Book Review - The Thirteenth Child - by Erin A. Craig (2024)

The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig is a darkly enchanting YA fantasy that combines rich mythology with a gripping emotional core. Hazel Lafitte, the titular 13th child in a family cursed by superstition, is offered to Merrick, the god of death. In exchange, she gains a healing gift but also carries the burden of seeing death's claim on people. As Hazel struggles with her haunting abilities, she is called to heal a king, testing her limits in a tale layered with intrigue, sacrifice, and gothic overtones.

Erin A. Craig masterfully blends folklore and dark fantasy with a nuanced protagonist whose resilience and flaws make her deeply relatable. Readers will appreciate the lush world-building and the moral complexities woven into Hazel’s journey. The themes of family loyalty, self-identity, and the price of power resonate powerfully throughout the story.

This novel is perfect for fans of haunting, atmospheric reads like The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones or Gallant by V.E. Schwab. It is both heart-wrenching and magical, delivering a poignant tale about confronting one's destiny and the ghosts that linger from our choices.