The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

As the thirteenth child of an impoverished family, Hazel’s birth was not cause for celebration.  Thirteenth children are promised to a god at birth.  Hazel’s parents decide to promise her to the god of Death.  Hazel waits twelve years for her godfather to arrive to take her away.  Twelve years of surviving on what scraps of life were left over once her other siblings had their share.  Twelve years of neglect.  And on her twelfth birthday, Death, who asks to be called Merrick, takes her away and bestows on her a gift of healing.  

Merrick has grand plans for his goddaughter.  Hazel becomes sought after for her healing gift.  When Hazel touches a person’s face, she will either see the cure or a skull meaning inescapable death.  The burden of her gift is to end the suffering of those who project the image of the skull.  Hazel’s gift sends her to the royal palace to save the king.  But after she sees a skull, she has to face the decision of breaking the rules and saving a beloved king or letting a spoiled prince take the throne.  Hazel has to deal with the burden of the decision of whether or not to defy Death and intervene with fate.  Her decision has consequences of which she was unaware and sets her life, and the future of the kingdom, on a perilous path. 

This YA fantasy novel is a gothic retelling of the Grimm fairy tale “Godfather Death.”  Themes include the burden of power and fate vs. free will.   While there is a secondary romantic plot line that avid readers will find predictable, it does add a necessary uplifting feeling.  Fans of dark fairy tales and strong female protagonists will enjoy this novel.  Appropriate for readers ages fourteen and up. 

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.