I think too hard about it, it does have a little bit of a video game vibe to it, so I just might not have as much exposure to the franchises that would make it feel familiar. ymmv)
I will still shout my love of House of Roots and Ruin from the rooftops; but this one's just a full pass from me.
April 9, 2025
All my heart did was ache and break!!😭
January 12, 2025
Wow. Wow wow wow. This book is stunning and I can’t believe I put it off as long as I did. The hype surrounding this novel is 100% correct. This is a gothic fairytale reimagining that manages to be both spooky and heartwarming, both difficult to swallow the hard subjects it dives into while being easy and enjoyable to read. I don’t think I have powered through a physical book this way in so long. The relationship dynamics between all of the characters were fresh and raw and the scene-setting is tastefully done with enough info to paint a picture and let your imagination do the rest. The way this book delves into duty, power and fate alongside life and death is so beautiful. 10/10, if it’s sitting on your shelf go read it now.
March 18, 2025
Aesthetic in IG: @nika.ex.libris
This is the third book I've read by this author.
‼️Content notes: violence, alcoholism, gory sickness, decomposing dead bodies seen on-screen, abandonment.
Unlike her "Sisters of the Salt" series, I didn’t really get that thrilling vibe, but I definitely felt worried for the characters.
And I was concerned about the love story!
There was also a dark atmosphere; I found it scary to read the descriptions of ghosts...
The story is about a girl who's the thirteenth child, dreaming of her parents' love, but death has other plans for her.
I liked the interactions between the characters, especially between the FMC and Death; I even cried at times.
I love retellings, and I appreciate how well the author writes them. Can I have all the retellings written by Erin?
It's a tale about life and death, choices, found families and blood ties, and immortality.
I love the author’s style; you get pulled into the atmosphere from the very first pages, and the characters really grow on you.
In this book, I found myself bored at times, but the ending was exciting!
🕯📚🏰🧪
This is the third book I've read by this author.
‼️Content notes: violence, alcoholism, gory sickness, decomposing dead bodies seen on-screen, abandonment.
Unlike her "Sisters of the Salt" series, I didn’t really get that thrilling vibe, but I definitely felt worried for the characters.
And I was concerned about the love story!
There was also a dark atmosphere; I found it scary to read the descriptions of ghosts...
The story is about a girl who's the thirteenth child, dreaming of her parents' love, but death has other plans for her.
I liked the interactions between the characters, especially between the FMC and Death; I even cried at times.
I love retellings, and I appreciate how well the author writes them. Can I have all the retellings written by Erin?
It's a tale about life and death, choices, found families and blood ties, and immortality.
I love the author’s style; you get pulled into the atmosphere from the very first pages, and the characters really grow on you.
In this book, I found myself bored at times, but the ending was exciting!
🕯📚🏰🧪
October 7, 2024
This character just seemed to immature and naive for me, and the catalyst in the book didn't make sense... like girly wanted to save a King that just allowed his people to starve and defied the rules set forth by a Death god because "he might be wrong this time?!" Babe... No. You literally killed your fiancé because your Godfather told you he had to die, but you're struggling with killing a literal stranger because you don't want to disappoint his children. I just cannot... And you decided to give a stranger one of your lives? Why? What are you doing? Anyways... I stopped reading at 72% because I couldn't deal with this FMC bullshit anymore.
July 26, 2024
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!
Bookstagram
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!
Bookstagram
December 11, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This author's works always hit for me! The Thirteenth Child follows a girl who the goddaughter of death. She grows up neglected and abused by her family, and then kind of neglected by her godfather as well when he finally saves her and tasks her with becoming a great healer. I felt so deeply for this girl, and there's just the right amount of angst and depth of feeling. Because she had a good heart and leads with care. I don't want to say too much about what exactly happens, but this really worked for me.
This author's works always hit for me! The Thirteenth Child follows a girl who the goddaughter of death. She grows up neglected and abused by her family, and then kind of neglected by her godfather as well when he finally saves her and tasks her with becoming a great healer. I felt so deeply for this girl, and there's just the right amount of angst and depth of feeling. Because she had a good heart and leads with care. I don't want to say too much about what exactly happens, but this really worked for me.
September 28, 2024
I regret every minute I spent reading this.
February 23, 2025
*maybe i wasn’t in the mood but this was boring to me, the writing was good and the story but i was not interested and i kinda forced myself to finish this book :( (this is a very low three stars)
July 15, 2024
This was my first Erin A. Craig novel, and it most certainly will not be my last. She’s been on my radar for a couple of years now. It’s just really hard to borrow a copy of her books, since there are always so many holds on them! 😃
I enjoyed this, and I happily immersed myself in Hazel’s very unusual life. Her relationship with her godfather is also extremely unusual, and watching it unfold fully captured my interest.
I’m going to stop there, since you should go in blind, but if you like fairytale retellings, you’re sure to be entertained!
My one complaint is that the book seems a bit long. It almost felt like two different stories, and I think taking out a side plot would’ve made the entire story more cohesive. My two cents.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an eARC! I may have actually squealed when I found out I had gotten it.
(I am writing this review voluntarily)
I enjoyed this, and I happily immersed myself in Hazel’s very unusual life. Her relationship with her godfather is also extremely unusual, and watching it unfold fully captured my interest.
I’m going to stop there, since you should go in blind, but if you like fairytale retellings, you’re sure to be entertained!
My one complaint is that the book seems a bit long. It almost felt like two different stories, and I think taking out a side plot would’ve made the entire story more cohesive. My two cents.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an eARC! I may have actually squealed when I found out I had gotten it.
(I am writing this review voluntarily)
October 15, 2024
This was underwhelming, anticlimactic, ridiculously predictable, and I really don’t want to talk about it
~🅞🅥🅔🅡🅐🅛🅛 🅡🅐🅣🅘🅝🅖: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆~
~🅞🅥🅔🅡🅐🅛🅛 🅡🅐🅣🅘🅝🅖: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆~
March 25, 2025
This was enjoyable but also somewhat like a forgettable version of addie larue
November 11, 2024
It started out so well and promising that I thought we are having a five-star read here. The atmosphere was so richly gloomy and yet fairytalish, perfect for the season. A girl was promised to the God of Death, who made her into a healer and showed that sometimes it was necessary to kill to let others live. As I said, fairytalish, but with a moral dilemma.
Yet, the further I read, the more disappointing it became. Hazel is supposed to be smart, but she remains uncurious and never learns (ironic considering how many books her godfather made her read). She never tells her godfather that she doesn't like sweets, and and it could be said that she doesn't want to upset him, I guess, but it's more than that. She is never interested in him. She never asks questions. What does a God of Death do? What is his job? What are the candles for? She never asks.
Moreover, she never learns from her mistakes. The moment she has to kill not the first, not the second, but the FIFTH person (the most important one) feels stupid and sentimental. The story starts showing signs of the idiot plot, because Hazel again fails to ask the necessary questions and do the right thing yet figures the entire complicated intrigue in the last couple of chapters. Thanks to that, the complex plotline with the palace and war and the heir to the throne was easily resolved on ten pages and left me feeling deceived.
I liked Hazel at the beginning, but she is too conveniently smart and too conveniently stupid as the plot progresses. And, perhaps, a bit too ready to please. And I don't mean just the godfather, but also the love interest who called her a prostitute in front of others. Ironically, he was the very person who told her that she should not strive to please if it made her unhappy.
In the end, the too easy resolution left me unhappy, and the lush gothic atmosphere is not enough to compensate for this.
Yet, the further I read, the more disappointing it became. Hazel is supposed to be smart, but she remains uncurious and never learns (ironic considering how many books her godfather made her read). She never tells her godfather that she doesn't like sweets, and and it could be said that she doesn't want to upset him, I guess, but it's more than that. She is never interested in him. She never asks questions. What does a God of Death do? What is his job? What are the candles for? She never asks.
Moreover, she never learns from her mistakes. The moment she has to kill not the first, not the second, but the FIFTH person (the most important one) feels stupid and sentimental. The story starts showing signs of the idiot plot, because Hazel again fails to ask the necessary questions and do the right thing yet figures the entire complicated intrigue in the last couple of chapters. Thanks to that, the complex plotline with the palace and war and the heir to the throne was easily resolved on ten pages and left me feeling deceived.
I liked Hazel at the beginning, but she is too conveniently smart and too conveniently stupid as the plot progresses. And, perhaps, a bit too ready to please. And I don't mean just the godfather, but also the love interest who called her a prostitute in front of others. Ironically, he was the very person who told her that she should not strive to please if it made her unhappy.
In the end, the too easy resolution left me unhappy, and the lush gothic atmosphere is not enough to compensate for this.
January 11, 2025
I won't lie, it did take me a second to get into this. I found the first 100-ish pages to be a bit of a drag. But of course, in classic Erin A. Craig fashion, it ended up being awesome.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read:
I’m in Sisters of the Salt withdrawal, so I’m hoping this will solve it 🙏
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read:
I’m in Sisters of the Salt withdrawal, so I’m hoping this will solve it 🙏
October 15, 2024
Erin Craig's third installment in her fantastical world filled with omnipresent Deities who continuously meddle in the day to day lives of mortal kingdoms will not disappoint! The story of Hazel's life reads like an original fairytale, a real one with gruesome darkness and brilliant light. The plot progresses in four basic stages which mimic a human lifespan, so readers progress through Hazel's childhood, her young adulthood, her maturity, and her old age. And throughout each chapter of Hazel's life, readers see her realization of her magical, "powerful" gifts. It's a beautiful, unique, addictive read in fabulously rich world.
Spoilers Ahead (though I try to keep them minimal):
The Thirteenth Child, as one would suppose, refers to a 13th born mortal child in a family--one thought extremely powerful and desirable by the Gods. Unfortunately, for most of Hazel's childhood, she is treated as merely an unwanted, extra mouth to feed. At her birth, her parents dedicated her to Merrick, the Dreaded End (Craig's version of the God of Death). They were told that in exchange, he would be her Godfather, and they would be well compensated. As Merrick doesn't come to collect her until her 12th birthday, they grow suspicious and bitter, feeding Hazel only what is required to keep her alive. It's almost difficult to read these early chapters as Hazel is such a forgiving daughter, and her family is so truly horrible. Of course those familiar with Erin Craig's mythology know that such unkindnesses are always paid back by fate in full.
When finally Hazel's Godfather (and I love the pun there) claims her and whisks her away to a new home, she's overwhelmed by both how much she is given but also by how lonely she feels. Merrick tells her to read every book in her new cottage to prepare to use her gift for healing, and then he leaves her completely alone for a full year. Craig's world is full of ironies, such as these: the God of Death who gives his adopted daughter the ability to sustain life, the opulence of warm clothes and ability to finally eat full meals while remaining utterly starved for human (or any) companionship. But Hazel reads, studies, and learns. Eventually, Merrick returns on her 13th birthday and takes her to another beautiful home in the mortal world where she can begin to form a reputation as a healer. Naturally, Hazel falls in love with the first boy she sees, and of course readers can guess how well that plays out given her heroism is still in its foolish infancy. But hearts heal, and Merrick has very big plans in store for his Godchild. Alas, so do the other deities of this realm, deities which have felt long slighted by Hazel's parents.
End Spoilers
If you are new to Erin Craig's series, let me assure you that it is absolutely not necessary to read House of Salt and Sea or House of Root and Ruin before picking this one up. It stands on its own just fine. Readers will recognize some characters from House of Root and Ruin towards the end of this book, and sure, it gave me a thrill to feel that recognition--(I loved seeing those crazy black flowers begin). But it's not required as this story is essentially a prequel to the events that transpire in that second installment's kingdom.
I greatly enjoyed every page of The Thirteenth Child. If I could have added or tweaked anything, it would only be to hear a bit more about Cosmos the dog. It seemed a bit of a missed opportunity to feature him only sparsely. Of course, I'm a sucker for a well written, humorous animal addition to any fantasy novel.
Thank you Ms. Craig for another brilliant novel--I can't wait for the next one!
Spoilers Ahead (though I try to keep them minimal):
The Thirteenth Child, as one would suppose, refers to a 13th born mortal child in a family--one thought extremely powerful and desirable by the Gods. Unfortunately, for most of Hazel's childhood, she is treated as merely an unwanted, extra mouth to feed. At her birth, her parents dedicated her to Merrick, the Dreaded End (Craig's version of the God of Death). They were told that in exchange, he would be her Godfather, and they would be well compensated. As Merrick doesn't come to collect her until her 12th birthday, they grow suspicious and bitter, feeding Hazel only what is required to keep her alive. It's almost difficult to read these early chapters as Hazel is such a forgiving daughter, and her family is so truly horrible. Of course those familiar with Erin Craig's mythology know that such unkindnesses are always paid back by fate in full.
When finally Hazel's Godfather (and I love the pun there) claims her and whisks her away to a new home, she's overwhelmed by both how much she is given but also by how lonely she feels. Merrick tells her to read every book in her new cottage to prepare to use her gift for healing, and then he leaves her completely alone for a full year. Craig's world is full of ironies, such as these: the God of Death who gives his adopted daughter the ability to sustain life, the opulence of warm clothes and ability to finally eat full meals while remaining utterly starved for human (or any) companionship. But Hazel reads, studies, and learns. Eventually, Merrick returns on her 13th birthday and takes her to another beautiful home in the mortal world where she can begin to form a reputation as a healer. Naturally, Hazel falls in love with the first boy she sees, and of course readers can guess how well that plays out given her heroism is still in its foolish infancy. But hearts heal, and Merrick has very big plans in store for his Godchild. Alas, so do the other deities of this realm, deities which have felt long slighted by Hazel's parents.
End Spoilers
If you are new to Erin Craig's series, let me assure you that it is absolutely not necessary to read House of Salt and Sea or House of Root and Ruin before picking this one up. It stands on its own just fine. Readers will recognize some characters from House of Root and Ruin towards the end of this book, and sure, it gave me a thrill to feel that recognition--(I loved seeing those crazy black flowers begin). But it's not required as this story is essentially a prequel to the events that transpire in that second installment's kingdom.
I greatly enjoyed every page of The Thirteenth Child. If I could have added or tweaked anything, it would only be to hear a bit more about Cosmos the dog. It seemed a bit of a missed opportunity to feature him only sparsely. Of course, I'm a sucker for a well written, humorous animal addition to any fantasy novel.
Thank you Ms. Craig for another brilliant novel--I can't wait for the next one!
September 8, 2024
A deliciously lush and atmospherically gothic, dark fairytale of a read that follows Hazel, the thirteenth child in a struggling (and rather neglectful) family, who becomes the goddaughter of Death.
Inspired by the Grimm fairytales “Godfather Death” and “The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was”, Craig manages capture the essence of the originals thanks to her decadently gothic (and utterly addictive) prose. As well injecting her own unique spin, in the sweeping Cottagecore-esque fantasy setting that I was absolutely obsessed with.
But it was the compelling cast of characters (the good, bad and morally ambiguous) that really made this a such an intriguing read.
Hazel, our protagonist (and the mortal Goddaughter of Death) was soo endearing and I loved seeing her grow from the neglected and unwanted child into a capable and caring person, who uses her healing abilities for good. Her mortal perspective, and the conflicting emotions that arise from the expectations her immortal godfather (and the other gods) have of her was fascinating.
And yet, despite not really understanding Hazel’s longing for human interaction, Merrick (the god of death) did genuinely care for Hazel, (more so than most of her human family.) And the vulnerability he shows as their father-daughter bond grows was actually quite sweet to watch unfold.
We do see some growing pains as the pair occasionally disagree (a right of passage when raising a teen). But I liked Craig’s use of juxtaposing mortality and immortality—emphasising human life and its governance by immortals, who, thanks to their disconnect, will never truly understand what it means to be human.
I adored the romantic tension between Hazel and Leo too, which though brief, was full of soo much emotion. The Intensity of their feelings for one another was soo well done, that I was in a literal chokehold rooting for them to find happiness together.
This was actually the first book by Erin A. Craig I’ve ever read, but I know it definitely won’t be the last!
Overall, a satisfyingly nuanced and emotionally complex feast for the senses, with a powerful underlying message about life and the human condition— that gothic, fairytale loving fantasy fans are almost certain to enjoy. Though I do recommend checking the TWs.
Also, thanks to Blackcrow PR and Rock the Boat books for the gorgeous finished copy.
Inspired by the Grimm fairytales “Godfather Death” and “The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was”, Craig manages capture the essence of the originals thanks to her decadently gothic (and utterly addictive) prose. As well injecting her own unique spin, in the sweeping Cottagecore-esque fantasy setting that I was absolutely obsessed with.
But it was the compelling cast of characters (the good, bad and morally ambiguous) that really made this a such an intriguing read.
Hazel, our protagonist (and the mortal Goddaughter of Death) was soo endearing and I loved seeing her grow from the neglected and unwanted child into a capable and caring person, who uses her healing abilities for good. Her mortal perspective, and the conflicting emotions that arise from the expectations her immortal godfather (and the other gods) have of her was fascinating.
And yet, despite not really understanding Hazel’s longing for human interaction, Merrick (the god of death) did genuinely care for Hazel, (more so than most of her human family.) And the vulnerability he shows as their father-daughter bond grows was actually quite sweet to watch unfold.
We do see some growing pains as the pair occasionally disagree (a right of passage when raising a teen). But I liked Craig’s use of juxtaposing mortality and immortality—emphasising human life and its governance by immortals, who, thanks to their disconnect, will never truly understand what it means to be human.
I adored the romantic tension between Hazel and Leo too, which though brief, was full of soo much emotion. The Intensity of their feelings for one another was soo well done, that I was in a literal chokehold rooting for them to find happiness together.
This was actually the first book by Erin A. Craig I’ve ever read, but I know it definitely won’t be the last!
Overall, a satisfyingly nuanced and emotionally complex feast for the senses, with a powerful underlying message about life and the human condition— that gothic, fairytale loving fantasy fans are almost certain to enjoy. Though I do recommend checking the TWs.
Also, thanks to Blackcrow PR and Rock the Boat books for the gorgeous finished copy.
December 2, 2024
unfortunate one star because of stupid hazel. she’s the literal proof that being book smart gets you nowhere!
”when i was little…when you didn’t come for all those years, i thought it was because you realized you’d make a mistake.”
“all those years…did it truly feel so long?”
“merrick, i’d been waiting my whole life for you.”
god, this book truly has one of the most fascinating father-daughter dynamics i’ve ever read in books. it actually pains me to give this book a one-star rating because i actually enjoyed it. the writing, the world building—all of them were stellar.
unfortunately, we have hazel, the boo boo clown to blame for the low rating. i’m sorry but imagine having 3 long lives ahead of you, but you give one up to save a king—someone of privilege, someone who thought you weren’t even good enough to lick the dirt on his feet, someone you damn well knew would continuously hurt people, just because you didn’t have the heart to tell his daughter that his father was dead? i can’t imagine licking the ass of a rich person like that.
i tried so hard to be understanding of her thought process but it was insanity. she was incredibly stupid and just as foolish as her huntsman father. i would understand it if she hadn’t had the same experience with her ex, but she had. literally, this wasn’t your first rodeo, kid. you should have known better. even if you were scared of the ghosts haunting you—girl? you have the god of death at your feet, ask him to help you. use your words??
it’s for that same reason that i couldn’t find it in me to feel sorry for her when the consequences of her actions bit her in the ass afterwards. she practically asked for it. like, you jeopardized your relationship with your godfather for that? oh my god i couldn’t believe my eyes.
October 25, 2024
Soft dnf
⋆˚࿔ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝜗𝜚˚⋆🕯️♰𓇢𓆸
this book needs to be good! I love everything by Erin A. Craig and she has never disappointing me in her beautiful dark fairytale retelling stories!!
⋆˚࿔ 𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝜗𝜚˚⋆🕯️♰𓇢𓆸
this book needs to be good! I love everything by Erin A. Craig and she has never disappointing me in her beautiful dark fairytale retelling stories!!
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