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A review by nclcaitlin
The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig
3.75
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!
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!