The Thirteenth Child

THE THIRTEENTH CHILD is a moving and intricately woven YA fantasy about life, love, and fate. Hazel was born the thirteenth child in a poor family, and her parents did not know how they could afford to keep her with twelve other kids to care for. When they found out they were pregnant, they were visited by three gods who wanted to claim her, and her parents promised her to the Dreaded End, the god of death. However, when she was born, he asked her parents to care for her for a while longer until he came to claim her.

Unwanted and uncared for, Hazel spent her first twelve years with her family before the Dreaded End finally returned and made good on his promise to make her the best healer the world had ever seen. Though Hazel had high hopes for her time with her godfather, her life was turning out nothing like she imagined. As she is haunted by her past and manipulated by other gods, Hazel will need to find who she wants to be and what she will stand for amidst the trappings of court.

What I loved: This was such a fantastic and consuming read that I found unputdownable. The pacing felt just perfect, capturing Hazel's life as a child and until she is nineteen. There are several critical decision points, often happening around her birthdays that change the fate that had been laid out for her. As a thirteenth child, she is considered special to the gods, whose view over the world and mortals is complicated at best and malicious at worst.

This was a very emotional read, and the end made me cry - it was beautiful and sad and wonderful all at the same time. I found the whole journey to be very moving, and I was completely invested in Hazel's life and decisions (even when I did not agree with them). She was a compelling character with a thirst for love that was often denied her. She loved even people she barely knew, and she wanted to see the best in everyone around her. With her godsgift, she was given a heavy burden - but without the godsight, she does not see how the decisions she makes change the lives of those around her. She is doing her best, making mistakes, and choosing paths she assumes will care for the people around her.

There are some strong and thought-provoking themes in the story about power and morality, the weight of decisions/fate, sacrifice, love (family, friendship, for humanity, romance), influence, trust/honesty, and the things people choose to serve. The story gives the reader much to consider as Hazel makes difficult decisions often influenced or spurned by the gods and influential people around her. Her love and thirst for love often drive the plot, largely around her family, the people she meets (even if she does not know them very well, she still cares for them deeply) and for her godfather, who is essentially the god of death. The romance was a very small part of the story, but it was still lovely as it is woven amidst all the other decisions and fates at play.

Final verdict: THE THIRTEENTH CHILD is a moving, haunting, and unforgettable YA fantasy. I would highly recommend picking this one up!