A young man's coming of age story that takes place in the 1930s at a carnival. Recommend if you love dark magic, horses, or tarot reading. For 17 and up due to the main character thinking about women and wanting to lose his virginity. The description for this book said it was dark but I didn't find it that dark. It's a step up from your basic YA novels, slowly getting into subject matter of adult novels.

This book should have worked but it fell flat for me. It started strong but then all just fell apart and in the end it felt as if it just lost it's way.

Vandemere by Kimberly D. Tait was a great read with twists and turns. I love all things circus so this was right up my alley. Good character development, narrator and plot point.

Surprisingly interesting to read and with a surprising ending that I did not see coming
The story itself is unique from other things I've read so far and I enjoyed the tone of the book. It also did a really good job of making the untangible elements of the story very visually tangible. It didn't leave to heavily into the paranormal but hovered in an in-between place where it leds you fill in the blanks of the lore. I really like that.
I love the description of the dark entity following our main character and the role it plays in their life. I am very happy I got this from Netgalley and am looking forward to diving into book 2.

Vandemere Petruska is a trick rider with the circus. He is also named after a horse of legend with the same name. He is a teenager who trying to figure out where he fits in best and how to navigate his relationships with girls that he likes. He lives with his overprotective mother who uses her talents in Magie to read tarot for circus guests. She has tried to help teach Vandemere about his own abilities but he is a stubborn teen who is instead using his dark dreams as a reason that he should avoid his gift.

The story was good and intriguing but slower than I anticipated from the summary. I wish the book had more of an ending that left us satisfied but still intrigued for book 2. I feel like it cut off very abruptly and with no sense of accomplishment for having read the entire story.

Vandemere: Book One of the Circ de Tarot Series by Kimberley D. Tait is an atmospheric coming-of-age tale set in the gritty and mesmerizing world of a 1930s traveling circus. Blending magical realism with family legacy and folklore, the story follows Vandy Petruska as he grapples with his dual heritage—torn between the legacy of a father who abandoned him and the tarot "magie" inherited from his Romanian mother.

Tait’s descriptions of the circus life are vivid and lyrical, evoking the sights, sounds, and dangers of the ring while immersing readers in the unforgiving American Southwest. The narrative is steeped in a sense of fate and destiny, with tarot symbolism woven throughout, adding layers to Vandy’s struggle with his powers and identity.

Vandy is a sympathetic protagonist, but his internal conflict often takes precedence over external action, which can make the pacing feel slow at times. His journey of self-acceptance is compelling, though some supporting characters, particularly those in the circus troupe, feel underdeveloped. The supernatural threat that haunts Vandy is intriguing, but the buildup to its full revelation is somewhat uneven, with moments of tension that don’t always land as intended.

Kyle Shive’s narration captures the mood of the story well, infusing Vandy’s voice with both vulnerability and resilience. However, the slow pace of certain sections is more noticeable in audio format, making some listeners crave more forward momentum.

At 3 stars, Vandemere is a beautifully written but somewhat uneven start to the series. Its rich world-building and exploration of cultural heritage are definite strengths, but the slower pacing and some unresolved plot points may leave readers feeling more intrigued by the promise of the sequel than fully satisfied with this installment. Fans of magical realism, tarot lore, and historical fantasy will likely find much to appreciate in Vandy’s journey.

I found this story juvenile but also too explicit at times. It may be ok for young adults but all in all I found it boring and didn't like any of the characters.

Kyle Shive's narration was ok.

This was an Arc in audio form, rated it 3 stars.

It’s giving paranormal mystery vibes, narrator was good and the start was engaging be interested to see what the 2nd book is like and whether it deliveries more.

Thanks NetGalley

Yea....This book didn't make any sense to be quite honest. I felt there was just a bunch of jargon and an angsty teenage boy throwing his anger out towards the world.

There were some parts that were quite humorous. Teenage boys being horndogs is great lol

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was pretty okay. I was just tired of hearing Vandy, he's definitely not a reliable main character. I don't plan on reading book two.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to listen to the book. Though my thoughts on the books are honest and true, I give the author the best of luck.

Vandemere offers an intriguing narrative that falls just a bit short of being truly exceptional. The book presents an engaging and compelling story, but doesn't quite reach its full potential. While the characters and plot have interesting elements, there's a sense that something is slightly missing from fully capturing my full attention.
There are several nuanced character developments and an atmospheric setting that kept me some what invested, but still strikes a balance between being entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a solid read for those who enjoy literary fiction with subtle depth.

I enjoyed *Vandemere* far more than I expected! Historical fiction isn’t usually my go-to, but this blend of magical realism and 1930's grit hooked me from the start. Vandy’s journey, balancing his Romanian heritage and the eerie magie tied to his family, felt vivid and immersive.

The narrator did a fantastic job capturing Vandy’s raw, emotional character, bringing the story to life with an authentic, moody edge. The circus setting, while a bit unsettling, was deeply engaging and added to the book’s unique charm.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author for the Advance Listener Copy. I’m looking forward to diving into the sequel, *Fire Horse*. This is definitely a series worth having on your shelf!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vandemere offers an intriguing concept—a 1930s circus fantasy—but struggles with execution. The protagonist, Vandy, is difficult to root for due to his objectification of women and lack of character growth. Supporting characters feel stereotypical, and the circus setting lacks vibrancy and depth.

The novel also mishandles sensitive topics, particularly in its portrayal of Shorty, a character with dwarfism, which comes across as exploitative. Pacing is uneven, bogged down by excessive flashbacks and scattered plot points.

Despite its potential and appeal to horse enthusiasts, Vandemere fails to deliver compelling characters or meaningful storytelling.

Kimberley D. Tait's Vandemere audiobook is an enthralling exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the elusive search for meaning Tait masterfully weaves a narrative that is both sharp and emotionally resonant. The audiobook format elevates the experience, thanks to an exceptional narration that captures the nuance of Tait’s prose and brings her characters to life. The narrator’s ability to shift tones seamlessly between moments of tension, introspection, and wit makes the listening experience deeply immersive. What sets Vandemere apart is its balance of a fast-paced, plot-driven narrative with rich character development. Tait invites readers to question the costs of success and the value of authenticity in a world dominated by appearances.

I enjoyed the book. Can't wait to read the second book to continue it. I liked how had it mystery and magic mixed together in a weird way.

Arc -audio from netgalley.
This book had its ups and downs, I loved the scene setting and attention to detail when describing the circus, but sometimes it went off on tangents. The main character Vandemere covers a lot of flashbacks as well as being in the alternate mindset with the magie. His ability was interesting, and I would have liked to delve into this a bit more. I got fed up with the police officer daughter Ellen while he was in hospital and felt she should have been featured less. Also, how did nurse Steel not hunt him down with the weakness he had. I will have to hunt down the next book now as I need to know what happens next.

Listening to this audiobook was very interesting. I think that it brought a lot of light and personality into the story that I personally don't think I would have captured reading it on my own. However, even though it got me through reading it, I'm not sure if the narrator's voice was what I would've chosen for some characters. It became a little distracting at times.

I do enjoy that this is a historical fiction novel that takes place in the 1930s. I liked the idea that this story was about a young man, a rider, who is a part of a traveling circus with a lot of drama tied to him. His mother, Bonnie, was a tarot card reader in the same circus. Vandemere inherits supernatural abilities. He's pretty much warned not to use them. However, as he gets older, he finds his mind itching to use them. It takes a while to get into the whole story. I think, for the most part, the book started fairly slowly for me. The idea of what life looked like for some traveling Romanian gypsies back then is also very interesting. You get a small idea of what that culture looked like at that time (given it is historical fiction). This book does have a fair amount of profanity for a YA book. I'm not sure if the YA community had changed their guidelines, but it is just something I noticed while listening.

I'm not sure where this story will lead us in book #2. However, this definitely could not be left as a standalone, at least I don't think so. You potentially could stop at this book, but you'll leave yourself with lots of unanswered questions. Vandemere also has a lot of growing up to do, which becomes obvious later on in this story. I think I need to try sitting down and reading this in text format. My mind could change with the entirety of the story again, and moving forward to the next book.

Rating & Tropes
☆☆☆.75/5 round up to 4
➷Circus
➷1930s
➷Outcasts
➷Mysterious Magic

-Quick description-
We follow Venderemere ( Vandy ) and the travelling circus he works for as a trick rider around 1930’s USA. His mother still works with the circus as a tarot card reader and we get to learn about his heritage and the magic he possesses that has been pasted down through the generations.

-My thoughts-
This was a completely new type of book for me I finished it in one sitting on audio speed 2x. I found the narrator comfortable to listen to. I really enjoyed getting to know Vandy and his horses and as horses are my favourite animal I throughly enjoyed every time they made an appearance in this book I also enjoyed the 1930’s circus theme. The characters were all very well written and fleshed out and all have strong personalities that were easy to differentiate from one another. This story feels unique to me and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ALC and a huge thank you to Kimberley D. Tait.
Also reviewed on Goodreads, StoryGraph,Fable and Instagram (post coming soon) @read.with.rue

I really loved this story. I really fell in love with Vande and his horses. It was really interesting following his story and seeing him struggle with his magic and life. The characters definitely were well written and I definitely developed different feelings towards each of them. I was really sucked into the story and wanted to know more! I love a carnival/circus setting so this was perfect for me, especially with the trick riding. I would be very interested in reading the next book in the series!

I was given an free ebook copy of this work in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading the story but it started to find it hard going. I was then offered a audio book copy and found that much better.

The narrator does an excellent job really bringing the setting of the story and it's characters to life.

I was drawn in by the cover art and I really wanted to enjoy the story. But often times I found I was having to re read or re listen to bits to really make sense of things. It felt like it lost its way .

I like another reader who reviewed it not sure that it belongs in the young adult category due to the amount of triggers.

Over all it's definitely a story that evokes the old west, slices of life and of a young man coming into his own

I had read a few reviews on goodreads prior to starting my own audiobook journey reading Vandemere - a fair few were roasting the main character himself, Vandy. I was worried about how he will be portrayed and if I too will dislike him as a protagonist, as i'm not the biggest fan of men particularly when they are objectifying woman and have no respect towards woman. I had to keep reminding myself that this story is set in the 1930's so the behaviour of this was more normalised, and Vandy is also a teenager. Keeping all that in mind I didn't end up hating him as a character and it actually really helped me set the scene for that moment in time. As there isn't a huge discussion on when this is set, his behaviour really builds that setting for you.

As this is labelled as a YA, I do have a stereotypical idea of what a YA book looks like to me, and mentioning a few things in this book don't radiate YA to me. That is a personal opinion and I enjoy reading YA books to avoid all the smutty language and swear words, as a bit of a palette cleanser. When i'm hearing the words like cock, and descriptive stuff about how it looks in his pants I had to pause for a moment and remind myself this was a YA novel.

Overall, the plot has been amazing. I think it is incredibly unique and I've never heard of anything along the lines of circus fantasy, paranormal sort of possession vibe. Then there were lots of deaths and it just was a very interesting fascinating read, as I was trying to figure out how these characters died and if Vandy himself is doing these during his "black outs". I think if the story was set in modern time, i'd probably want the male characters to be less ugh. Dad raping his own daughter and her being proud of it, yikes! Then another male character forcing another one into sleeping with him as she "loved him".... those two elements were not my favourite but I did like that Vandy was not standing for either of them and did feel bad for the girls!

I am intrigued to experience book 2!!