The Thirteenth Child

By: Erin A. Craig

Narrated by: Christine Lakin

Drawing on the Grimm Brothers’ dark fairytale, “Godfather Death,” this new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows is a sweeping, fantastical saga of actions and consequences.

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 listeners 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-listen for fans of dark fairy tales, romantasy, and epic fantasy alike.

©2024 Erin A. Craig (P)2024 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"A haunting, deeply romantic tale of life and death, and one girl who walks the fragile cord between them. Steeped in folklore and rich in atmosphere, I was enchanted from the very first page.”—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning

“Sumptuous, gothic, ornate—yet bracingly fresh and alive. Erin Craig writes fairy tales that feel both magical and real, marrying epic arcs with intimate, human stories, each making the other more potent and thrilling.”—Melissa Albert, NYT bestselling author of The Hazel Wood

"Craig delivers yet another enrapturing masterpiece. I loved every minute of it!"—Lauren Blackwood, NYT bestselling author of Within These Wicked Walls

Enthralling story

My only complaint is that I wish this would have become a series. A beautiful story that captured my attention start to finish. An even more beautiful ending.

Excellent!

I absolutely loved this book. It was such an imaginative telling of this story. It kept me pleasantly surprised, and I struggled to put it down.

Great story

I highly recommend, it will not disappoint. it's not s common story. but one of love.

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.

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!

Love this story

Such a beautiful and lovely story. I enjoyed every moment of it. I definitely would recommend.

A great story to in this case listen to... make sure to add this to your list you won't regret it.

A wish was nothing but a hopeful regreat... Erin does a beautiful job with the story of Hazel and her Godfather Merrick . We get to experience her life span and all the multiple great characters that are part of it especially Leo. This is a love story in more ways than one and we get to experience all the Rollercoaster of emotions along with Hazel. I can't wait for another story by Erin.

Wonderfully immersive

I love the story building of this book. It is a great listen with some definite twists I did not expect and even cringed with at times, but that’s what life is, isn’t it? Even a magical life of a thirteenth child.

My only critique is that I didn’t want it ended so abruptly. I wasn’t ready for Hazel’s tale to be over and wish there was a little more filler/life after “the struggle” that would have been told. Overall though, it was a wonderful read that I would highly recommend!