I had never read anything by this author, and didn’t know much about her at all. All that I really did know was that she recently put out a book co-written with one of my favorite romantasy authors. So I had my standards set pretty high, and got set straight early on. There were many things that I did like about the book, but there were also some things I didn’t love.

To start with, the positives and negatives of this book came in pairs. So rather than discussing the positives and negatives separately, I’m going to not separate them out. There were some Outlander vibes, especially in the beginning.

This book takes place in two settings—one in the modern-day urban setting, and the other in the tarot-inspired world of Towerfall. The story starts out in Chicago, where we discover that Hannah works for a marketing company and has some significant issues. She’s broke, despite working at a thriving company where her coworkers in the same position seem to have enough money to go out, while Hannah is just barely squeaking by, has no car, and relies on unreliable public transportation to get around, even in the freezing winter temps. I found myself wondering if she’s bad at budgeting, yet still empathizing with her. The setting of Towerfall is a whole different issue. Once she gets transported to this mysterious, dangerous, and magickal world, she seems to think it will be an opportunity for her to reinvent herself. Yet all of her flaws come to the surface really quickly, and it is a great example of how moving locations doesn’t change who you are as Hannah really struggles to work through her issues.

I was most looking forward to seeing world building relying on inspiration from tarot cards, and was probably most disappointed by this aspect of the story. While the characters represent both the Kingdom of Cups and the Kingdom of Pentacles, there isn’t a heavy emphasis on tarot as I was hoping for. Instead, there were a handful of nods towards tarot cards and their meanings, rather than a fully-realized world. Despite our character spending the majority of the story in Towerfall, the world building came slowly. Readers learn only what Hannah learns while she’s there, yet she doesn’t seem very focused on anything outside of getting back to her world, where nothing is waiting for her except work. And as we learn quickly, her work isn’t going very well.

Another thing I struggled with was Hannah herself. At first, I could empathize with where she is in life, because we’ve all felt stuck at some point. But rather than creating a fully-fleshed out character, her personality felt as though it was made up of sexual urges and constant negative self-talk, which got old fast. She puts herself down at every opportunity, always talking about her ‘frizzy hair,’ ‘slight curves,’ and how she consistently makes the decisions that blow up in her face. Yet she gets in her own way every chance she gets and doesn’t show a lot of change over the story. Spoiler alert: the only way she’s able to feign confidence is after an extreme makeover. Kane never felt fully realized to me—I’m a very visual reader, yet I struggled to even picture Kane, outside of his golden skin, black hair, and oozing sexuality. Unfortunately, we don’t get a lot of personality from him.

The banter between Kane and Hannah was one of the high notes in the book, as they have some really great interactions. Fake dating/marriage is one of my favorite tropes, but Cast fell short on the relationship development—our characters go from fighting insta-lust to just going with it, and it didn’t feel natural or believable, since they never bother to get to know each other beyond the basics, so I wasn’t fully behind the pairing. As far as the spice, this is a high-heat story with wonderfully written scenes of our characters hooking up. I can’t exactly call them scenes of intimacy because it’s just physical, but somehow they’ve both gotten feelings involved. Instead, Hannah’s insecurities and unresolved issues just keep popping up, with no real resolution of these things. I get that this is a first book in a series and will be setting up a lot of the story for further books, but this read like YA more than anything. I learned afterwards that the author has written other books in the YA range, yet the adult characters often behaved like teenagers, with the same amount of thought before their actions.

“Maybe the Hannah in Towerfall is closer to who I really am. Or at least who I want to be.”

Overall, this book wound up being an okay read, but nothing special for me. All of the basic factors that I adore were in this book—portal fantasy, elements of tarot, and fake dating, but it never overcame the shortcomings that made it hard for me to really like this book. I much prefer seeing growth over the course of a story, watching characters change and improve themselves, and getting to know women who are strong, smart, and confident, while this book really didn’t offer any aspects of that. I think that the book will most likely appeal to readers who are already fans of Kristin Cast, those who like YA fantasy, people who enjoy slower-paced fantasy, and don’t mind a scene involving a pomegranate being used in a way that it isn’t meant to be used.

“Do something unexpected… Don’t let who you think you’re supposed to be stop you from being who you’re meant to be. Surprise yourself!”

This story was a fun trip through worlds, following Hannah as she falls through a portal from our world to a world of magick that looks like a Renaissance Faire come to life. On a spiritual journey to find her path in life, Hannah has her tarot cards read - the weird interaction with the reader starts a chain reaction of events that pitches Hannah into an adventure to another realm that she is destined to save, despite her insistence that fate made a mistake. She is saved by the broody Kane, the man compelled to protect her as she navigates the weird new world.

I loved Kane - he seriously gives sexy strong protector vibes, and his use of “good girl” was… well yeah we all know how effective those two words are haha. I had a few issues with Hannah and her complete inability until the very end to comprehend the real situation she was in. I know the feeling of not being good enough, and I’ve never been pitched into another realm, but surely at some point survival kicks in (especially for someone that lives in survival mode in her real life). That being said, I could relate to her RL predicament and the way she reacted to Kane was hilariously relatable. She was enjoyable to read and I loved her interactions with Marion and how she immersed herself into the world by the end, loving her new, exciting life.

As a whole, I loved the story, the adventure and the tarot references. I’d 100% read a follow on - whoever that follows. I loved the world and characters built by Kristin.

Thank you Kristin for giving me the opportunity to read and review your gorgeous story.

I expected to enjoy this better because I loved the House of Night. It just fell short for me. Though, it could be a perfect fit for readers who crave a spellbinding, high-heat romance with a strong fantasy element, particularly those who enjoy magical worlds, enemies-to-lovers tropes, and morally complex, swoon-worthy heroes.

In The Empress, the first installment of Kristin Cast's new tarot-inspired fantasy series, readers are thrust into a captivating realm that blends romance, danger, and magic. Cast, a bestselling author known for her immersive storytelling, introduces us to a dark and alluring world where the Arcana—figures from tarot decks—are not mere symbols but living, breathing entities with the power to shape destinies.

The chemistry between the two characters is electric, as they grapple with their forced partnership amidst palpable tension and growing attraction. The stakes are high; failure to convince the Kingdom of Pentacles of their marriage could spell doom for both of them. Cast expertly weaves themes of trust, survival, and the complexities of love in a world where nothing is as it seems.

The pacing is brisk, drawing readers into a whirlwind of events that keep the heart racing. The enchanting yet treacherous world of Towerfall is richly depicted, making it easy to get lost in its spellbinding beauty and lurking dangers. From the moment the protagonist is thrust into this new reality, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the mysteries that lie within.

The Empress is a tantalizing start to a new series that blends high-stakes romance with fantasy in a way that is both seductive and thrilling. Kristin Cast has crafted a tale that will resonate with fans of whimsical yet intense narratives. For those who enjoy a blend of fantasy and romance, this book promises to leave you eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Towerfall.

I was looking forward to this book based on the blurb. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations and I struggled to finish it.

What initially drew me to the book was it was a romantasy based on Tarot however, aside from the card that brings the Hannah, the main character to Towerfall, the magic system isn't really explained and has absolutely nothing to do with Tarot.

The world building was nothing to speak of. The political intrigue wasn't delved into. There was no real, discernible motivations explained for the characters. Hannah, the FMC is wholly unlikeable. She has severe self-doubt and zero self-confidence and instead of being endearing, or a vehicle for character growth, she remains sort of a husk of a person. Any tangible details we derive about her are contradicted throughout the story.

This isn't a book I would recommend or purchase, unfortunately.

I do appreciate the opportunity to read this. Thank you NetGalley, Bloom Books and Kristin Cast!

3.5 rounded up to 4

Hannah's life isn't what she thought it would be. She's living in a tiny studio apartment, barely making ends meet. She just lost a promotion at work when her rival swooped in and wowed the client. And it turns out her boyfriend didn't think they were exclusive. Just when she's feeling her worst, Hannah finds herself transported to another realm by a tarot card and greeted with cries of "witch!" Saved by the brooding knight Kane, she finds herself agreeing to help him gain access to the castle, hoping that she can find the tarot card and go home. All she has to do is pretend to be his wife.

Read if you like:
-Magical Travel across Realms
-Fish out of Water
-Brooding Hero
-Swoon-worthy nicknames
-Pretending to be married
-Elain Archeron (ACOTAR)

If you like Elain Archeron and/or ship Elriel, then The Empress has the vibes you are looking for. Hannah is a fish out of water who played a supporting role in her own life before she met Kane. And Kane is a dark, brooding, dangerous warrior with a horse named Shadow (whom he talks to). He calls Hannah 'Fawn.' Need I go on?

I really enjoyed Hannah's journey to finding her backbone and deciding where she wants to be. The book was a little long, but I was willing to overlook that. And it was more spice than romance. I would have liked to see Kane woo her a bit more. But other than that, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little different. It was a good mix of contemporary and fantasy romance.

If you like books where the fmc is thrown into a fantasy world then this is for you. The main character Hannah’s life isn’t going the way she would hope so after reading a self-help book she decides to go to a tarot card reading and while there she is given a card that eventually transports her to another world where she learns that she has been sent there to save the kingdom. She ends up in a fake marriage with a warrior in this new world as a way to get into the palace.

When reading the description for this book I was so excited I love romantasy books and the the concept of the tarot cards sounded really interesting but it kind of fell short for me. I didn’t really feel connected to the characters or their relationship. I also felt that Hannah’s actions were too impulsive causing her to make the worst decisions. One thing that I did enjoy in the book was the descriptions of the fantasy world especially the castle and its different rooms.

Thank you Sourcebooks Bloom and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Hannah’s lack of confidence in her own self leads to her downfall in her career and romantic life. An attempt to change her path sends her to an alternate realm with familiar faces and lots of intrigue

✨𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 - 𝕋𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝟙 - ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨✨

Author: Kristin Cast

Couple: Hannah & Kane

Tropes:
✨Romantasy
✨“Little Fawn”
✨Fake marriage
✨Broody MMC
✨He ties her up
✨Tarot Card inspired

Review: Kristin Cast gives us a new romantsy to swoon about in 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 and if you have read anything by her in the past then you are NOT ready for this new realm of magic and fantasy brought to life! This book was on the lighter side of book from Kristin in my opinion and focuses on Tarot Cards and the influence they have in a parallel universe filled with magic, mayhem and mischief. Kristin captivated me with the world she set up in this book and the story she told in this first step into Towerfall.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 is a “city girl” meets the past while also being thrown into a new world story that had me giggling from the first meet-lust/hate that Kane and Hannah share. Kristin was able to balance the influence the Tarot Cards had within the parallel world Hannah finds herself in perfectly with the tension and angst she had Kane shared but also somehow managed to also keep the mystery and intensity of the magical system alive. I really enjoyed her spin on Tarot and the different cards - in relation to each character - especially as we get deeper into this first book and begin to learn secrets and hidden messages.

While this is more of an adult romance compared to her past series, 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 is not overboard in the spice level - which I appreciated since the magic and the plot captured my attention the most! Hannah and Kane are almost a study in opposites and the fake marriage they embark on had me cackling all the way through - even if they fell a little fast for me. The way they learned to push each other was 5 stars in my opinion and I really enjoyed how Hannah grew into her own and FINALLY began accepting her Fate and her Destined Path by the end. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 was a wonderful change of past from classic romatasy books and seeing the MFC - Hannah - begin to come into her own by the end has me anxious for more!

Rating: 5/5; 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 had me second guessing and shouting my theories from the rooftops as Hannah finally finds her found in this first book of the series!

Thank you Kristin for the eARC!

The Empress follows Hannah, a down on her luck, unsure of herself, modern day woman. Through an interaction with The Empress tarot card, she finds herself in a different realm and in the Kingdom of Pentacles. Understandably, she wants to go home but when she meets the mysterious Kane Blackthorne…things are going to be a bit complicated.

This book was not for me. When I first saw it, I was really excited and I really looked forward to reading it. I grew up reading the House of Night series and was excited to see what adventures I would go on. Yes, there is magic; fantasy; romance; a MMC (Kane 💙) who is brooding, has a secret, mysterious, and can wield a sword very well…basically checks the boxes for what I would be looking for in a book like this.

Hannah’s character is the one thing I have a bit of trouble with. I tried to be patient and understanding that someone who is used to 21st century amenities and a lifestyle in the 21st century is being portaled to unknown lands, but something about her was immediately off-putting to me. There are at least a couple points where she grows up (?) but her overall attitude is lacking for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Kristin Cast for gifting me the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions are my own.

I loved the premise of the tarots being kingdoms, and I will always be a sucker for a good portal fantasy. I really had fun reading this story, I liked Hannah's character and thought that her naivety and desperation was well written and relatable. I loved the idea of the mirror people and the way that that played into the main plot. Kane was a proper book boyfriend and even with the slight miscommunication I was rooting for the romance in this the whole book through. There is a myriad of secondary cast that I absolutely loved and those that I loved to hate. I enjoyed the story line and I when the action picked up I could not put the book down. I am really keen to see where the rest of the series goes.

After Hannah visits a tarot card fortune teller, she finds herself transported into another realm and on a mission to save a Kingdom. I found the beginning of the story to be hysterical, but Hannah changed as the story went on and her hilarious personality dimmed a bit. This book reminded me of Bridgerton mixed with Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan. Decent fantasy with some truly comedic moments.

What I Liked:
*There were a few great bits of description.
*The symbolism of Four catching the King's crown when it falls off his head.
*The joke about Chad being a festering asshole.
*Golden scars

What I Didn't Like:
*The magic system is never really explored or explained, and it has nothing to do with Tarot outside of the card that brings Hannah to Towerfall.
*The goals and motivations of the antagonists were really unclear. I understood what they were doing and that it was bad, but I didn't understand why they were doing it.
*Hannah is a miserable shell of a character with no discernible goals or passions. What little we are told about her is contradicted constantly.
*Pretty much every plan Hannah comes up with is impulsive and poorly thought out, bordering on nonsensical.
*Girl hate, insulting men for being short, and shaming/vilifying a specific kink (in a kinky romance!).
*Middling sex scenes that seemed to be written by rote and a romance with no organic tension or chemistry.
*Worldbuilding and politics felt very shallow; mostly just an aesthetic.
*Overall, a very forgettable book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am so sad to say that this book did not work for me. I thought the pacing was all over the places, the romance was too instalovey for me and I could not stand the main girl 😭 I will not be continuing on in this series

2⭐️
DNF @25%

I was really excited about this book. I read a tarot based urban fantasy years ago and loved it and I don’t think read anything tarot based since.

But unfortunately book just isn’t for me. I believe this was marketed as an adult book but Hannah the FMC was just so immature, unprofessional and frankly pathetic. She acted more like a sulky teenager than an adult making this feel more like a high schooler’s daydream fantasy.

I officially made it 25% in but skipped ahead a few times and then to the end. The writing felt disjointed. There would be abrupt scene and location changes leaving me feeling confused. Add to that some OW drama which I detested almost as much as Hannah’s response to the discovery further solidified my belief that this book really wasn’t for me.

Hannah’s life isn’t going so great. She bombed the promotion and found out her boyfriend didn’t have the same idea as she did. After visiting a woman and getting a weird tarot card, she isn’t sure what to do. Until she falls into another world. The Empress card apparently sent her to Towerfall and she doesn’t want to be there. After meeting Kane, she needs a way home and back into the palace and Kane needs a way in to help save the kingdom. So they agree to pretend to be a married couple. Can Hannah make people believe she is an aristocrat and find her way back home? Can she also ignore this growing attraction towards Kane?

I loved this book. The spice was great. The storyline was fun. I love tarot cards and find them fascinating. So the fact Kristin Cast was able to take that and make this story is amazing. Hannah is a quirky character who I feel for. Kane is a strong male lead and I wish we could have gotten his POV. Overall this is a fun first book into a new world. I can’t wait to see what the author and this world has in store.

Thank you Bloom Books & NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC!

Ok before I go any further, this book was… fine! It’s an okay book. It kept me wanting to see it through to the end. And the cover is gorgeous! THAT BEING SAID - there are definitely some uhhh development areas!

This is very much a BookTok book; the writing in a bit juvenile, some of the dialogue had me saying “huh?”, and I felt ultimately no real connection between the 2 MCs. It’s a long book that simultaneously felt a bit underdeveloped.

I also want to put out a PSA. Listen.. I know some people like a “good girl” moment. I’m personally not one of them, but I understand the appeal. This book had WAAAAAAY too many “good girl”s thrown all over the place, like it became gratuitous 😭 Quality over quantity!!!

So again, overall- this was ✨fine✨

What a great plot for a book!!

Hannah is tired of always losing. When her boyfriend breaks her heart and her work nemesis steals her promotion she feels as though she has hit rock bottom. That is until she receives a tarot card that sends her to another world.

She meets Kane who is an exiled knight hellbent on saving the kingdom from the evil second in command, Four. Can Hannah get over her shock of falling into a world with no internet or cars and help Kane save his kingdom?

I found Hannah to be exactly what I imagine someone would be like if they fell from our world into a magical world. A little awed, a little annoying, and getting into constant trouble. Kane is great. I loved his character, though I do wish it was a little less love at first sight on his part.

I did find some of the reading to be a bit of a word salad so I found myself skimming the description paragraphs. But I thought the author did a great job of building an interesting world and characters! I very much enjoyed the story. The little spice was a plus and well written.

Wake up babe, a new ground-breaking fantasy book just dropped!

Thankyou netgalley for the arc. All opinions are my own!

#TheEmpress #Netgalley

This magical story was everything I needed. I loved the banter between the MMC and FMC. I loved the world building, I could see myself in the hall with the glass dragonflies, and I loved the detail of Towerfall. The magic system was unique, using a tarot card to move through the realms. The kingdoms are all represented by the suits in a tarot deck, I’m excited to see what comes next. My favorite quote: "My feelings for you, what we have, that is not a lie. Every moment we shared, every touch, every word, it was all real. You make me want to be better, to fight harder, to do everything I can to protect this kingdom, protect us. Hannah, I” said by Kane.