Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Thirteenth Month by Elizabeth Hunter Series: Seba Segel #1
Published by Self-Published on May 23, 2023
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 435
Format: eARC
Source: Author
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Time is the most fluid medium in the universe; humans are its most replaceable element."
There are rules for traveling:
A mage must never go forward.
Keep the secrets of the order in all times.
And never, ever travel during the thirteenth month.Born into a powerful mage family, Narine Anahid Khoren is a time traveler whose life is constantly in flux. Since committing to the order of the Seba Segal at fourteen, she’s spent her life traveling through history, trying to make a difference and sacrificing her life in the present for one jumping through the past.
But while the world in 2071 has moved forward, the ancient order of the Seba Segel have become ever more archaic. The secret sect founded by astronomer priests has passed its magic to thousands of generations, perfecting the secrets of divination and time travel, while also amassing power, influence, and riches.
Change is on the horizon, and some in the order would do anything to stop it from coming. When one of the highest laws of mage travel is broken in the thirteenth month, Narine, her friends, and one unsuspecting professor will have to scour history to set the timeline right.
What can I say? Another excellent read from Elizabeth Hunter. I am not a fan of time travel, so it took me a bit to get my head around the first couple time jumps, but that happened pretty fast. I loved this story. The world is rich with complex magic, well drawn characters and lots of cultural aspects.
The Thirteenth Month is the start of a new series set in Ethiopia about 40 years in the future, and also many times in the past. There are a variety of mages in the Seba Segel who help advise governments and leaders throughout time to save lives as they can. There are mages who are diviners (look at futures), alchemists, hedge mages, weavers and travelers. We learn a bit about the different magics.
Narine is a traveler from a family of travelers. I really liked her as we got to know her. She certainly made some mistakes though. These mistakes, and the fact her mother is pretty independent, make her not a favorite of the council. The council decides when traveling should happen, and is worth the risk.
I’m not going to spoil the story but it’s Narine’s life over about a six year period and how she gets stuck in the past. It has a huge impact on her life, her family and time itself. It’s frightening because women in the past are just not always treated well. Or rather men in any time period seem to think they should make all the decisions and have all the control. But her power and knowledge is exciting. I’m so glad this is the start of a new series and can’t wait to read more.
About Elizabeth Hunter
Elizabeth Hunter is a contemporary fantasy and romance author. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher.
She currently lives in Central California with her husband, son, very ineffective canine assistants, and a pitifully empty fish tank.
ELIZABETH HUNTER is a ten-time USA Today and international best-selling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in both Central California and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction exploring world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family.
She has published over forty works of fiction and sold over a million books worldwide. She is the author of the Glimmer Lake series, Love Stories on 7th and Main, the Elemental Legacy series, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I like the idea of a family of time travelers, and that warning about never traveling in the thirteenth month has me very curious. 😀
The 13th month is part of the cultural aspect in Ethiopia. It’s fascinating and I can’t claim to understand it all.
I’m not a fan of time travel either so the fact you loved it is saying something. Excellent review, Anne💜 One of these days I’ll read this author.
Thank you Jonetta. She’s a favorite and she has many genres for you to choose.
This is an author that I have wanted to read for a while and I do like time travel stories a lot. I will have to keep this one in mind if I ever get caught up.
It’s really good. Since it’s the first in the series you can be caught up right away.
Oh, I meant when I get caught up with some of the other books that I need to read. I planned on reading over 20 in May and have fallen way short. I have a ton of catching up to do before I can even look at a new series.
yes of course. I just meant that for this series there is only one book to be up-to-date on this series.
I enjoyed this one too. Narine is a strong female and I enjoyed getting to know her.
yes I read your review also. I think it’s a great start to the series.
I am waiting to see if this comes on audio, but it’s on my wishlist!
It’s awesome and I am certain it will be on audio just a bit later.
It’s hard to not give away any spoilers 😉
yes but I always try not to give away things in a mystery. Sometimes I think the blurb gives away too much.
Yet another author I need to read some day. And what a beautiful cover on that! Thanks for sharing!
I wasn’t sure I would like this but I loved it. The cover is gorgeous.