Hazel is the thirteenth child, unwanted, overlooked, and claimed at birth by her godfather, Merrick, better known as the Dreaded End, the god of death. On her twelfth birthday, he whisks her away to begin a new life as a healer. Years later, at eighteen, Hazel is summoned to court to save the ailing King Marnaigne, who is suffering from a mysterious disease. But Hazel can’t save everyone, and her power comes with rules she cannot break.
I adored this book. From start to finish, it was a dark, enchanting twist on a fairytale. The writing was lyrical but perfectly atmospheric in its gloom. I was especially fascinated by the Dreaded End and the other gods woven into the story and I wish we had learned more about them. Though it’s technically a young adult novel, it never felt confined by that label.
The first half of the book captivated me the most. The fairytale setting, the snippets of magic, and the presence of the gods all drew me in. I only wish Merrick appeared more often; he all but vanishes in the second half, and since he was the main draw for me, I found his absence disappointing.
Hazel herself is a wonderfully complex character. Does she make questionable choices? Absolutely. But she’s eighteen, and she’s spent most of her early years alone, and she’s desperate for a connection to someone. Despite her lonely and sorrowful upbringing, she’s resilient, determined, and deeply human, flaws and all.
I love a fairytale retelling, and this one did not disappoint.
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