Erin Craig knows how to perfectly twist a fairy tale into a new, gothic setting. As I was reading this I thought to myself, “Hm, this is a lot more lighthearted than her debut!” And then the dark twist hit. 

The Thirteenth Child is a retelling of Godfather Death, a fairytale where a young boy becomes the most talented physician in the land, only to disobey the rules his godfather set for him. Hazel, our physician, is such a wonderful character. The emotions she feels for her patients, both those she can and cannot save, are so strong. Each death haunts her, and in turn makes her will to save people stronger. 

Leopold, Hazel’s love interest, starts off shallow and vain. One of my favorite tropes, if we’re being honest, (looking at you, Fiyero Tigelaar). As time goes on, we see him learn how to be better, for the girl who makes him want to be better. 

A mysterious illness known as the Shivers brings the two together, and it may be up to the two them to eliminate it once in for all. The imagery in this book is both ethereal and disturbing, going from elaborate palaces and peaceful country cottages to skin sloughing off of flesh and dreadful coughing.