4.5
this was WILD son!
the world building is really unique with an interesting array of species, gods & characters.
definitely an adult novel - didn't particularly like that the FMC was already in a relationship - its giving love triangle but there's really only one MMC you want her with.
I stayed up late to finish it as I have honestly not read a story like this and had no idea where it was going. There is a LOT going on. It's kinda hectic. But I dug it this time around.
Read the trigger warnings. ( )

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in The Cruel Gods series. I borrowed this on ebook through Kindle Unlimited.

Thoughts: I have been wanting to read this book for some time and it did not disappoint. This is a longer book and it took me a bit to get through. The beginning was challenging to follow because the world-building here is complex. However, once I figured out what the author was doing I was amazed and enthralled.

This book follows two characters, Kayl and Quen, who both live in the city of Chime. Chime is a city outside (but still beholden to) the twelve gods. Kayl is a rebel in a group called the Godless who is trying to protect mortals from their cruel gods. Strange things are happening to Kayl, she seems to have a power that she doesn't understand. Quen is part of the force that pursues and arrests sinners, but then he starts having visions that lead him to Kayl.

The world-building here is complex. There are twelve races of humans all with different physical attributes and powers, twelve worlds, and a number of different groups within Chime. It was overwhelming at first. It would have been incredibly nice to have an intro in the front that introduced to you the names of the twelve gods and the attributes of the races that belong to them. However, by about 15-20% of the way in I had a pretty good grip on the set up and was awed by how well this world was designed and how much thought went into it.

I loved the plot here. There is a mystery around Kayl's condition, a city under immense stress, and the mysterious plot of the gods. The city has a very steampunk feel to it with a lot of contraptions and aether which made the intriguing setting even more to my liking (I love a good steampunk world).

There is also a strange kind of romance here, which at first you think is one thing but then turns into something else. This book does a good job of delving into both the dark and light aspects of human nature. I was impressed on how many different levels this world and story worked for me. It delves into a lot of social issues without shoving them in your face and that only helped to enhance the story.

I should mention that I also loved all the characters in here. They are fun, complex, and delve into a lot of gray moral areas.

I was really impressed with this but it was a long and complex read. I am definitely going to continue with the series and already got the next book to read. However, I am going to take a little break to read some other books first and digest this story a bit more before delving back into the world of Chime.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I loved this and was very impressed with both the world-building and the characters here. This does start off a bit overwhelming but if you stick with it and you will be rewarded with a unique and complex story that is totally worth it. If you enjoy steampunk fantasies with intricate worlds and races I would highly recommend this. It was a surprise to me how much I truly loved this book. ( )

this was WILD son!
the world building is really unique with an interesting array of species, gods & characters.
definitely an adult novel - didn't particularly like that the FMC was already in a relationship - its giving love triangle but there's really only one MMC you want her with.
I stayed up late to finish it as I have honestly not read a story like this and had no idea where it was going. There is a LOT going on. It's kinda hectic. But I dug it this time around.
Read the trigger warnings. ( )

Originally posted on Just Geeking by.

Content warnings:
The author lists the follow content warnings on her website:

Ableism (Some Ableist Language)
Abortion (Discussion of Abortion)
Abuse (Emotional / Domestic / Physical / Sexual)
Amnesia / Memory Loss
Anxiety / Panic Attacks (Minor / Referenced)
Anger Issues
Blood (Nosebleeds / Described Wounds)
Bodies / Corpses
Burning (Gore)
Classicism
Confrontation of Rapist/Abuser
Death / Dying
Death Penalty / Death Threats
Drinking (Recreational)
Drugs (Discussion of Recreational Drugs)
Drug Spiking (Non-Violent)
Escalating Violence
Execution
Fire (Fire Magic)
Forced Captivity (Imprisonment / Workhouses)
Genocide
Guilt / Shaming
Hostage Situation
Human Trafficking
Kidnapping
Loss of a Parent / Family
Manipulation / Toxic Relationship
Microaggressions
Murder
Nudity (Non-Sexual)
Oppression (Classism)
Police Brutality (Fantasy Police)
Prejudice (Classism / Mild Racism)
Profanity (A Colourful Selection of Swear Words)
Racism (Of Fantasy Races, Not Based on Real World Cultures)
Religious Blasphemy (Not Based on Real World Religions)
Religious Criticism (Not Based on Real World Religions)
Religious Oppression (Discussion of Sin)
Scars
Sexual Assault (Revoked Consent / Discussion of Abuse)
Sexually Explicit Scenes (Including Masturbation and Orgies)
Sex Slaves
Slavery
Suicide / Suicide Ideation
Slurs (Sexual Slurs – Non-Racial)
Torture (Torture Scenes and References to Torture)
Transphobia (No Misgendering or Deadnaming)
Trauma
Violence (Gunshots / Gun Violence)
Weapons (Pistols, Knives, Tasers)


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 their 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 who’s 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 together 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 emotional, 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 into a story with epic world-building and characters that feel real then this is the book for you.

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( )

Overall: 5 out of 5
Story: 5 out of 5
Narration: 5 out of 5

Overall: I loved this – story, narration, all of it. If you’re ready to dive into the world of audiobooks, then this is the perfect one to start with!

Story: I loved Kayl from the start – she’s rebellious and determined, even in a world where that could easily get her killed. I love the combination of twelve gods sharing a world, each with their own mortals they’ve created to rule over. The world and all that inhabit it are well-developed, and it’s easy to imagine that such a place really exists. Perfect for fantasy and steampunk lovers looking for something less sci-fi to read alike!

Narration: Wow, I can’t believe this book only had one narrator! Bayley did a great job differentiating between the narrator and all the surrounding characters. I thought the attitudes of each character really carried through, and there’s such a dynamic range to the narration that you get caught up in the story and action. I was thoroughly impressed with the performance, and really enjoyed listening from start to finish.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Audiobook Empire. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it. ( )