The Thirteen Hallows

The Thirteen Hallows follows a young London office worker who becomes entangled in an ancient mystery after helping an elderly woman on the street. The seemingly random encounter pulls her into a dark world where thirteen sacred objects from Britain's past must be protected from those who seek to use their power. The book combines elements of contemporary urban fantasy with ancient British mythology and folklore. Set against the backdrop of modern-day London, the story features a complex network of guardians who have protected these hallowed objects through generations. The narrative moves at a rapid pace and contains graphic violence, making it suited for mature readers. The authors blend historical elements with contemporary action, building tension as the protagonists race to prevent the hallows from falling into the wrong hands. This first installment in a planned trilogy explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the intersection of ancient power with modern life. The story raises questions about the price of protecting sacred traditions in today's world.

Readers found this book gratuitously violent with graphic torture scenes that many felt were unnecessary to the plot. Multiple reviews note the extreme violence overshadowed the Celtic mythology elements. What readers liked: - Fast-paced action sequences - Celtic mythology and folklore references - The London setting and atmosphere What readers disliked: - Excessive gore and torture descriptions - Underdeveloped characters - Plot holes and rushed ending - Writing style called "amateurish" by several reviewers One reader stated: "The violence feels like shock value rather than serving the story." Another noted: "The mythology could have been fascinating but gets lost in the blood and gore." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (130+ reviews) LibraryThing: 2.9/5 (40+ ratings) Most negative reviews focus on the gratuitous violence, while positive reviews highlight the quick pacing and mythology elements. The book appears to work better for readers of horror than fantasy.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Ancient artifacts, secret societies, and religious mysteries propel a professor and cryptographer through modern-day Europe in a race against killers.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman A London businessman discovers an underground realm filled with magic, monsters, and forgotten gods after helping an injured girl with mysterious powers.

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley A woman wakes with no memory to find herself part of a supernatural organization that protects Britain from paranormal threats.

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins A group of people raised by a god-like figure must navigate ancient powers and deadly rivalries when their master disappears.

The Oversight by Charlie Fletcher The last members of a secret society guard the borders between the natural and supernatural worlds in Victorian London while facing extinction.

🔮 The number thirteen was considered sacred in Celtic mythology, representing lunar cycles and significant transitions in the natural world. 📚 Michael Scott is also known for his bestselling series "The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel," which draws heavily from world mythology. 🗝️ Sacred objects or "hallows" appear frequently in British mythology, most famously in Arthurian legends with items like the Holy Grail and Excalibur. 🌃 London's literary heritage of dark urban fantasy includes works like Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere" and Ben Aaronovitch's "Rivers of London" series, creating a rich tradition of magical London narratives. 🤝 Co-author Colette Freedman is an award-winning playwright and novelist, bringing her dramatic storytelling expertise to the collaboration.