The Joker and the Black Cat: Emmerton x Pandora Part One

by Shaina Anastasi

She’s twisted in fragile desires

Blindfolded, she’s caught in chemistry from cold-cut liars

Shackled and on her knees

She’s trapped in the patriarchy’s vengeful wires

Born to burn the system in a blazing funeral pyre


The Shadow
Nineteen-year-old Pandora Hart had hidden in the shadows of her family her whole life. Commander Hart—the ruthless and cunning leader of the Kingdom of Crystal—had trained his youngest daughter to be no one. Have no attachments, feel no love or adoration, and never cling to fragile connections that can easily break.

But Pandora Hart wanted to be more than a shadow. She's a dreamer, yearning to experience even the slightest taste of freedom.


A Burning Alliance
Stolen in the dead of night, while her kingdom glowed crimson and the cinders in the breeze caught fire, she was no longer the shadow. She stands before the princes of Eraminia and a lone knight who is prepared to risk his life for her, but the king has ulterior motives.

He wants to control Pandora, manipulate her, and make her the Lady of the Kingdom of Crystal, using her voice against her. However, she’s allowed to choose her husband.


Choose Your Own Romance
There's the soft-spoken prince who can weave water between his fingertips.

The fiery, ruthless prince who can set entire cities ablaze with a glare.

Perhaps the prince with a smile that hides a thousand secrets, but none he is willing to share.

Or maybe neither, and another has caught her attention from afar: the Knight of Eraminia, sworn to protect her.

Either way, it is your choice to make.


Let the Games Begin
The Joker and the Black Cat is a Choose-Your-Own Romance set in a modern fantasy world. Bound by fate, this duology presents a multi-POV story, showcasing all four love interests and Pandora throughout the book.

For those who enjoy tabletop games, Baldur's Gate, and DnD, there's a dice game to play where you roll to determine which "romance scene" you can explore.

You can also do what I do and read them all. It is entirely up to the reader to decide.

Genres: Fantasy

465 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2025

About the author

Shaina Anastasi is a romantic fantasy author who loves delving into magic, blending elements of science fiction and horror into her work.

She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.

Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.

When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.

Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!

Reviews

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

What starts as a story about control and rebellion transforms into something much more complex and emotionally devastating. The opening concept about dancing to the string master's tune versus fighting against it perfectly captures the impossible choices Pandora faces throughout.

This series does something really unique with the timeline concept—the same heroine, different princes, completely different outcomes. It's like exploring alternate realities where each choice leads to different heartbreak and triumph.

Pandora Hart represents everything compelling about morally complex protagonists. Her father, Commander Fross Hart, trained her to be emotionally detached, yet her dreams of freedom shine through every interaction. When his attempt to assassinate King Ragan backfires spectacularly, she becomes a political pawn in the most personal way possible.

The Kingdom of Crystal setting provides a rich backdrop for political maneuvering that feels both fantastical and uncomfortably realistic. King Ragan's psychological manipulation tactics are genuinely unsettling, offering choice while systematically removing every real option.

The prince dynamics offer fascinating contrasts without falling into typical archetypes. Prince Reen (nicknamed "The Mutt" for having no king's blood) brings unexpected depth as the potential successor. The family tensions with Queen Ji-aSun create additional layers of court intrigue that enhance rather than distract from the central romance.

The sister subplot with Typha adds emotional weight that extends beyond the primary relationship. Her past engagement to Prince Walkyer, complicated by her affair with Prince Emmerton, creates this perfect storm of family betrayal that makes Pandora's forced choice even more painful.

The content warnings are severe - this tackles abuse, manipulation, and trauma in ways that serve the story without being gratuitous. The ending delivers a satisfying conclusion while setting up major questions that have me immediately reaching for the sequel. Thank you for this gifted ARC from Haus of Fables.

This author understands how to balance fantasy elements with psychological complexity in ways that elevate both. Looking forward to seeing how the other timelines play out.

#ShainaAnastasi #HausofFable

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaina Anastasi has crafted a truly unique and enthralling reading experience with The Joker and the Black Cat: Emmerton x Pandora Part One. From the evocative opening verse that perfectly sets the tone, to the innovative "choose your own romance" structure, this book grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go.

Pandora Hart is a compelling protagonist. Her struggle to break free from the rigid expectations of her ruthless father and forge her own path is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The author beautifully portrays her yearning for freedom and connection, making her a character you genuinely root for.

The world-building is rich and immersive, blending modern fantasy elements with a captivating sense of intrigue. The Kingdom of Crystal and Eraminia are vividly brought to life, and I found myself completely invested in the political machinations and simmering tensions between them.

But what truly sets this book apart is the "choose your own romance" element. The four potential love interests are all distinct and fascinating, each offering a different path and a different flavor of romance. The soft-spoken water-wielding prince, the fiery and ruthless prince, the secretive prince with a hidden smile, and the devoted knight each one is compelling in his own right. The multi POV allows you to truly delve into each character's motivations and feelings, creating a deeply satisfying and intimate reading experience.

The inclusion of a dice game mechanic is a brilliant touch that adds an extra layer of fun and engagement. Whether you choose to embrace the game or simply read through all the romance scenes (like me!), the freedom to explore the different relationships at your own pace is incredibly rewarding.

The Joker and the Black Cat is a must-read for fans of fantasy, romance, and anyone looking for a truly unique and interactive reading experience. I eagerly await Part Two and the continuation of Pandora's journey! Highly recommended!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of the "choose your own romance" is fun, but in reality I felt like I was missing a lot by not reading the alternate events in the other chapters. There were times that I felt like I really needed to read all the options to fully make sense of things, but after about 60% through the book that worked itself out. I cheated and only read the Emmerton timelines (instead of using the random dice rolls) since it was his story. Maybe I'll go back and read everyone else's story at some point, but right now I'm thinking about going back and reading the other books from this world to see if everything makes more sense. I would advise readers to not start with this book and to go back and read the other books before starting this one. This was my first book in this universe, and I was extremely confused in the first 50% of the book. I think you need to read the earlier books to have proper background information on the details of this world, the hierarchy amongst the people, and the terminology. If this was meant to be read as a true standalone then I think the author should have gone back and laid groundwork in the first couple chapters explaining the background of the world and the characters.

After I got through the first half of the book it definitely picked up and made a bit more sense to me. I did pause reading to go back to the first book of the series, Pandora's Heart, to read the first few chapters to get some background on the characters. It helped a LOT. I got a lot more into the story after that, and I blazed through the last 25%. I really like Emmerton and am hoping this story ends in a HEA for him.

Finding out at the end that Pandora was the one that choked Typha was definitely a plot twist that only briefly had crossed my mind, but it definitely complicates things! I'm also curious if Pandora's "mom" is working with her dad or against him.

Original story- 4⭐, but 3.5⭐ for my confusion and not giving a general character background and world building at the beginning of the book. I couldn't justify bumping up to the 4 star rating even though I wouldn't say it's a true 3 star. I'll definitely be requesting an ARC of the second book when it comes out!

Thank you Haus of Fables for my free eARC copy and giving me the opportunity to read this book.

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and fun way to read a book. Just roll the dice to see where the story takes you. I read every path because I just couldn’t help myself. Every path leads to a cliffhanger and has very intriguing outcomes. Suspenseful and plot twists and turns. Secret powers and origins.

Pandora is a secret. A puppet. But powerful and she will no longer be a secret or a puppet. Time to take her place in the Kingdom of Crystal and show everyone what she is made of.

First she must choose a prince….or maybe a dashing knight?

Roll the dice to choose her path..

Tropes:

🃏Choose your own romance
🐈‍⬛He falls first (what's new, honestly?)
🃏Multiple timelines
🐈‍⬛Pet companion
🃏Spice do be spicin’
🐈‍⬛Multiple endings

Don’t want to give any spoilers! Go preorder this book for a D&D type reading experience.

Thank you to the Author and @hausoffables_PR for this gifted ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[MaryAnn Walgamott · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review
3⭐️
3🌶

To start out this book is really intriguing for the gameplay aspect. It's a choose your own romance theme. You get four MMC to choose from. But its not as simple as thats its a roll of the dice.

Well I lived out one timeline and then went back and read a few more timelines. It's definitely interesting and I honestly enjoyed reading most of the other POVs along with the one I originally picked. It definitely catches your attention and isn't like the typical cutie rom coms out there. There's some banter, some spice, and some darker moments. If your looking for a mind trip of a book with some romance involved this is the book for you.

[Robin (DocRobReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate an author who takes a big swing, and writing a "choose your own adventure" romance feels like one of those. 💖 I tried to follow the instructions, but apparently I don't have D&D brain, so I don't think it worked entirely well, but that is more of a me thing than a book thing. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I will be reading book 2 in the duology because I wanna see how the story gets resolved. Definitely worth the read if you enjoy the gamification of anything. 🥳

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the world and characters Shaina has created in this series! The creativity of a choose your own romance is incredible and all 4 MMCs are amazing. Pandora is also one of my all time favorite FMCs. I can’t wait to see how this duology wraps up.

I do recommend reading Pandora’s Heart before The Joker and the Black Cat. You don’t have to but it will give you more background and world building (and it’s really good!)

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
Thank you so much to The Haus of Fables and author Shaina Anastasi for gifting me an ARC of this book!

This was such a fun read! I love a good romantasy read with betrayal and multiple love interests but it adds even more interest while reading when you can choose your romance! This book is written DND style where there are 3 stop points in the book where you roll a 20 sided die to gamble for the chance to choose the love interest you’re rooting for. If you don’t own a 29 sided die, the author has provided a QR code in the book to scan a roll a digital die. Depending on what you roll, you can choose from the love interests that correspond with the number rolled. Also, with each character choice, there are skill points to add or take away from your rolled number leaving you with a different number in which you use to choose a MMC. There are also stopping points that allow 2x and 3x chances to roll to try and get the character you’d like.

You also do not have to participate in this part of the book, you can choose to ‘go rogue’ as the author calls it, and read all the time lines without rolling. It’s a really interesting concept for a read and I really appreciate all the time, effort and planning it took to create an immersive read like this, I really loved it!

This is a romantasy that follows the FMC, Pandora Hart, and 4 MMC love interests, 3 of whom are brothers and princes to the Flesh Kingdom and one who is the princes knight. Pandora is the second daughter to the commander of the Crystal Kingdom but she’s not treated as a daughter like her sister Typha is. In fact, the general population don’t know she is Fross Harts daughter as she was raised to be her fathers shadow, a killing machine meant only for doing his dirty work and being a political pawn for him to gain more power.

One day the Crystal Kingdom is attacked by the Flesh Kingdom, and Pandora ends up being kidnapped by the princes but what they don’t know is that she wanted out anyways from her abusive family. She’s pretty indifferent if not somewhat content to not being in her previous familial situation. She does have to choose a prince to marry, but the choice is hers and that’s more choice than she’s ever had growing up under the control of Fross Hart.

There’s betrayal, familial secrets, strategic war activities and good action scenes with an interesting magical system that was not hard to follow.

Thank you again for this ARC read, I definitely enjoyed it and look forward to part 2 as we’re left on a slight cliff hanger.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

I was so intrigued by the idea of it and must confess that I loved it!! Choose your own romance is such a great concept and, may I say, one that seems extremely difficult to execute. Most of the story was the same for the majority of the book, so to make every chapter of the 4 different "pick your romance" storylines fit within the general plot (and not give away who she was choosing) must have been super difficult. So... my utter admiration to the author.

At times, I was confused about the timelines. Whether each romance was a different timeline or I just could choose the lover in this particular one. It may have been because I went rough and read 3 out of the 4 different romantic options. Yes, I am THAT indecisive. And also because I needed to know which romance I would end up liking best. I have not made up my mind about it yet, probably either Reen (who seemed the destined lover) or Emmerton (who knows about the timelines, this is not a spoiler as it is said by the author on the first choosing page). Though through a great part of the book I was rooting for Astin, at the end I was not entirely convinced. Walkyer was not my cup of tea, even though I read a couple of his scenes to see if I changed my mind. It did not happen. I also thought that maybe I lacked extra information from previous books of the author, since there seem to be a couple about Pandora and Walkyer, and Pandora and Reen; despite meeting for the first time in this book. So... are they supposed to be the other timelines?
Still, there was information that happened on specific people's chapters that was mentioned on the general ones like all of them happened regardless of who you chose. Hence, my general confusion.

Apart from the "choose your romance" bits, this book had a plot, extensive worldbuilding, differentiated side characters and a very specific magic system, all in a modern setting I was not expecting, that made it refreshing to read. However, I advise you check the content warnings because aside from the fun of getting to pick the romantic partner, this book has some dark themes. Nonetheless, super recommended!

I received an ARC for this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I am sorry it took me so long, the last month has been madness. For the future, I would advise to send them more than 1 week before the publication date.

[Smut Goblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fierce heroine. Four potential fates. One dice roll away from destiny. ❤️‍🔥

Shaina Anastasi delivers a bold, genre-bending feat in The Joker and the Black Cat—a choose-your-own-romance fantasy that merges the immersive, character-driven storytelling of romantasy with the interactivity of tabletop RPGs. Set in a richly imagined world brimming with political tension, elemental magic, and slow-burning desire, this first-in-duology invites readers not just to read a story, but to play it.

Pandora Hart is a heroine forged in silence and secrets—trained to be no one, yet destined to become everything. When she’s swept from the shadows of her kingdom into a game of alliances, seduction, and survival, readers must decide: Which path will she walk? Which prince (or knight) deserves her heart? And what happens when love is just another move in a kingdom’s power play?

Anastasi’s command of multi-POV structure and nonlinear storytelling is nothing short of impressive. Each romantic path offers a unique lens on the story and reveals new emotional truths, encouraging rereads and exploration. The inclusion of a D&D-inspired dice mechanic deepens engagement and will thrill fans of interactive fiction and unconventional romance formats.

Thematically rich and sensually charged, this novel explores agency, identity, and rebellion against systems designed to silence women. It’s as sharp as it is seductive.

Whether you follow one love story or read them all (trust me, you’ll want to), The Joker and the Black Cat is an ambitious, addictive, and daringly original addition to the romantasy landscape. A must-read for fans of game-lit, high-stakes romance, and experimental narrative formats.

Perfect for readers who love:

🧭 Choose-your-own adventure romance

💘 Emotionally complex heroines

📚 Multi-POV storytelling

✨ Magic, monarchy, and slow-burn spice

🎲 Gamified reading experiences


Thank you to Shaina Anastasi and Haus of Fables for the gifted eARC. I can’t wait to see how this powerful, provocative duology concludes.

[Coz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis 🐍
Nineteen-year-old Pandora Hart had hidden in the shadows of her family her whole life. Commander Hart—the ruthless and cunning leader of the Kingdom of Crystal—had trained his youngest daughter to be no one. Have no attachments, feel no love or adoration, and never cling to fragile connections that can easily break.
But Pandora Hart wanted to be more than a shadow. She's a dreamer, yearning to experience even the slightest taste of freedom.

Ok! I reallllly enjoyed this book! And loved the concept of how it is written!

I personally have never played Dungeons & Dragons but this book is set up in a similar format (from what I’ve heard). You roll the dice and it decides your way through the book.

We have Pandora Hart who’s our FMC.
But then you have
Walkyer Cresturn (yes!)
Emmerton Cresturn (maybe)
Reen Kyong (YES!)
Astin Whitlock (YESYESYES!)

My roll put me on the path of Pandora & Walkyer but ultimately liked Astin so followed their path! Of course I went with who she can’t have, because I’m a sucker for that kind of thing 😂

Whilst there wasn’t any major twists, turns or cliffhangers, I did find it hard to put down and was really engaged. I found it a very cleverly written story and it was an easy and entertaining read. I found the world building just enough and I found it easy to connect with the characters.

The ability to do this, whilst creating multiple different story paths AND multiple POV’s is a testament to Shaina’s writing skills and I will be looking at reading more of her books very soon!

Thank you so much to Shaina & Haus of Fables for the opportunity to read this as an arc in return for my honest review.

[Chelsea | Mrs Viking Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐️

The Joker and the Black Cat is a daring and ambitious fantasy romance that throws tradition to the wind - and I absolutely love an author who takes that kind of risk!

Blending modern fantasy with the interactivity of D&D and “choose your own ending” books, this novel invites readers to pick a love interest and follow a unique path, or roll a dice to let fate decide. As a fan of Baldur’s Gate-style storytelling, I was instantly hooked by the concept! 🎲

Pandora is a compelling heroine - raised to be no one, she aches for freedom and defiance. Her journey is filled with danger, romance, and political games, all set against the vivid backdrops of two rival kingdoms. The idea of multiple POVs and player-driven romance options makes this story feel more like an experience than a typical read.

However, that same innovation comes at a cost. Skipping chapters to follow a specific love interest made the story feel fragmented. Important developments were sometimes only mentioned in passing when rejoining the main plot, which left me feeling disoriented and like I was missing critical pieces. In the end, I found myself reading every chapter anyway just to fully grasp the story - which somewhat undermines the choose-your-own path structure.

Still, the writing is strong, the world is intriguing, and I’m genuinely curious to see how the duology continues. If you’re open to a reading experience that’s more like an adventure game than a linear narrative, this one might just charm you.

Thank you for this gifted ARC from Haus of Fables ♥️

[scribsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a crazily and wildly creative and engaging adventure. When I saw that The Joker and the Black Cat is a choose your own adventure, I could not sign up quickly enough. I kept checking to see if I was selected to receive an ARC and I am so glad I did! Shaina Anastasi does some really intricate work with the way the world is set up and it really shows.

One of the elements that really stands out is the choose your own adventure. I can’t imagine having so many different details and timelines just waiting to be told but also trying to keep them all straight so they all still tell a cohesive store regardless of a reader’s choices. Admittedly, I struggled with the format for a while because while I have read choose your own adventures before, they were typically in physical book form so I was able to turn pages and keep track. Doing the same on an e-reader required a bit more finesse I definitely didn’t have so I just read everything straight through like how one might normally read a novel. I’m telling you now, it didn’t disappoint, and again, it just reinforced how good Anastasi’s creativity and writing is because it just added to the magic.

If you’re looking for a choose your own adventure but also want romance with a strong FMC and world where things are definitely not what they seem, you really need to give The Joker and the Black Cat a try. Thank you to Haus of Fables and Shaina Anastasi for this gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Moe Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

📜 Adventurers gather around the fire…I’ve just returned from a realm of rival kingdoms, forbidden love, political intrigue — and yes, I had to dust off my trusty D20s to survive the journey. 🎲✨

The Joker and the Black Cat is not your standard tale. This one bends the rules of storytelling, letting you choose your love interest, shape your path, and even let fate decide the outcome. It’s fantasy romance meets campaign night — and I was so here for the chaos.

Our heroine, Pandora, is no ordinary NPC. Raised in the shadows, burning for freedom, and dropped into a world on the edge of war — her journey is rich with danger, desire, and decisions that change everything.

But adventurer beware: the structure of this tale is bold and nonlinear. Skipping chapters to follow certain routes felt at times like navigating a dungeon without a map — a little disorienting, with lore scattered like hidden scrolls. I found myself flipping through every chapter just to uncover the full story.

Still, the risk is part of the reward. This book is a love letter to interactivity, and if you’re the kind of reader who loves player choice, branching narratives, and dramatic rolls of the dice… you’ll feel right at home in this world.

Campaign complete: Big thanks to Haus of Fables and Shaina for the gifted ARC — can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds 🐈‍⬛🖤.

[MissAllieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am confused, in all honesty. My heart is pulling me in every direction, but the one it beats for most is not a prince.”


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was the first book where I got to choose the romance and I loved it! I didn’t know this would be a series but I need to know what happens next and who Pandora will choose!

The first time I rolled I got to read Emmerton’s POV and those first two chapters of his POV was what drew me to him and I was addicted but I did end up also ready Reen’s because for some reason I had this curiosity of him and needed to know more about him. I’m so glad that I did but it was also tough because I was going back and forth between the two of who I wanted to see Pandora with.

I did end up later on reading of the MMC’s POVs but I definitely connected with Emmerton and Reen’s!

“I don’t want love. I don’t want just s*x. I want you to f*** me as hard as you can until I f*cking break, Reen.”

When I was getting to the end of the book I just felt a stronger connection with Reen’s and was hoping she would choose him! I can’t wait for the sequel!!

Thank you to Shaina Anastasi and Haus of Fables for the chance to read and review this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This story caught my eye as the idea of choosing your romance based on the roll of a die seemed like an interesting concept. Even though this is Emmerton's storyline, I did play by the rules and rolled one of my D20 to choose Pandora's love interest. Thankfully the dice Gods were on my side and I managed to roll the required number to follow Emmerton's path.

I will say I felt a bit confused during the first half of the book as I felt like I was missing some of the backstory regarding the world and the characters. Even though this is supposed to be a stand-alone I saw someone mention that they went and read the first few chapters of Pandora's Heart, Walkyer and Pandora's timeline and it helped clear up some of their questions. I'll probably go back and do that as well as read the other books in this world. I also plan on reading the other POVs in this book as well.

Despite being a bit confused I still found the story interesting, and I loved reading Emmerton's chapters. Even though he's the only love interest I've read I think he is my favorite, and I hope his story with Pandora ends well.

Thank you Haus of Fable and Shaina Anastasi for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Leigha Lennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Joker and the Black Cat by Shaina Anastasi is a haunting, poetic tale that grips you from the first line and refuses to let go. With a heroine forged in silence and longing, a world steeped in elemental magic and patriarchal control, and a choose-your-romance setup that puts the power in the reader’s hands, this book is both a rebellion and a reckoning.

Pandora Hart is a striking protagonist—trained to disappear, yet burning to be seen. Her journey from voiceless shadow to key political figure is packed with emotional tension, twisted loyalties, and the aching desire for freedom. The prose is sharp and lyrical, almost musical in its cadence, adding a layer of raw vulnerability to the story’s darker themes.

The romantic dynamics are where this book shines. Each suitor offers not just a love interest, but a different worldview and potential fate for Pandora. From the gentle prince of water to the volatile flame-wielder, to the knight whose quiet strength cuts deeper than most, there’s a constant undercurrent of tension that keeps the pages turning.

This is not a light read—it’s steeped in control, trauma, and manipulation—but The Joker and the Black Cat dares to explore what happens when a girl built for obedience decides to rewrite her own story.

[Sussu {Romance Obsessed}]

I'm so sorry to dnf at roughly 16%, I think it's great when authors take risks and pick a new concept for a book, but unfortunately it did not work for me.
There were so many characters and a lot going on, that it was hard for me to follow.
With so many characters, it's hard to remember them and know who is actually important.

There were also some inconsistencies and grammatical errors, it could have benefitted greatly from a proofreader. I also struggle when the writing repeats itself a lot, but that's just one of my neurodivergent quirks.

>“You are going to die,” she declares flatly. “Did you want me to die somewhere else?” I ask, not caring where I die.

> Exhaling, I tilt my head to the night sky and try to fight back tears. The stars glisten without a cloud in sight. Through the rippling, pooling tears, the stars appear to be breaking, just as my younger self told me.

>“Your defiance hasn’t gone unnoticed, and I’d rather not be forced do anything drastic to keep you from defying orders. Understand, Daughter?”

Lastly, I'm begging for "the kingdom of flesh" to be renamed. Please.

[Daniya · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟 e-Arc Review 🌟

4.5/5 ⭐

The Joker and the Black Cat was such a fun and emotional read! Pandora Hart is a character you can't help but root for-she's been treated like a shadow her whole life, but deep down, she just wants to feel free and make her own choices.

The mix of romance, magic, and political drama kept me hooked from the start.

What I really loved was the "choose your own romance" part-it made the story feel good and refreshing. All four love interests were interesting in their own way, and it was fun getting to explore their different paths (yes, I read them all! ). The fantasy world is vivid, and the writing made it easy to picture everything.

The only reason I'm not giving it a full 5 stars is that a few parts felt a little slow, especially when switching between characters. But overall, it's a creative, emotional story with just the right amount of magic, danger, and romance.

Thank you, Shaina Anastasi for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful ARC.

[Ana]

DNF @ 26%

I was really excited to read this book because the concept sounded really good, and the cover is so pretty! Unfortunately, I found the book really confusing. I didn't like the way the POVs jumped from one guy to the next in the prologue, but I wanted to give this book a fair try. Unfortunately, it didn't get any less confusing as I read on. I felt like there were important plot points I was missing to understand the book. I thought this could be read as a standalone?? Maybe I was mistaken. I decided to follow the Emmerton path but the jumps between his and Pandora's POV felt too drastic. Also, there was a lot of things Emmerton was talking about that I was confused on. What did he mean by different timelines? I was really disappointed that I wasn't able to finish this book 😭😭

Thank you Haus of Fable and Shaina Anastasi for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

In this book you have the chance to choose your own romance, you can pick from 4 different stories, and I love that the author gave instructions on how to determine who you’re picking. If you’re like me you will choose the side of danger and read all of the stories because come on, I have to know all the outcomes of each one.

I loved the plot, the worldbuilding, and all the characters. I found the pace of the book to be fast, (even with me reading all of them), it’s a character-driven plot but with all the political tension, elemental magic, and the slow burn of romance made this book so much fun. Pandora Hart is a pawn in someone’s game, she doesn’t want it, but she knows that she has to succeed in order to survive all the lies and betrayals that she is uncovering with the help of the Princes of Eraminia and 1 knight. Okay I can’t really tell you too much about each Prince and the Knight, but I will list who I liked and who I didn’t lol. Just know each of these males can be harda$$ but you will also see a different side to them as their story continues, and you will be able to understand why they act like they do.

MMC and the way that I rank them:
Walkyer Cresturn
Astin Whitlock
Reen Kyong
Emmerton Cresturn

I really couldn’t choose who I wanted to follow because I wanted to get to know them all. I loved the different POVs that you will see and how the writing style with the game (reader chooses) was written so well.

I want to thank Shaina and Haus of Fables for the opportunity to review this fun, and different, also nostalgic with being able to pick who to read and where the story will go. Brought back fun memories of reading goosebumps where you can pick where the story goes.

[Jennifer Markowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a choose your own adventure style of book. With an added twist in that you roll dice to determine your path DnD style. I started with one path and once I finished it I went back and started over and finished again but I chose a different path. I did this with each path you can choose from. I wanted to see how each story turned out. Each one was unique and well written. The author obviously enjoyed writing this but also put in LOTS of work on it to make it flow so seamlessly. There is one part of the story that confuses me and I’m hoping that it’s cleared up in the next one. But I won’t post any spoilers because maybe it won’t confuse others. Definitely worth taking the time and doing it the way the author intended. Highly recommended!

[Alina Anghel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The choose your own romance concept is really interesting and something I haven't read before (not sure if there are other books written in the same way), but I really liked it.

When I first rolled the dice I was surprised I got Emmerton and I have to admit I only read his POVs because I wanted to keep to him since I started with him and I wasn't disappointed.

The chemistry between him and Pandora was 🫦. The pull game between them was amazing and I liked "choosing" him at the end. 🤭

I'll definitely need to re-read this to see the other POVs as well and the other books with the other guys, I was really intrigued about Astin and Reen tho 👀👀 I think these 2 are the ones I'm most looking forward to. 🤭

[Chelsea Semprun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had an absolute blast with this book! I stuck true with the concept of going with where my roll led me— which also included MMC change about midway through the book.

Growing up I LOVED choose your own adventure books so when I have the ARC signup for this I knew I was ready to dig in!

I am looking forward to doing another read and seeing where the rolls take me.

The concept and the execution of this romantic fantasy choose your own love story idea I really enjoyed and look forward to reading more works from this author.

(Some of you will be saying why choose during your read and you also don’t have to- read all their stories if you want!)

Thank you to Haus of Fables and the author Shaina Anastasi for the gifted eARC. I really enjoyed this one.

[Shenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much, @haus.of.fables_pr and @shainaanastasi.author, for gifting me this earc!

The Joker and the Black Cat 🐈‍⬛️ had me with its title!
This was an interesting read. I've not read a book where I am involved. I had to roll a die, and from there, it chose the romance character to read. We follow our FMC, Pandora, and see what her fate has in store.

This book was written so well that I was hooked. It was intriguing, and I was invested.

This book has alternate timeline shifts, and it's so cool and fun to read. Although it was a bit confusing and disoriented at times, it was still so interesting to choose the romance interest.

If you enjoy fantasy mixed with dungeon and dragons and you get to roll and follow a timeline of romance, this one is for you!

[Jemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really intrigued before I started reading as it sounded so fun and interactive. Loved switching up the characters with the dice role just like playing a game. I started strong and got Emmerton which flowed nicely as it’s technically his book. I found the story line to be very interesting. I really wanted to love the book and in some parts I did but I was confused more often than not which I think has a lot to do with following a specific character I felt like I missed out on a lot. I will do a reread and change up the MMC or even just read every one haha. Side note the character art was stunning and really helped paint the picture of characters.

Overall was a nice read and a fun experience.

[Nicole Grundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply magical from start to finish. The love story between Pandora and Emmerton was beautifully written, full of tenderness, longing, and the kind of emotional pull that lingers long after the last page. What truly set this novel apart for me, though, were the choose-your-own-adventure elements. They weren’t just a fun gimmick; they added real depth to the narrative, allowing the reader to feel directly involved in the unfolding of events. Each decision reshaped the journey in surprising and meaningful ways, making every read feel personal and unique. It’s rare to find a book that combines enchanting storytelling with such an interactive twist, but this one delivered it perfectly. I was completely swept away.

[Hannah Ramsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC: Thank you for this gifted ARC from Haus of Fables.

The uniqueness of the storytelling, choose your own romance was very interesting. I did find myself confused at times because of the timeline jumps & on how I was supposed to roll dice. I ended up reading Emmerton's story mostly & really enjoyed that. There were varying points of the story I became confused & felt like I had missed plot points somewhere. I became more emersed when I stuck to Emmerton's story. The romance scenes were well done & I enjoyed the magical elements to the story. I'm glad I took a chance on this book to be introduced to a new author!

[Caitey Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaina Anastasi's The Joker and the Black Cat introduces readers to a modern fantasy world where fate intertwines the lives of its characters. One of the standout features of this book is its DND inspired "Choose Your Own Romance" format, which I absolutely love as a table top gaming nerd. Readers are presented with multiple points of view and can influence the direction of the story, leading to four unique romance scenes for each male main character (Personally I read them all) The story delves into intricate character dynamics, exploring themes of desire, power, and societal constraints. Anastasi doesn't shy away from portraying the darker aspects of her characters' journeys which I feel adds that something something to her storytelling!

[psych0_4books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I loved the idea of a choose-your-own-romance crafted by the author. A unique concept with a lot of potential but it left me confused as I read through the story. I did my best to use the chapter pages and read each respective couples' story which helped. There is the chance to use a dice (akin to Dungeons and Dragons gameplay) which was fun.

Each story is interesting with different plot twists and points of intrigue and romance as Pandora fights against the notion of her being a puppet of the kingdom.

*Huge thanks to Shaina and Haus of Fables for the early copy!