Book Review: The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

The Thirteenth Child

Erin A. Craig

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Published Date: September 24, 2024

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult, Retellings, Gothic

498 Pages / 16 Hours 30 Minutes

Date Read: July 16-August 9, 2025

Format: 🎧

Source: Audible

As always, if you prefer a spoiler free review please read my quick review instead of the in depth review below.

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About the Book

Everything has a price, especially gifts. Hazel has always felt like she was different and when she learns she was promised to one of the gods, she spends her childhood waiting for him to come retrieve her. When he finally does, Hazel is granted the ability to be a great healer that will be known throughout the kingdom; her gift is the ability to instantly know the cure to the ailment in question. With this gift, Hazel can also see Death's claim on a patient who cannot be saved. This fate leads her to the royal court where she meets Leo, a broody prince who hates everyone and everything. While at court, Hazel must decide if she is to save the life of the king, what will happen if she defies Death, and how she feels about the brooding prince.

Quick Review (Spoiler Free)

I was not ready for this one to end. I really enjoyed the journey that this book took me on. It was a roller coaster of emotions. The story was so compelling. I would stop listening to do something I needed to do but could not stop thinking about this book. I was hooked from start to finish. It was a mature story about the themes of love, sacrifice, family, sickness, and death. All around a great book to read.

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Now, let's get into the details!!

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I bought this on a whim when Audible did a 2 for 1 sale. The cover looked cool and it was in the fantasy genre so I said, "sure, why not?' and dove right in. I was absolutely not expecting to be taken on the path that I went on.

What I really enjoyed was getting to watch Hazel take this "gift" that she was given from Death and build a whole life at such a young age. I feel like this was a great way for this young adult book to go. I did not expect the gift from the God of Death to be a healing power; and then when the author slapped us with the twist of Hazel having to know that there are some she can't help and having to assist them with their death was another extremely sad point in her life... especially with what this gift ultimately put her through. My heart was hurting at this point. The emotions that this book pulled out of me were pretty intense. I absolutely love when a story can compel me to feel as much as this one did.

The flow of this story was so smooth. Every time I had to book this down to go be an adult it was like my brain was still partly with the book. I could not stop thinking about what was happening next, how things would turn out in the end, etc. And every time I picked it back up it was like I never left.

It was truly an all around good book. I have zero complaints and this honestly will be one of my go-to recommendations for people who want a good fantasy to read.

Narration Comments

Christine Lakin did a great job at delivering this story. Her voice was great at hitting the highs and lows in the character’s feelings as the story was read. She conveyed a great range of emotion throughout the entire book. Her voices were all believable and realistic and her timing was great.

Ratings