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Emperor and Hierophant
The next installment in the thrilling Arcana Oracle series finds heroine Pamela Colman Smith kidnapped, imprisoned, and fighting to protect her tarot deck from Aleister Crowley once again.
On tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester, Pamela Colman Smith is kidnapped by a mysterious force. In captivity, she begins a relationship with her mute keeper, a strange creature at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck.
Meanwhile, her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, Pamela’s muses for the Magician and Empress cards. Alerted to Pamela’s plight, Ahmed Kamal, Pamela’s Egyptologist friend, joins Bram to come to her aid. Plotting against the mysterious forces who abducted her, Pamela must outwit and out magic Aleister, as he tries to destroy her muses and tarot deck. Learning the lessons of her Emperor and Hierophant, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.
On tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester, Pamela Colman Smith is kidnapped by a mysterious force. In captivity, she begins a relationship with her mute keeper, a strange creature at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck.
Meanwhile, her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, Pamela’s muses for the Magician and Empress cards. Alerted to Pamela’s plight, Ahmed Kamal, Pamela’s Egyptologist friend, joins Bram to come to her aid. Plotting against the mysterious forces who abducted her, Pamela must outwit and out magic Aleister, as he tries to destroy her muses and tarot deck. Learning the lessons of her Emperor and Hierophant, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.
- GenresMagical Realism
344 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2025
1 person is currently reading
2381 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wands
4 books76 followersSusan Wands is a writer, tarot reader, actor, filmmaker and producer. A co-chair with the NYC Chapter of the Historical Novel Society, she has lectured at London's Watkins Books for their Recorded Authors series and in Berlin at the Occulture Berlin Festival. Ms. Wands' writings have appeared in Kindred Spirits magazine, she can be heard on these podcasts: 'Biddy Tarot', ‘Imaginary Worlds’, ‘Bad Ass Bitches Tarot’ and the ‘Spirited Tarot’ YouTube channel. Her first book in a series, Magician and Fool, Book One, Arcana Oracle Series will be published by Sparkpress May, 2, 2023. The second book in the series will come out in 2024 by SparkPress and the third book is in final edits.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 10, 2025
My favorite part of this historical fantasy book is the way nonfictional people are part of the magic in the story. I also love the mix of legends and myths from around the world that are presented.
The book is set around 1900. The main character, Pamela, continues to work on her tarot deck. She is adding 2 more cards, the Emperor and the Hierophant. One of her muses for this set is her “Uncle Bram” aka Bram Stoker.
The action never stops in this book as an evil magician, Aleister Crowley (also a nonfiction person), is trying to own Pamela’s tarot cards.
Pamela becomes a prisoner and must strengthen her magic to save herself and her muses.
This is the third book in the series. While they do build on each other as Pamela is assembling her deck, I think you could read this as a stand alone or first.
The book is set around 1900. The main character, Pamela, continues to work on her tarot deck. She is adding 2 more cards, the Emperor and the Hierophant. One of her muses for this set is her “Uncle Bram” aka Bram Stoker.
The action never stops in this book as an evil magician, Aleister Crowley (also a nonfiction person), is trying to own Pamela’s tarot cards.
Pamela becomes a prisoner and must strengthen her magic to save herself and her muses.
This is the third book in the series. While they do build on each other as Pamela is assembling her deck, I think you could read this as a stand alone or first.
June 10, 2025
Magical realism + history + thriller?! Sign me up! This is definitely a genre bender in the best possible ways! I already find tarot cards to be pretty fascinating, but this just took it to the next level! Such an intriguing read!
May 13, 2025
Book review: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Genre: magical realism/historical fiction
Themes: tarot, arcane magic, artistry, theatre life
📖 Read if you like: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Thank you to @BookSparks for gifting me the newest book in the Oracle Series as part of the SummerPopUp.
This book picks up after the unexpected events on the wharf with a tour of the Lyceum Theatre Company. Conspiracies against the crown and the malignant black magic courtesy of Alistair Crowley may have been temporarily halted, but with danger lurking around every corner Pamela is now in more danger than ever. As she continues to discover who her muses are through the creation of her tarot cards, Pamela finds an affinity to churches. It is ironic that it is in one such place that she will be kidnapped. In the aftermath it will become clear who her friends truly are and what some are willing to go through for her rescue.
The story weaves together the known history of various figures including the lesser known artist Pamela Coleman Smith with the world of theatre and artistry, of antiquity and symbology, of the unknown with the known world. There are many elements coming together in this series, and somehow it works. With each additional book I find myself getting more drawn into this world with malignant shadows lingering around each and every page. It is creative and something unlike any other book I have read.
I enjoy that Pamela’s artistry continues to be a focus on how she sees and explores the world. It is also wonderful for her to come into her own power without loosing the kindness and odd quirks that seem unique to her character. As for most of the others, I can’t say any of the other characters are particularly likeable. I think it is because they are all just so real and imperfect, plagued with hubris or expectation, men of the times or women forced to wear a facade for the limelight. It is hard to simply name one villain in a story such as this, though Alistair certainly plays the role for the archetypical sort, while Henry’s pride is a more subtle variant.
Genre: magical realism/historical fiction
Themes: tarot, arcane magic, artistry, theatre life
📖 Read if you like: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Thank you to @BookSparks for gifting me the newest book in the Oracle Series as part of the SummerPopUp.
This book picks up after the unexpected events on the wharf with a tour of the Lyceum Theatre Company. Conspiracies against the crown and the malignant black magic courtesy of Alistair Crowley may have been temporarily halted, but with danger lurking around every corner Pamela is now in more danger than ever. As she continues to discover who her muses are through the creation of her tarot cards, Pamela finds an affinity to churches. It is ironic that it is in one such place that she will be kidnapped. In the aftermath it will become clear who her friends truly are and what some are willing to go through for her rescue.
The story weaves together the known history of various figures including the lesser known artist Pamela Coleman Smith with the world of theatre and artistry, of antiquity and symbology, of the unknown with the known world. There are many elements coming together in this series, and somehow it works. With each additional book I find myself getting more drawn into this world with malignant shadows lingering around each and every page. It is creative and something unlike any other book I have read.
I enjoy that Pamela’s artistry continues to be a focus on how she sees and explores the world. It is also wonderful for her to come into her own power without loosing the kindness and odd quirks that seem unique to her character. As for most of the others, I can’t say any of the other characters are particularly likeable. I think it is because they are all just so real and imperfect, plagued with hubris or expectation, men of the times or women forced to wear a facade for the limelight. It is hard to simply name one villain in a story such as this, though Alistair certainly plays the role for the archetypical sort, while Henry’s pride is a more subtle variant.
June 15, 2025
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🃏 enjoy reading tarot
📚 want to continue the series
🇪🇬 love mummies
🪄 like books that feature magical realism
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
On tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester, Pamela Colman Smith is kidnapped by a mysterious force. In captivity, she begins a relationship with her mute keeper, a strange creature at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck.
Meanwhile, her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, Pamela’s muses for the Magician and Empress cards. Alerted to Pamela’s plight, Ahmed Kamal, Pamela’s Egyptologist friend, joins Bram to come to her aid. Plotting against the mysterious forces who abducted her, Pamela must outwit and out magic Aleister, as he tries to destroy her muses and tarot deck. Learning the lessons of her Emperor and Hierophant, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Though I haven’t read the previous books in this series, I felt that I was able to easily catch up with the story and plot line! I recently watched a movie about tarot cards, so this was a fun read that reminded me a bit of that as the characters fought over a magical tarot deck. I enjoyed all of the paranormal elements as this is something I always love to see in a story, especially the inclusion of mummies, my absolute favorite! I’ll definitely have to go back and check out the previous books now!
🃏 enjoy reading tarot
📚 want to continue the series
🇪🇬 love mummies
🪄 like books that feature magical realism
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
On tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester, Pamela Colman Smith is kidnapped by a mysterious force. In captivity, she begins a relationship with her mute keeper, a strange creature at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck.
Meanwhile, her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, Pamela’s muses for the Magician and Empress cards. Alerted to Pamela’s plight, Ahmed Kamal, Pamela’s Egyptologist friend, joins Bram to come to her aid. Plotting against the mysterious forces who abducted her, Pamela must outwit and out magic Aleister, as he tries to destroy her muses and tarot deck. Learning the lessons of her Emperor and Hierophant, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
Though I haven’t read the previous books in this series, I felt that I was able to easily catch up with the story and plot line! I recently watched a movie about tarot cards, so this was a fun read that reminded me a bit of that as the characters fought over a magical tarot deck. I enjoyed all of the paranormal elements as this is something I always love to see in a story, especially the inclusion of mummies, my absolute favorite! I’ll definitely have to go back and check out the previous books now!
May 11, 2025
You will totally be swept up in this historical fantasy like I was! Book 3 in the 𝑨𝒓𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒍𝒆 series, 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒕, continues the magical journey of Pamela “Pixie” Colman Smith—artist, Seer, and the creative force behind an enchanted tarot deck commissioned by the Golden Dawn Society.
Pamela is kidnapped and thrown headfirst into another round of magical chaos, battling the ever-villainous Aleister Crowley to protect her friends, her Muses, and her work. It’s cozy yet thrilling, and gave me 𝑬𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒆’𝒔 (of the Occult) meets 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒚 vibes—seriously, Pamela is like Evie O’Connell’s mystic cousin, and I loved it.
What I really enjoyed is how effortlessly this book blends rich historical detail with all the fantasy elements—mummies, visions, and the mysticism of turn-of-the-century London. You get era-specific characters, cool locations, and just the right dash of the arcane to keep things interesting. And if you live for mystical drama, mysterious connections, and stories steeped in the unseen world, you’re going to love this series.
𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
🃏 Tarot Cards
✨ Magical Realism
🏦 Historical Fiction
🧟 Mummies, Demons & Villains
🎭 Good Vs Evil
Pamela is kidnapped and thrown headfirst into another round of magical chaos, battling the ever-villainous Aleister Crowley to protect her friends, her Muses, and her work. It’s cozy yet thrilling, and gave me 𝑬𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒆’𝒔 (of the Occult) meets 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒚 vibes—seriously, Pamela is like Evie O’Connell’s mystic cousin, and I loved it.
What I really enjoyed is how effortlessly this book blends rich historical detail with all the fantasy elements—mummies, visions, and the mysticism of turn-of-the-century London. You get era-specific characters, cool locations, and just the right dash of the arcane to keep things interesting. And if you live for mystical drama, mysterious connections, and stories steeped in the unseen world, you’re going to love this series.
𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
🃏 Tarot Cards
✨ Magical Realism
🏦 Historical Fiction
🧟 Mummies, Demons & Villains
🎭 Good Vs Evil
May 28, 2025
𝐴 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒!
The fight continues as Pamela Colman Smith must protect her tarot deck from her nemesis, Aleister Crowley.
This book is bursting with vibrant descriptions of the Mysticism swirling around the streets, castles, and halls of turn-of-the-century London. The narrative has an eerie sense of the push-and-pull between good and evil, and it literally gave me chills, as supernatural forces are involved in the fight over this coveted tarot deck. However, I especially enjoyed Pamela’s mentor, Bram Stoker (yes, the author of Dracula), and an Egyptologist who assists Pamela in this magical game of cat and mouse.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝:
💜 Historical Characters
💜Visions and Visitations
💜Tarot Cards
💜 Mysticism
💜Theatre Life
💜Paranormal Creatures - including a Mummy
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @susanwandsauthor for the gifted book.
May 3, 2025
What a magical book! I normally don’t read this genre but I really enjoyed it! It’s the third book in the installment so I would recommend read the two others!
While on tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester Pamela finds herself being kidnapped by a mysterious force. When she begins a relationship with her mute keeper which happens to be strange creature whose at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck. her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.
While on tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester Pamela finds herself being kidnapped by a mysterious force. When she begins a relationship with her mute keeper which happens to be strange creature whose at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck. her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.
September 11, 2025
Susan Wand's novel, "Emperor And Hierophant," is Book Three in her Arcana Oracle Series. It did not matter that it was the first book of the series I read, as I was able to follow along from beginning to end. If you are a fan of Tarot cards and know a bit of their history, you will absolutely love the way in which Wands creates and develops her Arcana inspired characters using magical realism to interweave their tales together. Inspirationally, Wands employs the real-life Victorian era character of Pamela Coleman Smith, who was hired to illustrate the Tarot Card deck as her protagonist. This is a must read for lovers of magical realism and Tarot cards, and there is so much detailed Victorian history as well.
May 22, 2025
Mummies, tarot, visions, and the mysticism of turn-of-the-century London—this one had it all! With rich historical vibes, a touch of the paranormal, and a pulse-pounding struggle between good and evil, this book delivered atmosphere, action, and arcane secrets in all the best ways. If you’re into eerie London streets, supernatural twists, and stories that blur the line between the seen and unseen, add this to your TBR now.
📚 Easy to read, hard to put down. A dark, twisty escape with just the right amount of mysticism.
📚 Easy to read, hard to put down. A dark, twisty escape with just the right amount of mysticism.
June 26, 2025
This is the third book in the Arcane Oracle series. This one had a bit of a mystery with Pamela being kidnapped, but there was a lot of magical realism that overshadowed it. Sometimes it was hard to tell if the characters were hallucinating or actually doing magic. I feel like that distracted from the main plot, which I was enjoying reading about.
Emperor and Hierophant is a good book for fans of magical realism.
Thank you BookSparks for providing a digital copy of this book!
Content warnings: kidnapping
Emperor and Hierophant is a good book for fans of magical realism.
Thank you BookSparks for providing a digital copy of this book!
Content warnings: kidnapping
May 6, 2025
Susan Wands, the Author of “Emperor and Hierophant” has written a magical, captivating, and intriguing novel. After reading the next installment in the Arcana Oracle series, I became intrigued in tarot cards, the meaning and the history. Although this can be read as a stand alone, I feel it would be beneficial to read the other books. The genres for this book are Magical Realism, Occult Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, and Thriller. The female protagonist, Pamela Coleman Smith is an Artist and Seer, with a “second sight” in developing a set of tarot cards for the Golden Dawn Society. Pamela has visions of her cards from certain characters that become her muses. Aleister Crowley is Pamela’s Arch Enemy and is determined to stop her magical use of the cards by destroying and hurting her muses.
In “Emperor and Hierophant”, Pamela finds herself kidnapped. There are new and interesting characters that are both good and evil. Pamela will have to continue to expand her second sights and gift of magic to protect her friends and muses. and keep everyone alive and safe. This is an intense thriller full of twists and turns, danger, high adventure and power. There is a struggle between good and evil, and Pamela being able to stay alive. I highly recommend this intense novel.
In “Emperor and Hierophant”, Pamela finds herself kidnapped. There are new and interesting characters that are both good and evil. Pamela will have to continue to expand her second sights and gift of magic to protect her friends and muses. and keep everyone alive and safe. This is an intense thriller full of twists and turns, danger, high adventure and power. There is a struggle between good and evil, and Pamela being able to stay alive. I highly recommend this intense novel.
May 4, 2025
Historical fantasy meets thriller, with a dash of the paranormal, Bram Stoker, the origins of tarot cards, and a richly atmospheric London setting.
Intrigued yet?
Believe me when I say you’ll be swept into a magical journey through the hidden corners of London, mysterious castles, and even realms of astrophysical travel. It’s a spellbinding adventure that keeps you turning pages.
Intrigued yet?
Believe me when I say you’ll be swept into a magical journey through the hidden corners of London, mysterious castles, and even realms of astrophysical travel. It’s a spellbinding adventure that keeps you turning pages.
May 7, 2025
From the moment I put this book up and started reading I could not put it down. I literally read it front to end without taking a break. I love this and cannot wait for the next country in this series.
If you were looking for your next book and wanted it to be something that will just risk you away and bring you into the pages? This is it! You will not be disappointed.
If you were looking for your next book and wanted it to be something that will just risk you away and bring you into the pages? This is it! You will not be disappointed.
February 21, 2025
Thank you Susan Wands, SparkPress and Netgalley for this free ARC in exchange for a review.
I really enjoyed this third adventure fantasy novel in the series, even though it could have been better with more Pamela.
The whimsy of was nice.
I really enjoyed this third adventure fantasy novel in the series, even though it could have been better with more Pamela.
The whimsy of was nice.
June 12, 2025
This is my favorite book in the series. I loved reading more about Pamela's magical adventures. And anything that mentions Bram Stoker is always fabulous!
June 15, 2025
Another magical installment in a series that's become one of my favorites. The fantasy aspects are a perfect escape from the day to day trials and life. The tension is palpable as the fight between good and evil rages. The writing style is easy and comfortable and the story flows from chapter to chapter making it such an enjoyable read. What makes me even happier is the fact that after three books, Pamela still has many tarot cards to create, meaning there are many more escapades in the future for our heroine and company. I can't wait for the story to continue!
Thank you to the author, Spark Press and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and inviting me on this tour.
Thank you to the author, Spark Press and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and inviting me on this tour.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews