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The Tarot Kings #1
King of Swords
'King of Swords' is the first book in a new fated mates series based in a fantasy Venice and packed with shifters, sorcerers, and sizzling romance.
In the heart of a magical Venice, where power and privilege rule, a conspiracy threatens to tear the Republic apart. Stella is an unregistered magic user, risking everything to keep her secret hidden, including ignoring the advances of the irresistible shifter prince, Dom Aladoro.
When a chance encounter brings them together in the dark alleys of San Marco, they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous search for missing magic users. As they navigate the treacherous waters of the city's elite, they uncover a plot that could unravel the very fabric of their world.
Dom is determined to protect Stella at any cost, even if it means risking his own status and position within the Council of Ten. Together, they will journey from glittering palaces to seedy brothels, facing dangerous enemies and ancient magic, all while trying to deny the undeniable attraction growing between them.
As the hunt intensifies, they realize they must put aside their differences and work together to save not only themselves but the entire Republic. Can they uncover the truth before it's too late, or will their love be the ultimate sacrifice in the game of power and magic?
King of Swords is a spellbinding fantasy romance filled with political intrigue, thrilling action, and a scorching hot love story. It's perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout. Please note, 'TheTarot Kings' is a shared world but they can be read as stand alones. They are all HEA adult fantasy romance books, containing sex scenes, violence and swearing.
In the heart of a magical Venice, where power and privilege rule, a conspiracy threatens to tear the Republic apart. Stella is an unregistered magic user, risking everything to keep her secret hidden, including ignoring the advances of the irresistible shifter prince, Dom Aladoro.
When a chance encounter brings them together in the dark alleys of San Marco, they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous search for missing magic users. As they navigate the treacherous waters of the city's elite, they uncover a plot that could unravel the very fabric of their world.
Dom is determined to protect Stella at any cost, even if it means risking his own status and position within the Council of Ten. Together, they will journey from glittering palaces to seedy brothels, facing dangerous enemies and ancient magic, all while trying to deny the undeniable attraction growing between them.
As the hunt intensifies, they realize they must put aside their differences and work together to save not only themselves but the entire Republic. Can they uncover the truth before it's too late, or will their love be the ultimate sacrifice in the game of power and magic?
King of Swords is a spellbinding fantasy romance filled with political intrigue, thrilling action, and a scorching hot love story. It's perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout. Please note, 'TheTarot Kings' is a shared world but they can be read as stand alones. They are all HEA adult fantasy romance books, containing sex scenes, violence and swearing.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2021
421 people are currently reading
2704 people want to read
About the author
Amy Kuivalainen
50 books433 followersAmy is a best-selling author of fantasy, paranormal, and romance novels. After realizing she wasn't fit for academia, she channelled her passion for ancient history, magic, and mythology into her storytelling. With Amy's books, you can always expect adventure, mystery, and sizzling romance.
For those wondering, her Finnish surname is pronounced 'Quiver-lay-nen.'
For those wondering, her Finnish surname is pronounced 'Quiver-lay-nen.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
June 1, 2021
I read the prequel and really enjoyed about Dom and Stella's one night stand so this continuation with the world building was even more intriguing. Essentially, citizens are disappearing and Stella is low key investigating with a friend on her own. She never expected to see Dom again but he instantly recognized her scent when she got into a street fight and he's not letting her get away again. He ends up joining her to figure out where the people are going, considering he is the Prince of Venice and has access to top resources and what they end up learning exposes the true driving force for some of the top political people and their policies.
The world building here is pretty spectacular. The details are laid out in such a way that you can easily visualize every scene playing out in your mind. I thoroughly enjoyed Dom and Stella finding one another again. Their chemistry was so natural and I adored that they didn't beat around the bush or draw out their longing for one another. I loved their little missions as well going sort of "undercover" to learn more but also growing closer to each other.
If you like fantasy/paranormal romance, this is definitely a series to get into and I can't wait for the next installment!
The world building here is pretty spectacular. The details are laid out in such a way that you can easily visualize every scene playing out in your mind. I thoroughly enjoyed Dom and Stella finding one another again. Their chemistry was so natural and I adored that they didn't beat around the bush or draw out their longing for one another. I loved their little missions as well going sort of "undercover" to learn more but also growing closer to each other.
If you like fantasy/paranormal romance, this is definitely a series to get into and I can't wait for the next installment!
April 11, 2023
Well, KING OF SWORDS absolutely blew me away and I loved every second of this fast paced paranormal romance! It takes place in a future Venice where magic has overtaken technology and the city is ruled by the four Houses and the Council of Ten. Stella is a famous tarot card painter when she meets the shifter prince of the House of Swords and they spend a sexy night together at Carnevale before Stella disappears into the wind. Domenico is one of the ancient shedu shifters (winged lions) and his status on the Council makes him a dangerous man to Stella who is an unregistered magic user. When Dom finds Stella again, he gets pulled into her investigation of missing people in Venice and I was completely sucked into their story!
I’m so in love with this book because it just hit all my PNR buttons and I will be gushing about this one forever now because I think everyone should read it. The world building is really amazing and it all felt so fresh and unique. I highly recommend you read the House glossary at the beginning of the book because it was really helpful. Amy Kuivalainen has created a really interesting and engaging world that I can’t wait to read more about. I also loved how fast paced the story was while also not feeling rushed and the pacing was just really perfect for me.
One of my favorite parts of this book was our couple, Stella and Dom, and I have a huge crush on Stella now because she was so awesome; she paints tarot cards, has magic, can pick a lock, and she can kick ass when necessary. She also has no problem going toe-to-toe with Dom and their banter and interactions were so much fun. Dom was also a swoon worthy hero with just a touch of alpha possessiveness without stifling Stella’s strength. He’s used to a life of privilege as a shifter from the House of Swords but he also cares about the citizens of Venice and wants to keep them safe. Together these two were really sexy and so perfect for each other.
Content Warning: abusive parent
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
He'd just reached out to tap her on the shoulder when she turned, grabbed his arm, and pinned him up against the side of the church, her stiletto blade to his throat.
"Do you always greet people in this manner? Or am I just lucky?" he asked with a smile.
- - - - -
"I was sleepwalking before Carnevale. Meeting you was like waking up for the first time in years."
I’m so in love with this book because it just hit all my PNR buttons and I will be gushing about this one forever now because I think everyone should read it. The world building is really amazing and it all felt so fresh and unique. I highly recommend you read the House glossary at the beginning of the book because it was really helpful. Amy Kuivalainen has created a really interesting and engaging world that I can’t wait to read more about. I also loved how fast paced the story was while also not feeling rushed and the pacing was just really perfect for me.
One of my favorite parts of this book was our couple, Stella and Dom, and I have a huge crush on Stella now because she was so awesome; she paints tarot cards, has magic, can pick a lock, and she can kick ass when necessary. She also has no problem going toe-to-toe with Dom and their banter and interactions were so much fun. Dom was also a swoon worthy hero with just a touch of alpha possessiveness without stifling Stella’s strength. He’s used to a life of privilege as a shifter from the House of Swords but he also cares about the citizens of Venice and wants to keep them safe. Together these two were really sexy and so perfect for each other.
Content Warning: abusive parent
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
He'd just reached out to tap her on the shoulder when she turned, grabbed his arm, and pinned him up against the side of the church, her stiletto blade to his throat.
"Do you always greet people in this manner? Or am I just lucky?" he asked with a smile.
- - - - -
"I was sleepwalking before Carnevale. Meeting you was like waking up for the first time in years."
September 3, 2021
Insta-love and barely there plot
This isn't a bad book, but it is shallow. I liked the setting in Venice, which I have been to a couple times, so I could picture the architecture and some of the more famous areas. There is a lot of potential for world building, but very little happens in this book. As it's only a couple hundred pages, it's not surprising that so little is done to flesh out the world. Unfortunately, the book suffered for it, in my opinion. The MCs are in their thirties but they're as like teenagers, maybe 17 or 18; they lacked a maturity in almost everything they said and did. This sense is manifested even further in how the novel focuses almost entirely on their relationship rather than the larger mystery. The constant will he/she or won't he/she was childish, and being embedded in their small romance like it was the center of the universe was very teen drama. It was so oversold it fell flat. Instead of moving the story along by plot, we got dragged through scenes of "I want him/her, but..." over and over again. Oh, and at the end there is the added fated mates thing to neatly explain the lack of real romantic development outside of angst and sex. Before you know it, they are in love even though they barely know each other and have spent less than a week together.
Sadly, the plot is lost in all of this. Her friend is kidnapped, but they basically sneak into a couple places and wait for info. A dazzling mystery, this is not. I saw the culprit a mile away, so that made the little plot there was fairly pedantic. This translated to boredom for me, so I ended up skimming in several spots to just move it along. Suddenly, 200 pages felt inordinately long for such little development.
Basically, the book is an insta-love kind of story with a hint if plot and an (occasionally) artistic setting in a world that remains very foggy when viewed at more than a 5 foot distance. If you like instant lust and love stories that almost exclusively focus in the relationship in question, you may enjoy this. Personally, I won't be reading more of this series.
This isn't a bad book, but it is shallow. I liked the setting in Venice, which I have been to a couple times, so I could picture the architecture and some of the more famous areas. There is a lot of potential for world building, but very little happens in this book. As it's only a couple hundred pages, it's not surprising that so little is done to flesh out the world. Unfortunately, the book suffered for it, in my opinion. The MCs are in their thirties but they're as like teenagers, maybe 17 or 18; they lacked a maturity in almost everything they said and did. This sense is manifested even further in how the novel focuses almost entirely on their relationship rather than the larger mystery. The constant will he/she or won't he/she was childish, and being embedded in their small romance like it was the center of the universe was very teen drama. It was so oversold it fell flat. Instead of moving the story along by plot, we got dragged through scenes of "I want him/her, but..." over and over again. Oh, and at the end there is the added fated mates thing to neatly explain the lack of real romantic development outside of angst and sex. Before you know it, they are in love even though they barely know each other and have spent less than a week together.
Sadly, the plot is lost in all of this. Her friend is kidnapped, but they basically sneak into a couple places and wait for info. A dazzling mystery, this is not. I saw the culprit a mile away, so that made the little plot there was fairly pedantic. This translated to boredom for me, so I ended up skimming in several spots to just move it along. Suddenly, 200 pages felt inordinately long for such little development.
Basically, the book is an insta-love kind of story with a hint if plot and an (occasionally) artistic setting in a world that remains very foggy when viewed at more than a 5 foot distance. If you like instant lust and love stories that almost exclusively focus in the relationship in question, you may enjoy this. Personally, I won't be reading more of this series.
February 21, 2023
This is my first book by this author and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot. I liked the world and I enjoyed the characters as well. We have shifters and witches in this world we also have a spicy and seductive romance story. I wasn’t expecting the conflict to wrap up at the end but I’m glad it did. Overall this was very fast paced, the conflict didn’t seem high stakes but I was still into it.
Rating: 3.5/5⭐️
Rating: 3.5/5⭐️
Want to read
February 25, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/25/2023)! 🎁
April 26, 2023
Series: The Tarot Kings #1
Rating: 5 stars - I loved it!
Well this book blew my mind and I couldn’t put it down! This takes place in a future Venice where magic has taken over technology and there are shifters and other magical beings who control the city. Stella is a famous tarot card painter who is hiding the fact that she is an unregistered magic user. On Carnevale night, Stella has a sexy one night stand with the shifter prince Domenico of the House of Swords before she disappears back to her normal life. Fast forward to eight months later, which is where this story starts, and these two run back into each other while Stalla is investigating missing people.
"You drive me crazy”…"I know, but at least you can't complain about being bored.”
Stella and Dom were my favorite thing about this book! Stella was a wonderful heroine. She was smart, sassy, and dangerous when she needed to be. She was a successful tarot painter and heir to her fathers company. From the very beginning, and while fighting her extreme attraction to Dom, she does what she wants and doesn’t let an alpha male shifter keep her safe. I really loved Stella. She is the kind of heroine I want when I read PNR romances, especially in ones with unique and dangerous worlds like this one. Dom was a wonderful hero who I also instantly loved. He is an alpha male who is extremely protective of Stella, but he fights his instincts to keep her hidden and lets her work alongside him. This couple really sold this story for me and I really want more books with them now.
"I was sleepwalking before Carnevale. Meeting you was like waking up for the first time in years,"
The world building in this book was amazing. I loved this unique blend of magic, shifters, djinn, and how the tarot elements are embedded within it. I highly recommend reading the House glossary at the beginning of the book because it will be very helpful in understanding this world. Overall, this book was a wonderful, fast paced romance with a great couple and a fascinating world. I really can’t wait to see who the next couple will be and learn more about this world.
Trigger Warnings: references to domestic violence; kidnapping; sexual harassment
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 5 stars - I loved it!
Well this book blew my mind and I couldn’t put it down! This takes place in a future Venice where magic has taken over technology and there are shifters and other magical beings who control the city. Stella is a famous tarot card painter who is hiding the fact that she is an unregistered magic user. On Carnevale night, Stella has a sexy one night stand with the shifter prince Domenico of the House of Swords before she disappears back to her normal life. Fast forward to eight months later, which is where this story starts, and these two run back into each other while Stalla is investigating missing people.
"You drive me crazy”…"I know, but at least you can't complain about being bored.”
Stella and Dom were my favorite thing about this book! Stella was a wonderful heroine. She was smart, sassy, and dangerous when she needed to be. She was a successful tarot painter and heir to her fathers company. From the very beginning, and while fighting her extreme attraction to Dom, she does what she wants and doesn’t let an alpha male shifter keep her safe. I really loved Stella. She is the kind of heroine I want when I read PNR romances, especially in ones with unique and dangerous worlds like this one. Dom was a wonderful hero who I also instantly loved. He is an alpha male who is extremely protective of Stella, but he fights his instincts to keep her hidden and lets her work alongside him. This couple really sold this story for me and I really want more books with them now.
"I was sleepwalking before Carnevale. Meeting you was like waking up for the first time in years,"
The world building in this book was amazing. I loved this unique blend of magic, shifters, djinn, and how the tarot elements are embedded within it. I highly recommend reading the House glossary at the beginning of the book because it will be very helpful in understanding this world. Overall, this book was a wonderful, fast paced romance with a great couple and a fascinating world. I really can’t wait to see who the next couple will be and learn more about this world.
Trigger Warnings: references to domestic violence; kidnapping; sexual harassment
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
May 17, 2021
Solid read on KU!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/ 5
When I was young, I had a vision that, as a life backup plan, I would learn to be a fortune-teller. I was about eleven at the time, and already a brutal perfectionist, and I think I made this up as a way to escape the pressure of my own mind, to be honest. I still have a deep love of tarot and oracle cards (I’m looking at my collection right now on my desk!) and that love is what drew me to this book.
Overall, this was a solid fantasy romance. A parallel universe Venice is the backdrop for the book (and series, I presume) where different parts of the city belong to different “suits” (like Tarot suits) and tarot is a way of life.
Stella is a tarot artist, and the daughter of a hardworking merchant, who is haunted by a one-night stand she had with one of Venice’s major players. When her friend Claudia goes missing, she can’t help but try to help, which throws her right into the path of the man she’s trying to avoid. Dom Aladoro is one of Venice’s premier bachelors and a mega powerful shifter, and he’s been searching for Stella since their night together. They must work together to find Claudia and the other missing citizens of Venice, and they can’t fight the fact that they make a great team.
I definitely enjoyed this book. I know nothing about Venice, so I can’t speak to any of the authenticity or nuances of the setting, but I liked the relationship between Dom and Stella. I mostly liked that Dom was a super dominant alpha male who wanted to act like a real alphahole, and Stella didn’t cater to it. Her phrasing and actions were often not submissive even when she was giving in to her feelings for him, and I liked that. There were some eyebrow-raising plot pieces, but overall, this was a great read.
You’ll like this book if you like alpha males, stubborn, smart heroines, second-chance romance (kind of), and forced proximity with a hint of adventure.
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/ 5
HEA: 🚢 Very solid, I ship
CW: Kidnapping, trafficking, daddy issues, fighting, gore.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/ 5
When I was young, I had a vision that, as a life backup plan, I would learn to be a fortune-teller. I was about eleven at the time, and already a brutal perfectionist, and I think I made this up as a way to escape the pressure of my own mind, to be honest. I still have a deep love of tarot and oracle cards (I’m looking at my collection right now on my desk!) and that love is what drew me to this book.
Overall, this was a solid fantasy romance. A parallel universe Venice is the backdrop for the book (and series, I presume) where different parts of the city belong to different “suits” (like Tarot suits) and tarot is a way of life.
Stella is a tarot artist, and the daughter of a hardworking merchant, who is haunted by a one-night stand she had with one of Venice’s major players. When her friend Claudia goes missing, she can’t help but try to help, which throws her right into the path of the man she’s trying to avoid. Dom Aladoro is one of Venice’s premier bachelors and a mega powerful shifter, and he’s been searching for Stella since their night together. They must work together to find Claudia and the other missing citizens of Venice, and they can’t fight the fact that they make a great team.
I definitely enjoyed this book. I know nothing about Venice, so I can’t speak to any of the authenticity or nuances of the setting, but I liked the relationship between Dom and Stella. I mostly liked that Dom was a super dominant alpha male who wanted to act like a real alphahole, and Stella didn’t cater to it. Her phrasing and actions were often not submissive even when she was giving in to her feelings for him, and I liked that. There were some eyebrow-raising plot pieces, but overall, this was a great read.
You’ll like this book if you like alpha males, stubborn, smart heroines, second-chance romance (kind of), and forced proximity with a hint of adventure.
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 4/ 5
HEA: 🚢 Very solid, I ship
CW: Kidnapping, trafficking, daddy issues, fighting, gore.
June 5, 2022
“It started well, then went to hell” is all I’m going to say right now because it’s too late for this.
As usual, here is a quote / excerpt from the book:
“[T]hey had as much chemistry as two cold pieces of pasta slapping together.”
Goodnight,
Vicky
As usual, here is a quote / excerpt from the book:
“[T]hey had as much chemistry as two cold pieces of pasta slapping together.”
Goodnight,
Vicky
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2023
This was so fun stepping back into the world Amy created! Our lovely king of the Djinn did not disappoint!! Magic, spice, action, love, it has everything you could want!! I cannot wait to see what other genius creations Amy spins for the rest of this series!!
October 30, 2021
3.75 stars for Dom & Stella... Zahir & Akron too!
This book was great. The writing was BEAUTIFUL, poetic, smooth, engaging, & spicy.
PLOT
The book begins about 200 years from now, in a version of Venice that is run by the (magical) council of 10. Stella, a tarot painter & heir to a well known publishing house, is desperate to find her best friend / soul sister Claudia, who is the most recent taken in a string of missing people that has failed to get the attention it needs.
Through some hot & book BF worthy twists and turns, Domenico Aladoro, "prince of Venice" joins Stella in her search for Claudia & whoever is responsible for the disappearences. She is stubborn, yet he follows her anyways. Why he continues to do so is confusing even to him.
Banter throughout the book is excellent. But the butler and Stella are where it *really* shines. Which brings me to my next point.....
I award title of Book MVP to: Antonio.
Hands DOWN. No contest. (actually, if Zahir was around more I'm sure they would be competing, but I digress.) Antonie, the butler / bodyguard of Dom Aladoro is whitty, loyal, & chill AF. PLUS he is an amazing cook, always flooding Stella with freshly prepared delish food/treats.
I love him. I want him to be real.
If you like magical systems and sexiness then it's safe to say you will love this book.
the only reason I didn't push up the star count was because I was not done reading about these characters when the book ended, & since that was only 12 hours ago, I'm still bitter. I could have easily kept going for another 400 pages, which is a testament to itself. I'll probably bump this later when I'm done pouting stubbornly on my couch.
*UPDATE* bump initiated 🥰
This book was great. The writing was BEAUTIFUL, poetic, smooth, engaging, & spicy.
PLOT
The book begins about 200 years from now, in a version of Venice that is run by the (magical) council of 10. Stella, a tarot painter & heir to a well known publishing house, is desperate to find her best friend / soul sister Claudia, who is the most recent taken in a string of missing people that has failed to get the attention it needs.
Through some hot & book BF worthy twists and turns, Domenico Aladoro, "prince of Venice" joins Stella in her search for Claudia & whoever is responsible for the disappearences. She is stubborn, yet he follows her anyways. Why he continues to do so is confusing even to him.
"I'm still angry with you for standing me up and then stealing my boat."
"Why? Because women are just meant to give the great Dom Aladoro whatever he wants and do whatever he says?"
Dom smiled. "You think I'm great?"
Banter throughout the book is excellent. But the butler and Stella are where it *really* shines. Which brings me to my next point.....
I award title of Book MVP to: Antonio.
Hands DOWN. No contest. (actually, if Zahir was around more I'm sure they would be competing, but I digress.) Antonie, the butler / bodyguard of Dom Aladoro is whitty, loyal, & chill AF. PLUS he is an amazing cook, always flooding Stella with freshly prepared delish food/treats.
I love him. I want him to be real.
Dom became aware of Stella's presence in the house when he went downstairs for a coffee refill and heard her moaning. It was a sound remarkably like the one she had made the previous night right before she orgasmed.
"Oh, God, Antonio. I don't know if I can take it anymore," Stella said. "Don't let Dom see me like this."
"Don't worry, my dear, it will be our little secret," his traitorous servant replied.
Dom shoved open the kitchen door and found Stella sitting at the counter, her cheeks bulging from the pastry she was eating with her hands.
"Oh no, he's found us," Antonio said, trying to hold in his laughter.
If you like magical systems and sexiness then it's safe to say you will love this book.
the only reason I didn't push up the star count was because I was not done reading about these characters when the book ended, & since that was only 12 hours ago, I'm still bitter. I could have easily kept going for another 400 pages, which is a testament to itself. I'll probably bump this later when I'm done pouting stubbornly on my couch.
*UPDATE* bump initiated 🥰
November 9, 2021
Well well well
THIS ONE WAS REFRESHING!!!! 💋💋
everything wrapped into a sexy action packed bow😘
I bludy LOVED THIS hence the 5* lol no but seriously for a writer I had never read before, the AK style just set so well with me, it was so easy, witty and fierce ( yeah I like to use nice words) 😂😂
Stella was an absolute pleasure to read, her character was written so well and likable, she had it all without been OTT.
DOM oh My D. O. M I had to write it like that ha. He is swoon yet humbling. In a world we're he cud want for nothing, Stella's appearance is wat really brings his life alive
These 2 chemistry is off the CHARTS😜 and I'm happy AK gave them time to develop and bond in more ways than just. U KNOW WAT 🔥🎆
This has an amazing story plot with great world building and interesting side characters that get there own books to come ❤️
definitely give a try girls. hopefully u won't be disappointed
xoxo
THIS ONE WAS REFRESHING!!!! 💋💋
everything wrapped into a sexy action packed bow😘
I bludy LOVED THIS hence the 5* lol no but seriously for a writer I had never read before, the AK style just set so well with me, it was so easy, witty and fierce ( yeah I like to use nice words) 😂😂
Stella was an absolute pleasure to read, her character was written so well and likable, she had it all without been OTT.
DOM oh My D. O. M I had to write it like that ha. He is swoon yet humbling. In a world we're he cud want for nothing, Stella's appearance is wat really brings his life alive
These 2 chemistry is off the CHARTS😜 and I'm happy AK gave them time to develop and bond in more ways than just. U KNOW WAT 🔥🎆
This has an amazing story plot with great world building and interesting side characters that get there own books to come ❤️
definitely give a try girls. hopefully u won't be disappointed
xoxo
July 22, 2021
3.5 stars. That was very sweet. I would’ve given four stars except sometimes the pacing in the story seemed too fast. I wish the author had spent a little more time digging deeper into some of the conflict, and she seemed to suddenly throw in a lot of new characters at the end. Overall, an enjoyable book.
January 12, 2023
I LOVED IT. The world-building, the mystery, the banter between the main characters and the interesting, lovable side characters... It reminded me of the Kingdom of the Wicked series by Kerri Maniscalco in the best way possible. I want more. So much more.
Read
March 21, 2022I still cannot believe “…he will discover exactly what it means to have a pissed off, level seven alpha as a son,” is a real sentence in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
Audiobook. One sit read. Flew thru this one. The pacing was great and the world interesting.
July 31, 2022
Este libro ha sido entretenido, pero esperaba algo más de esta historia. El libro empezaba muy bien, introducía un mundo fantástico y a sus personajes de una manera interesante y muy bien escrita. Sin embargo en algún momento, como a mitad del libro, esta autora cae en el tópico en el caen muchos autores de fantasía últimamente: los verdaderos compañeros. Es una cosa que no puedo entender, ya que a partir de ese momento la calidad de la historia decae completamente. No creo que lea la continuación, si la autora publica una.
February 12, 2022
I’m not generally a fan of the insta-love trope, I prefer a slow burn where we get more tension. I still enjoyed this for what it was though. The magic system and mix of mythical creatures is interesting and fun and I didn’t hate all the “alpha” talk because it makes sense in the context of shifters… being animals and all. (Usually when men are referred to as alpha I immediately get annoyed.)
Whenever the MMC is named Dom I assume it’s been chosen intentionally as yet another way to indicate just how dominant/alpha he is, and I generally find it a little too on the nose for my liking. Overall Dom is sexy though. I love that he calls Stella “my star”, it’s super cute. I wish they’d been given a bit more depth. It what can you do in only 200 short pages.
That’s definitely one the reasons for losing a star. Why is this so short? It’s a novella, not a novel! The plot would’ve definitely been served by more pages and we could’ve had more sexual tension built up if we had more than the first hundred pages to achieve it. It felt too rushed to me.
Case in point, the timeline jumps ahead a few times and yet somehow the entire book occurs in a two week timespan… including a portion where they hunt people at sea.
It was fun, but superficial. I want to go deeper! If you’re looking for an easy, quick read though this is a quick romp that entertains.
Whenever the MMC is named Dom I assume it’s been chosen intentionally as yet another way to indicate just how dominant/alpha he is, and I generally find it a little too on the nose for my liking. Overall Dom is sexy though. I love that he calls Stella “my star”, it’s super cute. I wish they’d been given a bit more depth. It what can you do in only 200 short pages.
That’s definitely one the reasons for losing a star. Why is this so short? It’s a novella, not a novel! The plot would’ve definitely been served by more pages and we could’ve had more sexual tension built up if we had more than the first hundred pages to achieve it. It felt too rushed to me.
Case in point, the timeline jumps ahead a few times and yet somehow the entire book occurs in a two week timespan… including a portion where they hunt people at sea.
It was fun, but superficial. I want to go deeper! If you’re looking for an easy, quick read though this is a quick romp that entertains.
February 24, 2023
Great potential, uninspired delivery.
The premise for this book was amazing. The author sets the scene in Venice of the future where technology has been replaced with magic. Lots of wonderful descriptions of the city and solid world building. Unfortunately what started out as a promising story gets bogged down in the “romantic” game of cat and mouse played between the hero and heroine. Most of the book was spent with our two lovebirds chasing after each other and bemoaning the fact that they could never be together. Meanwhile, people are being kidnapped, the very obvious bad guy is doing bad guy things and that part of the story gets completely glossed over. The action takes place over the course of a couple of pages and then is neatly wrapped up with a conversation or two. Essentially, nothing actually happens. It was a snooze fest. The book with so much potential falls flat and leaves the reader with lots of unanswered questions. Disappointing.
The premise for this book was amazing. The author sets the scene in Venice of the future where technology has been replaced with magic. Lots of wonderful descriptions of the city and solid world building. Unfortunately what started out as a promising story gets bogged down in the “romantic” game of cat and mouse played between the hero and heroine. Most of the book was spent with our two lovebirds chasing after each other and bemoaning the fact that they could never be together. Meanwhile, people are being kidnapped, the very obvious bad guy is doing bad guy things and that part of the story gets completely glossed over. The action takes place over the course of a couple of pages and then is neatly wrapped up with a conversation or two. Essentially, nothing actually happens. It was a snooze fest. The book with so much potential falls flat and leaves the reader with lots of unanswered questions. Disappointing.
July 26, 2025
4.4 Stars
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!
Notes: POV = 3rd person
Overall: A strong start to a fantasy romance series with just the right balance of political intrigue, magical world-building, and romance. The Venice-inspired setting is immersive, the magical houses feel well-developed, and I really enjoyed the characters. I would definitely recommend it for fans of shifter romance with a rich magical world.
Main Characters: Stella Vianello (FMC) is a magic-inclined girl who’s smart, confident, and genuinely funny without being annoying. She’s independent but knows when to lean on others, which makes her feel well-rounded and real. Domenico Caesar Aladoro (MMC) is a protective alpha shifter, and his sweetness combined with the pressure of his legacy makes him complex and likable. He doesn’t fall into the typical brooding alpha trap - instead, he listens and communicates.. They both protect each other, support one another’s goals, and their chemistry is amazing. They feel like equals.
Side Characters: Antonio (Dom’s butler/bodyguard) stole every scene he was in - his dynamic with both Dom and Stella was surprisingly emotional and wholesome. The various House members (especially Zahir and Nico) are intriguing, and I can’t wait to see more from them.
Plot/Story: The story opens eight months in the past and then jumps forward, creating some nice intrigue right away. The central mystery (who’s kidnapping magical people and why) is paced well and ties in neatly with the political world. I loved the magical Venice setting and how each House’s territory felt unique. The world-building is dense but manageable, and the Council of Ten dynamic adds real stakes. Could’ve used slightly more tension toward the climax, but the mix of mystery, action, and character development works well overall.
Romance: Forbidden but not angsty and THANK GOD no miscommunication drama. The “can we just be ourselves tonight” moment was adorable, even if it technically happened while they were hooking up. They fall for each other quickly but it doesn’t feel rushed. There’s actual communication and intentional connection. There’s longing, sweetness, protectiveness, and just enough spice to keep things exciting. No toxic nonsense here. The obsession is mutual and they balance each other well.
General: A political fantasy that doesn’t drown you in exposition. Would absolutely read more in the series, especially to explore the other Tarot Kings. I personally love mysteries, too, and detective books/shows are my favorite, especially with a supernatural element (Grimm, Haven, etc - credentials).
Possible Triggers:
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are my opinions and if you feel differently, that’s okay. Thanks!
Notes: POV = 3rd person
Overall: A strong start to a fantasy romance series with just the right balance of political intrigue, magical world-building, and romance. The Venice-inspired setting is immersive, the magical houses feel well-developed, and I really enjoyed the characters. I would definitely recommend it for fans of shifter romance with a rich magical world.
Main Characters: Stella Vianello (FMC) is a magic-inclined girl who’s smart, confident, and genuinely funny without being annoying. She’s independent but knows when to lean on others, which makes her feel well-rounded and real. Domenico Caesar Aladoro (MMC) is a protective alpha shifter, and his sweetness combined with the pressure of his legacy makes him complex and likable. He doesn’t fall into the typical brooding alpha trap - instead, he listens and communicates.. They both protect each other, support one another’s goals, and their chemistry is amazing. They feel like equals.
Side Characters: Antonio (Dom’s butler/bodyguard) stole every scene he was in - his dynamic with both Dom and Stella was surprisingly emotional and wholesome. The various House members (especially Zahir and Nico) are intriguing, and I can’t wait to see more from them.
Plot/Story: The story opens eight months in the past and then jumps forward, creating some nice intrigue right away. The central mystery (who’s kidnapping magical people and why) is paced well and ties in neatly with the political world. I loved the magical Venice setting and how each House’s territory felt unique. The world-building is dense but manageable, and the Council of Ten dynamic adds real stakes. Could’ve used slightly more tension toward the climax, but the mix of mystery, action, and character development works well overall.
Romance: Forbidden but not angsty and THANK GOD no miscommunication drama. The “can we just be ourselves tonight” moment was adorable, even if it technically happened while they were hooking up. They fall for each other quickly but it doesn’t feel rushed. There’s actual communication and intentional connection. There’s longing, sweetness, protectiveness, and just enough spice to keep things exciting. No toxic nonsense here. The obsession is mutual and they balance each other well.
General: A political fantasy that doesn’t drown you in exposition. Would absolutely read more in the series, especially to explore the other Tarot Kings. I personally love mysteries, too, and detective books/shows are my favorite, especially with a supernatural element (Grimm, Haven, etc - credentials).
Possible Triggers:
March 2, 2024
This would have been a 5-star rating if our heroine hadn't kept running away from our hero.
I said it in a prior review, but I'll say it again, I am in a shifter phase and this book (other than Stella) hit the mark.
King of Swords is a gaslamp story set in The New Serene Republic of Venice. I've been to Venice and the setting alone was enough to click "buy" on this book. In this new Venice, humans, shifters, and mages are the norm. Electricity as we know it gone and magic has taken over. Those who can wield magic must be registered and unregistered magic run the risk of getting arrested and executed for their "crimes". Domenico Aladoro, a level seven alpha, is the heir to the most powerful house, the House of Swords. He's a mythological shifter, a Shedu, an ancient Assyrian winged lion. Shedu are the most powerful of shifters and Dom is the most powerful of the most powerful. Stella Vianello is a talented tarot card painter and is the heir to Vianello publishing house. She's also an unregistered magic user trying to keep her abilities a secret.
Dom and Stella have a steamy chance encounter at a masquerade party that Stella thinks will be a one and done event. But not so much for Dom. he cannot stop thinking about her. Imagine his surprise when in the act of rescuing a young woman from murderers, he rescues Stella. She's on a mission to find her missing friend and discover why so many unregistered magic users have disappeared. Dom, being the alpha that he is, cannot allow her to investigate alone. And she's his fated mate (of course she is, that's part of the reason I downloaded the book-LOL).
Together, they work to uncover the truth of the missing magic users and discover their deep love for each other and the future that awaits them together. If Stella doesn't get herself killed first. The climax (not that one, that one! Get your mind out of the gutter for just a moment please) was intense and kept me reading late into the night. I love when the bad guys meet their fate in bloody, gruesome a fashion!
What I loved- Dom's character. He was the perfect alpha, and a winged lion Stella could ride (figuratively and literally). I also loved the historical aspects of the story, Venice, shedu, Assyrian mythology. I'm a major history nerd.
What I didn't love- Stella's almost constant running away from Dom. Just stop! Face up to the fact that you love him and jump in with both feet already! He's hot, he loves, you, has money, and has wings for god's sake! STOP BEING AN IDIOT STELLA (I feel better now).
I can't wait to read the next book in the series- The King of Wands. It's already downloaded to my iPad! Zahir is a sexy, smoldering djinn who can make a mean, flaming, magical cocktail and I want one. The cocktail, not the djinn! Although I won't mind reading about him..........
I said it in a prior review, but I'll say it again, I am in a shifter phase and this book (other than Stella) hit the mark.
King of Swords is a gaslamp story set in The New Serene Republic of Venice. I've been to Venice and the setting alone was enough to click "buy" on this book. In this new Venice, humans, shifters, and mages are the norm. Electricity as we know it gone and magic has taken over. Those who can wield magic must be registered and unregistered magic run the risk of getting arrested and executed for their "crimes". Domenico Aladoro, a level seven alpha, is the heir to the most powerful house, the House of Swords. He's a mythological shifter, a Shedu, an ancient Assyrian winged lion. Shedu are the most powerful of shifters and Dom is the most powerful of the most powerful. Stella Vianello is a talented tarot card painter and is the heir to Vianello publishing house. She's also an unregistered magic user trying to keep her abilities a secret.
Dom and Stella have a steamy chance encounter at a masquerade party that Stella thinks will be a one and done event. But not so much for Dom. he cannot stop thinking about her. Imagine his surprise when in the act of rescuing a young woman from murderers, he rescues Stella. She's on a mission to find her missing friend and discover why so many unregistered magic users have disappeared. Dom, being the alpha that he is, cannot allow her to investigate alone. And she's his fated mate (of course she is, that's part of the reason I downloaded the book-LOL).
Together, they work to uncover the truth of the missing magic users and discover their deep love for each other and the future that awaits them together. If Stella doesn't get herself killed first. The climax (not that one, that one! Get your mind out of the gutter for just a moment please) was intense and kept me reading late into the night. I love when the bad guys meet their fate in bloody, gruesome a fashion!
What I loved- Dom's character. He was the perfect alpha, and a winged lion Stella could ride (figuratively and literally). I also loved the historical aspects of the story, Venice, shedu, Assyrian mythology. I'm a major history nerd.
What I didn't love- Stella's almost constant running away from Dom. Just stop! Face up to the fact that you love him and jump in with both feet already! He's hot, he loves, you, has money, and has wings for god's sake! STOP BEING AN IDIOT STELLA (I feel better now).
I can't wait to read the next book in the series- The King of Wands. It's already downloaded to my iPad! Zahir is a sexy, smoldering djinn who can make a mean, flaming, magical cocktail and I want one. The cocktail, not the djinn! Although I won't mind reading about him..........
September 19, 2022
This book "is a fast paced paranormal romance based in a future Venice full of magic, hot heroes and the women who love to sass them...[a story] that's packed with shifters, sorcerers, and sizzling romance."
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this particular book but I did and I'm so thankful that I did! I was in the middle of a reading slump where everything I tried to read just didn't do it for me and I had DNF-ed so many books. I devoured this book in a day!
I loved that it was set in a future Venice that is full of magic! The areas of Venice are separated into Houses - Cards, Swords, Wands, Cups, etc. The people of Venice rely heavily on tarot cards, which is so cool!
The female main character is a tarot card painter and the male main character has a deck THAT SHE PAINTED. But he doesn't know that at first. Because he doesn't know who she is when they first hook up. Such a one-night-stand situation. 😅
I really loved both the female and male main characters. There are also a few side characters that I absolutely loved and would like to read more about, for sure.
The spice is good! If you're looking for all smut and no plot, this is NOT your book. However, the spicy scenes that are in the story are very hot.
Anyways, I think I could give away the entire book in my review because I really did enjoy this book! I am immediately jumping into this author's other books.
TL;DR:
* fated mates
* shifters, magic, tarot cards
* short chapters
* mostly plot with some detailed spice
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this particular book but I did and I'm so thankful that I did! I was in the middle of a reading slump where everything I tried to read just didn't do it for me and I had DNF-ed so many books. I devoured this book in a day!
I loved that it was set in a future Venice that is full of magic! The areas of Venice are separated into Houses - Cards, Swords, Wands, Cups, etc. The people of Venice rely heavily on tarot cards, which is so cool!
The female main character is a tarot card painter and the male main character has a deck THAT SHE PAINTED. But he doesn't know that at first. Because he doesn't know who she is when they first hook up. Such a one-night-stand situation. 😅
I really loved both the female and male main characters. There are also a few side characters that I absolutely loved and would like to read more about, for sure.
The spice is good! If you're looking for all smut and no plot, this is NOT your book. However, the spicy scenes that are in the story are very hot.
Anyways, I think I could give away the entire book in my review because I really did enjoy this book! I am immediately jumping into this author's other books.
TL;DR:
* fated mates
* shifters, magic, tarot cards
* short chapters
* mostly plot with some detailed spice
July 24, 2022
The premise and the setting of a magical Venice was promising but unfortunately this was just meh. There was no tension, the stakes didn't feel high nor was the mystery particularly interesting. I could see all the ingredients for something good were there but the overall character development and world-building was just missing. For example, one of the core parts of the premise was that Stella was an unregistered magic user who risked being sentenced to death if she was caught and that's why she tried to evade Dom - but the book failed to really good reasons for why on earth she didn't just yunno, register?? Like there's vague mention about not liking to be on record but and having your name out there but there's zero follow-up as to why that would be bad for her or why so many other magic-users chose not to register either.
I would like to add that in a sea of 18-21 year-olds in fantasy, it was refreshing to see a heroine who was thirty but honestly both she and the hero read a little juvenile.
At least the plot was all tied up in one book (even if it rushed a little towards the end) and the couple got their HEA instead of dragging on for a trilogy or more like a lot of authors are doing now so yay for that.
I would like to add that in a sea of 18-21 year-olds in fantasy, it was refreshing to see a heroine who was thirty but honestly both she and the hero read a little juvenile.
At least the plot was all tied up in one book (even if it rushed a little towards the end) and the couple got their HEA instead of dragging on for a trilogy or more like a lot of authors are doing now so yay for that.
July 7, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/4
Magic, Mates, and a Mystery in Venice, what more could you want?
Welcome to the first book in the world of the Tarot Kings. This is a tale of fated lovers, cast over the backdrop of a futuristic Venice where technology has failed and magic has returned to reign supreme.
Domenico is a powerful shedu, a winged lion shifter, and the heir to the House of Swords (one of the most powerful ruling families of Venice). Stella is the heiress to the best publishing house in the city, not to mention a beautiful painter and skilled with a stiletto knife.
After a chance meeting during Carnivale months prior, these two are reunited by fate as they try to solve the mystery of missing magic users all across the city. We get action, intrigue, a gorgeous backdrop of Venice, and some delightfully steamy scenes between these two as they slowly give in to their intense attraction.
I loved the complexity and detail given to the ruling political system, the extravagant side characters (who will hopefully all be getting their own books), the independence and brilliance of Stella, the dominance and honor of Domenico, and of course anything that focuses on the lore and magic of Venice. I highly enjoyed this adventure and will be diving right into book 2!
🌶🌶/4
Magic, Mates, and a Mystery in Venice, what more could you want?
Welcome to the first book in the world of the Tarot Kings. This is a tale of fated lovers, cast over the backdrop of a futuristic Venice where technology has failed and magic has returned to reign supreme.
Domenico is a powerful shedu, a winged lion shifter, and the heir to the House of Swords (one of the most powerful ruling families of Venice). Stella is the heiress to the best publishing house in the city, not to mention a beautiful painter and skilled with a stiletto knife.
After a chance meeting during Carnivale months prior, these two are reunited by fate as they try to solve the mystery of missing magic users all across the city. We get action, intrigue, a gorgeous backdrop of Venice, and some delightfully steamy scenes between these two as they slowly give in to their intense attraction.
I loved the complexity and detail given to the ruling political system, the extravagant side characters (who will hopefully all be getting their own books), the independence and brilliance of Stella, the dominance and honor of Domenico, and of course anything that focuses on the lore and magic of Venice. I highly enjoyed this adventure and will be diving right into book 2!
February 7, 2023
Why did I sit on this masterpiece for so long!!
I mean I knew it was going to be good because Alyssa, Molly and Alessa have raved but OMG I was not ready!
The setting, the storytelling, the world building, the magical lore, the characters - it’s got it all.
Starting with the location, I felt like I was immediately transported and wondering around the streets of Venice with Amy’s vivid storytelling. It was very cleverly intertwined and added to the overall ambience of the plot.
Speaking of the plot, I’m hooked; when’s book 2 coming?!? - head to Amy’s instagram and you’ll know the answer! I honestly couldn’t put it down and was so intrigued as to where it was going next. The magical system was so unique, unlike what I’ve read before which was very refreshing.
I also loved the dynamic of Dom & Stella - their storyline just adds and extra layer of depth to this story and I immediately added Dom to my ever growing list of book boyfriends!
If you love the below you’ll love this book
🎴shifters
🎴unique magical system
🎴enemies to lovers
🎴fated mates
I mean I knew it was going to be good because Alyssa, Molly and Alessa have raved but OMG I was not ready!
The setting, the storytelling, the world building, the magical lore, the characters - it’s got it all.
Starting with the location, I felt like I was immediately transported and wondering around the streets of Venice with Amy’s vivid storytelling. It was very cleverly intertwined and added to the overall ambience of the plot.
Speaking of the plot, I’m hooked; when’s book 2 coming?!? - head to Amy’s instagram and you’ll know the answer! I honestly couldn’t put it down and was so intrigued as to where it was going next. The magical system was so unique, unlike what I’ve read before which was very refreshing.
I also loved the dynamic of Dom & Stella - their storyline just adds and extra layer of depth to this story and I immediately added Dom to my ever growing list of book boyfriends!
If you love the below you’ll love this book
🎴shifters
🎴unique magical system
🎴enemies to lovers
🎴fated mates
July 4, 2021
This book was absolutely amazing. I loved it so much. I loved everything about it the characters, the romance, the magic, and the mystery. Dom and Stella met before but he didn’t know who she was and then he finds her at the beginning. People are going missing and Stella friend goes missing. Dom and Stella team up to solve the mystery. I love anything that has a mystery to solve. I LOVEEEE their sexual tension like omg. I fell in love with them from the beginning and I loved them soooo much throughout the entire book. He fell in love with her the moment he met her.I love their banter and how he is always teasing her and she is annoyed. She is also teasing him as well and does anything and everything to bother him. I loved all the characters. They were funny, I loved how some of them would tease Dom and Stella and altogether were amazing. I loved this book so much and I can’t wait to read more in the second book.
May 1, 2023
I enjoyed it and I’ll definitely being reading King of Wands next!
This is a quick and easy read. I think the author has done a great job with the world building. But most especially, even though the book moved quick, I think that the MCs relationship was really well written. It was insta-attraction but it didn’t feel rushed to me. There’s no real issues between the MCs and I liked that. All the drama happens outside of their relationship and that was definitely a breath of fresh air from the past few books I’ve read. I really liked Stella and Dom. They have a mutual respect for each other and neither was taking over the other. It’s so nice to have a FMC that’s strength and abilities aren’t overshadowed by the MMC. I really liked the side characters as well and I’m interested to see each of their stories. Overall, definitely a great read and I’m looking forward reading more as the series progresses.
This is a quick and easy read. I think the author has done a great job with the world building. But most especially, even though the book moved quick, I think that the MCs relationship was really well written. It was insta-attraction but it didn’t feel rushed to me. There’s no real issues between the MCs and I liked that. All the drama happens outside of their relationship and that was definitely a breath of fresh air from the past few books I’ve read. I really liked Stella and Dom. They have a mutual respect for each other and neither was taking over the other. It’s so nice to have a FMC that’s strength and abilities aren’t overshadowed by the MMC. I really liked the side characters as well and I’m interested to see each of their stories. Overall, definitely a great read and I’m looking forward reading more as the series progresses.
November 4, 2023
I love this book! It's such an amazing take on shifters and magical users living alongside each other im a ,agically reimagined Venice. In a world where technology has failed and magic is now prevalent society is split into to ruling houses depending on magic type/user. Amy creates an extraordinary world which is so freaking perfect and wonderful…
Stella meets Dom at Carnivale for one night of passion, perfect banter and tension (this is freaking perfect spice!). She then disappears knowing she can’t be with the Prince of The House of Swords… she’s also an unregistered magic user.
Months later her best friend goes missing and she’s forced to work with Dom to investigate. Dom has never forgotten his night with his masked misteriosa (oh yes, we get ITALIAN nicknames!!!!). Cue so many shenanigans, Tension with a capital T and so much wonderful, life-giving banter!!!!!!!!! I honestly couldn’t put this down. Stella is sassy and Dom is swoon-worthy to highest order. The slow burn is and the resulting spice is so worth the wait!
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, I honestly couldn't put it down!!!!
I definitely recommend this to anyone seeking an old-world feeling, magical Venice setting book with mystery and romance.
Stella meets Dom at Carnivale for one night of passion, perfect banter and tension (this is freaking perfect spice!). She then disappears knowing she can’t be with the Prince of The House of Swords… she’s also an unregistered magic user.
Months later her best friend goes missing and she’s forced to work with Dom to investigate. Dom has never forgotten his night with his masked misteriosa (oh yes, we get ITALIAN nicknames!!!!). Cue so many shenanigans, Tension with a capital T and so much wonderful, life-giving banter!!!!!!!!! I honestly couldn’t put this down. Stella is sassy and Dom is swoon-worthy to highest order. The slow burn is and the resulting spice is so worth the wait!
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, I honestly couldn't put it down!!!!
I definitely recommend this to anyone seeking an old-world feeling, magical Venice setting book with mystery and romance.
September 16, 2024
So this review is for the entire series. I gave 5 stars on this book because the series is pretty okay and worth reading if you’re into fantasy romances. It’s well written and edited, and the story is pretty well thought out. It is not a classic, and typical of this author’s style, the climax is the opposite of climactic, especially given the rest of her stories which are filled with drama. As long as you keep in mind that the bulk of the story is the climax and the climax actually the resolution, you won’t be disappointed in any of her books, including this in this series.
This sounds halfhearted, but I did read her entire anthology in one go, and that means something. It’s not a great classic, but it’s a good book and series. I would any book in her anthology a max of 3 stars, but it seems that means it’s bad, and that’s not the case. For me that means a recommended read for entertainment value, but it doesn’t stick to your soul and may disappoint if not forwarned.
This sounds halfhearted, but I did read her entire anthology in one go, and that means something. It’s not a great classic, but it’s a good book and series. I would any book in her anthology a max of 3 stars, but it seems that means it’s bad, and that’s not the case. For me that means a recommended read for entertainment value, but it doesn’t stick to your soul and may disappoint if not forwarned.
March 21, 2023
King of Swords is a great start to a new series. Set in Venice, I enjoyed the setting and descriptions of the city. The story started off strong and steadily developed as the two protagonists worked together to investigate some disappearances occurring in the city. The ending felt a little rushed for me. After the build up of the mystery through out the book I would have liked the dramatic action at the end to have been a bit more in depth and drawn out. It would also have been good to see how Dom and Stella handle their new positions following the conclusions of the action, though the story ended pretty immediately which was a shame. All in all a quick and enjoyable read, and I would read the next in the series.
April 25, 2023
Series based around tarot cards with shifters & magical users … yes please!!
Stella is independent, head strong, fearless and full of sass.
Dom is a dominant alpha Shedu shifter and yet when it comes to Stella he is utterly smitten and as much as he wants to protect her he respects her too much to treat her as anything less than his equal.
Their chemistry is off the charts (the spice is *chefs kiss*).
The storyline is fast paced and flows well. I found the villain obvious from early on, however nice little surprise thrown in when it all comes to light.
Zahir the King of Wands is majestically brilliant and I’m excited to know his story is book 2 which I’m definitely jumping straight into!
Stella is independent, head strong, fearless and full of sass.
Dom is a dominant alpha Shedu shifter and yet when it comes to Stella he is utterly smitten and as much as he wants to protect her he respects her too much to treat her as anything less than his equal.
Their chemistry is off the charts (the spice is *chefs kiss*).
The storyline is fast paced and flows well. I found the villain obvious from early on, however nice little surprise thrown in when it all comes to light.
Zahir the King of Wands is majestically brilliant and I’m excited to know his story is book 2 which I’m definitely jumping straight into!
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