The Thirteenth Hour Review
Author: Trudie Skies
Rating: 8.0 GREAT
What’s it about? 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.
“The universe is a machine; the gods are the gears, and we are the cogs.”
The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies is something of an anomaly for me. The premise of the book was something so different from what I usually read. Coming right off the heels of some of my top books of the year, it had everything going against it. I am delighted to say that The Thirteenth Hour is hands down the most inventive book I've read all year. It is a wild ride from start to finish, and one that I will cherish for its insanely imaginative world and characters that grew on me with time.
“They owned us. They dictated who we were, how we were meant to live. They’d given us free will and punished us for using it. They toyed with our lives because to them, we were little more than simple playthings. Pets.”
Admittedly, I had trouble getting into the story in the first quarter of the book. I don't ever recall a time where I thought that a book's pacing was too fast for me. The Thirteenth Hour began quickly and never let up. Usually, I would consider this a positive. However, in this case, since the world is so densely populated with fantastical gods, dominions, races, classes, and cultures, I wished that the author slowed the pace a bit to give more insight and context. Credit to the author to be able to write at such a break-neck pace while delivering exposition wherever possible. Posted fliers, dossiers, journals and quotes from publications found around the city of Chime are the introductions to each chapter of the book. This is a unique way to add detail to the setting. I just don't think it was quite enough, at least from the start of the book. I had so many questions about the world and its inhabitants, but the plot kept pushing forward and the context took a backseat. Hence, it was tough for me to get attached to the characters at the beginning. Luckily, after the first quarter, the world-building and plot begin firing on all cylinders, and it's glorious. You never know what the hell you're going to run into next in this world, and I love it for that. The book tackles many different themes. Social classes, immigration, race, hierarchy, religion, sex, and gender are just a few that the author touches on. Skies does this with a certain grace and skill that is difficult to balance. This is a harsh and complex world, much like our own. Skies nails each theme by challenging the reader, while providing a glimmer of hope within these interwoven themes at a better future for Chime.
“Chime needs godless heathens. May the gods leave you to your fate.”
There are multiple plot lines within the book that completely change the feel. There's a "who-dun-it" style mystery, a heist caper, along with a compelling overarching narrative. I'm happy to say that these branching plotlines are all exciting and intriguing. These paths play off one another very naturally and make for a deeper connection with the characters. The main protagonists crew the “Godless,” play so well off of one another, with little quips and inside jokes amongst them. This really adds to their likeability. Quentin and Kayl's story arcs are fascinating. The more layers you peel, the more deep and thought provoking they become. It's these revelations that make the entire journey so special. Quentin in particular captivated me. His conflicted mind made for a truly multidimensional character. It's amazing to me that the author was able to use abilities within the world to fully bring out character depth hidden beneath the surface. It's incredible character work, and Quentin is someone that I will not forget anytime soon. The main protagonist, Kayl, grew on me throughout the story. The author was able to make you feel like you’re right alongside her for each new development. Skies did a tremendous job making Kayl a deeply flawed individual, which made her relatable and likeable from the start. However, Malk was the character I had the biggest issue with. I feel as though I was told to care about him throughout the book, but I was never able to form the attachment that I'm sure the author wanted. This led to some story beats not hitting as hard as they should have in certain places. Additionally, There are abilities that the residents of Chime possess that could have easily been used as a crutch for sloppy storytelling. However, Trudie Skies doesn't fall into this trap. These abilities are well implemented and never overused. When they show up, there's a good reason, followed by an emotional toll to be paid. It's a powerful way to portray an ability system.
“I was a living, breathing blasphemy. Apostasy in mortal form. And wow, did that feel good.”
I was ready to criticize some issues with plot holes. However, like clockwork, twenty pages later, Trudie Skies would close that plot hole and laugh in my face for doubting. It happened time and time again. That's when I realized that the author had complete control over this chaos from the very start. I loved the feeling that the author is always several steps ahead of me. It really is phenomenal storytelling and writing. The sense of humor and energy brimming from the pages brought me pure happiness while reading. Even though at times Chime feels so dark, like there's no hope left, Skies lightens the mood with some well-placed humor that fits perfectly. It never feels out of place and stays true to the characters. Once the shit really hits the fan, Skies doesn’t shy away and puts the dark grittiness of the world on full display. The author does such a great job of cranking the primal fear and despair within the individuals meeting their maker. I truly got goosebumps from the suspenseful ride to see Valeria. On another note, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the food…
”Mushroom crostini, sprout canapes with spiced fruit chutney, baked Camembert on toasted bread, tiny cucumber sandwiches, mini cheese pastries with a glazed onion dip, strawberries dipped in yogurt... and a large crème brûlée that our Ember server caramelized with a spark from his own finger.”
I think that level of detail speaks for itself, and is just a taste of the delicacies found within Chime. I’ll wait while you go to the fridge…
“Yes, falling to my death would be the cherry on top of this shit cake.”
I just realized I tempted you with food then dropped that quote. I’m sorry. Anyways, the sheer amount of imagination on display is astounding. This book exemplifies fun, even as you're skinned alive and ripped apart piece by piece by a spiteful, vengeful God. No matter how bleak things were looking, I knew I could count on the author coming through with a well-timed quip to lighten the mood. Even though I had issues at the start with the pacing, as well as one character not hitting like intended, that definitely shouldn't stop you from one hell of a wild ride. The Thirteenth Hour serves as a beacon for imaginative storytelling. I highly recommend The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies.