The Thirteenth Month by Elizabeth Hunter
Having been born into a powerful mage family, Narine has been committed to the order of Seba Segel since age 14, traveling back through time on assignments as she works to make a difference where — and when — she can. But by 2071, the ancient order has remained with a firmer hold on its archaic ways, continuing to gain power, wealth, and influence. When it’s clear that someone has traveled back in time during the thirteenth month, breaking sacred laws, Narine and her friends must use their wits and their powers to set the timeline right again.
Hunter is a new author to me, and I was delighted to head into a complex time-travel story with such a rich setting. I also discovered the Ethiopian calendar, a real system featuring twelve months, each thirty days long, and an additional five or six epagomenal days forming a thirteenth month called Pagumē. Pagumē marks the time just before the new year, aligning closely with the astronomical solar year, and is a time of reflection, finalizing plans, settling debts, and reflection before the renewal of Meskerem, the New Year. It is during this period, when one year merges into the next, when there are strict laws against traveling. This is time travel where the voyager can elicit changes that ripple ahead through time. With any change that happens, especially one that would directly impact a traveler, anyone with time travel abilities will sense and feel the change. They are able to retain their memories of the “before” for longer than those without the magic.
This was a fascinating read, and a familiar concept in the time-play arena. There were so many aspects at play, and that was mainly attributable to the fact that Hunter created a main character with a complete life. Things get in the way, elements need to be considered — and yet, she is also a very experienced traveler and someone set on things being harmonious and what’s best for the most people. Once Narine begins her investigation into the illegal time travel, the effects of which she felt and impact her directly, the broader the scope and the more urgent the search becomes. Woven into the story is her first solo time travel assignment — bringing in both elements of what a typical trip into the past might look like and what happens when events of yesteryear ripple out to impact the future. Though the villain was a little too dastardly, I don’t think it harmed the action or the character.
Hunter is a prolific writer, and I look forward to continuing with this series and maybe seeing what else she has on the shelf.
