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.
Review
The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies is an ambitious gaslamp fantasy that introduced readers to characters Kayl and Quen. Through their perspectives, the reader got a glimpse into a world of magic and apostasy.
“The universe is a machine; the gods are the gears, and we are the cogs.”
A striking cover captured the overall tone– a unique combination of steampunk as it does deal with technology, gaslamp as it involves the supernatural, dark/grim because errrr well *waves hand* spoilers, and historical in its Victorian inspired aesthetics. The science fantasy elements created quite the original story, and I love genre blending.
Skies created a universe where religion and technology unite in fascinating ways. A diverse cast of characters, each keeping their own secrets and motivations, kept me invested in the unfolding mystery. The antagonists did fall a bit flat in charactizeration and the romance didn’t entirely work for me. At times, the narration would include oddly timed thoughts, momentarily distracting me and interrupting the flow of dialogue. Kayl and Quen shared a similar voice, and it was hard to tell the difference between their povs, especially on audio.
The pacing moved swiftly through descriptions of the domains, appearances, and abilities. The idea of different worlds stemming from a single location (Chime) was incredibly inventive, and I obsess over the clock tower/hourly world changes. No story is complete without flirting with betrayal and disaster.
Some spoilers next.
Chime was a fully developed setting, and although we entered the domain of Vesper described as “rolling hills of bioluminescent mushrooms and a never-ending dusk,” the atmosphere and uniqueness once inside the domain left me wanting. In addition, I had a difficult time believing that Kayl could wield other domain skills and abilities immediately without any struggle or practice (and I think I missed the “why” for why she never realized she was this way before and did something trigger this recent skill). For instance, being able to escape by gliding down the building or manipulation of time. I guess it would’ve been easy when Jinx took over control, but I don’t know. I would’ve preferred a slight learning curve so it doesn’t become a matter of convenience to progress the plot.
End of spoilers.
Overall, The Thirteenth Hour is a promising introduction to The Cruel Gods series and shines brightest with its exploration of magic, religion, and technology between mortal and divine forces. The overarching storyline is a grand and imaginative idea, and I have no doubt in Skies’ ability to stick the ending.
Triggers: Several- Please check Trudie’s list on their website.
Recommended for: readers who enjoy supernatural mystery, immersive and original settings, blending the magical with mechanical, blurred boundaries between mortal frailty, free will, and destiny.
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