The Thirteenth Hour
Author: Trudie Skies
Pages: 535 pages
Genre: Fantasy (Gaslamp, Steampunk)
Published: 13th October 2021 (self-published)
Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis:
When the saints fail, the sinners step up.
Cruel gods rule the steam-powered city of Chime, demanding worship and tribute from their mortal subjects. Kayl lost her faith in them long ago, and now seeks to protect vulnerable and downtrodden mortals from their gods’ whims. But when Kayl discovers powers that she didn’t know she had—and destroys a mortal’s soul by accident—she becomes Chime’s most wanted.
Quen’s job was to pursue sinners, until the visions started. Haunted by foreboding images of his beloved city’s destruction, Quen hunts soul-sucking creatures made of aether who prey on its citizens—and Kayl is his number one target.
To ensure Chime’s future, Kayl and Quen must discover the truth of Kayl’s divine abilities before the gods take matters into their own hands.
For a city that bows to cruel gods, it’ll take godless heathens to save it.
The Thirteenth Hour is the first book in The Cruel Gods series—a gaslamp fantasy featuring magical portals, gothic cosmic deities, quaint Britishisms, and steampunk vibes. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. For a full list of content warnings, visit Trudie Skies’s website.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Thirteenth-Hour-Book-Cruel-Gods/dp/1399900684 (Canada)
https://www.amazon.com/Thirteenth-Hour-Book-Cruel-Gods/dp/1399900684 (USA)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thirteenth-Hour-Book-Cruel-Gods/dp/1399900684 (UK)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58796055-the-thirteenth-hour
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Author Bio
Trudie Skies is a British indie author who has been living inside fantasy worlds ever since they discovered that reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Through the magic of books, they wish to share these worlds of hope and heroes with other weary souls. You can chat with Trudie on Twitter @TrudieSkies, or to find out more about Trudie and her fantasy worlds, visit www.TrudieSkies.com
My Review of The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies!
Thank you to BBNYA and the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so fun! The worldbuilding was intense, but once I’d wrapped my head around it, I could vision it perfectly. The Thirteenth Hour is set in a world where there are twelve gods and each mortal is affiliated with a god. Their power and physicality is all dependent on which god they serve.
Kayl is a Godless, she has renounced her god and is part of a small but mighty group who have all done the same. This group stays hidden in the shadows and is made up of various people serving different gods. They try and protect those put in harms way by their god, or other gods.
‘If I was a pious woman, I’d be praying. But I was a Godless woman, and the gods left me to dictate my own fate.’
Quen is a warden, and his job is to find the godless and destroy them. He has a unique power that allows him to see how people die when he touches them, which causes him to wipe his memory constantly. When Wardens begin dying and their bodies remain behind instead of turning to dust when returning to their god, Quen is put on the case to discover and stop what is happening to them. When Kayl discovers powers she never knew she had, and has no idea how to use them, she teams up with Quen to get to the bottom of this mystery. To ensure their future is stable, they have to work quickly.
There was a hint of romance brewing between Kayl and Quen, which I will never complain about and I think this may be explored more in the sequel. I loved their relationship and how they learned to trust one another, whilst being on opposite sides of the system. The world building felt unique and really helped sell the story as it was so easy to picture. The pacing at the beginning of the book felt a little slow, but as soon as it picked up, I couldn’t put this down!
So much goes down in this book! If you love steampunk/futuristic fantasy, this one is definitely for you!
Keep reading,
Georgia x
Lost in Neverland 