Today is my stop on the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (known as BBNYA) 2022 Finalist tour for The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies (The Cruel Gods #1), which came seventh in the competition.

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner.  If you are an author and wish to learn more about the BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website or Twitter @bbnya_official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies
Published by Independently Published
Age Group: Adult
Format: Fiction
Genres and Categories: British Authors, Non-Binary Authors, OwnVoices Representation, Queer Characters, Deity Characters, Magic Users, Mythological Creatures, Mental Health, Mobility Aids, Physical Disabilities, Trauma, Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Theological Fantasy, Various Magic, Gaslamp, Science Fantasy, Steampunk
Series: The Cruel Gods #1
My Rating:
Published on: 23rd October 2022
Pages: 536
Disability Representation: Abortion, Arthritis, Asthma, Chronic Pain, Grief, Mental Health, Mobility aid, PTSD, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma
Buy this Book! Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble / Blackwells / Bookshop.org US / Waterstones
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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.

This book was provided for free by BBNYA and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book!

Content Warnings:

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I had heard a lot of good things about The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies, and it’s been on my TBR for yonks as a result. Therefore, I went into this one with high hopes, and I am pleased to say that they weren’t just met; they bypassed them! The Thirteenth Hour is an incredible gaslamp fantasy that has a thrilling storyline, a wonderful cast of characters and tremendous world-building. I was hooked from the start!

What makes The Thirteenth Hour such a good read is a combination of all those things. This is a chunky book at 535 pages, and at first, there is a lot to take in. Skies has not just created one universe, she’s created twelve separate ones, each with its own race of mortals ruled over by their own god. Connecting these are Chime, a steampunk city where many mortals migrate to escape their god’s whims. I loved the depth of the world-building that Skies has created, and how she eases readers into her fully envisioned world bit by bit through the experiences of her protagonist, Kayl.

Kayl is a strong, determined young woman whose only family are her found family, the Godless, a group of heathens who fight against the cruel whims of the twelve gods from the shadows. When she discovers that she has strange and disturbing powers, the world she thought she knew falls apart. She and her family are in for the fight of their lives.

Along for the ride is Quen, a warden whose job it is to pursue sinners, especially the Godless. When his path crosses with Kayl, his carefully planned life out life ruled by time and bureaucracy falls into chaos.

I grew fond of both main characters and all the Godless. Skies has created a universe filled with such wonderful personalities, and along with the twelve races of The Thirteenth Hour, she has created a winning combination. Each race is a wonderful amalgamation of creatures and ideas from fantasy and pop culture, all mixed to create something entirely unique. I particularly loved the stone-skinned Umber who have plants and flowers for eyebrows.

This is a story of life in all its messiness, filled with emotion, chaos and also pain. This is a very dark book (please check the content warnings), but Skies has a wonderful sense of humour that seeps into the dialogue and keeps things light even when they’re at their darkest. As a British reader, I personally adored all the British-isms throughout the novel, especially the bourbon biscuits.

There is a lovely amount of representation in The Thirteenth Hour, with several LGBTQIA+ and disabled characters. Their experiences are written with care and are some of the most genuine I’ve come across.

The length of this book and the complexity of the world Skies has created may not be everyone’s cup of tea, likewise with the darker nature of the storyline. If you’re like me and you love to immerse yourself in a story with epic world-building and characters that feel real, then this is the book for you.

About Trudie Skies

Trudie Skies is a non-binary author based in North East England, though they have been living inside fantasy worlds ever since they discovered books and refuse to return to reality. Within Trudie’s daydreams you’ll find SPFBO and BBNYA finalist The Thirteenth Hour, a gaslamp fantasy described as obnoxiously British and best read with a cup of tea.

When not conjuring new worlds, Trudie spends their free time exploring the realms of indie books and video games, staring at clouds, and chasing after their fluffy companions.

Website | Goodreads | Blue Sky

Thanks for reading my review of The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies as part of the BBNYA 2022 Finalist tour!

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