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A review by justgeekingby
The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies
5.0
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
Content warnings:
Ableism (Some Ableist Language)
Abortion (Discussion of Abortion)
Abuse (Emotional / Domestic / Physical / Sexual)
Amnesia / Memory Loss
Anxiety / Panic Attacks (Minor / Referenced)
Anger Issues
Blood (Nosebleeds / Described Wounds)
Bodies / Corpses
Burning (Gore)
Classicism
Confrontation of Rapist/Abuser
Death / Dying
Death Penalty / Death Threats
Drinking (Recreational)
Drugs (Discussion of Recreational Drugs)
Drug Spiking (Non-Violent)
Escalating Violence
Execution
Fire (Fire Magic)
Forced Captivity (Imprisonment / Workhouses)
Genocide
Guilt / Shaming
Hostage Situation
Human Trafficking
Kidnapping
Loss of a Parent / Family
Manipulation / Toxic Relationship
Microaggressions
Murder
Nudity (Non-Sexual)
Oppression (Classism)
Police Brutality (Fantasy Police)
Prejudice (Classism / Mild Racism)
Profanity (A Colourful Selection of Swear Words)
Racism (Of Fantasy Races, Not Based on Real World Cultures)
Religious Blasphemy (Not Based on Real World Religions)
Religious Criticism (Not Based on Real World Religions)
Religious Oppression (Discussion of Sin)
Scars
Sexual Assault (Revoked Consent / Discussion of Abuse)
Sexually Explicit Scenes (Including Masturbation and Orgies)
Sex Slaves
Slavery
Suicide / Suicide Ideation
Slurs (Sexual Slurs – Non-Racial)
Torture (Torture Scenes and References to Torture)
Transphobia (No Misgendering or Deadnaming)
Trauma
Violence (Gunshots / Gun Violence)
Weapons (Pistols, Knives, Tasers)
I had heard a lot of good things about The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies, and it’s been on my TBR for yonks as a result. Therefore, I went into this one with high hopes, and I am pleased to say that they weren’t just met; they bypassed them! The Thirteenth Hour is an incredible gaslamp fantasy that has a thrilling storyline, a wonderful cast of characters and tremendous world-building. I was hooked from the start!
What makes The Thirteenth Hour such a good read is a combination of all those things. This is a chunky book at 535 pages, and at first there is a lot to take in. Skies has not just created one universe, she’s created twelve separate ones each with their own race of mortals ruled over by their own god. Connecting these are Chime, a steampunk city where many mortals migrate to escape their god’s whims. I loved the depth of the world-building that Skies has created, and how she eases readers into her fully envisioned world bit by bit through the experiences of her protagonist Kayl.
Kayl is a strong, determined young woman who’s only family are her found family, the Godless, a group of heathens who fight against the cruel whims of the twelve gods from the shadows. When she discovers that she has strange and disturbing powers the world she thought she knew falls apart. She and her family are in for the fight of their lives.
Along for the ride is Quen, a warden whose job it is to pursue sinners, especially the Godless. When his path crosses with Kayl his carefully planned life out life ruled by time and bureaucracy falls into chaos.
I grew fond of both main characters, and all the Godless. Skies has created a universe filled with such wonderful personalities, and along with the twelve races of The Thirteenth Hour she has created a winning combination. Each race is a wonderful amalgamation of creatures and ideas from fantasy and pop culture, all mixed together to create something entirely unique. I particularly loved the stone-skinned Umber who have plants and flowers for eyebrows.
This is a story of life in all its messiness, filled with emotional, chaos and also pain. This is a very dark book (please check the content warnings), but Skies’ has a wonderful sense of humour that seeps into the dialogue and keeps things light even when they’re at their darkest. As a British reader I personally adored all the British-isms throughout the novel, especially the bourbon biscuits.
There is a lovely amount of representation in The Thirteenth Hour, with several LGBTQIA+ and disabled characters. Their experiences are written with care and are some of the most genuine I’ve come across.
The length of this book and the complexity of the world Skies has created may not be everyone’s cup of tea, likewise with the darker nature of the storyline. If you’re like me, and you love to immerse yourself into a story with epic world-building and characters that feel real then this is the book for you.
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Content warnings:
Spoiler
The author lists the follow content warnings on her website:Ableism (Some Ableist Language)
Abortion (Discussion of Abortion)
Abuse (Emotional / Domestic / Physical / Sexual)
Amnesia / Memory Loss
Anxiety / Panic Attacks (Minor / Referenced)
Anger Issues
Blood (Nosebleeds / Described Wounds)
Bodies / Corpses
Burning (Gore)
Classicism
Confrontation of Rapist/Abuser
Death / Dying
Death Penalty / Death Threats
Drinking (Recreational)
Drugs (Discussion of Recreational Drugs)
Drug Spiking (Non-Violent)
Escalating Violence
Execution
Fire (Fire Magic)
Forced Captivity (Imprisonment / Workhouses)
Genocide
Guilt / Shaming
Hostage Situation
Human Trafficking
Kidnapping
Loss of a Parent / Family
Manipulation / Toxic Relationship
Microaggressions
Murder
Nudity (Non-Sexual)
Oppression (Classism)
Police Brutality (Fantasy Police)
Prejudice (Classism / Mild Racism)
Profanity (A Colourful Selection of Swear Words)
Racism (Of Fantasy Races, Not Based on Real World Cultures)
Religious Blasphemy (Not Based on Real World Religions)
Religious Criticism (Not Based on Real World Religions)
Religious Oppression (Discussion of Sin)
Scars
Sexual Assault (Revoked Consent / Discussion of Abuse)
Sexually Explicit Scenes (Including Masturbation and Orgies)
Sex Slaves
Slavery
Suicide / Suicide Ideation
Slurs (Sexual Slurs – Non-Racial)
Torture (Torture Scenes and References to Torture)
Transphobia (No Misgendering or Deadnaming)
Trauma
Violence (Gunshots / Gun Violence)
Weapons (Pistols, Knives, Tasers)
I had heard a lot of good things about The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies, and it’s been on my TBR for yonks as a result. Therefore, I went into this one with high hopes, and I am pleased to say that they weren’t just met; they bypassed them! The Thirteenth Hour is an incredible gaslamp fantasy that has a thrilling storyline, a wonderful cast of characters and tremendous world-building. I was hooked from the start!
What makes The Thirteenth Hour such a good read is a combination of all those things. This is a chunky book at 535 pages, and at first there is a lot to take in. Skies has not just created one universe, she’s created twelve separate ones each with their own race of mortals ruled over by their own god. Connecting these are Chime, a steampunk city where many mortals migrate to escape their god’s whims. I loved the depth of the world-building that Skies has created, and how she eases readers into her fully envisioned world bit by bit through the experiences of her protagonist Kayl.
Kayl is a strong, determined young woman who’s only family are her found family, the Godless, a group of heathens who fight against the cruel whims of the twelve gods from the shadows. When she discovers that she has strange and disturbing powers the world she thought she knew falls apart. She and her family are in for the fight of their lives.
Along for the ride is Quen, a warden whose job it is to pursue sinners, especially the Godless. When his path crosses with Kayl his carefully planned life out life ruled by time and bureaucracy falls into chaos.
I grew fond of both main characters, and all the Godless. Skies has created a universe filled with such wonderful personalities, and along with the twelve races of The Thirteenth Hour she has created a winning combination. Each race is a wonderful amalgamation of creatures and ideas from fantasy and pop culture, all mixed together to create something entirely unique. I particularly loved the stone-skinned Umber who have plants and flowers for eyebrows.
This is a story of life in all its messiness, filled with emotional, chaos and also pain. This is a very dark book (please check the content warnings), but Skies’ has a wonderful sense of humour that seeps into the dialogue and keeps things light even when they’re at their darkest. As a British reader I personally adored all the British-isms throughout the novel, especially the bourbon biscuits.
There is a lovely amount of representation in The Thirteenth Hour, with several LGBTQIA+ and disabled characters. Their experiences are written with care and are some of the most genuine I’ve come across.
The length of this book and the complexity of the world Skies has created may not be everyone’s cup of tea, likewise with the darker nature of the storyline. If you’re like me, and you love to immerse yourself into a story with epic world-building and characters that feel real then this is the book for you.