Thirteenth Child book review

“Everybody knows that the seventh son is lucky…and everybody knows that seventh son of a seventh son is a natural born magician.”

Seven isn’t the only number that permeates lore—there is also thirteen. You’ve probably heard that thirteen is unlucky, bad, and even evil. Eff was born thirteenth child and twin to the seventh son of a seventh son. Eff and her brother Lan are inseparable, despite the Fate determined by their birth order. Eff knows what it’s like to be different, to have her siblings, cousins, and aunts and uncles treat her like she’s a demon. When things get too out of hand, Eff’s father decides to take a job out West as a professor of magic at a new college and move the family away. There, Eff finds her true destiny, as she helps protect the homesteaders from these strange beetles that threaten to destroy everything they come in contact with. Eff learns that she has always been more powerful than anyone let her believe, and once she believes in herself, she’s capable of anything she sets her mind to. Thirteen may be unlucky in some cultures, but what happens if you change the perspective?

The Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede is a heart-warming tale about finding the courage to believe in your inner strength. Wrede’s writing is nostalgic, creating a magical alternate late 19th century American world. If you like adventure and humor; if you like dragons, magic, and mystery, then you don’t want to pass this book up!