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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow! What a story. So much happened in this book. It’s a long one, lol. I absolutely love when a book gets you lost in its world, and this one definitely did! It’s magic and mystery with great tension and an enemies to lovers romance!
The characters were layered and interesting. I loved Clara’s abilities and her confidence in herself. This felt like a very well thought-out story.
For me, it was hard to follow the info dump in the beginning. It felt like an encyclopedia of people, places, and magic and it was dense. I think it could’ve been spaced out more for better comprehension. But once things were explained, I really enjoyed the plot and the characters.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This felt like if One Dark Window occurred in an academic setting. I think the most interesting part of this story was the tarot card magic. I didn't hate this, but I didn't love it. The pacing felt a little awkward, and I really had to push myself in the beginning to keep going. I find it much easier to continue when the narrator is entertaining, and this was definitely the case with this one.
I just could not connect with the characters, and there were so many to keep track of. The slow burn was done decently, but I really wish there was a little more chemistry between them because it made for a seemingly out of place spicy scene.
Overall, the main plot was intriguing, the world building was extensive, and there's potential for the love interests. I may continue this series when it comes out.
I just could not connect with the characters, and there were so many to keep track of. The slow burn was done decently, but I really wish there was a little more chemistry between them because it made for a seemingly out of place spicy scene.
Overall, the main plot was intriguing, the world building was extensive, and there's potential for the love interests. I may continue this series when it comes out.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to this on audio, and while I don’t usually gravitate toward British narrators for fantasy, this one really worked. The tone, the delivery—it suited the story perfectly and made everything feel sharper somehow.
The tarot-based magic system was genuinely one of my favourite parts. It felt original and tied into the plot in a really smart way. I will say there were moments it got a bit confusing—like I missed some of the rules or structure—but it never took away from how cool the concept was.
Story-wise, it was fast, layered, and full of tension. Every time I thought I had a grip on things, it twisted again, especially one of the subplots. That sense of not fully knowing what was going on really worked here.
Also… the slow burn. Absolute gold. The tension simmered for ages, and when it finally delivered? It delivered. No holding back, no sugar-coating—just full payoff. I lived for it.
The FMC was a chaotic little firestorm and I loved her for it. She made messy choices, wore her heart on her sleeve, and still somehow carried the whole story like a pro.
The only thing that didn’t quite land for me was how things were left between her and the MMC. I get why it happened, and it made sense narratively, but it still left me feeling a bit... ouch. And that final chapter? Yeah. Not okay. Book two can’t come soon enough.
The tarot-based magic system was genuinely one of my favourite parts. It felt original and tied into the plot in a really smart way. I will say there were moments it got a bit confusing—like I missed some of the rules or structure—but it never took away from how cool the concept was.
Story-wise, it was fast, layered, and full of tension. Every time I thought I had a grip on things, it twisted again, especially one of the subplots. That sense of not fully knowing what was going on really worked here.
Also… the slow burn. Absolute gold. The tension simmered for ages, and when it finally delivered? It delivered. No holding back, no sugar-coating—just full payoff. I lived for it.
The FMC was a chaotic little firestorm and I loved her for it. She made messy choices, wore her heart on her sleeve, and still somehow carried the whole story like a pro.
The only thing that didn’t quite land for me was how things were left between her and the MMC. I get why it happened, and it made sense narratively, but it still left me feeling a bit... ouch. And that final chapter? Yeah. Not okay. Book two can’t come soon enough.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It is always such a pleasant experience to read about well rounded characters with brains and logic who are in a beautifully developed world using a complicated and well thought out magic system.
I love Elise Kova.
I love her books. Everything she writes is beautiful.
Clara and Kaelis are well rounded. Clara is smart and flawed. She wants to use the cards tobring her dead mother and sister, and probably Bristara now, back from the dead with her World card. She knows the drill to act when her and Kaelis are shown together. She’s not ignorant like some other series where the girl is to play pretend. She is confident and portrays the part with grace. Kaelis is reserved and a little bit royally entitled but has depth.
The tarot card system is so well thought out. The magic associated with each card is brilliant.
I love Elise Kova.
I love her books. Everything she writes is beautiful.
Clara and Kaelis are well rounded. Clara is smart and flawed. She wants to use the cards to
The tarot card system is so well thought out. The magic associated with each card is brilliant.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated