This read felt like watching the bad movie version of a story that could have been. I kept waiting to feel a connection with the characters but they were all flat and predictable, and most were reckless in a childish way. Everything was rushed. I am disappointed as I do think the magic system has so much potential for building an immersive world, but it just doesn’t. I really wish the author had spent more time leaning into the gothic vibes and idea of the Cards by pushing the boundaries/playing with the concept of traditional card games or tarot decks, rather than forcing a relationship between the two main characters (Elspeth and Ravyn had no chemistry!).

I don’t really feel an urge to continue onto the second, even though I have heard it’s better than the first — this one just didn’t draw me in enough.

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TREES?!?!

I know all fantasy books tend to have their own curses/slang expletives specific to the world, but this might be one I just cannot convince myself to get behind 😭 (Quote for reference: “‘Trees,’ Ravyn muttered, his voice dripping in irritation.”)

DON’T HATE ME, I know this might be overly picky but the names were already a bit too heavy-handed on the tree thing for me, as well as the spelling — switching every i or e letter in a name to a y just makes it read like a momfluencer changing the spelling of her kids’ names to make them “unique” (ex: Ravyn vs. Raven, Jespyr vs. Jesper). I was already having a hard time getting into this read and this just really pulls me out of the story because of the intense eye rolls it triggers….

I'm having a hard time to get into the story so far. :/

I'm having a hard time to get into the story so far. :/