Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC of this book!

Erin Craig does it again. A fairytale like world where the thirteenth child of a family is given to a god to be looked after, only to continuously feel like she's alone. She's alone with her family and alone in the world once her god comes to get her and bestow power on her. Year of loss, love, and loneliness culminate in a hauntingly beautiful story.

Wow! What a unique read and perfect stand alone book! It totally fits the vibe of other works by this author. I love the concept of a 13th child being extra special for the gods in this book. The FMC is a 13th child and she becomes the god daughter of the death god!! Really unique story with a perfect ending.

I have loved everything else I have read by Erin A. Craig and this was no different! The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig is a gripping and atmospheric fantasy novel that captures the reader's imagination from the first page. Set in a world where magic and dark forces intertwine, the story follows a young woman named Hazel who discovers her own hidden strengths while grappling with the mysteries surrounding her family and their cursed legacy. Craig's world-building is richly detailed, creating a vivid backdrop for the novel's suspenseful plot. The character development is strong, with Hazel's journey being both compelling and relatable. The blend of eerie enchantments and emotional depth makes The Thirteenth Child a captivating read for fans of dark fantasy and intricate storytelling.

I think this is the most inventive story from this author to date! It’s incredibly creative, and both dark AND whimsical.

There is something very special about a thirteenth child and our protagonist learns this the hard way. Raised into a family where she is constantly looked over and forgotten, she has always been promised that on her birthday, her godfather will take her away… What that entails, or if it’s even really true weighs heavy on her mind, until the birthday he finally arrives.

At a young age, she is thrown into a brand new world, shown wonders, and instructed to learn… because she will be an incredible healer. The balance of life and death is a heavy subject in this book. Through trials and tribulations, our young protagonist will become a woman and learn exactly who she is, and what she is capable of.

Erin A Craig is a master of re-writing classics and making them so much more than they started. I love that we're still following these dancing princesses and getting so much more depth of story. This book did not disappoint,

This book was magical and terrible all at once. Hazel is a thirteenth child. Her parents don't want to keep her, so she's given to one of the gods. Of course, he doesn't come right away, and she is a burden on her parents anyway. Living a life of neglect, Hazel has learned to expect little from life.

When the god finally comes back, she's taken away and bestowed upon with great and terrible gifts. She will be a great healer, but the cost is so very high. As she learns and becomes proficient, her godfather continues to move her around. She must make horrible decisions and break her own heart. She will make sacrifices for others, and long for a different life.

Will she finally get one thing, just one, for herself? This book was so dark and broke my heart so many times, but it was so good!

As the thirteenth child, Hazel has never gotten much, especially since her parents promised her to a god called The Dreaded End, as a means of offloading her (and getting some money) - only it takes until she's nearly a teenager to show up and claim her. Now Hazel finds herself in a magical cottage that cares for her every need, learning to be a healer. In her training she learns that if she sees a Deathshead, she must kill the patient - and her ability to do that will be tested when she is brought on to heal the king of a mysterious illness.

I'm not at all familiar with the fairytale "Godfather Death," but this certainly had the feel of a fairytale retelling. I loved this as much as [book:House of Salt and Sorrows|39679076] and [book:Small Favors|55835986] - I felt transported into this magical universe. Hazel was an easy protagonist to identify with, especially for those of us with many siblings. While her parents didn't get a redemption arc, there was a level of explanation of addiction as to why they behaved as they did. With thirteen siblings, it's hard to really make each of them a fully fleshed character, but really this story was more about Hazel being on her own than about her actual family, and about the games gods play with human lives. The worldbuilding was quite intriguing and visually lovely - a bit dark for cottagecore but close.

I don’t know when it happened, but Erin has become one of my favorite authors. It’s easy to see how, though, when her dark-fantasy tales are so beautifully written.

Erin Craig is such a brilliant author! Her books are so atmospheric and the story lines are so fascinating. I really enjoyed this new book by her. The plot was so cool from page one. Her characters are so vibey. I really can't wait to see what she puts out next.

A fantastic book, wonderfully written and full of memorable characters. Though it starts off a little slow, once it picks up, the story refuses the stop until the final page. Hazel's journey seems to encapsulate the entirety of human emotions and the human experience. I was not ready for this book to be over. Though the book finishes up nicely and a ribbon tied around it by the end, it follows the old saying, Leave them wanting more.

What a beautiful and dark fairy tale retelling this was. I was swept away into Hazel's world and I didn't want to leave. A dark YA fantasty with some romantic elements, this was a beautifully created world. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Thirteenth Child is a retelling of the fairytale “Godfather Death.” In this version, Hazel is the thirteenth child born to a poor family that can not take care of her. Three godlike entities ask to be her godparent. Her parents choose Death who goes by the name Merrick. Hazel becomes a healer and has a gift that lets her know how to save a person or if they must die. She is told that she must not interfere with the fate of mortals because their will be consequences. Eventually she is called to treat the King at his palace. He is suffering from a strange illness she has never dealt with before and this illness is spreading while kingdom is dealing with a rebellion. Hazel sees that the King must die, but intervenes to change his fate with devastating consequences. Hazel must figure out a way to save herself and the kingdom, along with Prince Leopold, who she has fallen in love with. I have never read a retelling based on this particular fairy tale. Erin A. Craig continues to write books that I really enjoy!

The Thirteenth Child is a dark fantasy with elements of romance. The narrative is captivating and has a timeless quality, reminiscent of classic fairy tales, yet it still feels quite contemporary. Every time the page turned, I was genuinely on the tip of my seat with anticipation.

Every character in this novel was wonderful, but my favorite was Hazel. She is a strong, independent woman who aspires to be in charge of her life. It was simple to love her and be interested in following her journey because of how powerful each of her interactions with others was. I enjoyed Merrick and Hazel's connection because, although being a god, Merrick seemed extremely human at times.

I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the God of Death, and the other god figures were interesting to read about. I would have wanted to read even more about these characters because I loved their complexity!

Erin Craig writes in such a lovely, eerily atmospheric way that it nearly seems like a spooky song The world-building is deep and engaging, and the writing skillfully combines elements of a dark fairytale with rich details.

I will always and forever be a fan of this writer, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next. Anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings and all of its associated elements should read The Thirteenth Child!

I've enjoyed Erin A. Craig's past books and The Thirteenth Child definitely does not disappoint! Hazel is an unwanted thirteenth child whose impoverished parents make a deal with Merrick, the personification of Death. Merrick promises to give her a long and successful life, although he doesn't immediately take her, so she must live with her abusive parents. Hazel is such an amazing character, I was horrified by how her birth family treated her, and I really enjoyed watching her grow as she was able to leave them. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes gothic, haunting, atmospheric novels, or fairytale retellings!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I’m not sure how to describe this book except that it has a wonderful mash up of fantasy and mythology all centered around Hazel, a family’s unwanted thirteenth child, who becomes the godchild of death and a healer. Everything else just adds spice and loads of flavor to the story.

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Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I'm a HUGE fan of all of Erin A. Craig's works.
Secondly, this book is the absolute BEST she's written yet. 5/5 stars!
The characters are great- they are well developed and don't feel flat at all. The FMC is likable and with her backstory, you just want to dive into the book and give her a huge hug.
The plot is *chef's kiss*. I don't want to give any spoilers, but there's a BIG twist that I did not see coming at all.
I love how she incorporated the deities into the book so seamlessly.
I'm not a big crier when I read, but the end is so moving that I actually cried.
All that to say, you should ABSOLUTELY read this book!

I somehow didn't realize this is a YA romance horror, but I really ended up liking it quite a bit. I don't purchase for the YA collection, but will recommend our teen librarian purchases it for the collection. Thanks!

4/5 ⭐️

Hazel is one of Erin A. Craig’s many FMC’s that I adore. Craig has a very beautiful way of portraying a sad character that blossoms into someone who can do better for themselves and overcome many obstacles they have to face. Hazel is one of those. I absolutely adored Hazel and her dog Cosmos on this adventure as the 13th child and her life being the Goddaughter of Death and the trials and tribulations that come along with her duties.
This retelling was really fun and visually stunning.
I did feel as though it dragged on a bit through the middle and maybe some of the story wasn’t 100% necessary but I still enjoyed it nevertheless.
Craig does it once again with the beautiful way she world builds and the characters she invents in every one of her stories.
I am definitely a fan and looking forward to her next releases!
Thank you NetGalley for the E-ARC.

Hazel was born the thirteenth child of a couple who could scarce afford to care for her, but when the god of death agrees to be her godfather and benefactor, her life changes forever! From dire poverty and neglect, to established herbalist and royal healer, Hazel's life has been guided by the gods, fate, and her own determination. But when chaos and disease mix, her life will never be dull!
Erin A. Craig has written an absolute gem for lovers of retold fairy tales! This classic Grimm story with her distinctive, gothic flare, is both spellbinding and wholesome. In turns dark, brooding, heartbreaking, and uplifting, The Thirteenth Child had me turning pages long after my self-declared "last chapter". Hazel is relatable and well-defined, Merrick is creepy, caring, and epic, and the story had me wishing for more!

LOVED! The Thirteenth Child is a beautifully written, immersive, and evocative fairytale. The character and relationship building was powerful, insightful, and engaging. This is a facet I find lacking in many novels making me that much more appreciative. This story is about fantasy and tragedy, love and loss, trust and deceit, blood family and found family, gods and goddesses, deep moral ambiguities, the value of a life, and so much more! I have zero criticisms.

I have enjoyed this author’s previous novels, but,in my opinion, this is next level! Read this book! Thank you to NetGalley, Erin A. Craig, and Random House Children’s Books, for sharing this free ARC digital copy.