Thirteenth Child

Thirteenth Child (2009) Patricia C. Wrede

I discovered Patricia C. Wrede’s writing when I couldn’t resist the title, Sorcery & Cecelia -OR- The Enchanted Chocolate Pot. I also read and enjoyed A Matter of Magic. Both are alternate histories where magic is an integral part of the world, however, in Thirteenth Child they live in the new world this is similar to–but not the same as–the United States.

Eff is a twin. Her brother Lan is the seventh son of a seventh son and so magically gifted, but Eff is the thirteenth child, and much of her extended family has decided that she is at the least bad luck, but most likely she’ll turn out evil, which is a hard burden for any child to bear. After a particularly egregious incident, Eff’s parents decided to move to the Frontier, taking all their younger children with them, so both Lan and Eff can escape the constant presence of their place in the family and what it may or may not lead them to be.

The world building is particularly fascinating. “Historical” events are familiar enough that you can recognize them from American history, but yet different, because of magic that exists in the world.

It helps that the story begins when Eff is quite young. That makes the world building slightly easier, as (to some degree) we learn about the world as Eff and Lan do. There is still much about the world that is sometimes unclear and hard to understand, but it doesn’t do much in the way of harm to the story.

I also like that instead of Luddites, there are Rationalists, who refuse to use magic, even against magical creatures.

The ending makes it quite clear that there will be another book. And although all the main story arcs are completed, I didn’t particularly love the way the story ended. It wasn’t a huge thing, but it felt a little abrupt and a lot a tease for the next book coming.

Because of Eff’s place in the family, and the fears instilled in her about being the thirteenth child, she does frequently feel sorry for herself, and is quite often an outsider, however, the fact she does have friends and is not completely isolated saves both her and the story.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Rating: 7/10
Published by Scholastic

• Browse the archives:
  
• Dark Entries » »
• « « Hold Me Closer, Necromancer