The Thirteenth Child

By: Erin A. Craig

Narrated by: Christine Lakin

#1 NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Drawing on the Grimm Brothers’ dark fairytale “Godfather Death,” this sweeping novel from the author of House of Salt and Sorrows is a fantastical saga of actions and consequences.

“A dark, delicious treat from start to finish.”—Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns

All gifts come with a price.

Hazel Trépas has always known she wasn’t like the rest of her siblings. A thirteenth child, promised away to one of the gods, she spends her childhood waiting for her godfather—Merrick, the Dreaded End—to arrive.

When he does, he lays out exactly how he’s planned Hazel’s future. She will become a great healer, known throughout the kingdom for her precision and skill. To aid her endeavors, Merrick blesses Hazel with a gift, the ability to instantly deduce the exact cure needed to treat the sick.

But all gifts come with a price. Hazel can see when Death has claimed a patient—when all hope is gone—and is tasked to end their suffering, permanently. Haunted by the ghosts of those she’s killed, Hazel longs to run. But destiny brings her to the royal court, where she meets Leo, a rakish prince with a disdain for everything and everyone. And it’s where Hazel faces her biggest dilemma yet—to save the life of a king marked to die. Hazel knows what she is meant to do and knows what her heart is urging her toward, but what will happen if she goes against the will of Death?

From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling readers have been waiting for—what does a life well-lived mean, and how do we justify the impossible choices we make for the ones we love? The Thirteenth Child is a must-read for fans of dark fairy tales, romantasy, and epic fantasy alike.

Beyond Amazing

This book was beyond amazing. Full of emotions, thought provoking moments, and characters that felt real. You could feel the weight put on Hazel, saw the change in Leo, grew to love Euphemia and so many others. You felt the exorbitant amount of years Merrick had and he truly felt like an immortal. Hazels journey was so layered and full of so many touching and hard moments, and that ending had me in stitches. This book took me by surprise and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Awesome story line!

Absolutely loved all the characters in this book and wanted it to go on forever!

Enrapturing story!

I loved the narrator and how she captured Hazel's character. The story overall is wonderful, especially the ending!

Beautiful Story

It was magical and beautiful and full of so much wonder. I’ve read a few stories from this author but I think this one is my favorite. Seeing a relationship of paternal fondness between a normal girl and the god of death was rather heart warming.

Touching and Thorough

I love this book so much. I loved the characters and the storyline and I am so thankful there was no cliff hanger. It was so perfect.