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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. View the full list of content warnings.
Originally released on October 13th, 2021, this campaign is a for a 5th Anniversary Special Edition of The Thirteenth Hour! The Thirteenth Hour was a 2nd place runner up in the eighth SPFBO and a 7th place BBNYA finalist, as well as the Indie Ink Award Winner for Best Setting and Wittiest Character. Here's what some readers have to say about the book:
Originally released on October 13th, 2021, this campaign is a for a 5th Anniversary Special Edition of The Thirteenth Hour! The Thirteenth Hour was a 2nd place runner up in the eighth SPFBO and a 7th place BBNYA finalist, as well as the Indie Ink Award Winner for Best Setting and Wittiest Character. Here's what some readers have to say about the book:
"For a completely immersive fantasy saga set in a precise world like nothing you’ve ever seen before, The Thirteenth Hour is time well spent on a story cleverly told." - Olivia Atwater, Author of Small Miracles
“A darkly weird and highly original steampunk thriller set in a world of autocratic deities, divided loyalties and twisty politics.” - Jacquelyn Benson, Author of The Fire in the Glass
“I love this book. To me, The Thirteenth Hour is a masterpiece. It’s a celebration of fantasy and character. It’s over-the-top crazy, but it’s real and grounded and raw. It is perhaps my favourite self-published book of all time.” - Hiu Gregg, The Fantasy Inn
“The Thirteenth Hour is a fast-paced, action-packed, character driven story of the highest quality. I dare you not to fall in love with Kayl’s feisty fearlessness, or Quen’s quintessentially British awkward charm.” - Craig Bookwyrm, FanFiAddict
But What's it all About?
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.
Here's what you'll find in The Thirteenth Hour:
- 2 POV’s, 1st Person
- Edwardian-Inspired Setting
- 13 Unique Fantasy Races
- Found Family
- Gothic Gods
- Magical Portals
- Steampunk Vibes
- Clockwork Mechanics
- Obnoxiously British
- Queer-Normative
- LGBTQIA+ Rep
- LOTS of swearing!
Inspired by Final Fantasy, Arcane, and the Daedric gods of The Elder Scrolls, The Cruel Gods series spans twelve unique fantasy domains ruled by gods that can only be entered through a magical portal that changes at the turn of the clock. Here are our two main characters of Kayl and Quen:
And here are the group of Godless heathens you'll meet:
What's in the Special Edition?
To celebrate The Thirteenth Hour's 5th anniversary, I'll be launching a crowdfund as part of The Book Bazaar's 2026 Fall campaign coming this October-November, hot on the heels of my successfully crowdfunded campaign for The Chosen One Con that was part of The Book Bazaar 2025. For the special edition, we'll have a whole new fancy symbol cover based on the symbology and colours of the original cover. This will include hardcover case design, dust jacket, custom endpaper, and sprayed edges, plus any other extras we can get through stretch goals, such as art! I'm already planning a stained-glass god print.
Rewards will include the book as well as prints!
Don't want to miss out? Then follow our page to be notified of the launch on October 29 and receive a free ebook copy of Tales From Across the Domains, the short story collection set in The Cruel Gods world that can be read before or alongside The Thirteenth Hour.
We’ll see you in Chime soon!
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