The Thirteenth Bell: Stories from the Channel by R. D. Thorne
The Thirteenth Bell: Stories From The Channel
R. D. Thorne
Eerie Adventure LLC (2025)
979-8993932316
Reviewed by Jordan Waterwash for Reader Views (12/2025)
https://readerviews.com/reviews/the-thirteenth-bell-thorne/
5/5
In The Thirteenth Bell: Stories From the Channel by R. D. Thorne, Ada Thorne has been marked by the bell. Lowmere, Ada’s birthplace and home, has been plagued by death since the town’s conception. The only survivor of the village’s curse, Ada, now has to live on the edge of Lowmere. The townsfolk don’t trust her because she survived the curse, and she is left wondering why she is the only one to live after being summoned by the haunting ring of the bell. Now marked with a symbol of the bell on her arm, she must save Lowmere from its fate or die trying.
She’s joined by Kito, a hyena tasked to protect her. This only furthers the villagers’ suspicions about her. As more and more victims are taken by the bell’s call, Ada tries to understand the reason behind this curse and why she lived while all others perished. Through courage, wisdom, and understanding, Ada tries to solve the mystery and restore peace to Lowmere.
R. D. Thorne does a wonderful job cultivating an eerie atmosphere. The villagers, setting, and curse all played a vital part in creating an in-depth world filled with hope despite the tragedies that befell the land. As Ada moves through the world, we learn more about Lowmere and her place in it; her characterization moves smoothly as each chapter ends. As the reader finishes each chapter, we learn a little bit more about Ada and her internal life. We see her grow and mature throughout the book in a satisfying way.
The writing itself also fits well with the genre. The pace at which we learned information felt intentional, and the narrative moved in a logical direction. Some chapter endings conflicted with their following chapters’ beginnings, but overall, the reading experience was incredibly enjoyable. I particularly liked Kito’s presence in the book. I would have loved to read more about his lore in the grand scheme of the world.
Stories From the Channel is intended as a series in the universe created by R. D. Thorne, and I look forward to more installments. The Thirteenth Bell: Stories From the Channel is a quick read, but a memorable one. Designed for teens, but enjoyable for adults as well, for those looking for a spooky tale to read while curled up in bed, this is a solid choice.
