Synopsis

Hazel Trépas has always known she wasn’t like the rest of her many siblings. Born a thirteenth child and promised away to one of the gods, she spends her childhood waiting for her godfather—Merrick, the Dreaded End—to finally arrive.

When he does, he tells Hazel her future. She will become a great healer, known throughout the kingdom for her precision and skill. To aid in her endeavors, Merrick blesses the young girl a gift.

But all gifts come with a price…

Review

I devoured this book.

Creepy and cosy, but with plenty of heart and found family it ticks all of the boxes for an autumn read with which to curl up.

Inspired by a Grimm Brothers’ fairytale, we are drawn into a magical world where nothing is as it seems. Our neglected protagonist Hazel is adopted by Death, who trains her to be a healer, with one catch. Sometimes she must help people die instead, because their time is up.

It’s so creative, with magic and mystery throughout and some fascinating ideas, in terms of the sickness experienced by the kingdom, the metaphor of death and the idea of The Between.

Although not really a discussion on euthanasia, it is an interesting concept and conjures up the moral dilemma of pain and suffering, versus death, asking readers to consider what is more important.

It’s perhaps not as dark as it’s pitched, making it more of a light fantasy, but it’s still excellent and the perfect balance of creepy and cosy. And cake. There’s a lot of cake!

Thanks to Rock the Boat and Blackcrow PR for my proof copy. Opinions my own.