Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. WredeMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Great concept, an alternative reality frontier America, with magic part of the ordinary every day. It follows the childhood of a supposedly unlucky thirteenth child, whose twin is the seventh son of a seventh son. Both children in their own way fated to be extraordinary and both live a life heavy with expectations forced on them from extended family and citizens. Their father, a professor of magic, moves the family from the city to a frontier town in order to give them a more a more ordinary upbringing.
Unfortunately the book reads very dry, like a list of occurrences while waiting to grow up. A fair bit of stuff happens, but apparently it is of no great import. Perhaps lacking in passion? Maybe because it is seen through the eyes of a child? This happened, then this happened. I will probably persevere with the series though because the story itself is quite unique and the world building of some fascination to me. I mean, who in their right mind wouldn't want to know more about Steam dragons and Columbian sphinxes, woolly rhinoceroses and spectral bears, dire wolves, saber cats, terror birds, and swarming weasels?
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