Thirteenth Child

Patricia C. Wrede's 'Thirteenth Child' introduces readers to an imaginative alternate history of America's westward expansion, where magic is real and the frontier is guarded by a dangerous magical divide. The story centers on Eff, a 'thirteenth child' believed to bring misfortune, and her twin brother, Lan, a powerful 'seventh son of a seventh son.' As their family moves to a new magical school on the frontier, Eff must navigate societal expectations, family dynamics, and the very real dangers of the wild, proving her worth beyond her birthright. It's a tale of self-discovery, family bonds, and adventure, perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy with a unique historical twist.

Eff was born a thirteenth child. Her twin brother, Lan, is the seventh son of a seventh son. This means he's supposed to possess amazing talent -- and she's supposed to bring only bad things to her family and her town. Undeterred, her family moves to the frontier, where her father will be a professor of magic at a school perilously close to the magical divide that separates settlers from the beasts of the wild.