Unfortunately I had a really hard time with this one and thought maybe it was just the wrong time to be reading this book. I put it down and picked it back up today and continued to really struggle. I am going to DNF for now and will try again possibly some other time.

I had a really hard time connecting with the main character and that is always a deal breaker for me.

I would suggest you read other reviews here and on goodreads however as there are many people that really enjoyed this one

I really loved this one! It had a really different path from your normal everyday gothic novels about friends in college. I actually found myself caring about the characters and their secret struggles. Something I thought would be skewed in a paranormal direction actually turned into a story about hiding who you truly are and what the consequences are if you do that, all centered around a deck of tarot cards. It's up to you if you believe the cards or not, which means every reader will get a slightly different story.

This one really suprirsed me. It ended up being much more of a mystsery than a coming of age story, and for that I really enjoyed it. For attending one of the country's best schools, the main character could be very dumb sometimes; too dumb to just pass for naivete. Other than that one quip, I really enjoyed this book!

Rosie Macalister has worked hard to fit in with her Yale equestrian team but after spending a year aboard she’s worried about being replaced by newcomer Annelise Tattinger. A brilliant rider and a tarot card reader, Annelise is nothing what Rosie expected and is unexplainably draw to her. As tensions in the house start mounting, and everyone’s place in the circle start to come into question decisions are made that lead to devastating consequences. After graduation, Rosie beings to fully understand who Annelise was and knows that Annelise came to Yale for a reason.

This gave me all the vibes Katy Hay’s The Cloisters which I read last year especially with the Tarot aspect. Both books rely heavily on creating an allusion of magical realism but neither actually takes the plunge into the realm of magic. Which for me is a disappointment. Both are more character driven, coming of age stories that infiltrate the lives of the wealthy. I would say that The Fortune Seller has a bit more ‘action’ in the sense that there is a mystery element, but it’s a slow burn. I don’t think I would have made it through this story without the audiobook, but even then, I was only ever partially invested. Stephanie Cannon’s voice though is incredibly soothing which is why I think I kept listening.

I will say that this book is heavvvy on the horses and equestrian lifestyle. It’s not necessarily a detractor but I did have to look up a few things since I’m not familiar with that world much. I read Girls and Their Horses last year, and while it’s also big on horses I felt more intune with the story and less like I was learning a new sport.

I didn’t particularly love Rosie either, her lack of self-motivation (I guess you could call it) irked me. You’re a senior and haven’t done a single internship or applied for the jobs you think you deserve. The Enneagram 3 in me just can’t deal with that type of limp fish. none of the other characters besides Annelise is particularly likable either but I just wish it would have been more of a page turner story, instead of so drawn out. If you love horses or really enjoy more atmospheric read vs plot-based reads than this book is for you, otherwise you might want to skip.


The Fortune Seller comes out February 13, 2024. Huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my copy in exchange for an honest review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.

After a year abroad in Argentina, Rosie returns to her senior year at Yale in 2005, expecting life with her close friends, Cress, Lila and Andra, to pick up where they all left off. But in their absence, Cress has found a new BFF: the mysterious Annelise. There's a lot about Annelise the girls don't know .... but also a lot they learn about each other over the course of the year.
Ms. Kapelke-Dale picks such interesting subjects for her novels. Her first book focused on the world of ballet, the second a piano prodigy, and now, she focuses on tarot cards and the world of equestrians (and the wealthy people who populate the sport). She's also continued her unique format by, in this case, starting each chapter with tidbits about individual tarot cards.
The Fortune Seller tells an interesting story that was perhaps a bit too heavy on equestrians and tarot card themes for me, but I did learn a lot about both!
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Fortune Seller!

The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is mysterious with a small dose of mystical, and overall, it plays as a foil for contemporary society that reflects and hones in a toxic level of entitlement focused around the equestrian world.

I loved the mystery and the mystic elements. They put me on edge, looking for answers and explanations. I figured out the conclusion early on, but witnessing Rosie figure it out was still enjoyable.

The story dragged on quite a bit, but that is Kielke’s style. I get frustrated with this choice because I love a swift, focused story best. But that is very much an opinion as I know plenty of readers who enjoy it.

I loved watching Rosie find herself and settle on what her heart wants versus what her head thinks is the more practical choice. The one thing money can’t buy is happiness, and Rosie has to go through a lot of turmoil and road bumps to figure that out. I enjoyed her journey as it felt authentic despite being set in an exaggerated world.

This was an alright book, though I found it a bit long and there were a lot of conversations between characters that went on for a long time. Rosie has just returned to Yale after a year abroad in Argentina, she has come back to the house she's sharing with several other females who are also attending Yale. All of her roommates are wealthy, their parents in most cases are exceptionally wealthy, especially Cress, her father is the founder of a hedge fund that is worth billions, Rosie is not from a wealthy background, her parents are veterinarians and she had to save in order to afford Yale . Cress and Rosie are close so it was a bit of a surprise for Rosie to find another girl rooming with her, Annelise, though Cress, who collects rent from all, lowers Rosie's as a result. All the girls take part in the equestrian program with aspirations of riding professionally. Most of the girls have to ride the horses provided by the stable, Cress, however, has her own horse (she has a couple), a stallion named Thumper. Rosie and Annelise become friendly, Annelise is a tarot card reader and reads for Rosie many times. Each chapter starts with a description of what certain tarot cards mean, and the chapter touched on some of those themes. An incident occurs about half way through the story that has for reaching implications for the group. I would recommend, especially if you have an interest in horses, Yale, New York and working with exceptionally rich people. Thanks to #Netgalley and #St Martin's Press for the ARC.

Extremely well written and the ending is something I will think about for a long time. A study of female friendships and their downfall with gothic elements on a low simmer. I can't wait to see the response to this!

This was a good read - I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

“Nobody ever asks the one right question. Not the fortune tellers, not the querents…the question before the question, ‘Do you really want to know?’”

It’s 2005 and middle class midwesterner Rosie Macalister returns to Yale and the equestrian team for her senior year to find the dynamics have changed. A new rider Annelise Tattinger has entered their orbit which sends the competition both in and out of the ring, into a tailspin. Rosie is navigating guilt and frustration, as she is surrounded by her ultra wealthy teammates, when tragedy strikes. The following year Rosie is in New York City, trying to make it in the hedge fund world as she continues to attempt to unravel the mystery.

Having read and enjoyed Ms. Kapelke-Dale’s previous two novels, I had high hopes for this one. I was confident that the chapter structure and artistic elements of those books could translate to the equine world and the tarot reading themes of this new work. It’s disappointing to admit that this did not work for me. The shallow, privileged characters were laced with cliches and while realistic, were unappealing to this reader. I was rooting for Rosie and read on as I grasped for retribution for her but the continued reverting back to themes of entitlement became tedious.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Fortune Seller has an intriguing premise of tarot and horses, class and secrets, and complicated friendship at Yale during the aughts. Protagonist Rosie is trying to fit in seamlessly with her group of rich girl friends while being middle class and striving for post-grad financial success. New girl Annalise moves in with them for their senior year and occupies Rosie with her tarot reading and mysteries.

I was hooked at the beginning and drawn in by the friend group and specific dynamics of Yale and the equestrian world, but ultimately feel like the book didn't have much pay-off. For a book all about mystery and secrets, leading to a death around the mid-point, I felt the book didn't have much actual tension and suspense. It certainly didn't feel propulsive and I found myself actually bored at points, especially while waiting for the final act.

This novel does. a good job at exploring toxic and complicated female friendships with a background of class commentary. I enjoyed learning more about the equestrian and tarot worlds and am a sucker for any story that takes place at a university. Not my absolute favorite of her fantastic books, but I definitely enjoyed and also found the ending to be satisfying.

I like reading books by Rachel Kapelke-Dale because of the ominous mood and the tension she creates among her characters. The Fortune Seller is no exception.

In Part 1 of The Fortune Seller we meet Rosie and her roommates/ equestrian teammates. She lives in a house and trains with them. The ringleader of this group is Cressida Tate, an heiress from NYC. Rosie is also just meeting her roommate Annelise who practices reading tarot. Rosie and Annelise quickly hit it off which makes Cress a bit jealous and creates some tension among the team. Annelise has a secret past and seemingly isn't who she says she is.

In Part 1 the reader can feel the tension build among these housemates because everyone seemingly has a secret. While Rosie and Annelise are in the spotlight, I wish we had gotten a little bit more from the other roommates.

In Part 2 the girls have graduated and have all started their careers. But the question of who Annelise is and where she comes from still lingers. There was a tone shift in part 2 and the book kind of unraveled for me. For whatever reason I didn't feel as much suspense and I didn't feel like Rosie got deep enough into the Tate family secrets for the surprises to have a dramatic effect. While I was happy I continued reading the book I didn't feel like Part 2 was as strong as Part 1.

If you like academia settings, mean girl groups with secrets, and glimpses into the lives of the elite upper class, than this book will probably be for you!

"The Fortune Seller" by Rachel Kapelke-Dale offers a compelling journey through the intricate world of elite Yale equestrian circles, with a touch of mystery and social commentary. While the novel presents an engaging narrative, there are certain aspects that deserve consideration.

The title might suggest a more mystical storyline, but the tarot card references, although intriguing, are mostly limited to chapter intros. This subtle approach to mysticism may leave readers expecting more in that realm. However, the story compensates with its exploration of themes such as classism and misogyny, adding depth and relevance to the narrative. The plot unfolds with elements of mystery and revenge, keeping the reader hooked throughout. However, the wrap-up in the last few chapters felt a bit too convenient. Some resolutions felt rushed or convenient, leaving a sense of disappointment in the story's conclusion.

Of note is the portrayal of middle-class individuals as almost impoverished. Rosie, despite experiencing her own privilege, mostly compares herself to her extremely wealthy friends, and tends to downplay the education, opportunities, and job handed to her post-graduation. Additionally, the dialogue among Ivy League-educated, uber-wealthy characters read as too simplistic. The disconnect between the characters' backgrounds and their spoken language was a little distracting.

The novel, at times, leans towards a Robin Hood-reminiscent narrative, where privilege is critiqued. This theme may resonate with some readers, while others might find it a bit too familiar. Despite these considerations, "The Fortune Seller" still shines as an enjoyable read The author's narrative prowess is evident, and the novel succeeds in raising thought-provoking questions about class, ambition, and the choices that shape our lives.

In conclusion, generously awarding the book 4 out of 5 stars acknowledges its strengths while acknowledging the areas where it may fall short. Rachel Kapelke-Dale's "The Fortune Seller" is a commendable work that invites readers to reflect on societal expectations and personal agency in the face of privilege and ambition.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always thought horse girls were strange, and this book just proved it. Our main character, Rosie, is attending Yale and living in an apartment with her friends, who are all in a riding club with her. The difference is that Rosie is middle class and her friends are very much upper class. Rosie tends to feel like the odd girl out, until she meets Annalise, who teaches her to read tarot cards. Eventually, things start to go missing, friendships blow up, and Rosie is forced to decide who she wants to be, and what to do with the rest of her life. I like the interweaving of the tarot cards and their descriptions at the beginning of each chapter. At first, I thought there was some sort of Anna Delvey situation going on, but I wasn’t sure until I got to the end.

I wanted this to be like The Cloisters, but it was Horse Girl fiction and I am not and have never been a Horse Girl.

I enjoyed Rachel Kapelke-Dale's previous book, The Ballerinas, and had high hopes for this, but again...Horse Girl heavy.

It just felt very....white.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Yellowjackets meets The Cloisters in this beguiling coming-of-age story about class, reinvention, and destiny, set against the backdrop of two mysterious deaths. This story was very creative, but I found it a bit wordy - wanting to just skim over paragraphs and paragraphs that I didn’t think were necessary. Overly descriptive - especially of horses, lol.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press but because of the publisher's stance on the genocide happening in Gaza, I will not be promoting this book at all. Unless they change their stance, I will no longer be requesting/reviewing any of their publications.

It's 2005, senior year at Yale, and Rosie is best friends with the coolest girl on campus. Rosie might be middle class, but Cressida Tate is richer than God, and their group of friends and roommates--Rosie, Andra, and Lila--orbit around her accordingly. Rosie returns from a semester abroad to find that their group has been infiltrated by a new student, and she's forced to share not only Cressida's attention but also a bedroom, with Annelise Tattinger. 

All 5 of the girls are on Yale's equestrian team, and while Annelise is new to competing, she's undeniably talented, threatening to surpass Cressida as top rider. The girls idolize Cressida's father, the magnate Grayson Tate, who got his start in horses. Rosie even secretly learned to ride through a charity program started by Grayson. Needless to say, expectations are high for his daughter to follow in his footsteps. 
Rosie is skeptical of Annelise at first, worried for her own place in the group. Annelise is different from the other girls. She has a passion for reading tarot cards, and a different way of looking at fortune vs. destiny. She and Rosie quickly grow close, at first to Cressida's joy, but then to her annoyance. 

This story is told in two parts, one in 2005 throughout the girls' senior year, and the other in 2006, post-graduation. Rosie is shaped by her experiences in both timelines, and her idolization and later disillusionment with the extremely wealthy are a vehicle for her learning who she is and wants to be. I'm a sucker for a good "rich people behaving badly" story, as well as anything examining the intensity of female friendships. Adding the ultra-competitive equestrian team and Yale angle to those made this an extra fun and tense read. 
Maybe my favorite part was the examination of social class and the machinations of wealth and power. It was bleak at times, but profound. I also loved that there was an epitaph at the start of each chapter featuring a tarot card pull for Rosie's day, and Annelise's interpretation and explanation. 

I previously read "The Ballerinas" by this author and much preferred "The Fortune Seller", but I really enjoy her writing and the topics she explores, so I'll definitely be picking up more of her work!

Set at a prestigious college, a group of women run the horse world with their fabulous chaos and money. Everything seems to go well until a new girl shows up, who reads tarot. Secrets begin as well as multiple deaths on campus. These millenial hedge fund kids are pitted against their own friendship and class.