'The Thirteenth Child' by Erin A. Craig

4 wicked stars

Book Blurb:

"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.

This is the story of Hazel, a young healer navigating a ruthless court to save the life of the king, grappling with a pantheon of gods with questionable agendas as she fights for agency and true love in her own life as the goddaughter of none other than Death himself.

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 readers 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?"


My Review:

Really enjoyed this Fantasy read! Author Erin A. Craig does another fantastic job creating a gothic atmosphere in this fairy-tale re-telling.

Highly recommended Fall reading, with spooky vibes and great writing! Releases on September 24th

#TheThirteenthChild #NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'The Lies We Conjure' by Sarah Henning

5 thrilling stars

Book Blurb:

"Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly game of Clue.

Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.

So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand―each―for a single night… Wren insists it’s a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.

But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this."


My Review:

Really enjoyed this one! And it's very spot-on to say it's 'Clue' x 'The Inheritance Games' x 'Knives Out' - with magic.

Two non-magical teenage sisters pretend to be an old lady's grandchildren, last seen ten years prior, in exchange for some much needed college funds. They marvel at the huge mansion, lush gardens and grounds, set in Colorado's mountains. They do their best to fit in with the other 6 teenagers, and each sister soon finds herself flirting with one of the boys who live at the sprawling estate.

Then comes a murder during dinner. Then comes the magic: a Soul's Truth from the murdered witch and a powerful spell on the property which physically forbids anyone from leaving until the killer is found and 4 magical relics are located. Then comes the rules to the game and clues to find each piece. Then come the attempts at sabotage and misdirection between characters. Then come the additional murders. It is all perfectly 'Clue' x 'The Inheritance Games' x 'Knives Out' - with magic.

Narrated by both Ruby, one of the sisters, and Auden, one of the teenage grandsons who lives at the mansion, 'The Lies We Conjure' has lots of 'YA Contemporary' feels, rather than 'YA Fantasy'. Auden makes for a wonderful book boyfriend, all good manners and knowledgeable about the grounds, magic, and family histories. Auden provides readers with all the background and context that Ruby wonders about and does not yet know.

Highly recommended!  Grab a copy here!

#NetGalley – I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.