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hmnborczon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ec_newman's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome book, very original with its use of magic and pioneer life. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
qutir111's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. It had everything - magic, a character I connected with, the wild west, strange and fantastical creatures...! I definitely recommend this book, and this series, to anyone who thinks they might enjoy this unique blend of wild west and magic.
heidinay's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Patricia C. Wrede is one of my all-time favorite authors, and per usual, her characters and magic system are delightful. That said, I could absolutely not get over, in the whole series!!!, how there's no reference in this AU to any indigenous population. It feels wrong to touch on race and write a series about settlement and colonization (also questionable, although I get the appeal), without ANY self awareness. For an author who addresses race fairly well, this feels extra glaring. On that note, if you enjoyed these books you should read To Shape a Dragon's Breath.
asreadbykat's review against another edition
3.0
Over the years, I've found that when it comes to fantasy stories, my favorites are the ones that have a more slice-of-life feel to them. That is to say, stories that aren't always about saving the world from certain danger.
"Thirteenth Child" falls right into that category, following a young Eff Rothmer as she works through the challenges of being a thirteenth child in a world where many think of her as bad luck. Although magic is a large focus in this book, it's not quite the life or death kind of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. The entire point of the book is Eff learning to realize that being a thirteenth child doesn't make her evil or bad, and that maybe she has more power and ability than she, or anyone else, realizes.
The book is written like a memoir, and as such some things are left out. This first book, in particular, skips over large chunks of time. We go from Eff at 5 to her being 8 or 9 in about one or two paragraphs. There's also a lot of explanation, as this is set in an alternate version of 1800s America, and things are definitely different. Still, I enjoyed it just as much as I did all of Wrede's other books, and found plenty of humor to entertain me.
One large downfall in this book I want to address is the noticeable lack of Native Americans. They aren't mentioned at all; I'm not 100% sure of the reason, but I know it's a decision Wrede made. I'm not happy about it, but I will give her this: she never discusses the settling of the US or discusses how it happened, so for all anyone knows the Native Americans could have escaped to the unsettled western territory, with their own magic protecting them. It IS still a very disappointing decision, which is why I gave the book a 3 star rating instead of 5.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. I read it first in 2015, and I've read it at least 6 or 7 times since then. Wrede has created an interesting world with characters I love, and messages that pretty much everyone can relate to. If you're not a fan of slower-moving works, I'd give this a miss. But if you want a fantasy you can relax with, this is a pretty good choice.
"Thirteenth Child" falls right into that category, following a young Eff Rothmer as she works through the challenges of being a thirteenth child in a world where many think of her as bad luck. Although magic is a large focus in this book, it's not quite the life or death kind of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. The entire point of the book is Eff learning to realize that being a thirteenth child doesn't make her evil or bad, and that maybe she has more power and ability than she, or anyone else, realizes.
The book is written like a memoir, and as such some things are left out. This first book, in particular, skips over large chunks of time. We go from Eff at 5 to her being 8 or 9 in about one or two paragraphs. There's also a lot of explanation, as this is set in an alternate version of 1800s America, and things are definitely different. Still, I enjoyed it just as much as I did all of Wrede's other books, and found plenty of humor to entertain me.
One large downfall in this book I want to address is the noticeable lack of Native Americans. They aren't mentioned at all; I'm not 100% sure of the reason, but I know it's a decision Wrede made. I'm not happy about it, but I will give her this: she never discusses the settling of the US or discusses how it happened, so for all anyone knows the Native Americans could have escaped to the unsettled western territory, with their own magic protecting them. It IS still a very disappointing decision, which is why I gave the book a 3 star rating instead of 5.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. I read it first in 2015, and I've read it at least 6 or 7 times since then. Wrede has created an interesting world with characters I love, and messages that pretty much everyone can relate to. If you're not a fan of slower-moving works, I'd give this a miss. But if you want a fantasy you can relax with, this is a pretty good choice.
harleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
2.75/5 Stars
I had so many issues with this book it ain't even funny. The only reason I'm giving it 2.75 stars is due to the last 100 pages. At the end of the book and plot finally formed, and things became exciting to read, before that it was incredibly boring and was lacking a plot. I was not a fan of the setting, it just didn't feel very original. It was very similar to our world, only difference this book has is that it is set during the time of Lewis and Clark and involves magic. I didn't like how the book was set up, I just had many issues with this. I did like though how towards the end of the book, Eff finally started to believe in herself a bit and to stop listening to everyone else.
All in all I am very disappointed with how this book turned out for me. I will not be finishing the series, though I do wonder what the relationship between William and Eff will end of being, I was rooting for them the entire time.
I had so many issues with this book it ain't even funny. The only reason I'm giving it 2.75 stars is due to the last 100 pages. At the end of the book and plot finally formed, and things became exciting to read, before that it was incredibly boring and was lacking a plot. I was not a fan of the setting, it just didn't feel very original. It was very similar to our world, only difference this book has is that it is set during the time of Lewis and Clark and involves magic. I didn't like how the book was set up, I just had many issues with this. I did like though how towards the end of the book, Eff finally started to believe in herself a bit and to stop listening to everyone else.
All in all I am very disappointed with how this book turned out for me. I will not be finishing the series, though I do wonder what the relationship between William and Eff will end of being, I was rooting for them the entire time.
bmadrid's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gmamartha's review against another edition
4.0
Great read! Alternative reality story - kinda threw me at first how similar it is, yet how different. I like how the main character grows up and realizes her place...
marieintheraw's review against another edition
1.0
You can't erase an entire group of people from existence just for the sake of your story.
mrsbrharris's review against another edition
2.0
A lot of the characters bothered me. I was confused by the setting-some things were similar to real history and I couldn't figure out where the deviations were. That doesn't really make sense, but I was kind of confused. I did think the end was good. I will get around to reading the second one sometime, but I'm not in a big hurry. Maybe they will get better :)